Chapter 12 - THE LOCKET'S REAL OWNER
The locket had belonged to Thomas.
Not Laura.
That surprised everyone.
Thomas had ordered it when Ryan was sixteen.
Inside:
a copy of the baby photograph Laura once sent.
On the back, Thomas wrote:
MY BIRTH MOTHER — LAURA.
Not because Thomas was confused about grammar.
Because he intended to give the locket to Ryan with a note written in Ryan’s voice.
A first sentence.
A way to begin.
Then he lost his nerve.
Diane found the locket years later.
They fought.
Thomas wanted to tell Ryan.
Diane begged him not to.
He agreed temporarily.
Then wrote the letter found after his death.
Ryan stared at the tiny words.
Thomas had been complicit.
Then regretful.
Not brave enough soon enough.
Claire asked:
“Why keep the locket?”
Diane answered:
“I tried to throw it away twice.”
“Why didn’t you?”
Diane looked at Ryan.
“Because Thomas made me feel like destroying it would make the lie permanent.”
Then Lily found it.
A two-year-old with no idea what secrets were.
Diane panicked.
Grabbed her.
May you like
Hit her.
And thirty-five years of control broke in under fifteen seconds.
