Page 75 of Midnight Between Us

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Just stacks the envelopes and pictures with care, tucking a corner here, smoothing a crease there, like they’re sacred.Then she hands them to me without meeting my gaze.

“There,” she says.“They’re in the right order.It’s the only way to explain the first eighteen months of his life.”

I don’t mean to, but I reach for her hand.Just a touch—fingers meeting in the space between us and I feel it.

I fucking feel it.The warmth, the tremble.And I don’t pull away.

Though, she turns around immediately, leaving me with a big secret.And I’m not sure whether if I should try to catch her or sit back down and find out what I lost.

ChapterThirty-Two

Keir,

There are options.So many I didn’t even know existed.

If I can just find you ...this place could help us both.

You could go to school here in Seattle.I’d work on my GED and then college.There are scholarships, housing, and childcare—all of it in the same building.It’s like someone actually thought about people like us.

I just need to find you.

Yesterday, I called your mom.She thought I ran away with you.My grandparents believe Nina kidnapped me.I didn’t know you left without telling your mom anything.

You really kept her in the dark, huh?

Where are you, Keir Timberbridge?

My counselor said there’s a company that can help me find you.

I might ask them to.

We need to talk—there are decisions we need to make.About the baby.

I hope you’re safe.I hope you’re still you.

Love,

Simone

ChapterThirty-Three

Keir,

I ...

I’ve been crying for weeks.

It’s pathetic, I know.But I can’t stop hearing your voice—those words.

“You meant nothing to me.”

“Move on.”

“Grow the fuck up.”

You didn’t even sound angry.Just ...done.Like we were in this phase you outgrew.Like I was a mistake you couldn’t erase fast enough.Like I was still eight, and you were tired of me following you around.

I’ve played that call in my head a thousand times.

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