She nods. “We’re going to try.”
“No.” Rice stands, still a little shaky from his wound. “We’re going to do more than try.”
“Jacks,” I say, “we’re sending some supplies for now. My mother’s going to be talking to the citizens here, and we’re going to figure out how to fit you all in. Let everyone know they’re welcome here. Let them know they’ll be safe.”
“All right, Amy,” Jacks says. “Thanks. I . . . I can’t wait to see you.”
There’s a silence in the room. Rice gives me another look, and I feel my face go hot.
“I . . . can’t wait to see you too, Jacks. I’ll check in with you soon.”
We click off. I still ignore Rice’s questioning gaze. Rice has done so much for me. He was the first boy I ever had feelings for, but he was too consumed by his work. Like my mother, he had all of humanity to worry about. How could I compete with that? Jacks was different. He understood what was important. He understood I needed to protect Baby at any cost.
I kneel next to Baby. “You may not know what’s happened to you, or why,” I say to her, “but I promise that you’re going to get better.”
When I squeeze her hand, it twitches in mine—and then her fingers begin to work into my palm.
Thank you, Amy, she signs.
I look into her eyes and see a spark of comprehension. You know who I am? I ask, signing into her hand.
She nods slowly. “You’re my sister,” she says aloud, her voice uncertain. I’m still not used to hearing her speak, having spent so much of our time together in silence.
“Yes,” I say firmly. “We’re sisters.”
She smiles her sad little smile, her face looking much older than her six years.
“Amy”—my mother puts her hand on my shoulder—“let’s go home.”
I gather Baby in my arms and walk her out the door and down the hall.
We’re finally going home.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
[Copy TK]
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo by HEATHER STONE
Chicago native DEMITRIA LUNETTA holds a BA in Human Ecology and has spent countless hours studying the many ways in which people are capable of bringing about their own destruction. Visit her online at www.demitrialunetta.blogspot.com. and follow her on Twitter @DemitriaLunetta.
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UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE
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COPYRIGHT
HarperTeen is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
IN THE END
Copyright © 2014 by Demitria Lunetta
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
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ISBN 978-0-06-210548-6 (trade bdg.)
EPub Edition October 2013 ISBN 9780062105486
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