It only had to stop requiring me to deny what had happened.

PART 17

The Night the Lights Went Out

A storm swept across Westchester in early winter, bending branches against the windows.

The electricity flickered twice during dinner and then failed.

Parker shrieked with delight at the chance to use flashlights.

Brielle ran to check whether the freezer was still humming.

We sat in the living room beneath a pile of blankets, eating crackers and apple slices while Nora brought over a battery lantern.