But after I tell him I’m leaving him for Jess I guarantee he’ll do a 180 and beg me to reconsider. Not because I’m such an amazing catch, but because that’s what he does. Michael’s cycle of abuse hits five progressions: first, he gets furious. Second, he treats me like shit. Third, I threaten to leave. Fourth, he begs me to stay. Fifth, I agree, and he’s wonderful for a few days or weeks…then he gets furious.

“Is this about the insurance?” Michael says, practically spitting the words at me.

“No.”

“Really?” He gives Jess a dirty look. “Because I know my big-mouth sister told you about the meeting with Blass.”

“Who’s Blass?”

“The insurance guy.”

Jess says, “This has nothing to do with your little insurance scam. However—”

Alison fixes a cold, steady look on her adopted daughter.

“—Nicki has some information that can make it work. Nicki? Tell them.”

Michael and Alison look at me, but I have no idea what she’s talking about, so I look at Jessie and say, “Perhaps you should tell them.”

“Okay, but they probably won’t listen, since they think I’m just a stupid kid, and certainly unworthy of helping the family collect on a double indemnity claim.”

Alison says, “I’m sorry I’ve given you that impression, Jessie. I only wanted to protect you and save you the embarrassment. The whole situation is beyond disgusting, and I’m sure you had no idea Daddy’s been doing this all along.”

Jess says, “Can you prove he was?”

Michael says, “Mom’s known about it for months. She already told Mr. Blass.”

“Except that she’s the wife, and has a lot to gain by lying, correct? Where’s her proof?”

“Like Mr. Blass says, the proof is in the slip knot. It wasn’t a hangman’s noose, like the kind people use to kill themselves. Plus, Dad had a cloth around his neck. According to Mr. Blass, that’s the strongest evidence of accidental death.”

“Sounds like Mr. Blass is working for us instead of the insurance company.”

“He’s just pointing out the facts. He says that people who…do what Dad did…use a cloth to prevent leaving rope burns around their necks. If Dad was going to kill himself, why would he worry about rope burns?”

“That’s all you’ve got?”

Michael curls his angry lips into a smile. “Mom saw him doing it, Jess. And fortunately for us, she came crying to me about it months ago.”

Jess frowns. “No one’s gonna believe it. No mother would tell her son that her husband’s been whacking off with a noose around his neck.”

Alison says, “Shut up, Jessie! I’m sick of your filthy mouth. This is your father we’re talking about. Do you understand he’s dead? Have some respect.”

Jess bristles, but keeps quiet.

Alison takes a moment to calm down, then says, “What were you saying about Nicki having some information?”

“I thought you wanted me to shut up.”

Alison sighs.

Jess says, “Since you and Michael are beneficiaries, the insurance company will doubt anything you say to them. But Nicki’s not in the will, so whatever she says will carry a lot of weight.”

Like a snake shedding its skin, Michael’s face slowly releases its anger. He’s staring at me with great interest as Jess says, “You remember last March when Nicki and Michael spent the night and Nicki agreed to help me with my music project? I had to make a harp, and asked Nicki to get the tool box from Daddy’s closet.” Jess looks at me and says, “Tell them what you found.”

I have no idea what she wants me to say, but as we catch each other’s eyes I find myself exhilarated by the trust she’s placing in me to be creative, and more than that, I feel like a part of something I’ve never experienced before.