Page 20 - My FlipBook

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

“Dad leave us?” He let out a long breath. “How—?”
He stopped and shook his head. “No, he wouldn’t.”
It’s what she wanted to hear, but the dismissal was irri-
tating. “Fine,” she said, pushing him toward the door, “but
don’t be surprised if we come home one day and he’s gone.”
Ash walked to the bathroom without looking back.

W

In biology class Greta found herself watching the back of
Rachel’s long black layers. Every few minutes, Rachel ran
her fingers through her hair, an absentminded compulsion.
Greta remembered her doing the same when they’d watched
Matt and Dylan’s basketball games, especially when the score
was close. Rachel’s elbow would bump Greta’s shoulder, her ADVANCE READING COPY

fingers working through those long strands again and again.
Rachel. Every time Greta saw her, she fought the urge to
either slap her or apologize. Greta had had it all and lost it.
And Rachel was there for the whole thing. Two more weeks
in this term. Greta couldn’t take any more sick days and still
pass her classes. Two more weeks, then exams, then some-
thing new. Please, something new.

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