My Mother Locked the Gate on Me

mother went to his side first.

Maribel stayed by the door.

I stood at the foot of the bed.

Harlan’s eyes opened halfway.

He looked at Celeste.

Then Maribel.

Then me.

For one thin second, I saw panic.

Not confusion.

Panic.

He knew exactly who I was.

“Arden,” he rasped.

My mother squeezed his hand.

“She saved you.”

His eyes moved to mine.

I waited.

Some dumb part of continue reading …