I can’t bring myself to say it or even suggest it. It sounds so absurd, even the thought of it. Evelyn Hugo taking her own life. I imagine myself saying it out loud and then watching Evelyn laugh at me, at how creative my imagination is, at how silly I can be. But I also imagine myself saying it and having Evelyn respond with a plain and resigned confirmation. And I’m not sure I’m ready to stomach either scenario. “Hm?” Evelyn says, looking at me. She does not seem concerned or disturbed or nervous. She looks as if this is any normal day. “Nothing,” I say. “Thank you for coming today,” she says. “I know you were unsure if you would be able to make it, and 1... I’m just glad that you did.” I hate Evelyn, but I think I like her very much. I wish she had never existed, and yet I can’t help but admire her a great deal. I’m not sure what to do with that. I’m not sure what any of it means. I turn the front doorknob. All I can manage to squeak out is the very heart of what I mean. “Please take care, Evelyn,” I say. She reaches out and takes my hand. She squeezes it briefly and then lets go. “You too, Monique. You have an exceptional future ahead of you. You'll wrangle the very best out of this world. I really do believe that.” Evelyn looks at me, and for one split second, I can read her expression. It is subtle, and it is fleeting. But it is there. And I know that my suspicions are right. Evelyn Hugo is saying good-bye.