“What pieces?” She lets me lead her back inside the house. Her feet shuffle as if she’s even forgotten how to walk.

“Of your past, Gram. I need to help you remember.”

I bring her to the couch, where Clay is curled up with his blanket. He scoots over to Gram and climbs into her lap. “Hello, sweetheart,” she coos. “I’m sorry I frightened you.”

I motion to Olivia to follow me to the kitchen. I don’t need to scare Gram more than she already is.

“What just happened?” Olivia asks.

“She doesn’t remember things sometimes.” I shrug and try to act like it’s no big deal, even though my eyes still burn with unshed tears. Telling her feels like a betrayal to Gram. Can I really trust Olivia with this?

“Like she’s losing her memory?” Olivia gasps and twirls around. “What if Yakov finds out? What if he, like, tries to shut her up before she says the wrong thing?”

“Why would he do that? We have no idea who he even is. He could just be a friend.”

Olivia snorts. “A friend? You’re kidding, right? He’s way too scary to be a friend. He’s definitely threatening her or something. Or maybe he’s her handler, like Max said.”

“Promise you won’t tell anyone.” My heart thunders as if we’re still running from Yakov. What will I do if she says no? What will happen if everyone finds out? How will I protect Gram then?

She doesn’t say anything for a long minute. I bite my lip.

Olivia finally nods. “Of course I won’t. I promise.”

Gram calls to me. I motion for Olivia to follow. Maybe with her here, I can put the puzzle together faster.

I sit next to Gram and reach for her hand. I try to show her with my smile that she’s safe, that I love her. I need her to tell me what she knows, and I can’t let my fear get in the way of finding the truth. “Let’s talk about Jacob. You walked on the icy lake with him.” I try to keep my voice from shaking. “Gram, was that in… Russia?”

I hold my breath as soon as the words leave my mouth.

20. Dendrites

We have trees in our cells called dendrites. Well, not real trees, but they look enough like them. They’re like tiny computers, multiplying the brain’s processing power and bringing information to the cell body. If they aren’t activated, then a memory might not be stored. The neurons (or brain cells) fire up depending on the thought or action going on, and an electric spark activates the neuron. If the dendrite doesn’t receive this nerve impulse, then the memory isn’t stored. We experience something, but we might not remember it.

Gram nods automatically, her eyes out of focus. “Yes. In Moscow.”