Chapter 9: Eleven Names

I woke up, and my hand was solid.

I held it in front of my face for a full minute.

It was Saturday morning, November first, the sun was in the curtains, and I was still in this world.

Audrey lay on her side with her face against my shoulder, and one leg thrown over mine.

I had not seen her sleep like that in three years.

*Extension: thirty days.*

The system had changed its count.

*Balance owing: $91,000. Due: December first.*

Thirty days.

I looked at the ceiling, and for once I let myself breathe.

Audrey stirred.

"You're here," she said into my arm.

"I'm here."

"Say it again."

"I'm here, Audrey."

She pushed up on one elbow.

Her hair was wild and her eyes puffy, and she looked at me for a long time, afraid I would blink out.

"I'm not paying him," she said.

"No."

"Not the ninety-one. Not the eight. Not one more dollar."

"No."

"But he'll take you."

"He may try."

"Ethan."

"We have thirty days," I said. "That's a lot more than we had yesterday."

She kissed me, hard, and then she hid her face in my neck.

"I'm so angry at you."

"I know."

"And I'm so angry at me."

"I know that too."

"We're not done talking about the notebook."

"I'll read you every page," I said. "Aloud. You can grade it."

She laughed into my skin, a wet little laugh.

Downstairs, the front door banged.

"I have a key and no shame!" Susie called. "Nobody say anything private!"

Audrey groaned.

"She was supposed to be at work."

"She's your sister. Nothing is supposed to be."

We were dressed and in the kitchen by the time Susie reached it, with her laptop under one arm and a banker's box in the other.

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