Page 108 of The Sinner: James

We pick up the plates from the patio table and walk back into the house.

“Where are your parents?” I ask.

“Grandma’s place.”

She motions me to a chair before setting the machine for a pot of fresh coffee.

Moments later, she fills two porcelain mugs, pours cream in mine and sugar in hers, stirs them with a teaspoon, and brings them to the table.

The summer light filters through the open windows, getting caught in her hair.

“I love this time of year,” she says.

“Me too.”

She pulls out a chair and takes a seat.

“Do you remember what we were doing a year ago?”

“I sure do...” I say, melancholy seeping into my voice.

“It was the best time of my life,” she says, nostalgic. “And that thing we pulled off… At their house… Oh, my God. That was some adventure,” she says, her eyes twinkling as she relives the memory. “I was so scared when they picked me up that night. I had all kinds of scenarios in mind.”

She smiles, amused.

“You hoped something good would happen,” I say.

“Yeah. That too… Well, it wasn’t meant to happen. Not for me, at least.”

She looks at me.

I shake my head slowly, my smile fading.

“I don’t know if what happened to me was that good.”

“I think it was,” she says, optimistic as always. “It makes you look great.”

I smile.

“Maybe it’s my tan.”

“That’s what it’s called?” she jokes before lifting a chocolate cookie from the plate and taking a bite.

“Try one,” she says. “They’re delicious.”

Following her advice, I pick up one.

“So... The story wasn’t true, then.”

“What story?” I ask, the chocolate melting in my mouth.

“TheNight of the Kingsthing.”

“Mmm...”

Blood rushes to my face.

“It was?” she asks, her eyes widening with surprise.

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