Chapter Five

This was the first scene I wrote for this book and was originally going to be my opening.  It’s still my favorite.  There’s something appealing about the pure physicality of how Dani goes through life.

Introducing Gwen needed to be handled carefully.  I didn’t want to give away too much too soon but wanted to establish that she is closer to crazy than sane but that she is also loved and cared for.  I thought showing Dani taking care of her would help to offset the more violent side of her nature.

Gwen talks to ghosts.  They tell her things but like all of us, they’d rather gossip about the bad than remember the good.  They also have no concept of visiting hours and personal space.  People go crazy getting emails on their phones at all hours, imagine being barraged by the most relentless houseguest possible and never getting away.  That’s what her life has been like.  She has to choose between insanity-inducing interruptions or living in complete isolation.  That mixture of tragedy and innocence is what makes Gwen special.