Page 86 of Someone Knows

After a few minutes, Noah speaks. “If you’re done, can I ask you a few questions now?”

“What?”

“Why are all the photos labeled Jocelyn?”

I frown. “That was the name he made me use to check into the motel where we met. I didn’t know about any of the other girls until I found the box, but I assume he did the same with them.”

“Do you know why he had you use that name?”

I meet his eyes. “Do you know anything about your grandmother?”

Noah’s eyes close. “Fucking hell.” He shakes his head. “I was afraid that might be your answer. I don’t know much about my real grandparents. I was always told they died when my father was little. He had a foster mother I vaguely remember. That was his biological mother’s name? Jocelyn?”

I nod.

“I’d never heard the name mentioned before I saw it written on those Polaroids. But when I took out the autopsy report and death certificate the other day, his mother was listed as Jocelyn. I wasn’t sure if that was his foster mother who adopted him or his actual mom. The last name is . . . something with aB.”

“Burton?”

“That’s it. I take it my father wasn’t put into foster care because his real mother died, like I was told?”

“No, she abused him. The same way he abused others. She went to prison.”

Noah swallows. “Is it all right if I get out of the truck? I think I’m going to be sick.”

I nod.

Noah hops out of the pickup and jogs aroundto the back. He bends over, hands on his knees, and empties the contents of his stomach. After, he dry heaves for a long time. Eventually, he wipes his mouth on the back of his hand and walks back to the still-open car door. “I don’t know what to say.Sorry for my fucked-up familydoesn’t seem like enough.”

“If you’re not sending me the chapters, then who is?”

“I wish I knew. I’d help you if I could. I swear I would. You’ve been through so much already.” He rakes a hand through his hair. “You have any other questions for me?”

I’m certain I do, but my mind is too jumbled to do this anymore, so I shake my head.

Noah nods. “Will you be home if I go get the Polaroids and come back?”

“Yes. But just leave them in the mailbox.”

He smiles sadly and nods as he climbs back into his truck and pulls the door closed. Noah starts the ignition but then turns it off again. “Hey.”

I look up.

“It’s probably not the right time to say this. In fact, I know it’s not. But I get the feeling this might be the last time I get the opportunity, so I’m going to say it anyway.”

“What?”

He smiles, and his adorable dimples make an appearance. “I really did like you, Elizabeth. That’s why I was paying you attention. You’re different from other women.”

I shake my head. “I’m different because I’m fucked up, Noah. And that’s because your father made me this way.”

CHAPTER

44

It’s time to go home. Past time, really.

Two days later, the house cleanout is nearly done. My bedroom is the biggest task left, but I took anything of importance when I ran out of here two decades ago. Anything still remaining is going to the garbage, so it won’t take me long. Mom’s mattress and box spring still need to go, too, along with the set in my room, and a dozen bags in the garage.

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