Ardal
“Welcome to Chateau Ardal.”
Jack and I are standing together on the front porch as the moon rises in the sky.
I swallow nervously as phantom censors of my conscience reprimand me for bringing a man home overnight with my kids present.
Their voices of judgment become louder and harsher until I angrily shake them away, sending them flying - their pearls still clutched tight.
Jack's face is even more swollen, and the bruising across his face and neck are now beginning to show - more damning evidence of Kadeem's barbarous attack.
Part of me feels a twinge of responsibility for what happened, as if I had thrown the punch myself. In an effort to assuage my guilt, I want to do something to help him recover - even if it isn't really my fault.
Jack takes my hand and smiles at me. I tak
