The Phoenix Plan

f my SATs, my

m an unkno

take the test. I'll ex

eath

i

r broth

years ago, right a

runaway, but I n

dn't le

et "Phoenix Plan" for a fresh s

onfidant, m

alling th

d voice said it

acea

mmered agai

. Al

e flashe

num

Ella. Not a

arah, the woma

m door cre

a bright, forced

ie, you read

under my pillow,

managed, m

hair, her touch too

om' s firm, someti

know it," Sarah said, h

father, had shown up a few months after Liam disappeared, claiming to be

ectations, had been a source of pressure

thing about ne

le smile, and left, saying, "Don't b

bed my

i

as hap

eflection in the

, sc

g past my open door in

sted her

eked out from her col

sc

fr

ar from a thyroid surge

the right si

' d traced it with

the one in the mir

od ran

my doorway. "Ella

was sweet,

words slipped out

e faltered,

Ella? Don't be si

this time, my voice tremblin

, Ella. Your imagination. Dr. Miller warne

d made me see after Liam left, who

imagination

, the sweetness gone. "Get your t

nty that chilled me to the

n was an

ying to force

am, before h

defeat. "Okay. Okay, Mom. I'm

ned slightly, but he

irl. No

grabbing m

I slipped a small, worn photograph

nd Liam, grinning,

real

as waiting by the do

med, a little too loud

e shoulder. His han

s leaner, his

at Mark

ch, a gift from my real gra

it on his

e always wore his watch o

wave of d

em. Both

us, Dad," I said,

hing to it. You'll

ing her hands on my shoulders

e don't want

were too smooth,

ey were

They were something els

nted me at

h