She lifted her shoulders as if to gird herself. “When I learned that you and Sam would get married, I knew that you would take care of Johnnie and be good to him. It gave me a measure of relief knowing that he would still be loved by a mother and father.”
“I do love him.”
“I know.”
“But the book also said that Sam and I are supposed to die.”
“I know,” she said again.
I hesitated, almost afraid to ask. “Does it still say that we’re supposed to die?”
“It’s best if you don’t know.”
“But I have to.”
She shook her head. “Live the life you want to live. Make the choices that you want to make, not because of what history claims, but because you know what God wants for you.” She studied me. “What would you do if you had no foreknowledge?”
“I would choose Sam.”
“Then choose him. Love him and Johnnie like I would love them. Please. For me. For you.”
“But what if—?”
“No what-ifs. Just trust me.”
“Then the book says we won’t die?”
Bess put her hand on my arm, compassion in her eyes. “Trust me, Ally.”
“Why should I?”
“Because I’ve loved Sam since I was a girl, and he loves you. He deserves some happiness.”
“Is that why you kept the book? So I wouldn’t look for the answers?”
She nodded. “I had left it in the library, but then it occurred to me that you might go looking for answers. When I went back, it was checked out, and I was afraid you had it. So when it was returned, I checked it out and kept it.”
I didn’t understand why I couldn’t know, but unless I tackled her to get the book, I would have no choice but to trust her. She did love Sam and Johnnie, and I knew how powerful love could be.
“Take care of them,” she said as she grasped the doorknob. “Tell Sam I’m sorry and I’ll always love him and Johnnie.”
“I will.”
“And don’t tell him you’ve seen me until after you’ve made your final decision. Promise me.”
I frowned, not sure why it mattered. “I promise.”
“Thank you.”
And with that, she stepped back into her room. I caught a glimpse of a man, and then the door closed.
As I walked back to the lobby, my heart was heavy, yet I wanted to trust Bess.
I just wasn’t sure if I could.
November 1, 1929
Hollywood, California
