Chapter 1

June 1

Chuck and Beth arrived at the community center to pick Jacob up from his first day of day camp. Once inside, Jacob ran over to them.

"Mommy!" Jacob cheered. "Daddy! I had so much fun today!"

"I'm so glad," Beth said.

"I bet you're hungry," Chuck said picking up his son. "I'm going to take you to the café."

"And I'm going to pick up the baby from the sitter," Beth said. "You guys go and have fun."

Chuck and Jacob walked out of the community center and a teenage volunteer walked over to Beth.

"You must be Jacob's mom," the volunteer said. "I'm Carol."

"Nice to meet you," Beth said. "Was Jacob on his best behavior?"

"He sure was," Carol replied. "He was a little shy at first, but then your sister came and helped him out and be less shy. She also took him to lunch today and brought him back. Then she helped out with activities for a little bit."

"Which sister?" Beth asked. "Jackie, Jenny, or Jenna?"

"Neither of those were her name," Carol replied.

"Well the only other sister I have is Sophia and she lives in Maine," Beth said.

"You mean Rosemary isn't your sister?" Carol asked.

Later at Rosemary's house, Rosemary was sitting on her couch fixing her hair with a flat iron. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," Rosemary said.

Beth stormed into the house and over to Rosemary.

"Hello Beth," Rosemary said putting down the iron.

"You kidnapped my son!" Beth shouted.

"I just took him to lunch at Chuck E. Cheese's," Rosemary said.

"You stay away from my son!" Beth shouted. "If you ever take him without my permission again, I will call the police and have you arrested!"

"Are you threatening me?" Rosemary asked. "Did you just come into my house and threaten me?"

"Just stay away from my son," Beth said.

Beth walked out of the house and Rosemary picked up her phone and immediately dialed 911.

"911," the dispatcher said. "Please state your emergency."

"Help!" Rosemary screamed. "My name is Rosemary Lissing and I've been badly burned! I need an ambulance!"

Rosemary hung up her phone and grabbed her flat iron.

"Love hurts," Rosemary said aloud to herself.

Rosemary put her left hand between the metal parts of the iron, closed it on her hand, and began to scream in pain.