“Do you want to ride in my Barbie car? That always helps me when I feel sad.”

I giggle. “Maybe later you can take me for a spin.”

“Come on,” Becca says, standing. “Let’s let Aunt Raegan finish her shower.”

“Towels are in the hall closet.”

The girls exit the bathroom, leaving a trail of water on the tile floor. I pull the shower curtain closed and strip out of my wet pajamas. I let a few more tears escape, pressing my forehead against the wall.

Why does doing the right thing have to hurt so bad?

Jaxon

Another day without Raegan.

She’s called out sick every day this week. I wonder why. She wasn’t the one who was lied to for six months straight. I should be the one vegging out at home, drowning my sorrows in a bottle of Jack Daniels.

But I’ve got a school to run. So I do what I do best and bury myself in work.

It’s Friday and the school’s buzzing. We’re supposed to get hit with a snowstorm this weekend, which means there’s a chance we could get Monday off.

“Wear your pajamas inside-out this weekend,” Beth calls as she swings her coat on.

“Will do.” Not. I don’t want a snow day. If it were up to me, I’d come to work all weekend just to avoid the deafening silence in my apartment.

The school clears out. Teachers speed out of the parking lot, busses depart with excited students.

It’s almost four o’clock when I hear whispers outside my office.

“Who’s there?”

The whispers stop.

“I know you’re out there. I can hear you.”

Becca peeks into my office. “Hi, uh, Mr. Waters.”

“Becca. What’s going on?”

“Do you have a sec?”

“That depends. What is this in reference to?”

Becca closes the door behind her and sits in the chair facing my desk. “I think you need to know the truth.”

My skin prickles. “About?”

“About your grandmother’s ring.”

I shake my head and wave my hands. “No. I’m not discussing this with you.”

She leans forward. “You don’t have to say anything. I just need you to hear me out, and then I’ll be gone.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose and close my eyes. “You have thirty seconds.”

“Thirty seconds? Geeze. Not really a lot of time. Let’s see. Where do I start …”

“Twenty seconds.”

“Okay, okay.” She sits up straight and pins me with her gaze. “Your brother is the one who stole the ring.”

“Time’s up. Get out of my office.”

“I still have, like, ten seconds!”

“Fine. Hurry up.” I cross my arms and rock back in my chair.