The Second Life of Ashley: A Bitter Payback

Kevin' s sharp, accusing voice sliced through the heavy haze. He stood in my old room, its faded floral wallpaper mocking me, holding up a therapeutic massager. "What' s this, Ashley? Something dirty?"

My heart hammered, a wild bird trapped. I blinked. It was real. I was back.

This exact moment, this very massager, had been the fuse of my first life' s destruction.

My younger brother, Kevin, had whined for it, then vilely twisted its purpose, spreading insidious rumors about my promiscuity at college.