There was nothing here but the endless stench and me, clutching a fistful of moldy bread.
I loved that boy down to my bones.
Wherever I went, Freddy went with me.
"Stop joking around."
A flicker of panic crossed Marian's face. "I mean it. I'm here to bring you both home."
"Home?"
My eyes were red when I looked up. "Three years ago, when you faked your death, they said you left behind a mountain of debt. They seized the house too.
"Freddy and I had nowhere to go. We've been out here ever since. What home?"
Her lips moved without sound for a long moment before she managed to speak.
"That... that was just part of the test. Don't worry, the house was always in my name. Come on, tell Freddy to stop hiding. Mommy wants to say sorry."
"Then go ahead."
I threw a death certificate in her face.
"Go down there and apologize to him yourself."
When the paper landed in her hands, her fingers trembled.
"Freddy..."
She read the words. Sudden cardiac death. Her eyes went red instantly.
"I was only gone three years. How can he be gone?
"You're lying to me, aren't you?"
Marian grabbed my shoulders. "I know I was wrong. Stop putting on an act to punish me. Just let Freddy come out!"
I just looked at her.