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Back Past Perfect Life Save as PDF
Chapters (47)
  1. Half Title
  2. Dedication
  3. Title Page
  4. Chapter One
  5. Chapter Two
  6. Chapter Three
  7. Chapter Four
  8. Chapter Five
  9. Chapter Six
  10. Chapter Seven
  11. Chapter Eight
  12. Chapter Nine
  13. Chapter Ten
  14. Chapter Eleven
  15. Chapter Twelve
  16. Chapter Thirteen
  17. Chapter Fourteen
  18. Chapter Fifteen
  19. Chapter Sixteen
  20. Chapter Seventeen
  21. Chapter Eighteen
  22. Chapter Nineteen
  23. Chapter Twenty
  24. Chapter Twenty-One
  25. Chapter Twenty-Two
  26. Chapter Twenty-Three
  27. Chapter Twenty-Four
  28. Chapter Twenty-Five
  29. Chapter Twenty-Six
  30. Chapter Twenty-Seven
  31. Chapter Twenty-Eight
  32. Chapter Twenty-Nine
  33. Chapter Thirty
  34. Chapter Thirty-One
  35. Chapter Thirty-Two
  36. Chapter Thirty-Three
  37. Chapter Thirty-Four
  38. Chapter Thirty-Five
  39. Chapter Thirty-Six
  40. Chapter Thirty-Seven
  41. Chapter Thirty-Eight
  42. Chapter Thirty-Nine
  43. Chapter Forty
  44. Chapter Forty-One
  45. Chapter Forty-Two
  46. Chapter Forty-Three
  47. Acknowledgments

“You think?” Her eyes narrow as she pushes off the door frame. I think she’s going to leave, but she takes one step into the bedroom and tilts forward. I find myself leaning toward her as well, waiting to hear what she’s going to tell me. Maybe she’ll give me the inside scoop on living with Craig and Paula.

She shakes her head back and forth as she examines me up and down. “I wish you were never found.”

And with that, she turns on her heels. I jump as she slams her bedroom door shut.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter

TWENTY-NINE

Sarah’s words echo in my head as I lie in bed. It’s not even ten o’clock, but after everybody left, I claimed exhaustion and got into bed. I had at first turned the TV on and was overwhelmed by how many channels they have. I came across The Empire Strikes Back, one of the Star Wars movies Dad and I always watched on my birthday, and had to shut off the TV.

I’ve been staring at the darkened ceiling ever since.

I have no idea what to do about Sarah, because I agree with her 100 percent. If I hadn’t been discovered, I would be in Valley Falls right now, having Thursday game night with Dad. Instead I’m in a strange house in an unfamiliar bed.

I turn over on my side and see the glow of the hallway light outlining the bedroom door. On the other side: a half sister who resents me and a mother I don’t know.

I grab my cell phone from my bedside table and turn it on. I need my best friend right now. It’s been a little over twelve hours since I last saw her, but it feels like months.

Greetings from Florida, I type.

My phone rings a few seconds later, and Marian’s name appears on my small screen.

“Hey,” I say.

“Are you okay? We are so worried about you. How are things? How is the home? How is everybody? We miss you so much.” She’s speaking so fast I don’t have a chance to answer. Which is good, since I don’t know if I can even speak. I wipe away the tears that have plopped onto my pillow.

“It’s been hard,” I admit. “Really hard.”

“Oh, Ally.” There’s a tremor in her voice. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what to say. I want you here.”