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<img src="https://archive.org/download/blood-drip-23/blood-drip-23.gif">
Your husband has been killed. You repeat it in your head, even as the denial wears off you. You don't really want to admit it, but you always knew this could happen.
It didn't matter, because Michael was worth it. Right?
Anyway, the phone is ringing. It won't stop ringing unless you do something. You could feign ignorance, but you know who is on the other line.
You always purposely turned away at anything having to do with his business, but now you can't ignore it anymore. His family is calling you, and there are expectations of you now.
[[Answer the phone.|phone]]
[[Go back to bed. You deserve rest.|bed]]
Good choice. You know Michael's family, and they don't exactly enjoy being ignored, no matter the circumstances.
You answer the phone with a gargled "Hello?"
"How are you doing? We were so worried when we heard. I'm sending people over right now to take care of everything for you."
That's his mother, Dinah. Like every other time, you want to protest to her overbearing tendencies. Still, it might be nice to be taken care of for a bit.
[[You mumble your gratitude to her and let her help you|help]]
[["I'm fine," you say as graciously as you can manage. You don't need anyone in your house right now|bed]]What a lovely thought. If only Michael's family knew when to take a hint. Michael's mother, Dinah, shows up at the door in her long, burgundy coat and a disgusting casserole in her wrinkly hands.
"You weren't answering your calls, so we started getting worried about you."
She brushes past you on the way to the kitchen. She plops the casserole down on the counter and that's when you realize that it was never meant to be eaten.
"There are certain things we need to discuss."
[["Dinah, don't barge into my house ever again."|anger]]
[["Yes, I understand."|obligations]]Say what you want about your mother-in-law, but she rarely spares an expense. You aren't alone anymore, but so many things are being taken care of for you, you don't even mind.
The entire house smells of a delicious meat of some kind because of the private chef. All of your clothes that used to be piled in a heap in your bedroom is perfectly folded on your dresser, ready to be put away.
You knew this help would not be without it's strings. There's a note on your dresser. The paper is from Michael's stationary that he used for his work and reads "Central Location, tomorrow 10am."
It sounds cryptic but you know what it means. Michael owned and operated several power plants in the area but there was only one he referred to be that name. You've been summoned.
[[Throw the note away, go to bed, and sleep well past 10am.|bed]]
What does one wear to meetings like this?Your husband just died. You are sleep-deprived, and it's not like his family ever truly welcomed you. Nobody would blame you for snapping a little.
Except Dinah, of course.
"How dare you speak to me like that?"
You laugh, short and cold.
"Come on, Dinah. You never liked me. And now that Michael's gone, there is no reason for you to be here."
Dinah shakes her head.
"I wish it were that simple. It doesn't matter how I feel about you. With Michael gone, his responsibilities are now yours. It's what he asked for."
How does one respond to that, when all they want to do is go back to bed and pretend this is all a dream?
[["Do I get a say in any of this?"|say]]
[["Ok. Let's talk."|obligations]]"Shoot." The only way out is in, or at least you hope.
"I don't know how much you know about what Michael did," she pauses as you stare blankly at her. "It was dangerous, we dealt with dangerous people all over the world who wanted things from us."
"Dangerous things?"
Dinah doesn't find that as funny as would've hoped.
"We've created a family business, one that Michael was being groomed to take over. Now that he's dead, that responsibility falls onto you."
There is no other way this conversation could've gone, but you are still shocked.
"Me?"
"It's what he wanted."
Michael always did have high hopes for you. You just always thought you had more time. To become what he wanted for you or to convince him that's not what you wanted? You aren't exactly sure, and maybe that's why Michael didn't tell you.
Is this enough to push you in a certain direction?
"What do you need me to do?"
[["No. This is my life."|leave]][[Please leave.]]Dinah thinks she can sway you. It's in the determined set of her brow, and the unimpressed gaze with which she looks at you.
[[Please. You have to leave.]]
[[Get out of my house.]]Some would say begging is a sign of weakness. And maybe Dinah thinks that as well. But she's just lost her oldest son, and she's human too.
"Of course. I apologize for barging in like this."
You are surprised by the lack of fight, but you quickly nod and usher her to the door.
"I'll see you at the service."
And then you are done. You walk around the table. Your slippers padding against the floor is not the most intimidating sound, but you were a widow as of last night. Dinah should be afraid.
You grab the corner of the glassware with which the inedible casserole is housed. You hold it with two hands. It's heavy, but not too heavy that you can't do damage. You raise your arms...
[[SMASH]]The glassware slams onto the kitchen floor, tiny shards and casserole bits flying everywhere. Dinah nearly jumps out of her chair to escape the wreckage. She looks afraid.
Did she think you were going to kill her?
Were you going to kill her?
Don't answer that.
The smashed dish now lies between you and your former mother-in-law, like a barrier that no one will cross for fear of injury. Dinah looks at you with... disappointment? Like you had potential?
Either way, she grabs her purse and turns around, walks out of the door and doesn't look back.
Is this what you wanted? To be really done? "If you would like one, yes. If you would stop being so obtuse, you would have a much bigger voice than you could've imagined."
Dinah is getting irritable now. She was probably expecting you to shut up and agree with whatever she says. It's what most of Michael's side of the family expected from you, and you felt it was easier to let them think that.
Michael never thought that about you. So many of the good times in your marriage were eclipsed by the fighting and anger before his death. Now that he's gone, your future is in complete limbo. To listen to what Dinah has to say would be to tie yourself to Michael, possibly forever.
You miss your husband, but do you miss him this much?
[[Alright. Let's talk.|obligations]]
[[Whatever you have to tell me, Michael had plenty of time to do so. I don't want any part of this.|leave]]