They Just Don't Know You

Chapter 38

Jade's POV

Saturday, October 26

Perrie's hand feels warm and solid in mine. Leaves swirl around us like oversized confetti, and the sky is a bright, brilliant blue. It's a beautiful day, the kind that makes you think maybe everything will be okay after all.

Despite the trauma of the past two weeks, good things have happened too. While Norma was in town, she and Nana talked...really talked. They still don't understand one another much, but it finally felt like they both want to try. Since she's been back at Hamilton House, Norma hasn't made a single random phone call.

It's only been eight days, but still. Baby steps.

Nana and Norma agreed that Karl and I should finish this senior year at Echo Ridge High, even if Norma gets a clean bill of health in January. Which is fine by me. I'm making my bedroom a little homier; I bought some framed prints at an art fair last weekend, and put up pictures of Karl and me with Kamille and Perrie. Plus I have the SATs to take, colleges to visit, half siblings to get to know, and maybe, more dates with Perrie.

I almost told her, just now. I wanted to.

But once I say it, I can't take it back. And even though I spent almost six weeks trying to unravel the lies in Echo Ridge, all I've been able to think about since that day in the Pinnock's basement is that some secrets shouldn't be told.

It nearly killed Norma to believe she'd abandoned her twin on the night Amelia disappeared. There's no way she'd be able to handle this. It's hard enough for me, with no regrets or guilt weighing me down, to watch my brother smile and joke at a party and to know the truth.

We're not supposed to be here.

I grip Perrie's hand tighter to ward off the chill that runs down my spine every time I remember John's voice hissing in my ear, so faint I almost missed it. I wish I had, because I'll spend the rest of my life hoping he never repeats the words he thought I'd take to my grave.

I thought she was your Mother.