Chapter 2 - The Woman in the Guest Room
Lorraine had moved into Jake and Megan’s apartment two months after his deployment began.
At first, Megan welcomed the arrangement.
Jake’s father had died years earlier, and Lorraine often complained about feeling lonely in her large suburban house. She promised to help Megan through the pregnancy, drive her to appointments, prepare meals, and stay nearby in case of an emergency.
During the first few weeks, Lorraine behaved like the perfect mother-in-law.
She cooked soups, washed baby clothes, and organized the nursery. She attended prenatal appointments and told everyone how excited she was to become a grandmother.
Then the questions began.
How much money did Jake keep in his savings account?
Whose name was on the apartment lease?
Had Jake updated his military life insurance policy?
What would happen to the baby if Megan became medically unable to provide care?
Megan laughed nervously the first few times.
“Lorraine, nothing is going to happen to me.”
“I’m only being practical,” Lorraine replied.
Soon, practicality became control.
Lorraine began opening Megan’s mail. She criticized her food, her clothing, and her choice of doctor. She insisted on attending every medical appointment and became angry when Megan asked for privacy.
One evening, Megan discovered that Lorraine had rearranged the nursery without permission.
The crib had been moved away from the window. The photographs of Megan’s parents had been placed inside a drawer. Above the crib, Lorraine had hung a large framed photograph of Jake as a baby.
Megan carefully removed it.
When Lorraine saw the empty space, her smile disappeared.
“This child is a Sullivan,” she said.
“This child belongs to Jake and me.”
“Jake is serving his country. I’m the one taking care of everything here.”
Megan tried to call Jake that night, but Lorraine stood near the kitchen and listened.
During the call, Megan almost told him the truth.
She almost said that Lorraine’s help had become frightening, that she monitored every conversation and treated the baby as if it already belonged to her.
Then Lorraine lifted a second phone from the counter.
On its screen was a photograph of Megan’s younger sister leaving her workplace.
Lorraine said nothing.
She did not need to.
After the call ended, Lorraine placed the phone in her pocket.
“You don’t want Jake distracted while he is deployed,” she said. “Soldiers make mistakes when they are worried.”
Megan stared at her.
“Were you following my sister?”
“I am protecting this family.”
“You need to leave.”
Lorraine stepped closer.
“No, Megan. You need to remember who Jake will believe.”
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That night, Megan locked her bedroom door.
At two in the morning, she woke to the sound of the handle turning slowly from the other side.
