Page 104 of Night Songs

He looked like he might say no, but then he seemed to give into the fatigue. “Sure. Let me know if you need anything.”

He got up, and I continued to play the tape.

I went from track to track in feverish concentration, and when thealbum ended, I started it over again. There had to be clues in these songs. Perhaps even clues she’d left for me on purpose, knowing that one day I would need them.

It was during my fifth or sixth time listening to the heroin story that a quiet voice came from behind me.

“Rhea.”

I jumped, adrenaline shooting through my veins. I switched off the track.

The voice said “Rhea” again, and this time I recognized it. I turned and found Hess standing in the doorway, her face pale but calm. My first instinct was to be relieved, and my next was terror.

Micah must have called her. She’s going to drag me back to Arizona. They’re going to lock me up.

My eyes scanned the room quickly, noting that there were no windows in the studio. The only way out was through the door behind Hess, which she had closed. If I could just get around her, I could leave, run through the house, and be outside before she could stop me.

“Rhea, are you okay?”

I turned my gaze back to her. “Did Micah call you?”

She didn’t hesitate. “Yes. He said you ran away and asked if I knew where you were.”

“What did you tell him?”

“I told him I didn’t know, which was the truth until about an hour ago, when Clayton called me.”

“Why would Clayton call you?”

“He was worried after you just showed up here unannounced.”

“Does Micah know I’m here?”

“No.”

“Are you going to tell him?”

“Not if you don’t want me to.”

How can I trust her? What can she possibly say that I can believe?

My eyes flicked to the door again, visualizing stepping around her andpulling down on the handle. It would be easier if she moved farther into the room.

I went over to a cluster of couches and took the seat closest to the door. Hess instinctively followed, sitting a polite distance away, clearing the way for my escape. I pretended to relax back into the cushions.

“How isNight Songs?” Hess asked, catching me off guard. “Part of me always wondered what it sounded like, and the other part didn’t want to know.”

Clayton must have told her. I wanted to feel violated, but I liked that she didn’t pretend not to know.

“Honestly, it’s pretty disturbing.”

She nodded soberly. “Is it likeThe Cursed Woman?”

“No. That album tells a story, and it is so… emotionally complex.” I paused. “When I listen to these songs, all I feel is her fear.”

Hess put the back of her hand up to her mouth and turned away for a moment. I sat there with her, the unease of the recordings still lingering in the air.

“I think I know why you’re here,” Hess said, turning back. “You’re looking for answers about who your mother really was and what really happened to her.”