The boy locked in my coatroom carried a photograph of the pregnant wife I had buried seven years ago
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Chapter 23 / 27
Chapter 23 - Evelyn tells Finley the whole story carefully
Not everything.
Age appropriate.
She said:
“When I was hurt, the hospital mixed up my name with another woman’s.”
Finley:
“Like school folders?”
“Yes. Much more serious.”
“Then Maude knew?”
“Yes.”
“She lied?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Evelyn looked at me.
Then:
“Because she wanted to control what happened between your dad and me.”
“Did you believe her?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I was scared and she showed me things that looked real.”
Finley frowned.
“Adults are dumb.”
Sometimes.
Then:
“Are you marrying Dad?”
Evelyn nearly choked.
“No plan.”
He looked disappointed.
I said:
“That is not your job to arrange.”
He said:
May you like
“I know.”
He absolutely did not.
