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Tad had quieted again. Gram had moved to the rocking chair in the corner, the baby in her arms.

He needed his mother.

We all did.

Chapter 42

Ava

I looked up into the trees. Birds flitted around, chasing each other. A breeze ruffled the leaves. Despite learning what was wrong with me, that I’d lost my memory, I felt content and calm.

I had done the right thing. Ava said to avoid police and hospitals. I was glad I had left. She was right. I listened to myself and got away.

I’d already learned so much.

I was a photographer.

I could make an omelet.

I had someone who loved me and kept me safe. Tucker.

Where was he now? Where was my mother? How did she fit in? I ran my hands over the words on my arm. It was a tattoo. The warning was so important that I put it on my skin forever.

I could trust Maya, whoever she was. Wait, was she the one in the photograph? I flipped until I found it again, looking at myself, the woman, and the pots of flowers. It made sense that I would give myself photos of the good people.

And I could trust Big Harry. I pulled out the keychain. Another clue. It was coming together.

Old Ava told me to read. She warned me to pay attention.

I would try.

I paged through the book, my eyes pausing on random words.

Disco room.

Seizures.

Tucker.

Mother.

Fear.

Run away.

Home.

Shelter.

Big Harry.

There was so much here. I didn’t know how long it would take me to read. I skipped to the end, hoping there were instructions. Couldn’t I just go to the part where it told me what to do?

But the last page only said, “Time to watch the video.”

What video?

I pulled another one of the candy bars from the bag and unwrapped it, looking around before I started reading again. A woman walked a small dog through the grass. Her dog spotted me and trotted over until it reached the end of its leash.