Page 124 - My FlipBook

L IS A J. L A W R E N C E

Alice’s face contorted as she tried to hold in tears.
“He hasn’t been functional in four years, and when he finally
steps up, it’s for someone else’s kids.” She shook away the
tears, her face hardening again.
“Is that when your mom died? Four years ago?”
Scary Alice returned, her eyes scorching Greta.
“Your dad…said something…but I don’t really know…
anything,” Greta stammered.

“Yes, that’s when my mom died.” She said it like it was
Greta’s fault.
“My mom died too. Nine years ago.”
“You shitting me?”
“You think I’d pretend-kill my own mother?”
Some hackles lowered. “How’d she die?”
“Breast cancer,” Greta said. ADVANCE READING COPY

“Are you making this up to attempt to bond with me?”
Greta reached for the door, turning away before she could
grab that cigarette and put it out on Alice’s forehead. “You
narcissistic—”
“Whoa, wait. Your mother died of breast cancer too?”
Greta nodded.
Alice faced her now, scanning Greta’s eyes like she was
trying to figure out if Greta was a real human or a cyborg.
“You said your parents left. I thought that meant your

mom too.”
“My dad and evil stepmother.”
While they stood there regarding each other, the door
creaked open and Ash slipped through. Greta tried not to sigh

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