He was counting on the whole room to believe it with him.

What none of them knew, as my son spoke of my brilliance in the past tense, was that the present tense was about to walk up to the bench and introduce itself.

Chapter 11 — Staged

Ainsley submitted photographs — expired groceries, an unpaid utility notice, a dent in my car.

Blanche smiled at me each time.

They had staged all three.