Page 46 of Run

The twisted expression on my sister’s face reflected what I felt. She sighed and then said, “She got sick after you left, held on for almost three years before she finally died.”

I could see the sadness on Daniela’s face, but could barely pay attention. Instead I again absorbed the shock. “You didn’t tell me. Didn’t find me and tell me that my mother had died,” I said, the accusation in my voice grating but unavoidable.

“I didn’t know where you were, Gia. All I knew was that you didn’t want to be found.”

I sank back against the chair, my lids drooping. Daniela was right. Somehow in my mind, I had convinced myself that after I left, everything had gone on as usual. My father being my father, my mother cleaning up the mess, my sister striving to be the perfect daughter, proving she was worthy of my mother’s love and Santo’s protection.

I had been such a fool.

Everything had changed while I was gone. The world as I had known it, the very thing I had been running from, no longer existed.

Where did that leave me?

I had no idea.

I leaned over and grabbed Daniela, almost dizzy with emotion. I hugged her again, trying to say in the embrace what my words wouldn’t allow.

It probably fell far short, but I broke the embrace anyway. Looked at my sister with happiness that was tinged with envy. She had stayed, and had built her life, a real one, a real family. She deserved that, and I was happy for her.

Now I just needed to figure out what I would do with myself.

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