A Mother's Scorched Earth

s perfect, new backyard, th

stronaut, his small feet thudding near

e, my bright,

heard t

ntal tree, a ridiculously expensive

ze, his f

door, her expression tighten

called, her

posture rigid. He surveyed the scene, h

he hell

"He' s always doing this, Mark.

een watching by the fence line, my stomach twisting. We were sep

k scoffed, "This t

needs to learn, M

e, gourmet peanut mix, and then to the bags of mulch near the gar

loe, you know about his allergy

. "Oh, here we go. Everythin

eatening, Mark!

ent," Chloe insisted, "S

tump at the far end of the yard. "You see th

too hot, and he' s too small. And

so dramatic." Mark turned to Ethan.

t me, his eyes

lease,"

bility, Sarah. Something yo

eanut bowl and nibbling, watchi

't just about a tree, it was abou

to put Ethan in