Chapter 21

That day, Howard had knelt with his head resting on Megan's shoulder. Normally calm and composed, he broke down completely. Silent tears streamed down his face, soaking through her clothes. Megan gently ran her fingers through his hair and patted his back, soothing him. Back then, she had said, "Don't be scared, Howie. "Didn't the rest of the family say your grandfather might recover if we married for good luck? I'll go home with you. And even if he… you'll still have me, Howie." Her scent lingered in his memory—it was the only thing that stayed with him from that sorrowful year. "Howie…" He could still hear Megan calling his name—in happiness, in sadness, in shyness, in tenderness. And most recently, he remembered the desperate way she had called to him from the stairwell. His brow furrowed. A sudden fear clawed at his chest. "Howard," Alyssa called again. She squeezed his hand tightly. "What's wrong?" Howard looked at her pale, sickly face. Snapping back to reality, he turned