Page 244 - My FlipBook
P. 244
TWENTY-ONE
The heuristic fell apart after Ash got up and left. Everyone
stood, knowing a door had closed. Roger stepped out from
his chair and leaned over to hug Greta. For one second she let
herself lean into him and remember. One second. Then she
followed Ash, leaving Elgin and Alice to the aftermath. ADVANCE READING COPY
On the table the next morning, they found a note written
in Sharpie on the back of a flyer: I will wait for you there, always,
along with the new house address. Greta reached for it, but Ash
crumpled it in his hands, his edges and prickles back again.
“Give it to me,” she said, taking it and smoothing it flat.
“Maybe I want to see it.”
“What for?” Ash asked. “Elgin won’t be there to step in
when Dad bails again.”
“What makes you think he’ll bail again?”
Ash shrugged. “I never thought he’d do it the first time.
Maybe he’ll fall in love with Patty’s twin sister. Too much
pressure on the job. A sudden gambling addiction. It could
be anything.”
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