So many people are not quite right in the
head but can function just enough to be
considered normal. Enough to have kids. No
wonder there are so many…well, you know.
<
This time, I wasn’t just changing my fate. 1
was getting revenge. All of them.
I wanted to see just how much damage Janie
could do.
“Janie,” I said, batting my eyelashes
innocently. “I think you’re right. Let’s call the
cops.
ララ
The saleswoman didn’t back down. The cops
came. Janie’s defense: “I shouldn’t have to
pay.”
The female officer, exasperated, turned to
- me. Could I explain things to Janie?
L
I took Janie’s hand, my face earnest. “I think
my sister–in–law is right. The saleswoman is
trying to scam her.”
“This is ridiculous! You’re looking at a
lawsuit! Jail time!”
Janie paled at the word “jail.” As the officer turned away, I whispered, “Janie, I heard pregnant women can’t get the death penalty. The courts can’t touch you, right?”
Janie’s eyes lit up. When the officer returned, she declared, “Let her sue me! I’m pregnant!
I’m not afraid!”
<
The officer finally called my brother, Mark, to
mediate. Mark, thankfully, wasn’t Janie–level crazy. He apologized profusely, paid for the
necklace. It was $3,800. Janie clutched his
arm, her eyes wide.
“Mark, don’t! They say pregnant women don’t
go to jail…”
“Janie, you’re not going to be pregnant
forever! This is theft! You’ll have a criminal record! Think of our son’s future!”
“Amy, why aren’t you helping? She’s causing
so much trouble!”
く
I put my arm around Janie. “Mark, I think
Janie’s right.”
Mark rolled his eyes. Finally, we left the police
station. Janie, so bold outside, turned into a
meek little wife in Mark’s presence. She
always said a woman should be a thorny rose
in public, untouchable. But at home, she
should melt into a puddle, cherished and
protected by her husband.
“Mark, honey, I’m so stupid. Hit me! Hit my
stupid head!”
Mark, initially annoyed, softened. He hugged
く
her, consoling her. They whispered something
to each other, then glanced at me, a strange
look in their eyes.
That night, I got a text from Mark: “Amy, I
can’t reason with Janie. She says the
necklace wasn’t entirely her fault. How about
you split the cost?”
I laughed. Last time, I’d paid the full $3,800.
When I asked Mark for his share, Janie said I
should consider it a gift for their son. For the
sake of family, I’d let it go.
This time, I wasn’t replying. Last time, Janie
had been the instigator, but was Mark
completely innocent? He wanted the money,
the son, the second child. He didn’t need to
ask. His mother and wife fought his battles
for him. He just reaped the rewards. He was
no saint.
I transferred my money into a soon–to-
skyrocket stock, froze my credit cards,
leaving myself a few hundred bucks.
A few days later, at family dinner, Mom
unlocked my phone while I was getting food
and tried to pay for something using my face
- ID.
Decline. Insufficient funds.
The robotic voice froze everyone. I smirked
<
behind my plate of ribs.
“Amy, where’s your money? It’s only fair you
help Mark with the necklace. Janie’s
pregnant!”
CC
Just transfer the $3,800. Think of it as a gift
for your nephew.”
I blinked innocently. “Mom, didn’t you say we
should wait and see? We don’t even know if
it’s a boy. What if it’s a girl? Then no gift!”
“I never said that!” Mom shrieked, indignant.
But Janie had heard. Fueled by her romance
novel obsession, she burst into tears,
<
