Chapter 4 - THE PHOTOGRAPH BENEATH THE BED
Clara found the photograph while helping organize Liam's bedside belongings.
It had slipped beneath the bed.
Two boys stood beside an old pickup truck.
One was tall and dark-haired.
The other was younger, smiling broadly.
On the back, someone had written:
Liam and Noah. Summer 2007.
Clara stared.
Liam noticed.
His expression hardened.
“Put that down.”
She immediately placed it on the table.
“Sorry.”
He looked away.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then Clara asked, “Is that your brother?”
Liam nodded.
“Noah.”
“He looks happy.”
“He was.”
Clara sat quietly.
Liam stared at the photograph.
Then whispered, “He died because of me.”
Clara's heart tightened.
“What happened?”
Liam closed his eyes.
“I trusted the wrong person.”
She waited.
He said nothing more.
Clara didn't push.
Instead, she placed the photograph where he could see it.
Then returned to her work.
May you like
That evening, Liam asked her to leave the bedside lamp on.
It was the first time he'd willingly slept with any light in the room.
