d like a spider. I knew we had to leave. I spent the morning on my laptop, frant

ow. I dropped Leo off at his after-school program, kissing h

y. Be good. I'll

e said, already running

orderly space was decorated with balloons and flowers. My col

e of them, on on

s a fool. I shouldn't have pressured you. I told Lily to stop pesterin

was a nightmare. A public sp

ting back together. She said she was going to go straight to Leo's after-schoo

so intense it made me

y head. Went to Leo's

numb. I dialed the program's number. The super

er-School, Br

om," I said, my voice tight.

e. I could hear her calling his name in the background. Muff

A very sweet girl, Lily. She brought snacks for everyone. Said you and her da

ispered. "

ame, your name... she was so convincing. They were here one minute, and the next... oh

the library floor. The world tilted, the faces o

am tearing from my throat. "Wh

t are you talking about? Lily woul

, grabbing the front of hi