Leslie Ann cowered beneath the covers in fear.
As she gazed into the green eyes of her nemesis.
No words were spoken as Mary Ann stood erect,
Not moving as though she was in a state of paralysis.
 
Leslie Ann looked and discovered they were alone.
 She feared the virtuous woman would do her some harm.
“You really are afraid aren’t you? You're a pitiful little twit.”
Mary Ann hissed quietly like an overwrought schoolmarm.
 
She’d lain awake most of last night, thinking
Of notes she and Thomas left for Leslie Ann.
The little minx had insinuated herself in her life
That for the last five years had been truly grand.

It started out as fun, as she and Thomas conspired
To teach Leslie Ann a lesson she’d soon not forget.
But as she’d stood watching Leslie Ann's torment
She’d an upwelling of repentance, possibly some regret.
 
She had moments of unrest when apprised of the facts.
That Leslie Ann was locked in the lab the entire night.
Thomas wrote love notes pretending to be Jonathan,
But all they ever wanted was to give the vixen a fright.
 
Leslie Ann flinched when Mary Ann raised her hand,
But it was a gesture of anger and not to strangle her.
“Don’t kill me, don’t kill me,” Leslie Ann cried aloud.
A nurse ran to Leslie Ann's room and it became astir.
 
Mary Ann smiled sweetly, “She’s reliving her horror;
It seems she’s retreated into what transpired last night.”
A nurse looked upon Leslie Ann and sighed, “Yes, poor
Dear, from what I have heard, she had quite the plight.”
 
Mary Ann touched Leslie Ann’s head and smirked
As she pretended to coo and soothe her to peace.
She held Leslie Ann's hand until she quieted down
And watched her grasp for something out of reach.
 
“I promise. I promise, never again,” Leslie Ann sputtered.
Leaning in Mary Ann mocked,” Didn’t I tell you not to mess
With my family, little girl?” Seeing the nurse, she smiled
at Leslie Ann. "It seems she’s still under some distress.”
 
Leslie lay quivering, quite sure Mary Ann would return.
She’d time to think, and admitted she might be wrong.
The long night at the lab with dead bodies all around her
Had awakened in her a humbleness that might be lifelong.

Mary Ann called Thomas and told him what they’d done.
He raced into the hospital and stayed by Leslie Ann’s side.
She woke up that night to see Thomas and her parents,
But turned away contritely, their faces she couldn’t abide.
 
Thomas looked upon the face he’d loved to distraction.
He had drunk himself into oblivion the night of their scheme
Mary Ann wanted Leslie Ann locked in the lab for two hours;
But Thomas drank all night, loathing his lack of self-esteem.
 
Leslie Ann promised one night to change her evil ways.
The love her parents showed her, she could not explain.
When they ask why she wanted both the Dewars dead,
She said she loved Jonathan, they thought her very vain.

She knew she had looked for love in every man she met.
She’d fantasized Jonathan was all she would ever desire.
It mattered not he’d never held her, or spoke to her of love.
She believed if not for Mary Ann, him she could acquire.

Her parents cried softly as they comforted their only child.
They regretted teaching Leslie Ann to disarm and charm.
Believing the powder, when tested, would bring her to ruin,
But Thomas said the material would have caused little harm.

He came back to the lab that night and watched from afar.
The next day he’d taken the arsenic from Leslie Ann’s bag.
He relabeled the arsenic vial and filled it with talcum powder,
Which he thought to retrieve later that night. It was all a gag.
 
Leslie Ann never knew what happened that fateful night.
She knew if Mary Ann was charged, she’d also be detained.
Thomas wanted so much to resurrect his love for Leslie Ann
But each time he touched her, he would remember her disdain

Mary Ann told Jonathan everything, hoping he’d understand
He listened quietly, and aghast he eyed his pretty young wife.
He knew she was fantastic, but never loved her more
For putting it all on the line to save their marvelous life.

He thought about being angry that she kept such a secret,
But he was delighted when at last he spoke with his in-laws.
He felt it was a new beginning, a dawning in all their lives.
Tears threatened, he was emotional, and his throat felt raw.

He could finally leave the university and start his own research,
Now that his wife had reunited with her family after many years.
Time and distance had changed their perspectives, it seemed.
Jonathan thanked God daily for removing his in-laws fears.

Leslie Ann knew she loved Thomas, but knew it was too late.
She moved to another campus and tried to start life anew.
Old memories would haunt her often in the dead of night
When all was quiet. The loneliness would twist and screw.

Seven years later, Jonathan and Mary Ann were still in love.
Thomas found love with a woman of similar temperament.
Leslie Ann still had her possessions, but remained alone.
Neither happy nor sad, she lived in affected contentment.