Out of the Black Read Online Free Page A

into the truck, and they dropped us at the labor office just as the sun was slipping below the horizon. I walked home, feeling each step, and thinking about Anna.
    Carrie would’ve picked her up from school that afternoon, and by now they’d have finished her lessons and were probably waiting for me. I thought there was a chance I’d make it home in time for dinner, but even if I didn’t, I’d still get to see Anna before she went to bed.
    There was never enough time.
    After the accident, I wouldn’t leave Anna’s side. She had no memory of what’d happened, and that was a blessing, but some nights it would come to her in dreams and she’d wake up screaming, calling for Beth.
    Those were the nights I’d crawl out of bed and stumble down the hall to her room. I’d hold her in my arms and rock her back and forth, and I’d tell her not to be scared, that I was there, that I’d always be there.
    It was my promise to her.
    If she needed me, all she had to do was call my name and I’d come running, forever and always, no matter what.
    Eventually Anna would stop crying and she’d fall asleep. I’d tuck her back into bed then take a blanket and pillow into her room and sleep on the floor by her feet.
    I told myself I was doing it for her, that if she woke up again, I didn’t want her to be alone. But there was more to it. With Beth gone, my bed was just too big.

    By the time I got back to my neighborhood, the sun was down, and the snow had started again. I could see my house at the end of the block, the light from the windows glowing gold among the shadows and snowfall.
    I put my head down and kept moving.
    When I got to the house, I unlocked the door and stepped inside. The air was warm and sweet.
    “Something smells good.”
    Dash barked, and Anna ran out of the kitchen. She was wearing a lime-green apron and with you?”AK. It was holding a wooden spoon covered in thick chocolate. “You have to see this,” she said. “We made cupcakes.”
    I took off my coat and walked into the kitchen. Carrie was standing at the counter spreading frosting over the tops of the cupcakes, her hair pulled back in a loose bun just above her shoulders.
    When she saw me, she smiled.
    “We wanted to surprise you.”
    “It worked,” I said. “I’m surprised.”
    “They’re chocolate,” Anna said. “Your favorite.”
    I put my hand on her head. “I can’t wait to try one.”
    “They’re not ready yet.” Carrie turned to Anna. “How about showing him your pictures?”
    Anna’s eyes got big. “Do you want to see them? I took a lot today.”
    “I’d love to.”
    Anna smiled and dropped the spoon in the sink. She ran out to the living room, and Dash followed.
    I opened the cabinet above the sink and took out a mason jar and unscrewed the lid. There were several bills inside, and I added the sixty dollars I’d made.
    “How was your day?” Carrie asked.
    I told her it was fine, then said, “Thank you for your help. You didn’t have to do all this.”
    “Are you kidding? I never get to bake.” She nodded toward the doorway. “And she had a great time.”
    “It’s more than tonight,” I said. “I don’t know what I would’ve done this past year without you.”
    “She’s a sweet girl, Matt. It’s no trouble.”
    “You’ve helped her so much,” I said. “She loves you.”
    Carrie set the frosting knife down and wiped her hands on a frayed dish towel. She looked up at me, her eyes green and clear. She started to say something, then stopped and leaned in fast, pressing her lips against mine.
    I didn’t pull away. Instead, I reached up and touched her cheek, felt her skin, breathed her in. It felt so good that I didn’t want to stop.
    But I did.
    “Carrie, I—”
    Carrie bit her lower lip and turned back to the counter and the tray of cupcakes. I saw her chest rise and fall with her breath.
    I reached out and put my hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry, I—”
    She shrugged me off. “Don’t worry about