The day I discovered the dark things in my heart, I knew exactly what to do, the solution near as a Princess telephone.

Cradling the receiver, my breath beaded upon the mouthpiece like perspiration.

"Hello," a familiar voice answered.

I hesitated.

"Hello?"

"Mom," I sighed. "I never..." Pausing and deliberately inhaling, my statement came sotto voce. "I'm never speaking to you or Dad again."■