Ari.
Mom blinked.
Claire froze with one hand still on her coffee cup.
I forced a laugh that sounded hollow.
“Sweetheart…”
Ari didn’t move.
Her finger stayed pointed.
“Why would you call Claire a monster?” I asked.
Ari looked at me with wide, frightened eyes.
“Because…” Her voice barely rose above a whisper. “…when I love Claire… Mommy starts fading.”
The words hit me like ice water.
Nobody spoke.
Ari twisted the edge of her dress.
“When Claire brushes my hair now…” She looked toward Sarah’s photograph on the mantel. “…
