She hoped they would sleep off the effects of the marijuana-infused cookies without her having to confess to what they were. She knew they were looking for an excuse to declare her incompetent. Accidentally drugging them would be an ideal excuse.

"Sounds like a plan!"

Claude struggled to his feet, stumbled, and balanced himself on the back of the kitchen chair. When his concerned mother wrapped her arm around his waist to prevent him from falling, he uncharacteristically squeezed her bottom.

"You coming, Emma?"

"I'm not tired! I'm going to sit on the porch for a while."

Emma struggled to her feet and staggered through the kitchen to the screened-in...