Chapter 10 - The notebook comes back
Eli gave me the notebook five days after discovery.
He had hidden it inside the hollow base of an old model-rocket box Lauren built with him.
Not cinematic.
Cardboard.
Tape.
Dust.
He handed it to me.
“Don’t read all.”
I stopped.
“Okay.”
He seemed surprised.
“What do you want me to read?”
He flipped pages.
Marked six with sticky notes.
That was all.
I read only those.
June 4.
June 7.
June 12.
June 18.
July 2.
July 11.
July 11 was two days before I returned.
She grabbed both arms because I said I wanted to call Dad. Said I’m trying to ruin marriage. I said I’d tell. She said Dad trusts her because I always have problems when he travels.
Then:
I think maybe she’s right.
That sentence broke me more than every bruise.
Not:
I hate her.
Not:
Dad will save me.
Maybe she’s right.
Control had reached the point where Eli doubted whether his own fear counted.
I closed the notebook.
He asked:
“Are you mad?”
“Yes.”
“At me?”
“No.”
“Promise?”
“Yes.”
May you like
This promise I could keep.
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