the day after

d coffee in her hands. The small service had been a bl

he wooden table. 'Cohen

g four times b

ious. "I'm so sorry. I just got b

ated. Her voice was f

can't believe it. I'm so, so

word soun

e you?" s

ht here." A pause. "Why aren't y

y mother'

hat she hadn't just vanished. "Listen, I

said. "You

lt was unfair. "Jaycee, we need to talk about what happened.

watched a car drive slo

e dropping. "She's been crying for two days straigh

in Jaycee's throat,

on," Ja

hen whispering. Then Hillary'

I don't know what to say. I loved your

k Jaycee's breath away. Her mother had

yone. He was just playing. Your mom must have startled him, or maybe.

shift. The seed of blam

illary," Jaycee said

has been amazing. He's taking care of everything. He's already sp

cern. Protec

d to hear,"

mess. I told her it's not her fault. It w

?" Jayce

re you blaming her? Blaming me? I was on a business trip, Jayce

e indignation of a man who has never

asn't vaccinated," Jaycee

d sil

has all his papers. She's meticulous about that stuff. You mus

g her a liar.

a tone of condescending reason. "We'll get through this. I'll take care of you. We'll

r like a child. A pr

l around her, using his power and money t

aughter, was just part of

o go," Ja

coming back to the c

hung

umber. She blocke

long shadows across the lawn. The cold from the coffee

she had loved, it was all a mirage. T

thing left t

e behind her, full of ghosts,