Chapter 2
When I left the hospital, I had two documents in
One was Ethan’s death certificate.
The other was the cremation authorization.
my
bag.
I couldn’t let my child die alone in a city that never felt like home.]
I was going to bring him back.]
Back to a home where Jacob didn’t exist.
At 7 p.m., Jacob finally came home.
He walked in wearing his crisp military uniform, carrying a teal cloth bag in one hand.
He dropped the bag on the floor like it was any other night.
“Make sure to wash the clothes in there tomorrow,” he told me casually.
“Lillian’s been exhausted taking care of Tyler by herself.”
t.1
“Do her a favor and help out.”
I almost laughed.
Why should I–his wife–be the one picking up after his childhood sweetheart?
I was about to snap back when he asked.
“Where’s Ethan? He’s not home?”
He glanced around, confused.]
My heart skipped. I was scrambling for a lie when he went on,[]
“If he’s not here, go grab some of his clothes.”
*T take them over to Lillian’s later.
“They just got back from Ontario and forgot to pack enough.”
“Tyler can wear Ethan’s stuff for now.”
I didn’t answer.
L
Jacob brushed past me into Ethan’s room, opened the closet, and started pulling out his clothes..
He sorved through them like a bargain bin, frowning the whole time.[]
This one’s too worn.
This one has a patch.“]
This one’s ugly.
All the clothes he’d ignored for years suddenly had flaws.
L’ecause they weren’t good enough for her son.
R
I turned away to wipe the tears from my eyes.]]
When I looked back, Ethan’s clothes were scattered across the floor.
Don’t touch his things!”
I screamed and shoved Jacob away with everything I had.
He stumbled, his expression turning stormy
“Are you insane, Ellie? They’re just clothes.“]
It’s not like they’re anything special
“Once you finish washing L4Bian’s stuff, I’ll return these to Ethan, okay?
He pushed past me to leave, trampling over Ethan’s clothes-
leaving behind a trail of dirty boot prints
I felt the he was stomping on my heart!
But I didn’t even have time to get angry]
“Wait, “I said, my voice sharper than I intended
Jacob turned, already annoyed
What now?
My hands curled into fists as I pulled the cremation form from the drawer
Chapter 2
He glanced at me suspiciously
Dat school starting soon? Why now?
Time Stay a bite konger if you need. No rush coming back
As I walked him to the door, he suddenly paused, then reached into his pocket
He handed me two soft caramel candies
I fruce, accepting them before I realized what they were
were
Seme small part of me stirred-
They were for Tyler,” he said fatty
He doesn’t like them, so I was gonna toss them at the hospital
Tigured you could give them to Ethan ]
No paint wasting them.”
Whatever warmth I’d te
Gone
