The next wave breaks over the marks in the sand, and they are gone. A gull gives a final sweep of the bay as the tide comes in, and the sun slips beneath the horizon. And then it is dark.
You would not believe how many messages I receive about this ending! Lots of you wonder if Ian is still alive; some of you even read the last line as something even more sinister, that the darkness marks the end of Jenna’s life. It has been the subject of much debate online and in book clubs, yet I never intended it to be ambiguous. Jenna finds happiness with Patrick, but life isn’t that straightforward, and the path to happy endings is a rocky one. Victims of domestic abuse and trauma live with the after effects for a long time. They look over their shoulders; flinch at a movement not intended to harm. Do I believe there were words written in the sand in that final scene? No. But I absolutely believe Jenna saw them.
Tara Kay and 20 other people liked this
Emilie, I hesitated to include this note, because I hate to risk spoilers for people, but I know it's the subject of much debate!