I didn't think she could hear me. I thought she was locked in her head, like I was. I spend about two hours every morning and every afternoon just talking at Olivia. Making sure her water jugs are filled, that she has food, and that the furnace in the camper is ready to go in case it gets cold enough at night.
Every morning I tell her what I saw around our clearing, about the missing people, and things people talk about at the fish station. Or really, the things people don't talk about. I told her about Abby and Liz toting shotguns around, and about Ed going off with Will Harper every second day. I told her about the cleaning crew. I recount every conversation I've had with Ed and tell her how I've started to see him differently.
Twice a day, I beg her to forgive me. I beg Jess to forgive me.
And today she told me to shut the fuck up and listen.
