“Jacob told me he’s going away,” Gram says in a hushed whisper. “His mama is leaving his papa. They can’t tell anyone where they’re going because Jacob’s papa works for the government. If they stay in Russia, he’ll find them anywhere they go. And he’ll kill them. I know he will. I’ve seen the darkness in his eyes.” She clutches at my arm, her nails digging so deep that I wince. But I don’t say a thing. I let her talk.

“Jacob’s my best friend. I can trust him with any secret I have. Who will I talk to now? Who will I trust?”

“You can trust me,” I say, but I’m not sure she hears.

“Jacob promises to find me one day. We set up a way to find each other. A way no one will ever find out about. And one day we’ll be together again.”

A tear slowly trails down one of her cheeks. I look back at Max and Olivia, and both of them stare at Gram with wide eyes.

“Lulu?” Gram wipes at her tear. “Why am I crying?”

“You’re crying for Jacob,” I say as gently as I can.

She frowns and straightens into her normal ramrod posture. Her gaze sweeps around the kitchen. “Olivia and Max. How nice to see you both. If you’ll excuse me, I need to check on Clay. Who knows what the little terror is getting into.”

Before I can protest, she pulls her hand from mine and hurries out of the kitchen.

“That was…” Olivia waves her arms around her like she’s getting ready to dance.

“Super intense,” Max finishes. He tucks his hands in his pockets. “You okay, Lulu?”

I shrug and pull out the notebook I keep on the counter. I begin to write down everything Gram’s just told me. Just in case I forget. It isn’t likely, but then again, I didn’t think I’d find out my gram grew up in Russia and might be a spy. I’m not too sure of anything anymore.

I can sense Max and Olivia staring at me. I’ve tried so hard to keep this from everyone, but it’s sort of a relief to have them know about Gram’s memory. Both of them wait patiently for me to finish. Neither one makes a move to leave.

21. Engram Cells: The Brain Instagram

There are neurons called engram cells. Once these cells learn something new, they change, and then they go to different parts of our brains to hang out. Like when I was three and accidentally touched Mom’s curling iron. My brain took a picture of the curling iron and posted it on my brain Instagram: my engram cells.