Sometimes I Lie

It is January 2, more than a week after the accident. Paul and Claire are in the hospital room. Amber feels stronger, more alert. She begins to recall the events leading up to the accident, specifically the violent encounter with Edward at her home. She also recalls Claire’s dark obsession with destroying Madeline Frost, her estranged aunt, who years earlier repossessed the family home from her family after Claire’s grandmother, Madeline’s mother, died. Amber also recalls her early diagnosis with obsessive compulsive disorder: “It’s not a big deal,” she says, “but it’s got worse as I’ve got older” (225). Claire assures her that Edward’s rape was caught by the camera Paul put in the room—Amber can only imagine how Paul felt watching the violation. Paul whispers, “I love you”—and Amber mouths the words back and opens her eyes. She is awake.

In the next few hours, Amber takes some nutrition until Paul departs. Now Amber is alone with Claire, and Claire apologizes “for all of it” (244). Amber castigates her for leaving her at the accident. Amber has remembered the accident. While still at Claire’s get-together with Paul, Paul gave her an early Christmas gift, a diary. Amber says that Claire used to keep a diary and thanks Paul for the gift.