Chapter 4The Ghost in the O.R.

Seeing the mess, Dad exploded. "That damn cat! I told you to get rid of it! It’s nothing but trouble, just like Chloe!"

He kicked at Midnight, who hissed and scrambled under the bed.

Mom looked at the ruined socks with disdain. "Mom, I buy you expensive clothes. Why are you hoarding these cheap red socks? Do you want people to think I abuse you?"

Grandma clutched the tattered socks. "These weren't for me. They were for Chloe’s birthday."

"Red brings good luck. She needs protection."

My parents froze. "Her birthday? When is that?"

Grandma’s grief turned to rage. "You gave birth to her! How do you not know her birthday? What kind of parents are you?"

Dad stiffened. "My business tanked the day she was born. Why should I celebrate that?"

Mom added, "If I hadn't been pregnant with her, I would have been Chief ten years ago."

"That was your choice!" Grandma yelled. "Did Chloe ask to be born?"

Dad looked at Grandma’s wheelchair coldly. "Are you going senile, Mom? Why do you defend that jinx? If it wasn't for her, you wouldn't be paralyzed."

Grandma broke down sobbing.

"It wasn't Chloe who paralyzed me! It was your precious Sarah!"

My parents were stunned.

Years ago, on a freezing winter night, seven-year-old Sarah threw a tantrum because she wanted ice cream. My parents weren't home. Sarah threatened to run away if she didn't get it.

Grandma went out to buy it to keep her safe. On the way back, she was mugged and beaten by a junkie. She never walked again.