“Don’t bury her—that’s not her in the coffin!” a little girl cries out at a Chicago funeral, stopping everything as a shocking truth inside the coffin is revealed

Ava had seen that expression before — on people who kicked stray dogs and smiled at police officers in the same motion.

One afternoon, passing the small kitchen beside Caroline’s suite, Ava caught the door slightly ajar.

Vivian stood over a pot of broth.

She removed a tiny glass vial from her sleeve.

Three clear drops fell into the soup.

Then Vivian smiled.continue reading …