Ashes to Ashes

DADDY WAKES ME UP WITH A KNOCK ON MY DOOR in the morning. I don’t remember falling asleep. “Lilli,” he says. “Reeve’s outside.”

He walks over to my window. I get out of bed and follow him. Down on the street, in front of our house, is Reeve’s truck. He’s sitting inside the cab, eyes looking up to my window.

I take a big step back.

Awkwardly Daddy says, “I saw him when I went out to grab the paper. I invited him in for breakfast, but he wouldn’t come. I think he’s been out there all night. Did you two have a fight?”

“We broke up.”

Daddy’s eyes widen. “Are you all right? Do you, um, want me to call your mom in here?”

“I’m fine,” I tell him. “Can you tell him to go?” My dad nods and leaves.

I stand at the window and watch my dad send Reeve away. Then I turn my cell phone back on. It explodes with text messages, and each one breaks my heart.

Please don’t do this.

I’m coming over.

Outside.

I’m not going anywhere. I’ll wait here all night if I have to.

Cho, please. I love you.

And finally . . .

You’re killing me.

No, Reeve. I’m trying to save you.

I watch him drive away. But the relief I feel is short-lived, because my phone rings again, and it’s Reeve. I hit ignore, and I get back into bed. I lie on my side and cry and cry.

Nadia comes in at one point and climbs into bed with me. I keep my back to her, and she snuggles up against me. “Just talk to him,” she says. “You guys love each other. Whatever it is, you can work it out.”

But we can’t. Not if I want him to live.

We both fall asleep, and then I hear my phone ring and I grab it and check to see if it’s Reeve. But it’s not him; it’s Kat. She must be back from Uncle Tim’s boat. I want to tell her everything so bad. She’s the one person who would understand. But I’m terrified that if I make one false move, this whole thing will come crashing down and Mary will just kill Reeve.

The phone stops ringing, and then it buzzes. A text from Kat.

Ahoy! Land ho! Did ya miss me? Call me so we can hang.

I can’t see Kat, not yet. Kat will question me, she’ll press me for details, and I’m a horrible liar. She’ll know right away that something’s not right. I’ll just have to avoid her until I figure out what I’m going to say.