Can You Keep A Secret?

What do you do with someone else's secret?

Opal Harnet, 45, Single Mom, Mother of your childhood best friend, carrier of a secret.

She grew up in a military household. As she became an adult she met Jasper, a used car salesman, at a bar off base where her parents were stationed. She fell in love. They had a child. Jade. A few years after Jade entered the world Opal and Jasper moved to the house next to yours. They made fast friends with your parents, and Jade was there in your earliest memories.

Summers were filled with backyard barbecues between your families, winters with shared time by the fire sipping hot chocolate. The parents would chatter away about life, politics, the future. Hopes. Dreams. Worries. All while Jade and you played, stuffed your faces with cookies stolen fresh from the cooling rack. Life felt safe, secure. Happy.

Happiness rarely lasts.

When Jade was 13 Jasper suffered a heart attack from unknown congenital heart disease. Opal settled the estate, held the funeral, sold the house, and moved her and Jade to a city a few hours away. To Opal the love of her life was lost. To Jade her world had ended. Her father gone, her best friend left behind, new city, new school. Opal kept in touch with your parents. Christmas cards, occasional visits, some ties don't just break because of distance.

When You were set to go off to college You were accepted into the University in the city Opal and Jade lived. Jade was too. A new chance to see your old friend once more. Your parents asked Opal if you could stay with her and Jade. A way to save money by living off campus with close family friends. A way to get you and Jade back in touch. It made sense.

You spend the semesters at Opal and Jade's house, the breaks back home. Now in Junior year you've found a rhythm. Or you thought you had. That was until Jade's attention became divided. Until your friend group began to feel full of friction. Until you came home early one day, and discovered Opal's secret life.

Happiness rarely lasts.

Jade Harnet, 21, Your childhood best friend, Opal's daughter, and your current house mate.

She's always been full of life. When Jasper died she struggled. The move was hard on her, and she'd o