Of course he wasn’t saying Mama. He was too young. They were just sounds. But it sounded like it, and there would come a day when he would say Mama in reference to me. He would say Daddy too. I let the tears fall down my cheeks. I looked at Christopher. His eyes were wet as well.
The doorbell rang, interrupting our moment. I looked at the clock above the fireplace: 8:10. I glanced at Christopher. He shrugged. “Do you want me to get it?” he asked.
“Let’s see who it is first,” I said. I peeled back a corner of the curtain and peeked out the window.
“Who is it?” Christopher whispered.
“It’s Piper,” I said. “And the police are with her.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Each book has its own journey. This one was particularly unique. It marked the step into a new and exciting partnership. First and foremost, I want to thank Megha Parekh for continually pulling me back to a normal level of what most people consider “disturbing.” She’s the one who let me know that a child and pet can’t die in the same book. Thanks to Charlotte, who helped me bring the story to another level and pointed out blind spots. Both of you have been amazing to work with. To my husband and son, who give me the space to write and create—thank you so much. I promise someday I will write a story with a happy ending. Just not yet.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo © 2017
Dr. Lucinda Berry is a trauma psychologist and leading researcher in childhood trauma. She uses her clinical experience to create disturbing psychological thrillers, blurring the line between fiction and nonfiction. She enjoys taking her readers on a journey through the dark recesses of the human psyche. If she’s not chasing after her ten-year-old son, you can find her running through Los Angeles, prepping for her next marathon. To hear about her upcoming releases, visit her on Facebook or sign up for her newsletter at https://about.me/lucindaberry.
The Perfect Child Page 31
