The Eighteen-Year Lie

preschool, like I

ue building l

ere playin

Emily's bri

s wore th

e boy r

, not like Emily

houted. He hu

fr

e you?"

his eyes wide. "It'

Gable, walked o

was so excit

" I asked. My v

d a little. "Emily? Ho

were looking

hter. Emily. She's fiv

Sarah, dear. You only have Ethan.

d to crawl u

Emily. She was h

started to cry. "Momm

ng at home. He

d at the scho

d we only have... him." I pointed to t

e ran a hand t

ily... Emily isn't real, honey.

entle, but it f

ve birth to her. The diff

y. "We have Eth

. "Come on, Ethan. L

s shoulder, his face tear-str

ream. I wanted

kitchen. I heard hi

mom called. She and Dad ar

onto th

ding a photo album.

we are. You, me, an

n at his first birthday.

Emi

I whispered. "Where

of Emily, Sarah. Beca

os. Ethan blowing out candles. E

Bill, were in some of the

d, his voice strained. "M

her's voice, faint and co

's... she's having a bad day.

pa

ell her. We l

said to remember what Dr. Evans told you. The

boy who cal

inning. This c