First Lie Wins

“Two new messages,” I tell her.

I hear Amy yawn and then she says, “Open them up and let’s see what they’re looking for, Miss Smith.”

I spent years and years protecting the identity of Lucca Marino. Making sure I could go back there and be that girl. I’ve already bought the land to build the dream house Mama and I planned.

And lastly, we still don’t have Mr.
Smith’s true identity, and we need that more than anything else.

When the swan is pulled open, there’s a picture showing the recipient in a very compromising position, with the words “Hilton Head 2017” written underneath it in red Sharpie.

“Have you gotten your next set of instructions or are you still checking your mailbox every day?”

Going forward I have to do better. I will be better. This was a tough lesson to learn.

Her name is not Lucca Marino—
Mine is

And I wonder if he is choosing his words as carefully as I choose mine.

While it’s easy to jump to conclusions, it’s also very dangerous to make assumptions.

The shiny gloss of this life had worn away, leaving all the scratches and dents behind.