Page 101 of The Last Session

“I know that this is your community. And that you care a lot about these people. And—that you’re all doing really important work together. But…” I took a deep breath. “I wonder if this is the best place for you at this moment.”

The dark eye circles set off her bright green eyes; they looked almost lime in the dim light. “What are you saying?”

“I think you should come with me today.” I pressed on as her eyes narrowed. “Just for a little bit. Just until you’re feeling better. Less tired. You know? I think there may be some… pressure that you’re feeling here.”

She continued to stare at me.

“Maybe it takes an outsider to see it,” I went on. “But I can tell that you might be struggling. Which totally makes sense.”

“So where do you think I should go?” She pulled the plate in front of her and started shoveling eggs into her mouth. I winced; they must be cold.

“Well, you could go anywhere from the airport. There are places all over the country that would be good for you. You know, if you have the money—”

“I have no money.” Yellow flecks flew out of her mouth.

“Okay. Well, maybe your parents—”

She pushed the plate away roughly. A piece of toast flipped over onto the table. “You want to know about my parents? My dad was a fucking creep.”

I waited. After a moment, she continued more softly. “He didn’t act like a father’s supposed to act with their kid. At least after I turned twelve. He’d barge into my room when I was changing, try to get me to sit on his lap, hug me in a weird way… And the one time I tried to talk to my mom, she grounded me. Said I was lying. So.” She shrugged.

“I’m so sorry.” The suspicions I’d had hardened into reality. Catherine’s father had abused her. And her mother, instead of helping, had punished her.

“Yeah.” Catherine rubbed at her eye viciously. “The only person I ever told was Sebastian. Until Moon, of course.”

Sebastian Smith: her costar inStargirl. My former crush.

“That’s my pattern.” She stretched her lips, but it wasn’t a smile. “Moon calls themechoes—past life patterns showing up in this life. But it doesn’t feel like an echo. It feels real.”

“Of course,” I said.

“I’m sure you had it too.” She gestured to me. “The pattern. Mine was with my dad and Sebastian. The pharaoh and the guard. Sebastian tried to protect me, but he couldn’t do much. But Moon…”

“She was the queen, right?” I asked softly. Maybe I could use this delusion to convince Catherine to come with me.

“Yeah.”

“Why does she call the shots?” I asked. “Why do you trust her?”

Catherine just shrugged.

“I’m your sister, right?” I went on. “Maybe you should listen to me.”

Her eyes filled with tears. One rolled slowly her cheek.

“You can trust me,” I continued, feeling encouraged. “I want to help you.”

“It’s too late.” She wiped the tear away.

“What’s too late?”

“I can’t leave.”

“Why not?”

She didn’t respond, and I continued. “I can tell something’s not right here. Thatyou’renot all right. I’m a social worker; let me help you figure this out. Come back to New York. You can stay with me.”

“New York?” she said uncertainly.