My eyes meander around the desk and stop on a framed photo of Andy and me at the beach, taken when we were dating, when I was still Caroline Spencer. Before I became Caroline Thompson. Both of us are tanned a golden brown, the color of Andyâs eyes, and Iâm wearing a rather skimpy bathing suit, which I hold onto just in case my body ever looks like that again. As I stare at this photo, it occurs to me that the people in this town donât know my maiden name. Do they? When we moved here, I had already changed my name to Thompson. They would never Google Caroline Spencer. I donât even think Meg, the best friend I have in this town, knows my maiden name.
I quickly type Caroline G. Spencer into the Google search box. A visceral sense of promise gushes through me. Maybe Iâm a somebody after all.
Smartyâs now in the kitchen, nudging his metal bowl across the tile floorâdog speak for âIâm hungry.â My mind strays to think about when I last filled the bowl while my finger clicks âsearch.â
A tsunami of âCaroline G. Spencersâ cascades before my eyes. I blink and cock my head. Come on! My heart giggles. I click page two, then page three, then page four. âYes!â Fist pump in the air. If only they could see me now. The Caroline Spencers donât stop. Is this juvenile? Am I acting like a teenager whoâs counting Prom Queen votes? No. Worse. Iâm acting like a catty, immature gossipmonger mom. I gloat for another minute. Itâs not like Iâm going to count them and brag to everyone at school on Monday. Iâm just having a private me-moment of reassurance, that I too have been interesting. So there.
Before my head swells any more, I should verify that these âCaroline Spencersâ are me. But I canât, nor do I want to, spend all day on this. I check the egg timer. Good, only a seventeen-minute diversion. My eyes sweep over the page. Midway down the screen, itâs my sisterâs name, directly beneath mine, that catches my eye.
Jane Dory Spencer deceased at age 28 Lanstonville Press, April 21, 2000. She is survived by …www.lanstonvillepress.com/…/jane-dory-spencer-deceased…
What?
What is this?
I blink hard, onceâtwiceâthe third time pausing with my eyes squeezed closed to the count of five before I open them. I read again.
This canât be. This isnât my sister. My heart leaps up in my chest and goes cold. With flurries. Like itâs a snow globe with a wind chill factor. Saliva floods my mouth. I try to gulp it down, hoping itâll push my heart back into place. I canât be reading what Iâm reading. I let out a barking laugh to cut through my nerves. This is not true, of course. I just spoke to my sister. When was that? I struggle to remember. It seems like it was just . . . I donât know exactly. For some reason, I canât pinpoint it. But my sister is not dead. Thatâs for certain. She didnât die. Oh my God, is this some kind of sick joke? Could someone have done this? People canât plant a Google, can they?
You can read more about Caroline in The Memory Box, published by Fine Line Publishing.
Post a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on November 28, and one lucky person will win a copy of THE MEMORY BOX either in paperback or Kindle version, winnerâs choice. (Print U.S. only)
Meet the author
Eva Lesko Natiello is an award winning author and graduate of The State University of NY at Albany with a degree in 
psychology. She is a native of Yonkers, NY and currently lives in suburban New Jersey with her husband and two children. The Memory Box is Ms. Natiello’s debut novel. It is a recipient of the Houston Writers Guild 2014 Manuscript award. Her short story, The Wordsmith, was a finalist in The Writer Magazine 2012 Best Short Story.
When Eva is not writing suspense novels, she enjoys writing humorous musings about life’s ironies, which can be found on her blog.
I too have a degree in Psychology. I hope yours was put to better use than mine. I worked with computers during the length of my career. I started with punch cards. Back in the old days.
Your book sounds like a fascinating read.
Hi Connie, I definitely used my psychology degree to write The Memory Box!
Sounds like an intense, disturbing book. I shuddered along with Caroline when she saw her sister’s name. Sounds like a good read.
Hi Sallycootie, I know what you mean, if you can believe it, I still shudder every time I read it too!
Wow! I’m captivated by the storyline. I would love the opportunity to see what does happen to Caroline Thompson. Her day certainly sounds more exciting than mine!
Well, Ruth, count yourself lucky that your day is not as exciting as Caroline’s – that’s all I’m gonna say!
The excerpt from The Memory Box was powerful. Please enter me in the contest.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you.
Thanks Jen, good luck!
That was a grabber!!
Thanks, Gram! Good luck to you too!
Looks good and would love to win a copy.
Sounds interesting, thank you for the chance to win
Sounds intriguing!!!!!
Wow sounds perfect for mr.
Hi Rhonda, Jan Griperang, & Connie, thanks for signing up for the Giveaway and for your interest in The Memory Box!
wow that was one of the most intriguing excerpts I have read in awhile, I’ll have to remember to look for this one! Good luck all!
would like to get the Memory Box. Thanks for the opportunity.
This one goes on my TBR list. Would love a copy
Your excerpt of this book is enticing enough to want to read more so I have added this to my to be read list. Thank you for offering this.
Chilling. Well done. I was disappointed when I couldn’t turn the page and read more.
Glad to have gotten your attention, Kaitcarson! Shannon, Jane, Andrea and Robin, happy to have intrigued you as well! Good luck everyone!
What a wonderfully unexpected twist.
There are many twists, Libby, all the way to the very end!
Wow this sounds like a great book. I would love to win it and read it.
This sounds so interesting! I look forward finding out if the sister actually passed away. I’d like a paperback if I win.
I really enjoy this kind of book! Thank you for the giveaway!
Excellent. I definitely want to know more!
O.M.G. this sounds so exciting!!! Must check this book out! Thank you!
Helga, thanks for your interest. Angie, Becky, Carol and Nancy, the story takes some surprising turns — I hope you’ll get a chance to read it!
I’ve been wanting to read this!
i’m intrigued!!
Love the post. Definitely peaked my interest.
Dru, thanks to you and all your AMAZING READERS! Thanks for your interest in The Memory Box and all the very kind comments. I wish everyone could be a winner! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
Sounds like a good read. Enjoyed the story.
Sounds like an awesome book! Thank you for the contest and Happy Thanksgiving!
Intriguing indeed. Happy Thanksgiving, Dru Ann and Eva.
I would love to read this intriguing bookâthanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
Happy Thanksgiving, Pen, Betty, Judy & Sheila, good luck to all of you, and thanks for reading!
Thanks Eva for interacting with my readers.
contest is closed.