Whatever hit me, I liked it. A rush took over me that I could not control nor understand. The thought of seeing Jason in misery made my heart race of enjoyment. My teeth would clatter of intense shaking from excitement. I felt like a child at Disneyland for the first time. It was a pleasure, like watching the waves on a beach. Or like drinking a cold drink on a Caribbean island. It was something that when I was seventeen; I would not dare feel, because I would have been too afraid—I was such a child then.
“So, if someone were to drink this, would they instantly die?” I asked my only neighbor Tracy about a cup of hydrochloric acid I had.
“Yes most likely,” her eyes narrowed. “Why?”
“Well, I don’t want my baby to get it. I have a seven month old and I’m caring for a five-year old. You know children are so curious.”
“Oh yeah,” she laughed and patted down her floral gown. “I understand.”
“Come on, Savanna,” I grabbed her hand and ran across the street with the acid. “Thanks Tracy!” I waved goodbye as I spotted Jason pulling into the garage. My plan was now in action.
“Okay, remember what I told you to say,” I whispered to Savanna.
“I remember,” she said in her angel-like voice.
I was not planning to feed Jason the acid. I was not that much of a lunatic. However, I wanted him to suffer. And suffering was what he was going to do.
He rushed into the house turning on a basketball game. I watched him kick off his shoes and run his hands through his hair…so clueless. I watched his every movement from the kitchen; waiting for the perfect moment to start my devious plan. Lily, are you crazy? Do not do it! You’ll go to prison, I thought. Girl, you better do it, before he does it first to you. I sighed and handed Savanna a cup. Are you crazy? What if she pills it on herself? You're a terrible mother! Do it! Do it! Don't do it! Throw it on his face! Murder the bastard! Give him kisses! Do it! Do it!
“Go, go, go,” I whispered so low that Savanna could barely hear me. “Don’t spill any on you.”
She nodded and held the cup with her small hands. At a fast pace, she began walking toward Jason.
“Uncle! Uncle! Look what I found!” With little effort, the cup tilted onto Jason’s thigh.
“AHH!” he jumped up screaming like a baby and ran over to me. “Call 911! Call 911!”
I ran over to the phone and pretended to dial 911. “Okay Jason, I will.”
Jason fell to the ground as his pants and skin burned through. Good job, Lilly. I’m proud of you. What you did was very good. I smiled in happiness as Jason pouted in pain as he splashed water on his thigh.
“Put the cup down, Savanna!” I acted as if I were on the phone with the operator. I smiled every time he cried out for help. That rush went through me like…like…like acid. I smiled again, this time nearly laughing aloud.
Five minutes later, Jason ended up calling the paramedics himself, realizing I never called. They came in no time and rushed him off to the emergency room.
An hour later, I walked into the kitchen where a few cops observed the home. I could feel them breathing down my spine. I acted as if I were dusting picture frames, until Mike approached me.
“Lilly…” his thought changed, “…Jason will be fine. Good thing she only spilled a little on his leg.”
“Thank you, Mike,” I said. “When he gets home, I will take good care of him.”
“Yeah, I just don’t understand where your niece got the acid from?” Mike’s eyes narrowed. “It’s not like you guys are doing chemistry here.”
“Well, children find things everywhere. I wonder where she found it as well.”
“I’m going to be frank with you, I know what you’re up to,” he said. “And I won’t let you get away with it.”
“What are you talking about?” I laughed. “I’m not doing anything.”
“Lily, don’t play dumb with me.”
“I’m not acting dumb.”
“Is Kristen still coming over twice a week for counseling?” Mike said.
“Uh, nope. I haven’t seen her since I was pregnant,” I said.
“Um…did she quit?”
“I have no idea, Mike.”
“How are you and Jason getting along?”
“As good as they come,” I lied.
“Really?”
“Our love is real.”
“Well, I guess we’ll be going now. Jason should be home in no time,” Mike sighed and walked away.
I winked and turned to face the mirror on the wall. It was me there, but darker. And I don’t mean darker in complexion—just everything seemed darker, my eyes, my hair, my lips, everything. I rubbed my forehead on my right side where what it looked like loose skin was hanging. With the little nails I had, I scratched up the skin and it continued to peel off. I held the fresh oval shaped skin in my palm in eerie. My eyes narrowed as I looked closer into the mirror and it did not leave a mark on my forehead—it did not even hurt to peel it off. I pulled on another piece of skin, this time the left side of my forehead. The skin was smooth and black on the opposite side—