The Truth Under the TestChapter 1
After a real soaker, mud and rockslides took out part of the village, everyone hunkered down at home, scared to step outside.
My man broke the news to my mom that he'd wrecked the car.
Without thinking twice, Mom zoomed off to the city on her electric trike, right into a fresh landslide. Got swallowed up by mud and rocks—never found her again.
By the time I got there, rescue was packing up. They just gave me that "sorry" look and told me to brace for the worst.
Mom's last words to me were all about the mess, "Alex crashed. I'm heading to town. Money's tight. Gonna hawk the gold bracelet your dad left."
That bracelet was all Dad left her. She clung to it, even when she was knocking on death's door.
Lost Mom and couldn't bear losing my husband too, so I buzzed Alex, all frantic.
He picked up quickly, background all boozy laughter and karaoke. Alex slurred out some club's name, "Just raked in a cool hundred mil from the live stream. Join us for some champers?"
Felt like a punch to the gut. I blurted out, "You're not hurt? Why the hell did you lie to Mom?"
Then, some snarky voice piped up, "With Alex flush with cash, gotta see who's gold and who's glitter."