The Seventh Lie

Marnie Gregory is my best friend—she’s been my best friend for more than eighteen years. She’s the most astonishing woman I know. You can’t say the same about her boyfriend, Charles. I hate this walking embodiment of self-satisfaction with every fiber of my being! But I love Marnie so much that I never discuss Charles with her. And when she asked me what I thought of Charles and what I believed about their shared future, I lied to her. It was the first little lie—which, as you’ve probably guessed, didn’t turn out to be the last. Afraid that the thread connecting me to Marnie wouldn’t withstand the weight of my truth, I lied to her again and again. But back then I didn’t know what my lies would turn into. Now I keep thinking about how everything would have turned out if I had told Marnie only the truth. I was sure my burning hatred of Charles would destroy my friendship with Marnie. But my lie turned out to be far more dangerous—and now Charles is dead. Could it be my fault?