I still remember his face the night I burned the bloody sheet. I’d never seen him look like that before, and I’d thought I’d seen Santiago at his worst. But I understand, too. The fire must have triggered an old memory. I wonder about his memories of the night of the explosion. He never talks about it. Does he remember? And did seeing that fire, seeing the photos of his father and brother just beyond the flames, did I stir something up in him that made him so angry? Did it remind him of the night they died?

God. Did he watch them die?

I shake my head. There are moments I think how ridiculous this is. How if he’d just let me talk, if he’d listen, he’d know I don’t mean him harm. But as long as he doesn’t tell me his secrets, doesn’t tell me what it is that happened that made him hate my family and me so much, it won’t matter anyway.

My phone rings then, startling me even though I’ve been expecting Abel’s call. I fumble to drag it out of my pocket and answer.

“Abel?”

“Yes,” he says, sounding on edge. “You’re still at the house?”

“Yeah. My phone’s almost dead. I think it hooks up to the cord I have in the car, though. If we get disconnected, I’ll—”

“No, it’s fine. I’ll just be a minute. You won’t need it. Stay inside the house, Ivy. Don’t fuck this up.”

“Okay. It’s not a big deal.”

“Good. I’ve got some friends coming to get you later tonight.”

“Friends? Why don’t you come?”

“I can’t. Your husband has eyes on me.”

“Oh. Have you seen him?” I ask, hearing that little upward turn of my words, wondering how he’ll read it.

“You want an update on the man who put you in the hospital?”

“He didn’t…No. I just…never mind.”

“Good. You’ll need to be ready to go when they get there between eleven and midnight.”

“Where are they going to take me?”

“I’m working that out now.”

“Who are they? Do I know them?”

“They’re just some people I work with. Listen, they’re doing me a favor. You just be ready and don’t give them any trouble, understand?”

“I wouldn’t give them trouble.”

“Good. I have to go.”

“Can I talk to Eva? I called her, but she isn’t picking up.”

“She forgot her phone, and she’s not here. I’ll let her know you called.”

“Why isn’t she there? Is she okay?”

“She’s at school, Ivy. It’s a school day, and believe it or not, life goes on. Has been even without you in it. Now, I really have to go.”

I don’t know why his words hurt me. “Abel?”