Chapter 55: The Clash, Part 2

Troy's mouth was a thin line in his very pale face. She knew it was a migraine; knew the signs but didn't say anything more. Pain like nothing he'd ever before felt encased his heart, not his head. He reached into his pocket and pulled out three bottles of pills. He placed them on the dresser. When he spoke his voice was barely above a whisper.

"I'm going to take these everyday for the rest of my life, so that my child won't ever say what you just said to me." Troy left the room and Juicy lay there trying to catch her breath and waiting for her heart to stop drumming in her chest. She felt the sweat beading on her forehead and pushed back her angry tears.

She heard noise in the kitchen, cabinets opening, the oven door and a few moments later Troy returned to the bedroom carrying a tray containing a plate piled high with meatloaf, mashed potatoes, the fresh green beans that she'd bought earlier in the week but had been too lazy to cook, as well as cornbread made with white corn