Page 9 (1/2)

CHAPTER ONE

When I elve I brokeoff the wall between Canada and Germany,” I say, but the woman across from me doesn’t even blink I don’t ask whether or not she has ever heard the story I’ anyway

“My brother said that the fall would probably kill ht femur in three places I totally showed him”

“I see,” the woo on

“I fractured ht shoulder five ?” I ask, but I don’t really wait for an answer “Well, youtree outside the Officer’s Club is climbable Trust me — it isn’t Okay Where was I? Oh, fourteen was the year of the concussion There were two of theo then I didn’t break my ankle until we moved to Alabama”

I take a deep breath “And that brings me to no I’m here”

“And you’re not bleeding,” the woman says “What an excellent start”

“So in answer to your question, Mrs Chancellor —”

“Oh, it’s Ms Chancellor, Grace I’m not married”

“Sorry Ms Chancellor I don’t et into trouble Trouble just sort of finds me”

Behind her dark-rilint in Ms Chancellor’s brown eyes Herthat isn’t quite a smirk but definitely isn’t a smile I can tell she doesn’t believe me — but I also know that she would like to Everyone wants me to be different than advertised Grace: the new-and-improved edition

What Ms Chancellor can’t possibly realize is how nobody wants that more than me

“Well, let’s hope trouble doesn’t have your change-of-address card,” she says “Your grandfather would like this to be a fresh start for you, Grace A new city A new hoet away from your issues”

She could have tried to be nice about it To be … you know … diplouess diploirls with my sort of reputation

“Is that all?” Ms Chancellor s me to top myself

“Well, I did watch ht in front of my eyes when I was thirteen But you already knew about that, didn’t you, Ms Chancellor?”

She recoils as I say this People always do To tell you the truth, that’s kind of why I do it Imy mother back It won’t make me un-see what I saw And, besides, I know Ms Chancellor really wants to ask me about it — to see if I’m as crazy as advertised This is her chance If she’s crazy enough to take it

But she’s not

Instead, she stands and starts toward the door

“Well, Grace, why don’t I take you to your roo — the undercurrent of questions and doubts My life is a never-ending conversation of the things that people do not say

Ms Chancellor set settled in”