Chapter 3

Esther Kowalski was discharged a few days later.

The doctors said her recovery was remarkably swift.

I, Sarah, knew it was because a young, desperate mind was now driving this older vehicle.

"You should come stay with us for a bit, Mom," Carol said, her voice gentle, worried.

My mother. Seeing her, whole and not yet completely broken, was a punch to Esther' s gut.

This was before the worst of it. Before Brenda had fully sunk her claws in.

"Yes, that would be good," I said, Esther' s voice sounding surprisingly firm.

So, I, as Esther, went to live temporarily with Carol and Rick.

My old home. Now, a battlefield I saw with new eyes.

I witnessed firsthand the subtle cruelties, the constant undermining.

Rick, already distant, easily irritated by Carol, fawning over Brenda on the phone.

Brenda' s name was a constant whisper, a shadow over the house.

Carol would flinch, try to please, her spirit dimming.

The original Esther, I remembered, had been somewhat critical of Carol.

"Too soft," she' d say. "Doesn' t stand up for herself."

But now, looking at my mother through Esther' s eyes, I felt an overwhelming, fierce protectiveness.

This gentle soul didn' t deserve this.

My anger at Rick, at Brenda, burned hotter.

Esther' s original personality was stern but fair.

I would be stern. And I would be far from fair to those who deserved it.

Carol fussed over me, making sure "Esther" was comfortable.

"Mom, are you sure you' re okay? You seem... different."

"Different good, I hope, dear," I said, patting her hand with Esther' s.

A small smile touched Carol' s lips.

"Yes, different good."

Good. She needed to see strength.