Condemned by My Sister novel · Chapter 24 of 24

Chapter 24: Let Go

I stood on the hill for a long time and waited for the pull to come back.

It didn't.

Marianne was a small black shape among the stones, going down toward the gate.

She walked with her head up, the way she had not walked since the night of the stairs.

I had spent weeks being carried after her.

Now I could stand where I liked, and I did not know what to do with that.

I looked at the slice of cake on its paper plate.

A crow had come down and was eating the frosting.

I laughed out loud, and the sound went nowhere, and I did not mind.

I looked at the stone.

ELI THURLOW, it said, and two dates, and under them a line Marianne had picked.

It was only "Beloved brother."

She had left off "of Marianne," and I understood why.

She had wanted it to be mine.

I walked down the hill by myself.

It was strange to choose each step.

I passed the stones of strangers.

One had a small stone lamb on top, and someone had tied a ribbon around its neck.

At the bottom of the hill the path ran along an iron fence, and I could see the cemetery gate.

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