Chapter 15
Jack turned thirteen with a party at the bakery.
No cages.
No locked doors.
No secrets.
Lucy invited me.
Grace came too.
Evan did not.
He was still in prison.
Grace had filed for divorce from the man who helped Diane with money transfers.
Our family tree looked like a storm had torn branches off.
Maybe it needed to.
Jack blew out candles and looked embarrassed by everyone singing.
Teenagers are miracles with attitude.
After cake, he pulled me aside.
“I read your letter.”
My heart stopped.
“And?”
“It was sad.”
“That’s fair.”
“You said you failed me.”
“I did.”
“You also said you’d tell the truth even if it made me hate you.”
“Yes.”
He looked down.
“I don’t hate you.”
My throat closed.
“But I’m still mad.”
“You can be.”
“Maybe for a long time.”
“I’ll be here.”
He nodded.
Then he hugged me.
Quick.
Awkward.
Perfect.
Lucy saw from across the room.
Her eyes filled.
Mine did too.
Jack groaned.
“Do not make it weird.”
“Too late,” I whispered.
He rolled his eyes and went back to his friends.
May you like
That night, I went home and slept six hours without waking.
For the first time in years, my dreams had no freezer door.
