Every Last Lie

by Mary Kubica

pigtails are all out of whack, the knees of her tights smudged with dirt. “You’re okay. He’s gone.” I peer up and down the street to be sure he’s gone, and like magic, Theo and his black car have disappeared from view, the only sign of him the unmistakable smell of burning rubber that lingers in the air. “Why did he do that, Daddy?” Maisie asks, her voice shaking, as I secure the straps, wiping the tears from her eyes. I hold tight to Maisie. It was such a close call. Just one more second and Theo would have hit my girl. “Why, Daddy?”