The Eighteen-Year Lie

n years

ife

he pills kept the sharp edges

there, a ghost in t

Patient. Caring. Long-s

ness." He made sur

was a kind boy, th

lusions," I knew. He tr

de hair in the park, and the ache for Emil

come, for Ethan. My l

rban town. "Poor Sarah Thomps

pers fol

tect me from them.

g day. He was marrying a

ready. My hands trembled as I

sense of dread, a

g family occasions. Like

rt of me *was*

ption bottle on the nigh

ottle skittered across the polished

t," I m

knees, feeling under

ething small, metallic, and co

led i

all, tarnished silver

eath

this

fumbled with the cl

should have be

It was empty

t I gave Emily for

she disa

, flooded back, cutting t

ugh, like

dress with the whi

y locket, her eyes shining. "

ll hand

medication, the years of doubt, th

was

cket wa

eal. And