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I try to lift myself, but with the attempt comes another wave of nausea. I cling to the toilet bowl and Elise closes the door so only a crack of light spills in.

“Oh dear,” she tuts from the other side. “I’m afraid to leave you like this.”

“I just need sleep.”

“In a bed, preferably.” Elise pokes her head into the bathroom with a grimace. “I can try to carry you.”

“No.” Good lord, if she touches me… “Just, please go.”

“Faye…”

“I just need time.”

“Okay.” She takes a step back. I don’t blame her. “I’m taking the kids. And Duke.”

“Thank you.” I can’t even muster the energy to fight her. I flush the toilet and fall back to the floor.

“I’ll check in.”

I don’t reply. Dizziness swims through the pounding in my head and nausea swirls in my empty belly. Mabel cheers excitedly from her room down the hall because she’s going to stay with Grandma and Grandpa. I hear Owen worry about leaving me and Elise assure him I wouldn’t be alone.

I’m not sure who she thinks will be here.

Mom and Dad are away for the week, visiting friends in Victoria. I hope she didn’t call them home for this.

I don’t have time to think on it before the house is silent and I slide into darkness.

17

DO YOU PROMISE?

MAY 2023 - PRESENT DAY

Islide the key Mom gave me into the lock and twist.

What the hell am I doing here?

She’s got the flu. It’s not like she’s dying. Still, I step inside.

The house is eerily quiet. I’m not unaccustomed to being in quiet spaces, having always lived alone. But I sense that these walls have never known quiet. Not ever. Dad bought this house for Mom to fill with babies. She had two boys, and we certainly never introduced these walls to anything even resembling quiet. Having met Mabel, I know for a fact that sassy chatterbox has never practiced the art of silence.

So, hearing it now, so still, is a bit of a shock.

What’s more shocking is the long, loud meow that nearly peels the flesh from my bones. The thing sounds like it’s being mauled, and when it lets out another long meow, I follow the sound to the top of the stairs. My eyes land on the source of the sound. A white and brown blur that takes off down the hall.

“Faye?” I call out as I begin up the stairs. With every step, I curse my mother.

I don’t know why she asked me to check on the woman. It’s not like I have any real relationship with her. Not anymore, at least.

I’m reminded of why as I pass photographs on the wall of the family my brother created with the only woman I’ve ever loved.

My teeth grind. The cat howls—no joke, it’s a howl.

I look away from the photographs, but the damage is done. They were a happy family.

I continue the climb, calling out again, “Faye?”

When nothing but silence and another loud meow greets me, I decide to follow the cat into the master bedroom. It’s weird being back in this house, knowing it was where my brother had my woman.