The Last Secret You'll Ever Keep by Laurie Faria Stolarz

The Last Secret You'll Ever Keep by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Author:Laurie Faria Stolarz
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Publishing Group


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32

Back in my room, I change into my mom’s old sweater and burrow beneath the covers. I need to sleep, but thoughts spin like hamsters on a wheel, inside my head, keeping me up. What are the odds that someone who knew about my case placed the gnome on the back deck—only temporarily—as a joke or to make me feel crazy?

Or what if the guy who took me left it? Could it have been a warning that he’s somewhere nearby, waiting to take me again, just as Peyton fears with her captor too? Do either of those scenarios even make sense when the person would’ve had no way to predict I’d ever see it?

And what if the gnome was never really there? If I’d only imagined it? My heart races at the mere possibility; somehow, it’s the most terrifying option of all.

I rub my cheek with the cuff of the sweater, thinking how Mom used to tell me how strong she thought I was. But I don’t feel strong. I feel more like the way she sometimes got, when she’d curl up into her shell like a hermit crab—like the time I came home from school and found her on the living room sofa staring out into space. The TV wasn’t on. There was no book in her hand. I stood in the doorway waiting for her to acknowledge my presence, but it was only when I scooted down and touched her bony fingers that she finally noticed I was there.

“Terra?” Her eyes met mine. “You’re home early. Was it a half day?” She was still in her pajamas from the morning. The coffee Dad had made her—and poured into the smiling heart mug—still lingered on the table beside an untouched breakfast cookie. She obviously hadn’t gone to work.

“Having one of those days?” I asked her.

Mom faked a smile, but her eyes filled up, which was my cue. I turned away to allow her to cry in peace.

With my back to her, I asked, “Are you coming to my belt ceremony?” For tae kwon do.

“Would it upset you if I had to miss?”

“No,” I lied.

“I’m so proud of you.” Her voice crumbled like cake. “You’re so strong, so resilient. You’ll always be just fine—no matter what happens.”

If only she could see me now.

I stare at the window, half wishing the rainbow bird would visit me again. Somehow the bird, with its unicorn stripes and sparerib gift, seemed so much clearer than this.



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