The boards are off the windows. It’s just you and Mackenzie now, separated by feet.
Soon to be inches.
Clearing the room before the FBI agent returned was the right call. You promised Mackenzie’s mother that this would be over shortly.
It will be.
You wouldn’t have chosen Mackenzie. She’s younger than Cara was— younger than you were when Cara died—but she’s hurting. You can see that. You feel it. This child is hurting. She will always hurt.
She needs you.
You didn’t arrange for Mackenzie to be standing on that ledge. You didn’t befriend her, didn’t mentor her, didn’t lead her to this place. She’s not like the others, but she needs you all the same.
Needs this.
And after Kelley? Your heart ticks up a beat. You need this, too.
