Page 44

CHAPTER 44

SEVENTEEN YEARS AGO

A s soon as Olive and her father had gotten home from their excursion, Dad had told her to hurry and get cleaned up.

Resentment welled in Olive as she hopped in the shower.

She knew the truth—Dad didn’t want Mom to see her looking like a mess.

That meant he didn’t want Mom to know what he’d asked Olive to do.

Nausea swirled inside her at the thought of what she’d tell her mother when she asked questions—and she would ask questions.

Olive finished her shower and dressed in some clean clothes. She brushed her hair and teeth. As she looked in the mirror, she looked more like herself—not like the dirty, sick girl she’d portrayed earlier.

Right as her mom and sisters got home, Olive went downstairs.

Jessie and Jules toddled toward her, their arms raised. “Sissy!”

The twins threw their arms around her, each one taking a leg.

Her sisters loved her, and Olive loved them also.

Her mom had struggled with a tough pregnancy. Olive still remembered being uncertain if the twins would make it.

They’d been born early. But two and a half years later, they were strong and lively.

“I missed you both too.” Olive wrapped her arms around them, them she looked up at her mother.

Part of her wanted to tell her mom everything. What would Mom say? Certainly, she wouldn’t be happy with Dad.

Her mom was a rule follower. She’d washed Olive’s mouth out with soap one time when she’d lied about doing her homework. She’d said that in this family, they told the truth.

Olive didn’t see how that was possible.

But, the other night, Olive had heard her mom and dad arguing. If she put her ear to the wall between their bedrooms, she could hear them talking sometimes. She didn’t usually do that.

That night, she had. She wanted to know what their raised voices were about.

Their talk hadn’t been about money. It was something about a meeting that was coming up. Her mom hadn’t wanted her dad to go.

Her dad had said everything would be fine.

Then her mom had said she was tired of moving, couldn’t they stay here a while?

Her dad’s voice had softened, and Olive hadn’t been able to make out what he said afterward.

Then her mom had cried.

She frowned at the memory.

Olive didn’t want to be the reason her parents fought. Her friend’s parents had just gotten a divorce, and now her friend was sad all the time.

Olive didn’t want to be sad like that. She didn’t want to cause her parents to split up.

She hoped her dad never asked her to beg for money again.

Next time, she’d refuse—even if she got in trouble.

“Olive . . .” Her mom studied her, tilting her head in adoration. “Don’t you look pretty?”

“Thank you.” Olive smiled despite herself.

“Did you and your dad have fun today?”

Olive opened her mouth, unsure what to say. Maybe she should tell the truth. Her mom didn’t like lies.

But then Olive would only be starting trouble.

Before she could respond, Dad appeared from the kitchen, wearing an apron and holding a spatula. He was fixing some lasagna for later.

“Hey, sweetheart.” He gave Mom a kiss on the cheek. “How was the baby shower?”

“Heather is going to be a wonderful mother. We had fun, didn’t we girls?” She looked back at Olive’s sisters.

Jessie and Jules continued to cling to Olive’s legs.

“So what did you two do together?” Mom looked at Olive, then Dad, an innocent expression on her face.

Dad put his hand on Olive’s shoulder, but it felt heavier than usual.

“We got ice cream,” he said. “Did some window shopping. Took a nice little walk. It was fun, wasn’t it, Olive?”

Dad stared at her, waiting for her to agree.

How would he react if she didn’t?

Olive licked her lips, considering spilling the truth.

Then she thought better of it and nodded. She wouldn’t start trouble—not this time. But if he ever asked her to do that again, she wouldn’t stay quiet.

As soon as she nodded, her dad winked at her, letting Olive know she had his seal of approval.

It was bad enough she’d lied to those strangers today. But now she was lying to her mom.

Guilt flooded her. But what was she supposed to do?

Another snippet from today filled her memories.

As she and her dad had driven home, her dad had started reciting a list of what sounded like rules.

Always stay close to the truth. It’s easier to remember the facts that way.

Believe the story you tell others. It will make them believe it also.

Whenever possible, let people talk about themselves. Ask them questions. Take the attention off yourself.

Why had he told her all those things?

Olive wasn’t sure.

It was almost like he wanted her to trick people more.

She hated that idea.

A frown tugged at her lips.

All she wanted right now was for this day to be over.