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Perhaps reading my expression, Asher turned to the dungeon master and said, “She can rejoin as another character, right?”

“No!” Clint boomed, and continued in his affected voice. “Her death is true and final. There is no reincarnation in this world.”

Kamala let out a little giggle.

Asher tilted his head and was about to say something else when I reached for his arm. “It’s fine. I should stay dead.”

My phone had been buzzing for the last hour, and my head had been buzzing at least half that long from trying to pretend Iactually knew what I was doing. “I need to respond to some texts anyway. I’ll be right back.”

Asher nodded, and I left the great room and pulled out my phone to see a string of texts from my mom. I read through them as I walked slowly down the hall, which was lined with family pictures. Not just the ones where the subjects had stiff smiles and were posed in awkward formations (although there were some of those as well) but also candid shots taken at parks and by lakes and at weddings. I couldn’t remember the last time my family hadprinteda picture, let alone framed it and hung it on a wall.

Zoey is coming for the Fourth of July. It will be beautiful up here. They do fireworks over the lake.

There’s so much to do up here and it’s gorgeous.

We could hike and camp.

My mom lived in Northern California, near Lake Tahoe. At least that’s where she lived the last time I asked. She liked to move a lot, but Zoey hadn’t mentioned her moving. And what she was describing sounded like that area. I’d never been.

You’re my daughter, Wren, and I miss you.

Please think about it.

Her tone was different from the past. Maybe she really was seeing a therapist and learning how to speak to people—like they had a choice in the matter.

I had walked the entire length of the hall, taking in a lifetime of pictures, and arrived at the end, where a bedroom door stood open. I held on to the doorframe as I took in the room. A twin bed with a dark comforter was on one side; on the other was alarge desk with an elaborate computer setup. Pinned to the wall around the computer were posters that I couldn’t read, but I could tell wereold.

I leaned against the doorframe and typed,I’ll think about it.

I immediately felt terrible. I erased the sentence. Was there a sentence even less committal thanI’ll think about it?

“Nois a full sentence, Wren,” I mumbled. I didn’t type anything. I didn’t have to tell her I’d think about it to think about it. My sister would be there. We’d have fun. I hadn’t been to Lake Tahoe.

Buffy the dog peered around the corner.

“Hello,” I said, lowering myself to the floor. “You’re not going to bark at me this time?” I leaned against the wall and stretched my legs out in front of me. I put one hand, palm up, on the ground and Buffy inched forward warily. She reached out her nose and sniffed my hand. “Such a good girl,” I said in a soft voice. She peered up at me. “Any advice on dealing with moms?”

She practically tiptoed into my lap and curled up.

“I’m not willing to try this with my mom.” I gently ran my hand down her head and back.

Asher poked his head into the hall. “Hey, did you get lost?” He smiled big. “Oh, I see, you’ve found your real friend.”

“I mean, she didn’t let me get killed in a game, so…”

He watched Buffy for a moment. “I’m impressed.”

“I’m practically Snow White. I just need to find some hidden forest free of people where I can live out my days.”

“Wasn’t Snow White surrounded by men?” Asher said with a flirty half smile.

“True. Her first mistake.” I pointed at the open bedroom door. “Is this your room?”

“It is.”

“What’s up with the posters?”

He walked the length of the hall and held out his hand to help me up. I tucked Buffy under one arm and reached out my other hand for him. He pulled me to standing. My shoulder bumped his chest.