Page 108 of This Love
Tad had quieted again. Gram had moved to the rocking chair in the corner, the baby in her arms.
He needed his mother.
We all did.
Chapter 42
Ava
I looked up into the trees. Birds flitted around, chasing each other. A breeze ruffled the leaves. Despite learning what was wrong with me, that I’d lost my memory, I felt content and calm.
I had done the right thing. Ava said to avoid police and hospitals. I was glad I had left. She was right. I listened to myself and got away.
I’d already learned so much.
I was a photographer.
I could make an omelet.
I had someone who loved me and kept me safe. Tucker.
Where was he now? Where was my mother? How did she fit in? I ran my hands over the words on my arm. It was a tattoo. The warning was so important that I put it on my skin forever.
I could trust Maya, whoever she was. Wait, was she the one in the photograph? I flipped until I found it again, looking at myself, the woman, and the pots of flowers. It made sense that I would give myself photos of the good people.
And I could trust Big Harry. I pulled out the keychain. Another clue. It was coming together.
Old Ava told me to read. She warned me to pay attention.
I would try.
I paged through the book, my eyes pausing on random words.
Disco room.
Seizures.
Tucker.
Mother.
Fear.
Run away.
Home.
Shelter.
Big Harry.
There was so much here. I didn’t know how long it would take me to read. I skipped to the end, hoping there were instructions. Couldn’t I just go to the part where it told me what to do?
But the last page only said, “Time to watch the video.”
What video?
I pulled another one of the candy bars from the bag and unwrapped it, looking around before I started reading again. A woman walked a small dog through the grass. Her dog spotted me and trotted over until it reached the end of its leash.
