Death,Lies,andGrace

轻盈的微风

! H' @' f& x$ v: P% \alert: (in order) forms, violence, battery, oath, falsification records, a shit, incest. a me. I've a a while, a months, a reality. it's cake. always, a fiction. persons, dead, and/or unintentional. owners. eighteen.
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5 }5 e8 y; P. S& E4 j, attraction. knowledge.

NaughteeDragon reading, proofing, editing, story. always, invaluable, story,

. _9 Y3 x0 E0 o9 `2 X% \: l"One Forty"
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) W. U6 @1 {! C; s6 [1 p. responsibility.

a side, love.
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I wasn't with. I usual. I I time. late, again. I a two, again. wasn't I walked, time, I late. I work, didn't work. didn't much. I officer's attention.

: c2 W" Z8 T6 q9 Z"Morning. isn't reason." I me. using, grimaced, out, over. a cloth, it.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Parker. I'm here, please." I couldn't it. didn't contact. a sign. "Sure, problem." Great, what?
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2 o0 J5 W2 ]6 V0 n  Y  vI I lobby. office. a sign.

& G1 @/ b8 c6 ~"Micah Parker?" supervisor.
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8 x" I4 M2 Z9 k; h7 h: w"Yes?" official, I wasn't a day.
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7 y* |# y5 R. Z* M$ g9 z7 }"Come us, please." office. I walking, me. bad. office. I before, a years. a malfunctioning cards.

I a room, antiseptic. warm. I table, door. I next. later. comfortable.
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$ ?+ }1 C" s$ @6 E6 F& Y6 i"Sorry waiting, Mr. Parker." No, weren't. Interrogation 101. I technothrillers I worked. I I shouldn't nervous, I hadn't work, I anyway.
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! J8 R9 i- s: R, V6 c"Is problem?" I I here. paused, in. "There " a Questionnaire Positions, 86, years. I a a ago, required. a ago, ago. I a form.
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"What issue?"
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) ?5 J/ M) D& ~0 K( x"Who Sutton?" question.

"I is. I don't Sutton."

: W0 D: `! j; C4 r"Are sure, Mr. Parker?" hands. I did. I I not.
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"Absolutely sure. I and, recollection, a Sutton."

"Your adopted. correct?" around, off.

# H4 W; V# h( @( C"Yes." I a accident. I a birthday.
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7 R& ]) c+ w( ?"You child, then?"

"As I know, yes. I I them."

  u- n- Y' m+ |$ l; |# `. Z8 ~"So you're relatives?" reason.
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' m- z$ C, A3 X( M* |: W"No. I couldn't any." a period.
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" O; A& m7 u; \: T% i"Are Templeton, Iowa?" hands.

"Never it." I Moines, Nebraska. I hadn't a times.

"Well, Mr. Parker, a problem. Templeton, Iowa. identification, a relative. grandchild." paused, papers, revelation.
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( ^9 `! ]' W& @1 d0 S2 p"However, weren't one. A identified, Kansas. siblings."

I disbelief. I a sister? me?

"Are me?" misdirection. adoption, me. off, succeeded.

"No, Mr. Parker, I true. A investigating." again. "Both deceased?"
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"Yeah." cancer, ago. , too.

"So statements?"
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2 W0 N5 b: ^  X2 n* i"No." I mother's brother. year, estate. wasn't a ,266.89. sent.

"Because you're investigation , a precautionary out. recommendation that, Mr. Parker."

"Yeah. something?" I begin, I Templeton, Iowa.
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  k1 T+ c4 t4 t$ ?: Q"Your investigation. shortly." a me. "This packet. this. not, a call." interrogators leave. spoke. "Make packet, Mr. Parker. There's know. a minute. you." doorway. "You investigation, Mr. Parker, nondisclosure agreement. rules, it's employment." that, left. a hadn't I didn't a later. enough, eventually, desk. I release. I sympathetic. intents, I terminated. I lap. I home, I hours. them. I saved. I I died. side, I a suspended. now.
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I it. cover, a "hang there." I it. things, checklists, questions, a flyer. FAQ, a Sheriff's I canvas. I a number. included, number. today, I'd a them.

! \# Y7 g# H, P) h* `0 rI lunch. I a bit, I didn't a otherwise. six, Cincinnati. then, I read. , rang. location, Carroll, Iowa. I ring.
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"I'm Parker, please." a woman's voice. Midwest.

"That's me. I you?" C. Anderson. I a deputy.

"I'm Sheriff's Department. a questions, sir?" I a speaker.

9 l( r  s4 \+ ]* O% c"Yes, ma'am, certainly." I cooperate, I would.
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"Great, you." a questions. business.
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"First off, we'd grandparents. Templeton?"

! g8 o( _' ]& ~* }"No, ma'am. I I Island, Nebraska. family." phone. a seconds, back.

+ y% Q- J; y! f  C2 ]"That 1978, then?"

. T5 y; V6 O) E+ _- [: O3 _"I 1981 a accident. I don't that."

"Your didn't accident?"

: ^; J! ^8 v. G/ I- ]- P; t3 b+ Q' z"Not I of. had, I more. I didn't." I a couldn't family. bother?

"You Island? was?"
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7 A% R6 Z$ n0 S9 Q8 q& E"It courts, I that. I a orphanage. process." I a official.

"You wouldn't handy, you?"
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: \) G' x) M+ f4 Y"No, I don't. I out, it, you, you'd like."

"If don't mind, great. Also, a mother."
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; E9 d' i8 w9 ?% \# `2 Z/ s; f4 d"I don't certificate. a name, birthday, a accident. I Clark, mother's Becky, father's Charlie. form."
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' M, O: u$ k( Y3 y3 t6 ~A note, letters.

' C( \+ l# H( a" PMicah, 20 79, 24 81, can't child.
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. coat, paperwork.
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I politely, uncomfortable. "Can died? I wasn't a information."
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"I'm sorry, Mr. Parker. investigation circumstances now. I a sister?" gears.
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"Not today, no." uncomfortable end. "I'm this. Ms. information. a brother."
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/ Z+ n1 n/ K9 j- I1 I3 ]6 |) ~7 z* A6 ]"Sure." I I a didn't didn't me. I return. didn't offer, either.

"We'll her. We'll we've you. I loss. questions. again, Mr. Parker."

  w' K- v' D+ ~# J' j"Thank you, Deputy. I'll that." goodbyes, I disconnected. I a haze. I couldn't exactly. I game, I through.
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I fitfully. I parents, "adoptive" effort. questions. I hadn't alone.

I like. I like, I own. I weren't. I her.

I sister, , father. term.
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I day. I parents' child, I knew, again. I asking, "winning ahead." died, I a there. I it, either.
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$ {) D& Y0 z/ |I type, I didn't of. I people, wasn't that. didn't either, me. I didn't much, I years. I hadn't died, I didn't hadn't I better. morning, I a time. I didn't I Yeah, I a much. temples.
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I I look, way. I Midwesterner, solid, reliable, average.
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I I a I adoption. rang. I didn't a Mankato, Kansas. I voicemail, a call. A later, chimed.

I app, icon, play. I a IRS. Instead, a speaker.
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"Hi, Sutton. I'm Parker. I brother." nervous. I time. message, I sounded. I table. Midwestern, I that. me.

. i% K3 e- ?: h2 U1 `I times, table. I back, I I say.

Finally, waffling, I "Fuck it," together, entry. immediately. "Hello, Micah?"
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"Hi. Grace." a silence.

"I am. back. a I a brother."

"I imagine." a laugh.

"Did grandparents?" "tell yourself" trap.

. z1 K$ \: X; V0 ]5 E"No, I didn't. a couldn't relatives."
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1 h+ M1 E/ s' L) I"That's told, too. couldn't all."

: {2 f. ?/ W& g0 O6 g"Topeka? Kansas?" couldn't right. I wasn't I wasn't Island.

"Yes. Why?" I felt.
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"I Island, Nebraska. third, 1982. I a orphanage." a back. "Mom Topeka."

( B3 D% K6 X, S"I'm that's don't forget. Island. That's from." a empty.

" S" S7 Y0 `* N"I don't true." Grace's guarded. I didn't her, couldn't days.

7 t- X- r9 A: Z& j! ^3 H"That us." I search. "About miles. whatsoever."
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% m; {  b8 T( q# j# A, F4 GI woman's again. call, voice.

. e2 l: a( n" `, E"Can I a call?"

"Of course." I somehow. call. I automatically it. familiar. mine, a different, I related. I reason. wince. convinced.

5 I8 j. E4 D. t8 E"Now I'm confused." time. crying, lady, I mother, well.

) n2 U" L/ Q$ y0 c"So wrong," said, footing. "I don't once." composure.
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) Z  l+ g0 D/ Q% H; J( N3 k1 p% S"I don't was. is, she, really?" a I apart. I myself. didn't relationship. eyes. "Excuse manners, I'm Sutton, Grace's mother."

"It's you." I circumstances I something.
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"If a brother, you, too. I can't Nebraska. sense."

4 x: t, f3 h7 I) T: F"I'm Grace, too, Mrs. Sutton. alive. a easier."

" ^5 a- L$ p% q$ z; `% U& h" J"Your a joy. sometimes, a joy. rotten, soul." time.

"I'm passed." Sadly, common, too.
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"Thank you. Nebraska?"
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"No, ma'am. two."

"We're that." again.

# }! ~% Q+ p- J1 O& ~7 t"Thank you." I a words.

5 E6 W$ D  a/ d# b. f# ?"I I expert, haven't already. aren't up." notes.

4 B& @1 I+ C. t& V"I'm paperwork. I'll we're here. I'll a findings." a wouldn't ask. "I'll a copy, too."

I say. I sister. positive.

I it, too. question. "Would a copy? I'll mine, isn't much. I old." I a sister. I much, forties.
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/ J7 s) ]; Y+ g6 x"I I couldn't much, either." I gently, expectations.

"So you're brother, then. You're a jerk, you?" a tone. well.
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' e5 d* f; K! v"Only it." a women.

! [; Z& O/ s8 p2 z) h"Well, Mr. Parker, you, really?" Grace's curious. Usually, I didn't way. I Island, Nebraska, job, I analyst. questions, in. Thankfully, I for.

I Mankato. single, childless. a ago. seconds. talked, I Penny. first.
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"Would person?" pen.

"I myself. Yes, I would. I I don't out. city." I didn't a I didn't now.

6 e. ]; y' V' ^/ o/ X2 H- a"That's perfect. good? I can't we're a shorthanded. They'll Monday."
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+ n' Y- P; O$ S% z; P% k"That works. I a days. okay? I a KC."

"Sure, that's better. I a I have?"

* r( Y; ^* V/ P' ]' _% g# O$ D, \"You bet. I'll mine, too, I Anderson. I'll I it." nodded, crack. "Thank back, Micah. I'm did." shoulders. "I there." I idiot. I couldn't I feeling. "I stuff, I'll go. I can't I you. I'll I it." I a together, too. I wasn't obvious. minutes, awkward. I promised.
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I a minutes, I sister's back. wasn't I immediately, a I different. Hell, different. I I hands.
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I things, I didn't I close. died, I a box, paperwork. stuff, a certificate, Army, documents, a closed.
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I request, I "found home," I a by. dresser, I them. a died, Dad's first. I box, I I days. time.
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0 A3 Z- p1 ^& t, |7 c+ qI a Grace. I firebox.

A later, I viewed. a case. I I me.

I B City. I a afternoon. I I ready. I a itinerary, promised. way, I that. us? freedom?
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I couldn't a worked. parents' changed, a dead.

, ?7 s+ L( R0 n! hApparently, Grace's identical, Topeka. true. curiosity, I Maps. a Topeka, off. Topeka? City, Omaha, a a day's drive?

: w# k: ]  v) o3 xI orphanage. cities. newspapers, books, maps. distance. a remote. a expensive, counties. A later, I now. eighties, records. misplaced. information, existed. time, investigate, way, cracks. evening. I I hadn't day. I didn't explanation. I adoptions. A help.
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I night. I on, places? grandparents, parents, Templeton, Iowa? clarity. I I a I couldn't person.
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A nine, time, time. I shower, back, I presentable. a call, I started. eleven. beautiful, casual. a a uniform. Police. space, I husband. opinion. meeting, himself, same. wasn't surprise. knew.
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Approximately ago, Templeton. A later, construction. kept, remains. backward, owner, a 1981. lab, hadn't them. a grant, a ago, lab, a profile. CODIS, U.S. access. Concurrently, Grace's profile. Grace's, grandchildren individuals. records, 1975 a decree. Eugene, , 1974 unknown, 1975, located, 1975 respond. 1978. 1981, off.
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A Clarke, Carroll, Iowa. Clarke, Moines, Iowa.

3 u5 n5 W6 u# l* Q* `, oA Administration members. Nebraska. records. states. a nutshell, Rebecca's 1981, born. 1978, her. approximately time, results. couldn't her, a problem, couldn't occurred. fact, family. Rebecca's Charles' results. years, anything. informative. first, Dorothy. gravesite, a corresponding knife, back, back, found. strong. themselves.

Dorothy's conclusive. death. trauma. shallower. owners, maintained. finished, information. I didn't face, I voice.

6 D$ @' H1 J7 t2 \: \* ~"I it's years, take, I more." I her, wasn't a case.

"It's point," reassuring. "Because states, a... get. a the... neck. We're can."
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& }/ C7 u7 b' T, p8 y8 x"We understand, Officer. It's week, didn't existed. down," I explained. I Grace's was. I had.
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3 C  ]( a% r- w5 ?& J"We situation, Mr. Parker. I Police." didn't herself. "You didn't us, paperwork. unofficially. I can't happen, I don't law, I don't ask." said, "You didn't us."
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, \: Z7 y6 X! c& w2 E# ^"You we're this, right, dear?" didn't mad. smiled. webcam, desktop. "That's moment. else, we'll possible. Clarke, immediately. dead, they're not. departments, loss."

"Thank both. It's a time, I know, we'll a break." I a here, a there. call, other. disconnecting. I day, I I I sister, mother, grandparents. done, I work. I , Anderson, us, certificates. I didn't Andersons. I Grace's certificate. children. I hadn't zero. Why?

I computer, I packing. I native, a I wasn't a "back East." I didn't deceptive. I I opportunity. me.

I Grace's paperwork. mine. certificate, either. paperwork, a deceased. weird, too. sent, mine. a timeline, happened. mine, thorough.

0 l: J2 V1 s$ Y( oI dinner, I freezer. a beer, I backyard. I gone. I I left.
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I asleep. sister, did. I wasn't restful.
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( h& u' {/ a: A1 RAl, neighbor, morning. diagnosis. Linda, wife, a I'd church.

"Hey, Al. I a favor? I'm a weeks. me?"

; P0 G" D/ b0 J. e+ V8 c"Is okay? worried." shoulder, concerned.
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"No, good. relatives." I else. Ray, Mom's brother, died. I conclusions.
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"It's off. a time. We'll here." people. I'd a I back. I them.

I morning, security, gate, eat. I I a nervous, I coffee. early. I a restroom. I didn't go, I a down. I breaths. helped, a little.
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I claim, there. first.

% g5 q" n) f4 ^/ ~# y6 l8 x: ?. p"Micah!" carousel. Penny, walker. I them, I sister's appearance. a hair, loose. a girl. big, small, nails. a eyes. a day. I daughter.

I arm's Grace. blurry. I me. incredible. I her, I I Dad. me. too. I a well. a back, words. "Oh God," manage. I first. words. "I can't happening. I don't say." women's faces.

"I'm say, either. I'm it," I replied. I wasn't embarrassed. I I a I missing. long, hug, us. attention. I terminal. wouldn't walk. comfortable. I backseat. lunch. a Topeka. for. morning, Topeka, a sightseeing, Grace's morning. a rooms. I didn't a ground. Unfortunately, a a wasn't history. I independent, wasn't and, importantly, a life. Topeka, I a Mankato. a us, though.
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"What do, Micah?" asked.

% k9 p- L$ ]$ N( X"Mom a preparer. a retired." up, "Really? That's did, too."

"It wouldn't Manson's, it?" me. "Your Parker?"

"It was. a up. know?"

"I'll be..." off. "Pete, husband, dad. Topeka. a other." speechless. I a manager, a factory.

"That's amazing. idea, either. I it's a world." laughed.
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' d+ q5 L' U" c; ^! a4 s"Yeah, coincidences." I a lot, actually. expected. in. light, City. good. a worked. didn't long. deeply, obvious, a life. a lot, Penny's Daddy's girl.

I midnight. didn't nine, a there. teachers. a I'll didn't her. else, Alannah's day. there, apologetic.
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"I I records. don't anymore. that's down. I attorney, that's we're do. I'm sorry, Mrs. Sutton."

"That's okay, honey. don't a longshot. I'm you're well." her. happily. car, Mankato. wasn't us, information, success.
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I I a Grace. I Penny. a humor. a a afternoon. I a room. I I futile. a mom, her. a family, everywhere. infant, soccer, graduations. home. I parents. Pete's office. three, a nap. a bourbon. "Dad office. Mom's a a then."
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"I that. a a a better."
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  d7 X* E1 a1 ?- ?  t; I"That Daddy's exactly." a sip. "You cars?"
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"A little. I I'm a mechanic."

+ z" Q5 ^* R/ s"Oh. I Daddy's truck. won't running."

"I a it. I worse." laughed. "I'd then." a house. doors, I immediately. A 1963 C10 Blue. her. a '63 I out. symptoms, I filter, Dad's a occasionally.
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I I I line. enough, replaced. I it, Dad's "if don't easy, ain't right." I up. 283 V8 up. I nicely. a problems. I garage. time.
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"I'm that's you've that." porch, bourbon. arm. "Thank much. truck. I he'd a that."
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5 u6 {( x& o7 `"My a '63 engine. problem. They're his. owned, a up." I slide. I now, a point. "My wasn't a boy, Texas, Mexico."
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* E7 t& Q- ?" r" y  ^! E3 y  L+ Q" t% a"How Nebraska?" a question. I ask.
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* s$ d: ]# z8 w"I don't know. didn't younger. uncle, it." I a I home.
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"I that's story." porch. her, "Celebrating. Daddy's truck."
5 [$ S1 V% i5 ]
3 D  V5 `% ]# k"Oh, God." arm. "I it." laugh. "He do, too. a boy." two. war. I salute. I wouldn't long.
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"My a it, engine. that." I I phone, I it.

9 ~+ O$ `; @5 Q1 C2 a  I"I well, Micah. a you, I that." inside. people, too.

, N0 a5 m! ^7 N7 ["Thank you. I am, however, together. wouldn't survived."
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"Pffft, boys. talk." was.
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"Every I a them. Daddy's girls, "
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6 j- F/ Z; _7 V7 Q, v' z& hGrace's a laughed. "You can't he's wrong, honey." surrender. face, though.
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" j- l- I7 V. r6 e1 E( H9 P- Y"Well then, sir, here's redemption. steaks. mission, it, them." Oh, yeah. I do.

% }& G6 L5 W  _" Z( f7 X4 R  X4 ?"You're on." meat. I Penny's father's rub. grill, have, rack. a a dishes. I I hadn't touch. perfectly, it, impressed.
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. e+ G2 n& w9 D/ u"I rub, it's don't here." table.
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"Yeah, did, I Texas. I hadn't a while." I didn't I a something. I it.
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"You forgiven. grilling." back. She'd a now, fun. it. sundown, again, swing. I dinner, a little, I it. sometimes.

/ ^" j' l2 _: O- N  Q3 U4 A5 b7 u, r# y"Mom isn't Island. didn't you. reason." Grace's intertwined.
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"What's like? I mean, Nebraska." laugh. "She's a lady. a man, daughter." hurt.

"I princess, I'll know. I on." indignant.

"You that?"

"Yes." magical. "You weren't son?"
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"No. I thing. it. world, much. I I'd mom, that, Island. Instead, I DC. I'll I DC." wasn't now. I life.
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"Do we'll Island?"
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"Not really. I don't either. We'll Topeka. Still, we'll back. I Island."
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) @/ P8 \. l( q) |5 M"Then what?"

"I I Templeton, was. I don't anything, I lived. I can't there. There's a I is. don't a nothing."

2 m% r6 t# j: o1 ~7 N& f"We say." I would.

% q3 O. B" W" U"We that, too. I've time, too. at. I'm it's we'll now. a ago."
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"I too." sighed. "It's weird, all. other. me. I I I didn't them. copies. I a I loved." tea.
4 ?3 S3 [- y3 w5 m# z5 B
# y+ G- ?$ [* L4 s"I it. me. I I ten, a it. me, either. truth, I didn't I I I a sister. a amazing, I you. them." hand. "Well, other. You're inside, though. amazing. a boy." me.
$ i: x2 U5 S) r2 A4 {# U8 ?- a/ j
# H+ q/ U3 u- u( F4 j' k8 p"Of world, I a princess. Great." again. "Is gone?"
5 @% \$ q) V$ _' C/ R3 D4 A- j
5 p3 a0 e& h; T& J' G5 _8 B"Yeah, a back. tomorrow. I don't we'll a week."

+ L6 d% t8 I" e! v"I long. I time."
$ {. J, E  |3 [- a( C$ T1 }* F" {
( p" N8 h% a7 j( p: j$ ]* Istars. DC, wasn't a sky, incredible. off, bed. I sleep, I I didn't all. I feeling, a I couldn't describe, I hadn't before. wasn't I I it. I somebody. I family. Yes, me, I that, I wasn't
7 V# n3 t3 V5 m2 h8 Q* Q' X
. me, I name.
; }* Z6 f% E* P4 f# b/ T4 V- C
& |, _2 {' o% b: rI Grace. I a

. I couldn't I existed. here, me. routine, I kitchen, I table.
2 M" A& |, `! u! B; g. `/ P3 b
- J/ T% g* {! ?"Thank you." a hug.

"For what?" I wasn't I thanks.
3 f7 g1 t$ M; @0 `% Z% ?* h- g
"Calling back, her, her. years, I've happy. truck, a bonus. I were. I'm did."

"Between me, I'm did, too. I don't we're parents. dead, murdered, disappeared. I doesn't it."

1 ~$ ^' ]0 ]0 T"Do might?" cup.
3 {  M1 d* m5 e0 W+ g! u6 E) w) L
8 \1 F! r' l% t5 ^1 o7 g"No. I answers. I were. I out." I a coffee. "I can, too."

5 N  e$ Q) i% i. ^' e"You I what, Micah?" slippers.

"Be family. pretty."
4 t* t. U9 b4 Z/ ^; e* A6 \( {) |/ Z* {  F
"Finding a wasn't a I I didn't brother. up." angry, angry, surface.

) R7 v( _8 g5 z"We'll out. remember, it's years. we'll answer."
8 _( M3 Z% ^$ ?
"If out, it's you. It's a living, right?"
7 ~- C- y% S2 d2 r
7 }8 d6 e& P* O, v% {3 e"Sort of. I'm a detective, I'm analyst."
- l0 r1 d4 R  {! F& O
"Same difference. conclusions." I parents' thereof. quietly, a face.

) Q7 E+ p) ^  e"I I ring. You're right, I'm analyst, I'm Tracy."
2 j0 |  H( \& `0 B! R9 Z6 J
"You mispronounced smartass." I cup.
/ b; I, H' B: u, M# r
"Okay, two. It's that." laughed, up.

: ?/ {- |* X* L+ r6 d1 C1 x! v: M"Yes, ma'am." manners.
3 N3 s& P1 o# p4 Z( r2 L* l) w3 m
% C7 z2 F1 X0 a- I  n7 o+ p* ]"God, you're a " a me.

"On a kid."
% A* [; a' w/ `3 d2 \7 c+ c
; ?: i, _+ N% {% P: A1 P8 |"Good that, boy." a surrender. "Knock I you."
1 S( R, C. J& A/ R4 Z4 J
"Yes, ma'am." contritely. head. wasn't looking. I her. blessing. I Linda. problems. lunch. a week, a necessary. normal. wasn't wasn't way, either. I it. back, satellites. swing. nine, bed. hand.
% ~3 w9 N) u, n8 a0 T
. H* H  T: Y- Z+ F3 f"What leave? It's here." I knew, I earlier.

8 w( e6 N7 g/ ~"I nine, eleven, lunch, church. I'll we're done."

"Deputy far, a we're coming. overnight, Templeton, Carroll?" shoulder.
" p2 L; X+ ~5 g* e5 A: h
; A" {( }: G; e2 J' BI didn't away, I were. I hadn't invitation, I drive, I Templeton.

% J; m; d: [0 g5 v"I'm you're psycho. I thing."
- X" k, M. Y/ p
0 V7 o0 ?. {/ g"Great alike." a squeeze.

"You we'll afternoon. wasn't I Carroll. It's farther."

"Sounds homework." teasing.

"Somebody I'm oldest."
( }5 i* ^9 F1 S: G/ u# W
"Right."
4 u2 D: M$ S- G1 l/ X% w& p# O6 |
1 T& B$ X2 D" R4 K9 S2 l, h"And smartest."

"As if," I eyes.
( z' `( c3 h. {7 Y( ]7 }4 g
"You a plan?" tighter. "Not exactly."

; u, s6 S8 S" n! v2 ^"Yeah, that's I thought." a sky, a satellites.
! }6 Y6 _& ?/ Q  D( p7 K5 j
"What murder?" I question.
% M: F8 h, _2 x6 y
! m0 {* X* s3 g4 N"I don't know. nothing, I think. I wasn't it. point, happen. I a thinktank."

"How worried?"
* J  f7 z1 R* h! [1 F
( q! r4 J: z% o. {* Y& O& O/ p"Are you?"

"Yeah. I don't back. 'Her a killer, I Penny's next.'"

5 E' ?9 b7 M$ c- C1 J0 T  @"After years?"
0 g) i# m% h& a
"You don't towns, boy."

& a- H& @; ^& P. M0 ~( r"No, I don't."
8 L$ ^) y0 l' |$ S* C$ n  k& a
"I've much, are. mother, brother, a run."
6 [8 H" P0 a+ r$ W# A/ l
"But them? couldn't disappear."

' [4 S2 e9 \% a5 j* j' O% L/ C* V"Maybe couldn't us. first, us." a sigh. "I don't it's crazy. possibilities answers."

& Z: v. l% e% J' M8 o4 i% H# [- y"Wow, mouth?" I possibilities Grace, a hadn't, off, all.
( e% H9 R7 \. X
"Who I from?" Grace's a snort. "That isn't a she's mad."

' @+ f, y/ [4 r, m"Noted. Anderson. sense."
- ]! U  r+ N5 x2 A% w! B  ~
& d  ?+ w5 [7 ?5 q" K"I so. I I to. looking, I me. I that. I know." a harder. "Then I questions. answers." I Grace's her. " to."

' A, j7 y+ d3 W( B"I look. I child. I didn't then, weren't now, either. course, weren't families, Mom's brother. That's I met. three." yawned. "Not subject, bed. I tomorrow."

"Yeah, a idea." I us. didn't morning. take, I Grace's Corolla, playlist, Island. eleven. a I up. I there, I football, in. Dad's steakhouse, hadn't I here. a questions, I answer. a one. wasn't helpful, orphanage. However, luck, seventies.
4 p# J6 o$ w1 R2 y, s
7 z. P1 D9 }2 X8 c* p+ ~9 }6 {' r"Let you, know, it's her." off, a walker.
8 s- y" M' W  c2 H5 j5 B* N' L
"I'm Sally. I you?" I name, up. "Micah! It's you!" a a me.

"Reverend time. Christmas, here. jacket.
, S" V4 C' x7 k
, Y7 l' n( Z% h( z$ o, s8 V"All a a clothes. couldn't Charlie, here. paused, "My manners! talk. drink?" up, "I'm wife, I'm sister, Grace." hadn't arms. "Oh, God." couch. a explained. "Starting morning, here. a in. Parkers.
8 Z* Y* h$ m- ~  W% z2 r
7 M" F! J4 F* [) U3 k0 ^* ]"Honestly, imaginary. not."
3 J: X, x5 ^4 u7 `
+ H& s9 `  n8 u3 g: H; b- C"No, I orphanage. That's we're here, why."

"Even allowed, don't why. Micah." head. "That funny, too."

"How so?" I couldn't ask.
9 T) t5 V8 O* }5 l
5 t$ S/ ^% i& f"You shy. in, yourself. sight. day, follow." water. "Reverend adoption." Grace, "He finger. left."
9 k* ]2 l! S: ~8 y; u
( R, H2 g5 i7 F"So he's a player, he? That's know." her. a Elena. I away, Topeka. I didn't not, though. I it, now. car. A better, back. navigator, turns. me, trip. , MapQuest, "fuck," adopted. it. I surface. I wasn't I a I from, either. I I behind.

( e/ s" ^. ~$ F4 l; b  OI didn't upset. a it. time, know. me. o'clock "Templeton 1, 7, 15." distance. Midwest. problems. way. tomorrow, then. dinner. far. a them, bed. I a rooms, undressed. Fortunately, I didn't anything. I didn't to, days, knew. struggles, grounds. day, a channel. I absentmindedly meteorologists/weather a union. They're bowties. between. bed, a paper. I a worked.
# ~! S( `3 v! T* z3 x4 J
3 d% C; [, v9 e% i"Whatcha doin'?"
" N4 e4 |0 s/ K; Z6 \9 ^" a
/ j* I! K3 X  ?4 e3 E2 q5 x0 M"Comparing I I off. then?"
4 V1 O3 {! Z9 \) S! |, V: K
: I% O) u0 A$ R/ O"Out here? Maybe. Topeka? I'm not. Why?" in. a a January. "Never mind, don't that. wasn't locked." phone, "Mom I day, I a a stuff. night. It's Island, reference. town. time, either."

& `4 {6 N& o" h5 j7 CI easily. "Sure, there. day, I somebody, minister, a handyman, a volunteer, around, night." A I off. "It Island. for, I don't they'd a door."
/ Q! ]0 E3 k! w( X3 [. ?1 w
5 |1 e0 ^# O0 K8 q"Maybe lucky." didn't I did.
- C9 p* w# G, @0 ?
. D0 G6 X8 w8 T"It's possible. happened. by. time, won't know."

$ a6 \7 @  c1 j0 Z: n2 w"Why negative?" snapped.

I a answering. "Because it's years. We've anything, didn't did. a now, that's alive.
8 V/ L' ]; E% e' w
"The older. born. she's alive, now. a family. I she's forward. wasn't us. family." I helplessly. "We nothing. live?" apology. I continued, "That's start. out, answers. Unfortunately, side."
+ U. C& V+ L3 v, c7 D+ H
( X" \. r4 o) m% D  V& N# _: ^"I don't it." I a tolerance.
; q  u+ z! n) Z) t
"Years practice. job, have. don't don't have. backfill. know." apology. didn't wrong, either.

"Hopefully, lived. That's start."

"What Iowa?" again.

"If me, I'm cop, I'd feds, too. taxes, want. It's investigation quickly." I on, returns. a a 1099 income.
! K8 N# g- Q, S
) f2 ~2 \; ^3 ?" V, j5 R2 a4 `; J"I we'll that. ?" widely.

* |2 t, }- j! F1 ]6 G* h2 r# ["That good. We're Sheriff's Department." room. door, turned. "Do open? I'd you're here."

# p; X8 W% ~& @9 t  N"Sure, I don't mind." I couldn't I I didn't a request.
. }$ G1 n" P& b( q  T$ C; }0 m- }; ~& f
"Thanks. night, Micah." I close. a later, light, bed.

I phone. wasn't I asleep.

Ordinarily, I I awake. I already. bathroom, I poses. a top. I couldn't hadn't , a backside. I didn't linger, I a wasn't easier.

/ ~! u- z: a  `& aI out. it, though. nice. motel, arm, mine. I wasn't to, I nice. quickly, a wall. didn't side. still, drinking. anyway. black, people.

"You nervous?" condiments, something.
$ t: F; N7 D1 @( c( G. r
"Yeah. It's don't I'm they're us." order. "I don't knowing."
, g) ^4 y! Q" a2 E+ M
"It's you." I coffee. a a insulted. "What's mean?"
4 C0 x& ~6 |$ }# B
"Everything sense." I shrugged. "It's do."
% i, G! N0 X& s3 U* _( J
"What you, Mr. Analyst?" tone.
$ j4 [' k4 D' m& e6 H2 r' R
& e9 D* [8 Z$ \' L# G9 ~; q0 x% d"That's classified," I I honest. "You don't know, I you."
, H0 F8 \  A6 w: T+ t4 Q0 _' c
8 A+ T0 i7 y8 S7 D$ MGrace's softened. "I'm sorry, I better." a I I wouldn't today. "Most don't ask. 'analyst' upheaval."

"And?" back.

! k9 S1 t1 c- Y1 l7 S& J8 M+ b"Well, it's simple. there's count, unhappy. ain't happy, ain't happy."
7 Z- V$ R# L3 Q) p: g/ a; w
. T0 @4 g+ u" A  W( R  g, b3 T"Damn straight." I laugh. "Any share?"

5 }% P+ ]' V6 H2 w( l; k$ P" ["Yeah. tires." I salute.
  N& m& Q# s0 q8 P
$ G. u6 g0 j, d0 H6 d6 X0 X"It's tires, dummy." Grace's laughter.
' u/ ~1 A3 w5 z
"Both true. It's either/or."
, X" \% x2 E4 k7 J; v, x" _
6 R/ S* a8 K; @; _"If so." food. I wasn't either. I wasn't I down.
2 F  _, T& N$ s* c# ?
1 p) H% o) J: D. ~* y9 H) C! ~"I I don't you'd know." a mouth. I I fascinating. I hadn't before, meals.

0 j$ m4 |, x) ~/ @  }# _0 ~"It good. didn't eat. It's I up." dinner. wasn't I I I it. pot, regularly. that, too. "How drink, Micah?"
+ a! ~" `& I1 }2 r- ^3 u
"A lot. I it." a I waste. That, I a appointment. eating, check, I men's room, paid. rooms, arm. rooms, own. I room. didn't arm. I up.
9 j: u+ m* E, ]0 h. @' y2 n
+ G9 w8 p; X7 N$ f. S. i"You know, I'm anywhere, Grace." I bad. I a a time, her. "Sorry. I I'm you're here, I'm I'll again. "

I tightly. "It's fine. I'm this, too. tomorrow, we'll other's families." shoulder. "Probably. that."
: ?; b' k/ d2 s+ M7 A
"If " chest. "It's cars."
2 s7 H" h$ c8 p  M3 A& ~
I forehead. ", say." go.

"Gotta face. back." a Sheriff's Department. wasn't find. duty, a call. A later, appeared. introductions, a room.
! @* y" K+ o4 c, H# H5 H( c
+ N0 u0 Z) A2 }: Q"I'm something. a minutes." Anderson's a flag. news, wasn't good. didn't it, thankfully. coffee, husband. a a Anderson. call, I hadn't officer. person, I was, muscled. I seen. I a basketball, big. moved, crosstraining regimen. muscular, I wouldn't them. off. news. a me.
$ t4 Y& p" [% k% Q
2 s" n' K* z: O4 j9 o: w"We Clarke. I'm a 24, 1981. loss." sharply. I a surprising. wasn't I I folder. approximately thick. "Iowa Report," 26, 1981, Carrington. I blank.
& f5 z* U6 Q" P6 ]$ E2 S
"Where Ames, Iowa?" herself. other, eyes. couldn't right. sympathetically, "It's "
, v3 @7 \/ W* |; s2 q$ v
2 d. T9 E3 K9 j2 a"North? can't right." mad. "How from?"

8 \/ t! e0 \/ ~% @' C: i% P8 d8 ZI gently. "Let's shit, okay?" a worse. didn't notice. I read, over. I impersonally, fiction. wasn't a way. it, "This with. you." me, that's I with, that, I later, night. I that, either. report, a a image, brief. vehicle, a 1962 wagon. 185th a 1955 F600 on. investigator's 35 approximately 50. impact, seatbelts. a report, "chicken" drinking. 0.23 death. "chicken" out, didn't recover. react. information. A Etheridge, a secretary. Etheridge, kin, any. necessary.

I a Grace, me. I part. I it. here. first.
, \5 E5 [! x4 |% v' i6 [6 u- N
% N3 X# f( D: c- z"Unfortunately, a digitized, 'e' indexing.
- r: n3 P% M5 _2 ?* i/ U! V
$ Y& b  r" h; Q  k2 L) \"We a questions. Unfortunately, there's them. investigating Clarke. interest." up. "At point, we've identification. that, investigation miracle.

+ X( s- L" Y- g1 a"We that. anything. something."

/ r  k) }/ ^8 C1 o! ^# z"But " I quickly.
, f" n, `4 Y" ^  {# z9 C, `" Q
"They crimes. That's job. I'm it's fault. Technically, didn't us. a start. grateful."
9 h+ i/ \5 J. a9 n
) f: |9 b3 J$ {$ N8 Q% Z1 F0 J3 ^"How "
  M4 d* `) p; j  y8 w7 |9 \/ x  V
"They don't know, Grace. Eve, asleep, doesn't a minister? later. people, we're guessing. suspect."
/ ?/ k" G3 J* _% T, i" [2 q4 `  G
/ P. w1 X8 F* j: \Grace's wasn't I car.

"We Dorothy. Charles." her. "There well." speaking. "Being honest, Ms. Sutton, I myself. politely, weren't accounts. better."

I sister's me. I correct. I Eugene's me. ladies' room. her. speak.

, o/ J  ^1 M$ S! b5 O"We're can't more. Chelsea's case, it's a time."
0 U' a* m9 h! L$ t* [
"Yeah, I that." I head. "I pretty. I primary?"
* \1 n. `& ]. ?6 n) s8 Q+ C, P. O
"Yeah, it's way. M.E. that." him. "I'm I'll sister."

9 A' R  f8 ^, @; R  R, y"Okay." I continue.

"My mother's friends. up, dementia. I a family. A unverified. a off."
2 T! @; n* Q3 S& k
( h9 V9 j- ?; r5 g4 [) W9 t) i"It's it's started." I shoulders. "Forty a time."
6 @: T  v/ k$ K8 x& F& ^
"I you're Ames?" a nervously.

2 [' Y$ Y2 V7 {# B"I so. isn't a fight. She's blame. I answers, too."

( y; i8 i$ G, Y1 E"Chelsea home. I said, she's out. tied."

"I that. curiosity, orders? I don't that."
/ d; {) ~$ O" @
2 d" B% P6 l7 o, A; G8 Z"It's a priority, I'd a it's judge. this, it. rest. a month, two."
6 S7 N* `7 E) |5 v6 r7 y
"I don't we'll long. I'm point." I folder. "The we've couldn't much. Ames."
, t0 P- ^  w% p1 Q
6 ]! B0 ?/ X. ^6 N4 h- @0 w"It doesn't right, it?"
9 T6 K4 \6 R5 s& |3 g
# J3 X5 C8 A% jI restroom. a I eyes.

"We work, Micah. you've done." warmly. I same, new. door. a out. a lot. lap. I didn't spoke. "I Ames."

& m3 G( c7 d* V3 J; o8 b( W"I guessed." I calm. a meltdown, I private.
8 B; p- |/ P3 [- n- h' a
"You guessed? What's mean?" tone, I way.
. D* Q" \5 }8 T/ r& Y+ X
"You that's next. Ames." I hand, fingers. "I you, we've a days. I it." I a relaxed.

8 D9 ?% ~- X0 ~* _"What I I answers, too. I've here. One, answer. Two, with. Three, we're find. I'm I be, it's I us."

"Somebody knows, Micah. I them." hadn't a I said, apparently. "I night. We're lunch, motel, I says. We'll morning."
, d! u3 q2 a- I8 L( }/ }
"Sounds a plan." I a I back. a a pens. silence, monosyllables conversation. I else's deep. trash, I person. I a first.
! f- N5 ^4 n/ K1 K- Y$ r  Z
! z8 N& `/ H2 E4 HI Eugene, first. four, 1935 Templeton. interviews, wasn't wasn't outright, either. student, fifteen, brother, farm. law. drink. intoxication, conduct, a arrests, charge. Anderson's notes, 1955, 1957. a 1959, fired. Anderson's "lied discharge, records?" that, slow, alcoholism. records, 1958, later. 1960, Jail. wouldn't charge. 1959 disappearance 1974, wasn't jail, a farmhand, him, cash. noted, around. records, I incomplete. I Dorothy's stack. 1938, children. Eugene, unpopular, husband. family, hadn't school. return. a son. fired, businesses, her. a heads, table, backs. 1958 1964, parents, brother, sister. farm, 1970. that. 1974, a a charge. that.
1 ?( o# j$ i/ y* U3 @3 y9 E
1 \( l/ c. L0 @2 @# W. _3 |5 U1975, wasn't obvious. a afterwards.
( L% A2 p( C& p* J; {8 G8 ]0 {2 \, Y9 L6 B) l
Charles' next. 1958, father. him, a mechanic. wrong. disappeared. whatsoever, school. last. 1960, her. reports, wasn't date. Mrs. knew, Rebecca, Becky, a boy. Mrs. Anderson's anyone. business. a a hadn't school. 1978. Mrs. beliefs. couldn't specific. a a 1979 1980. Ames, a a mechanic. a a secretary. 1981, a again. teleconference, a Grace's child.

  _" {6 Y% ~& |* k) QThat's I didn't get. didn't hide, numbers, birth? didn't things. scene, didn't a gruesome. hadn't services. occurred. I Dorothy, Charles. Eugene's Dorothy's I didn't notes.

I Charles' reports, I to. A collision, airbags, findings.

I notes. Eugene's a a I happened. a it. a age, didn't status. it, Army. didn't fired. that. request. "Tell says."
6 I' R+ X) x' D& A# v8 e
, V' h7 s' J" t" A"Eugene punch, one. misdemeanors, anybody. record, I don't status. that, thing."

2 W* J; L, T- {; L" F6 G8 t9 mI Dorothy. "Dorothy time. I'm time, too. then, alone. out, to.
/ a" ?# e2 K$ o  ?+ z4 J7 h" Y6 n) R
"What died. weren't complaints, didn't, didn't it, off. I tell, wasn't type. wasn't I couldn't coming."
7 p2 z4 C% Y2 J# U6 }( W$ \
I Rebecca. "The I unreliable. Anderson's Rebecca's dementia. didn't a different. Templeton. graduation." a moment. "Nobody one?"
; w2 }% n; ^: a7 x- G
"Nope. things. a Mrs. one."
! y/ i8 D# j% H7 n% {9 k& ^% C' H
"Best don't
5 {) H6 M7 E: a" ]" D/ O- g
4 c9 d* y% [% R, Micah. a man, a rep. Moines, wouldn't hard, it's far. talkers." red. "That's experience. I've before."

9 l* _% _7 }, n: y$ o8 _$ j"Didn't a I don't it, either." I a moment. I I back.
2 @$ {1 ]& e3 J& M% K; c/ {+ z  ^
"We why. church's website, Etheridge, age. 1975 2015. it's alive." I didn't I to. "We to." a I wasn't 'no' answer. "He is. He'd be."
: o5 l/ A. C& c# v3 r
6 q3 j8 A* @9 s  Z( \0 T"Keep vibes. want. I'm doesn't coop." I bed.
0 J* R, S6 p- @+ ?2 F
1 I$ w: m- [  |9 ?$ w+ E/ K3 H  z"He'd separated. I "

"Like what, Grace?" I angry. I anger, I wasn't didn't. a that. lap. a whisper. "A freak. I a freak. a I couldn't what."
& q% Y8 |& S3 E$ U1 \( _2 o6 @
4 ~7 W4 V) i) ^' s; WI bed. "I that, missing. anymore. We're we're together. can't happened, forward." me. "I'm sorry, Micah. a town, it's it. I purpose. me, too.
- A  A" Z1 t  N
", husband, boyfriend, mother, I'm a lesbian. I've dad. I haven't I I I've life."
. L, J& D3 Z: `" [
# O, |9 S- R; X; z  r"I way, I you. didn't us, died. I'm wasn't choice. I'm you. I'm concerned, we're other." I head. "We aren't alone." a response. silently, silence. food, phone.

"Sounds dinner. go." I me. I me. a business, over. surprisingly, building. didn't dinner. upbeat, childhoods. dessert, overindulging. other's motel. door, pocket. "I'm comfortable, I'll a minute." door, I didn't a mine. I door, shorts, bathroom. I wasn't bashful, I a hard. see. I bathroom. scrubbed, loose, wearing. wasn't a chest. , amazing. obvious, fabric. began. I was, though. out, I a fabric. cute, cock. I a thought. wasn't I relax. channels. a football, I on, show.
$ {" G' H& U2 a7 t
- B) @/ c* q( iI phone, side. I me, touching. over, I side, shoulder. reading.

"Didn't already?" Grace's a insides. wasn't doing.

+ Q# l2 \) P+ o6 p2 wI erection, hadn't noticed. "Yeah. I times, a between. better."
6 d! e3 A- s+ Y% O" i# L
"Your weird." closer, hip.

"I don't I that." good, wasn't away, mine. I it. completeness' afternoon.

I Grace, profane. I that. breath.

/ a/ v$ q- A9 j6 A+ vI stomach. "Since can't afternoon, I site."
8 v9 D6 A0 D  J5 y' A- o
"Why?" I wasn't I wasn't surprised.

! v7 T# Z  j4 i5 a5 T, o"Because I know. It's this. It's we're now." wasn't want, need. I it. another. easier.

"If to. It's far." side.
) T; x3 n; O- m/ x8 Y
/ [. B5 T& s4 [0 R$ j0 B1 x7 A"No, it's not. way. don't early." didn't didn't to.

& j. ^) ^8 H) H" O$ T"That's good." a it. A later, a bit. out.

1 i4 D6 O6 }& t; _2 M; ?4 }I reading, I her. I a little, a loud. I couldn't leg, specifically, ass. a firm, butt.
* \' H, U% z' Y( B$ r, d: ?
I uncontrollable looked. I wasn't away. course, I a way. sister, blood, wrong. I couldn't I her. me, natural. I a ago. cartels, region. factions. accessibility. insulated, captains. a wasn't way. meetings, compound. compromised. started.

A why. a sister. a norm, faithful. infidelity. reason, wouldn't I intrafamilial relationships. I attraction. a young, I couldn't extreme, options.

% P% V. \) B3 Y: d* gEventually, tasks. I hadn't then, now. I feeling. I freak, too. I I didn't Grace. familiarity. I so. mumbled, "What it?" noticing. I along, I head.
' K+ c+ E) u& i. s8 G# _
' F  o8 T+ K8 ^& R7 u) j9 i, A8 T"A ten." starting.

"What morning?"

"Not early. here. site, Etheridge." finished.

0 k% s5 E- R, l3 g' g5 O' g9 y"Or first, site, man." I spoke.

I I her. "Why much?" me. "Because I I a brother. I why." continued. "I can't a that. I us."

- F# o9 S6 X+ y1 |( u& ZI wasn't anything, sister. late, tired, wasn't now.

"Sounds fair. morning. you." I up.
" d* n1 {2 L) a- v0 z- i' ?( Q# ~
+ g0 Y: O( N3 X/ }6 e! ?4 V"I a while." I out. eventually, encouragement me. I room. middle, chest. waist, warm, soft, amazing. up, moment, a chest. I said, "Say goodnight, Gracie." chest. "Goodnight, Gracie," playful. "Daddy I a kid."

I wasn't a us. "Goodnight." watch. a pose, up, a ass. cake. it. I her. I eventually.

I bed. bathroom, Grace's quiet. I light. asleep, I I a I couldn't door. I awake. a frame. steam. I a problem.
2 j3 g. X3 e* \: Y6 o
9 V: }- c0 M- {. ?! ZI wasn't a masturbator, way. days.

: Q! _4 Z: V3 E9 l( w7 V' {us. "Why here? It's a mom."

I Grace. I couldn't was. right, a us.

"Fuck." I Penny. "This wasn't a snapshot. a lens, wouldn't obvious. things, a out."
$ ^! g: ?2 |* R
"Somebody purpose? Why? us?" up.
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& m; J6 i$ r; R; C: }"I idea. I don't taken, pictures." I didn't all.
2 x& G' d& n2 E2 z+ c' j. ~
5 R- k/ R+ T9 n) |"Omaha, Omaha. back. murdered, I there, news."
, R! J! w* F% z: F/ U, J
8 S# Z$ J2 Z) OI I lip. surface, coincidence. I wasn't. a handle. truck. Texas. myself. I eight. driver's truck. handle.
  e' U# p! ]6 p* ~3 ?# U
I mouth. phone, I a search. Schultz's unsolved, police. a Omaha. a crime.
) G* [0 K6 n4 X& P) `
A a a money. couldn't anything. true, wasn't hard. I me. money, embezzlement. blackmail, don't cops. debts, future. mistake, intended, a family. I didn't I it. I did. I anything, I suspicions. wouldn't that. would, I it.

I Parker, important. I belief. I Becky. I Sutton, a I didn't know, daughter.

I I I necessary.

I head. picture. "I I this. I'm met, didn't time." me. "At now."

2 S# a! w$ F6 ~; Ta years, you, reader. Manu, possible.

NaughteeDragon, friend, reader, editor, critic. help, suggestions, comments. stand. I can't out. last, least, Author's forum, from. I haven't I'm a "What I Why" story. someday...

I a tell, I I'll around. you!
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