Welcome to the Family

Something strange woke 7 year old Jesse Sullivan up this morning: his mother dressed as a scarecrow. It’s August. She’s standing at the foot of his bed, staring at him, arms out, head cocked, silent. “Stop it, mom,” Jesse says, standing up on the mattress and walking to where she stands. “You’re scaring me.” Jesse’s mom doesn’t answer. “Mommy, why are you doing this?” Jesse asks, feeling tears well up in his eyes. “Because,” a deep, male voice whispers from behind the burlap mask.