This theme is introduced immediately in the book’s epigraph: “The past is never where you think you left it” (0). Epigraphs don’t connect to the story directly but often allude to a thesis, mood, or theme of the work. In this case, the epigraph foreshadows the central theme of the novel, that it’s futile trying to run from the past as Leigh and Callie try to do. Ultimately, the past catches up with them and threatens the present: Their loved ones are endangered; their buried trauma resurfaces; Leigh is blackmailed to do things that may make her lose her license and go to jail. The past comes back to haunt Callie and Leigh in the form of Andrew/Trevor and the videotapes, a tangible representation of the way the past lingers on in the present. The book ultimately argues that past traumas need to be dealt with head-on, or they can haunt you forever.

One way traumas haunt characters in the novel is in the mental health struggles both sisters experience. Although Callie and Leigh would clearly rather forget the trauma they experienced because of Buddy, they are unable to.