Free Devoured by Amanda Marrone

are. I picture Nicki smirking at me and saying, “Did someone forget they have a boyfriend?” again.
    No, I tell myself, but there’s something really nice about being able to talk openly about my sister—something I can’t do with Nicki or Ryan.
    I turn to Luke and inch closer to him. “So what about Remy? Is there anything you can do?”
    “Nona said Remy was looking for something, and that she was scared. So the first thing to do is figure out why. Was there something she always carried with her—a doll or even a blanket?”
    “Can’t you just ask her?”
    Luke gives me a weary smile. “I don’t know, that vision kind of knocked me on my ass.” He gives me a wink and a crooked smile. “I guess I’m no better than Nona. I asked for it. But I’ve never actually tried to talk to a ghost—they usually come to me first.”
    I smile back at him and try to ignore the way he makes my stomach flutter. Ryan, I scream in my head.
    “So could Remy be looking for a toy or something?” he asks.
    “No, she actually made fun of me because I had a stuffed bear that I took everywhere—until it got left in the car after the accident. I don’t know what happened to him.” I sigh, knowing this isn’t the time to lament the loss of Mr. B-bear. “There was this dress she liked, but …” Tears well up in my eyes again. “But she was buried in it.
    “Could she be looking for my mom? I told my mom Remy was in the house last night. I told Remy to go to her, hoping my mom would finally see her.”
    “And?”
    “And nothing, other than my mom thinks I’m some kind of sociopath who gets off causing her mental anguish. I just don’t understand why I can see Remy and she can’t. And it’s weird, because Remy doesn’t seem to see her either—or my dad. She was even asking where my dad was and …”
    My eyes grow wide. “Oh my God! She was asking me where our dad was yesterday. She was right in the room with him, but it was like she didn’t know. He never woke up after the accident—he’s on life support. Could she be looking for him? Waiting for him before she can, you know, move on?”
    Luke nods, looking excited. “That might be it. He might be in some sort of limbo and she needs to connect with him before she can move on.”
    I purse my lips as tears pool in my eyes. “My dad was her favorite—she and my mom were always butting heads.” I look at Luke. “That’s it. I know it. She’s been waiting for him all this time.”
    “It makes sense; that could be what’s keeping her here.”
    I jump up, wiping my eyes. “I’ve got to talk to my mom.”
    “Wait! What’re you going to do? You can’t just ask your mother to … you know …”
    “I have to. It’s time Remy and my father found some peace.”

SIX
    Before you ask, I don’t want to talk about it,” I say as I get into Nicki’s car. “But thanks for picking me up.”
    Nicki raises one eyebrow. “Come on, you have to tell me. She hasn’t sent you to Dr. Macardo in years.”
    “It’s none of your business,” I snap, and immediately I feel guilty. “I’m sorry. Maybe I should just walk home.” I put my hand on the door, and Nicki pulls on my arm. I let go and slump down in the seat.
    “Come on, Megan, what’s going on?”
    I shake my head and look away, staring at the North Conway Mental Health Clinic sign. How do I tell Nicki I want to pull the plug on my own father?
    Dr. Macardo did agree that thinking about pulling the plug was normal. Telling my mother Remy was in the room was apparently another matter entirely, though. Of course, I’d like Dr. Macardo to spend some time at my house observing my mother, and then see who should get the passive-aggressive label he tossed around numerous times during our session.
    A half smile curls my lips. At least he convinced Mom to make a session for herself. I wonder if Dr. Macardo will have Mom draw some family pictures with his stupid box of broken crayons. Maybe then Mom would finally come