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going to tell your mom.”
    The home was eerily silent. There wasn't a faint whisper or even a howling floorboard throughout the house. Marsha tilted her head like a confused pup as she contemplated. Her mind wandered, thinking about the children at the party – thinking about the source of the ruckus. She struggled to put a name to the giggle.
    Suddenly, Marsha gasped and hopped as Kathleen asked from over her shoulder, “What are you still doing in here?”
    Marsha gripped her chest and shut her eyes as she turned towards the disruptive voice. She said, “God, mom, you scared me. What are you doing sneaking up on me like that? You know I hate that...”
    Kathleen chuckled from Marsha's response. Her mirthful laughter reverberated through the empty home. Marsha shook her head and rubbed her moist brow with her fingertips as she recomposed herself. She gazed at her mother in disbelief.
    Kathleen Holloway stood five-three, five-six with her white high heels. She wore a beige skirt down to her knobbly kneecaps and a yellow shirt. Her short blonde hair, clearly dyed, barely reached down to the nape of her neck. Her glistering brown eyes were surrounded by blatant crows' feet. Yet, Kathleen still glowed with youth.
    Kathleen smirked and said, “I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I was just coming in to check up on you. So, what are you still doing in here, sweetie? There's a party outside, you know. Everyone's been asking about you.”
    Marsha nodded, then explained, “I was going, but... I thought I... Well, I think Jenny is running through the house again.”
    Kathleen furrowed her brow and squinted towards Marsha, clearly thinking deeply. She said, “That's nonsense, sweetie. Jenny is playing outside.”
    “Well, maybe... maybe it was Crystal or...”
    Kathleen shook her head and said, “No, no. All of the children are out on the slide. I'm absolutely positive. We took count. You should be out there, too.” As her daughter hesitated, Kathleen grabbed Marsha's forearm and said, “Come on. You're getting bent up over nothing. You need some fresh air.”
    Marsha nervously smiled as she nodded and followed her mother's lead. Her hazy mind wandered between thoughts, snowballing out of control at a breakneck speed. As she stepped outside, the balmy sunlight caressed her body. Lily's blissful laughter erupted over the crowded family. Suddenly, Marsha's dreadful thoughts were whisked away...
    ***
    Marsha removed her earrings and placed them on the neighboring nightstand next to the white baby monitor. She shuffled in her pink flannel pajamas, helplessly searching for the perfect position to offset the blistering summer heat. She planted her firm buttocks on the black bed sheets, then loudly sighed – a clear cry for attention. Alan smiled, rolled his eyes, then strolled away from the dresser mirror.
    Alan asked, “What is it now, Marsha?” Marsha pouted as she gazed at her lap and fiddled with her thumbs – the anxiety was blatant. Alan sat beside her on the bed and said, “Come on, sweetie, you know you can tell me anything and you know I'll find out if you don't. Did something happen?”
    Marsha gazed into her husband's glistering eyes. Alan's eyes sparkled with unwavering sincerity and compassion. She could see his words were true. Yet, the thought of being labeled insane lingered at the back of her head.
    Marsha inhaled deeply, then said, “I heard something today...”
    “What? Come on, what is it?”
    “It was a... I don't know, really. I thought I heard a girl inside the house, but everyone was outside. I swear, it sounded so real. She... She ran down the hall and giggled.”
    Alan gently chuckled as he rubbed Marsha's shoulder and said, “It was probably nothing, sweetie. I mean, it probably came from outside. The windows were open, the kids were loud... It was nothing, trust me.”
    As Alan was about to stand, Marsha turned towards her husband. She gripped his white t-shirt with one hand and planted her other hand on his