She had smiled and agreed. But during dinner, she deliberately got me drunk, then locked me in the kitchen with the gas running. I died of gas poisoning.
She had stood outside the door, gloating.
"Trying to tell me what to do? I specialize in putting people like you in their place."
I swallowed my hatred. Looking at Calvin, something occurred to me. I turned to Corinne.
"Corinne, remember to turn off the gas when you're done cooking."
She nodded. "I know, Queenie."
That night, Corinne tried to ply me with alcohol again.
"Queenie, I've caused you both so much trouble these past few days. I hope you don't hold it against me. Let me toast you."
I didn't move. Corinne's face fell, a wounded look creeping in.
"Are you still mad at me?"
Calvin tugged my arm. "Just drink it. Don't upset her."
I pulled out a pregnancy test.
"It's not that I don't want to drink, Corinne. I can't."
Before, I had mentioned I might be pregnant, but the test came back negative. My in-laws had berated me for getting their hopes up. Calvin kept staring at my stomach, calling me useless. But now, seeing the positive test, excitement flooded his face.
"Right, she can't drink. I'll drink with you instead, Corinne."