Page 89 of Lovely Darkness

I drop my fork and turn away from the girls, trying to catch my breath.

“What?” Sasha asks. “What’s wrong?”

What if I’m in it and I didn’t even know until this very moment?

What if I am Wendy running around her mind’s eye version of Nick’s house, looking for clues?

“Merc?” Sasha stands up and walks around the island. She places her hand on my arm. “What’s wrong?”

I let out a long breath, suddenly shaking a little. Then I look at Sasha. “Nothing. I’ll tell you later.” I don’t make any mention of Maggie, but Sasha gets it. It’s been a while since we had to curtail conversations because of our kids, but not long enough for her not to understand what I’m doing.

Maggie huffs. “I’m not stupid, ya know.”

“No one said you’re stupid,” Sasha says.

Maggie shoots her a look. It’s a look every parent recognizes. This look is amusing on other people’s children, so we both chuckle.

“It’s not funny. Everyone except Adam treats me like a six-year-old.”

Sasha and I look at each other with the same question on our faces. Isn’t she six? But we have enough sense not to ask or chuckle again.

I walk around the island and pat her on the head. “I like you, Maggie.”

She pushes my hand away and says, “Then tell me the secret.” If she were standing up, she might stomp her foot. But she’s sitting, so she just crosses her arms and pouts.

A six-year-old in many ways, yet so not anything like a six-year-old in others.

I haven’t seen her interact with Adam very much since we arrived, but I accept her take on things as truth because both of her parents are Company. Deep Company. Adam probably does treat her like a grown-up in the ways that might save her life one day. I take a seat in Sasha’s stool and look Maggie in the eyes. “If I had something to tell, I still might not tell you. But I really don’t. It’s an idea that just kinda came out of nowhere. That’s all.”

“But you’re going to tell Sasha.”

“Yeah. I am.”

“And not me?”

“Nope. Not you.”

“Well, why not? Adam asks for my advice all the time. I’m the one who said things were buried in the cemetery. And I was right. They sing no songs! Get it?”

I do not get it, but that’s OK. I can read between the lines. “All right, we’ll make a deal. Let me think on my new idea for a night and then, if it’s important—”

She holds up a finger to interrupt me. “Who decides what is and is not important?”

I look over at Sasha. She’s hiding a smirk behind her cupped hand. “Sasha will decide. How’s that?”

Maggie eyeballs Sasha now. “Well, OK. I guess that’s fair. If it’s important, then what happens?”

“Then… then I’ll tell Adam. And Adam can tell you.”

She purses her lips. “Is that your final offer?”

“Yep. Final offer. Take it or leave it.”

“Fine. I’ll take it. But don’t cheat me, Merc.” She points her finger at me.

“Magnolia Accorsi, I am not a cheater.”

Then she smiles. “Yeah. I can tell. We’ve got a deal. Now I suppose you guys want me to go get ready for bed or something so you can have your private chat.”