Aunt or Enemy

Eloise – First Person POV

The first thing I hear is the faint, clipped chime of my phone. It’s early enough that the light spilling through my window is soft, almost hesitant, like the morning is still deciding if it wants to commit to the day. My coffee is half-made, dark roast, French press, timer set to four minutes, but that sound pulls my attention to the phone on the counter.

I dry my hands on a kitchen towel and check the screen.

Jadeline. 

Of all the people who could call me, she was the last one I wanted to hear from. My thumb hovers above the...