The Rule About Lena

The girl shook her head.

“That was her name after.”

Claire looked at the old bedroom. The wallpaper had faded into blue flowers. Lena's bed was made. A collection of glass animals stood on the sill.

“After what?”

“After Mother told you to watch me.”

The memory opened.

Claire was eight. Lena was six. Their mother stood in the doorway holding a prescription bottle.

“If Lena gets scared, you tell me,” she said.

“What if I get scared?” Claire asked.

“You are older.”

The rule entered Claire's body before she understood it.

The little girl placed the button on the bed.

“That was the first witness.”

“My mother?”

“Your mother made you responsible. Mara taught you how to record it. Bell taught the town how to sell it.”

Claire touched the wall.

The house shook.

Behind the wallpaper, a list appeared.

WHO IS ALLOWED TO BE A CHILD?

Claire wrote: BOTH.

The room rejected the answer.

“Why?”

The girl answered, “Because someone always has to remember first.”

The door opened to a hallway filled with copies of Claire at different ages.