“To be honest,” Klugman spoke quietly to Nurse Clara, “I think your folks are just passing away on their own. No spring chickens here. Except maybe that Lundberg woman. Maybe she was a jumper.” “We can tell when time is drawing near for our people,” Nurse Clara said indignantly. “Obviously, Mr. van der Groot did … Continue reading Chapter 66 – Mrs. Remple

She sat on the sofa alone, in her spring flower dress, hair curled into perfect swirls. She looked younger. Harriet patted the sofa cushion beside her, asking Jon to sit with her and look out the big picture window to watch the children in the school yard playing at their recess time. It was like … Continue reading Chapter 65 – Remember When

Two weeks later Let’s tuck ourselves in here,” Karl said. Jon shuffled slowly in his fleece lined slippers; the butt of his striped pajamas sagged. He was groggy from sleep; rubbed his eyes to clear them of grit and gave his head a small shake to rid the cobwebs. Karl guided Jon into the broom … Continue reading Chapter 64 – The Broom Closet

Jon sat next to the Queen’s chair. His book opened near to the middle. A small stain, the shape of a fingerprint at the bottom corner of the right hand page. A smudge of fading brown that could have been dried blood from a pricked finger. The room was full, there were more new faces … Continue reading Chapter 63 – Before The Battle

“You’re dreaming,” she said. “Or daydreaming.” “It seemed so real,” Jon said, “I think it was real, not a dream. It was as if I was him and he was me. Not at first but as we spoke it was like we merged together and I became him. Do you know what that’s like, being … Continue reading Chapter 62 – Harriet