#Chapter 138: The Flame

It’s an unforgivable decision, even in the face of - let's just be honest - a lot of shitty decisions I've made lately. But there's a compulsion driving me and I don't have the power, or really the wherewithal to stop it. I tiptoe quietly from Kadeem’s bedroom, and head down the hall, nearly blowing everything when I step down barefoot on something sharp, grunting in agony and letting out a mangled, “Fuck!” in the dark. I bend down to examine what I’ve stepped on, my foot still throbbing in agony. Something razor-sharp, obviously, like glass, or - Legos. Freaking Legos. I kick them off to the side near the baseboard and wait, but no kids stumble out half-asleep to check on the noise. Breathing a sigh, I continue my trek through the dark house. I pause when I get to the kitchen. Maybe I should write Kadeem a quick note. I look around for a notepad or something to write on. Another "Mom of the Year Award" can be issued for this: I flip over Silas’ space painting to scribble out my