Home Entertainment Game Technology Advertisement Part 2: For eight years, my parents made me leave the house every time my brother brought his fiance over; Mom said, “She comes from a good family, don’t embarrass us”; Dad added, “Just disappear for the weekend”; I did; then one weekend, I never came back; it took them four years to find out where I went.

Then stood.

“Stacey.”

“You knew I was alive?”

“Not until two hours ago.”

I looked at Avery.

She nodded.

Mara continued.

“I suspected the death record was false.”

“Why?”

“Because your grandmother did.”

My chest tightened.

“Grandma knew?”

“She knew you were alive.”

“Of course she did.”

I laughed bitterly.

“She saw me.”

“Not often.”

“No.”

“But she knew.”

Mara opened a file.

My grandmother had visited her six years before her death.

June told her something was wrong with the family.

She had learned that Mom and Dad were telling people I had died.

At first she assumed it was some grotesque social lie.

Then she discovered Dad had used a death certificate in an insurance claim.

“Why didn't she call police?”

I demanded.

Mara looked uncomfortable.

“She intended to.”

“That isn't an answer.”

“No.”

She folded her hands.

“Your grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer three weeks after she came to me.”