The House Is on Fire

by Rachel Beanland

The problem with getting an idea as big as leaving is that there is no folding it up and putting it away. If Cecily returns to the Price place now, she’ll live the

rest of her days knowing she missed her one chance at a different life.

Cecily brings her hand to her mouth. She lodges the ash on the soft meat in the middle of her tongue and allows it to melt there like snow. By the time it has disappeared, so has she.

“It’s not lying, Jack,” says Anderson, his voice as smooth as churned butter. “He’s perfectly right,” Placide says. “In our business, we call it acting.”