I didn’t know what to say.
“That’s nice of you,” Mom said for me. “Dog-eared just proves how much a book’s adored.”
“Thanks,” I said.
Terri surprised us further when she came and booked a week’s vacation at the inn for her and Matt. Mom was out grocery shopping, so I showed her the rooms and took the reservation.
Curious, I asked, “Why do you want to stay in Atlanta? You live here.”
“Who has time to explore their own city? I mean, look at all the nice things to see and do in and around Atlanta. And a change of locale will be nice too.” She smiled. “Plus, your mother’s cooking must be a real treat.”
Our inn had been written up a week before as a top spot in the area and Mom’s cooking had been praised. I returned Terri’s smile. “I’m her sous-chef. No one brags on how nicely the vegetables are cut.”
Terri laughed and squeezed my hand. “Arabeth, you’re so funny.”
I was pleased I could make her laugh. “You’re all set for the last week in July for the Dolley Madison room.” Mom had named the inn’s rooms after famous early American women.
“Good.” Terri took the paperwork. “So will you be here that week?”
“Sure, Mom needs my help because summer’s so busy. I’ll be hauling bags all week. At your service.”
“Excellent. Having you around will make it more fun.”
I watched her leave and wondered how in the world my presence could possibly add to her enjoyment.
I liked hanging around Kassey best of all. It had been a long time, since Monica, that I’d had a real friend. Being sick wasn’t a way to collect them. Plus we’d moved and then I’d had the transplant and then I’d never clicked with anyone at Athena. It wasn’t as if Kassey and I were real close, but she was smart and nice and said funny things that made me laugh.
When she wasn’t working, we hit the mall together and went to the movies and hiked a few walking trails. “I need to keep fit,” she told me. “Volleyball and all.”
“It helps me too,” I said. We were on a greenway not too far from the inn. The day was hot, the air still and heavy. Leaves on the trees overhead dangled limp and dry. “I think about all the days I couldn’t walk,” I added. “Days I was on oxygen and could hardly breathe. Without the heart transplant, I’d be dead by now.”
She slowed and looked at me. “That true?”
“I could smell the breath of the Grim Reaper.”
She chuckled. “Don’t joke about that.”
I was trying to make my plight sound less desperate and pathetic. “I don’t think about the bad times very much. I mean, I feel so good now, it’s no fun remembering how bad it used to be.”
She seemed lost for words, so I said, “Now don’t feel sorry for me. I saw a lot of television and read a lot of books. Do you know I can quote whole pages of Jane Eyre?”
“I had to read it in eighth grade, but I could never get into it. Elowyn did, though.” She grimaced. “I didn’t mean to say that. Heck, tons of girls like Jane Eyre.”
Suddenly the heat seemed oppressive. “We had a lot in common,” I said. “I wonder why? I never knew her and yet she … she’s influencing my life.”
“I know about the ice cream and the French-decorated bedroom. Is there more?”
“When I was writing an essay for admission into Athena, I wrote the whole thing with my left hand … hundreds of words.”
Kassey stopped in the middle of the trail and stared at me. “Your left hand?”
“It was automatic. I didn’t even know it until the headmistress said something about it. I’m not left-handed. But I’ll bet Elowyn was.”
Kassey nodded. “That’s what made her so valuable on the volleyball court. Opponents never saw her spikes coming.”
I sighed. “I’ve never been able to write left-handed since that day. Not once.”
Kassey looked sympathetic. “I don’t know what to tell you.” She looked up at the sky. The sun had vanished and the air smelled of sulphur. Kassey took my elbow. “We’d better hurry. A thunderstorm’s coming.”
Sure enough, the sky was darkening and a breeze was stirring the leaves. My mood darkened with the gathering clouds. Was I ever going to be free of Elowyn Eden?
“You know what we need to do?” Kassey asked, turning her voice cheerful and bright.
“Tell me.”
“We need to spend a day at the Six Flags water park. Would you like to do that?”
I could have hugged her. “I’d love it.”
The rain came, soaking us. We jogged back toward the parking lot and Kassey’s car. She cracked jokes all the way and we sloshed in the rain puddles and giggled like two little kids.
· 23 ·
Arabeth
It was my job to help Mom serve breakfast and dinner to the inn’s guests. I was also responsible for clearing dishes and silverware from the big farm table and loading the dishwasher after meals. I was carrying out platters of scrambled eggs and bacon from the kitchen when a woman called, “Arabeth, good morning.”
Terri and Matt sat on the far side of the long table. “Hey,” I said, giving them my brightest smile. It was Monday, so our weekend guests had gone, replaced by four couples who were staying for the week.
“Can you believe July’s almost over?” Terri asked. Her smile beamed.
I set down the platters. “Welcome,” I said.
Matt had been reading the newspaper, but he peered over the top at me. His blue eyes softened. “Good morning, Miss Arabeth.”
“Are you two going exploring today?” I asked.
Terri glanced at Matt. “That’s what we’d like to talk to your mother about.”
“We have tons of sightseeing brochures at the front desk,” I said. Mom kept the brochures well stocked. When guests asked for suggestions of places to see and explore, there were plenty of options to choose from.
“We have an agenda,” Terri said. “We’re heading to the new aquarium. Ever been there?”
I shook my head. “Not yet.” The Atlanta aquarium was renowned and had been written up in all the travel magazines Mom bought.
Terri smiled broadly. “Can we talk to you and your mom in the kitchen?”
“I have to get the rest of the food. Come with me.”
She followed me into the kitchen, where Mom was busy heaping her homemade cinnamon rolls into baskets. “Hi,” she said, surprised to see Terri. She handed me two baskets. “I thought you’d gone back to bed,” Mom grumbled at me.
“My fault,” Terri said. “I was holding her up talking to her.”
“Now!” Mom said, giving me a nudge toward the door. “While they’re still warm.”
I delivered the baskets, checked the juice and coffee pitchers on the table, and returned to the kitchen to refill them. Terri was talking to Mom, who was nodding, but she didn’t look gloriously happy.
Mom turned to me. “The Edens want to know if you can go with them to the aquarium today.”
“If your mother can spare you,” Terri added in a conciliatory tone.
“Can I?” A day of doing something fun seemed great to me—like a reprieve from a work detail and wearing the orange jumpsuit.
“Monday’s wash day,” Mom said.
I was responsible for gathering the towels and doing the wash. My hopes took a nosedive.
“We can pick another day for the aquarium if that’s more feasible,” Terri said. “Matt and I would really like you to come with us.”
Mom’s lips pressed together. I knew she wasn’t thrilled about a last-minute change of plans, but on the other hand, these were the people who’d donated their daughter’s heart to me. “I’ll call your aunt Vivian and see if she’ll come over and pitch in,” Mom said. “Your cousins are at church camp this week, so it’s possible.”
• • •
Terri and Matt made me feel like a princess all day long. Their car was plush, the nicest car I’d ever ridden in, and Terri bubbled over with con
versation during the drive to the aquarium. We parked, and I watched Matt drape three cameras around his neck. I must have looked awed because he laughed and said, “I’m an amateur photographer. This one’s digital video, this one’s digital and small for grab shots, and this one uses plain old-fashioned film. I have a darkroom for developing film at the house.”
“It’s been his hobby for over a year,” Terri said. “Ever since—” She stopped abruptly. Her expression darkened, then in a flash turned sunny. “Never mind. He loves photography, and I compile scrapbooks of our travels. We’re the perfect couple.” She hooked her arm through his.
The awkward moment passed and we went inside the building. We saw every exhibit, with Matt snapping photos of everything that moved. We only stopped long enough for lunch in the aquarium restaurant. “Pick whatever you want,” Matt said, motioning to my menu.
Dining out wasn’t something I did very much, but the menu choices were simple, so I chose a hamburger.
“You young people always get burgers,” Matt said, leaving me to wonder if that was what Elowyn would have chosen too.
“Are you eager to begin school?” Terri asked me.
“Maybe not eager, but I’ve always liked school.”
“Where do you attend?”
I took a bite out of my burger and told her about my scholarship offer to Athena, but also of how much I wanted to attend Roswell High.
“No contest,” Terri said, picking at her salad. “Athena’s the best. You must be very gifted. It’s a wonderful opportunity.”
“That’s what Mom says too, but I really want to be in a regular school.”
“Boys?” she asked knowingly.
“Wait until college,” Matt said. “Better selection.”
“That’s where we met,” Terri said.
“I rest my case.”
They laughed at the joke between them. Terri turned to me. “Really, Arabeth, if you have a shot at graduating from Athena, take it.” She dropped her gaze. “Listen to me … lecturing you. Sorry.”
“That’s okay,” I said, not wanting to dampen her spirits.
“We wanted Elowyn to go to Athena, but she absolutely refused,” Terri said. “She could be stubborn.”
Matt reached over and took her hand. “We need a picture.” He hopped up from the table and took several shots. I felt self-conscious, but it was making him happy, so I just smiled and leaned into Terri. She slid her arm around my shoulders and we mugged for the camera.
“You have fun?” Mom asked when we were alone later that night.
“I had a ball. They’re really great people.” I was on the sofa, surrounded by a silver dolphin, a plush killer whale, and an octopus, all thrust on me by Matt in the aquarium shop. “To remember our day together,” he’d told me. I picked up the remote, ready to surf the Monday-night lineup.
“They certainly bought you a lot of stuff.”
I glanced up and saw an edgy look cross Mom’s face. I went on the defensive. “I tried to say no, but they insisted. It didn’t seem like it was any big deal.” She pressed her lips together. “Is it a big deal?” I asked, suddenly unsure of her mood.
“I’m just not sure you should encourage them.”
“What do you mean?”
“They shouldn’t be spending their money on you.”
“Do you want me to give this stuff back? I will if you want me to.”
She pinched the ridge between her nose and eyebrows. “No, no. It’s okay. I shouldn’t have brought it up. I’m happy you had a fun day.”
I shrugged and returned my attention to the remote. Sometimes Mom could act a little strange. I mean, why would she object to a few stuffed animals from the Edens? I planned to put them on bookcases in my room and forget about them. What possible harm could it cause for me to own them?
· 24 ·
Kassey
I worked overtime at the nursery so that full-timers could take vacations, so it was August before Arabeth and I could hit the Six Flags water park. I picked her up early on a Friday and we headed off, trying to beat the crowds because the water park is very popular on hot Atlanta summer days. We found a place on the artificial beach of creamy white sand, spread out our towels, and slathered each other with sunscreen.
“I burn like a basted turkey,” Arabeth said. “I’ll bet you tan.”
“I do.” I didn’t say, Elowyn had to be careful too. “I’ll keep checking you so you don’t fry,” I said.
Arabeth flopped onto her back. “I turn often … like a chicken on a rotisserie,” she said.
I giggled. I had started the summer not knowing what to think of her, but I had grown to like her. Even though she was younger, she wasn’t insufferable like many fifteen-year-old girls I knew at school. She had depth and sensitivity, and yes, she reminded me of Elowyn, all the time. Her own personality spilled out and gave me glimpses of a girl who’d spent hours alone all those years she was sick.
“I brought a couple of books,” she said.
“I brought magazines,” I said. “May as well check out the clothes I can’t afford to buy for back-to-school.”
She raised up on her elbow. “Don’t you love those dopey features showing you how to get this mucho-dollar look for just a few bucks?”
“Yeah. As if I’ve got time to chase down outfits on the cheap. I hit the discount store and find my entire wardrobe in less than a day.”
The smell of chlorine and the feel of warm sun was making me sleepy. Voices of yelling kids kept me from drifting off. My mind floated back to other summers when Elowyn and I had set up residency at her clubhouse pool and to the boys we’d tried to impress. Nostalgia hit me in waves.
“Did I tell you that Terri and Matt spent last week at our inn?” Arabeth said.
This news roused me. “Really?”
“They treated me pretty special.”
I raised up. “How so?”
“They took me to the aquarium one whole day. Another afternoon I went to the Imax theater with them for a 3-D flick. Awesome.”
The information pricked me like a sharp pin. “Why did they come to the inn?”
She shrugged. “They said it was for a vacation. I mean, who takes a vacation down the highway from where they live? I’ll bet they can go anywhere they want. Like Europe. Or a cruise.”
Images of other summers flashed past me. I could have told Arabeth about the vacations I’d taken with the Edens and Elowyn, but why? It would make me sad and probably not add anything to her day. I thought back to times Elowyn and I had spent with her parents. The Edens had treated me to gifts and meals, to many of the things they gave to Elowyn just because I was her best friend. “They’re pretty nice people,” I said casually.
“What was she like?” Arabeth asked. “You know, why were you two friends?”
I sat up, wrapped my arms around my knees and rested my chin on them. She’d asked an honest question, and I figured it was time to discuss Elowyn and satisfy Arabeth’s curiosity. “She was kind and generous. She gave me clothes when it wasn’t my birthday, even a key to her car before I got my license. And the key chain I carry—it’s from Tiffany’s.”
Her eyes widened. “Nice present. Did you ever drive her car?”
“Never got a chance.” I’d tossed the key into my desk drawer after her accident. I couldn’t part with it although the car was long gone.
“Did you think she was perfect?”
I smiled. “She had a temper and when it went off, get out of her way.”
“Wyatt said the same thing.”
Wyatt. Hearing his name twisted my insides. “You still seeing him?”
“He comes over. Mom won’t let me date, so we hang around the inn.”
My first thought was “good,” my second was wishful thinking about him and me not hanging out any longer. We hardly saw one another this summer. I missed his company, not just because we had Elowyn in common, but because I missed being around him. “That doesn’t sound too bad,” I finally sai
d.
“I keep thinking he’ll get bored and disappear.”
I thought, He never vanished on Elowyn.
“You have a boyfriend?” Arabeth asked.
I stretched out my legs, watched kids riding the artificial waves from the wave machine. The sun sparkled off the blue water. “No,” I answered honestly. “But my mom’s dating. Some guy from her office. Nice, but nerdy.”
“My mom hasn’t dated since Dad … well, you know.”
“It’s embarrassing,” I said. “I mean, my mom’s got a guy and I don’t.”
“What do you suppose old people like them do?”
“They eat out.”
“Do you think they, you know …”
We giggled together. This was exactly how Elowyn would have reacted, a smart comeback and then we’d laugh.
“Are we friends?” Arabeth picked lint off her towel.
Her question surprised me. “Sure.”
“So friends can tell each other things and not expect it to be spread around, can’t they?”
I hadn’t imagined Arabeth holding secrets. “That’s one definition of a friend.”
She glanced around, although no one could have overheard us above the shrieks and shouts of the kids at the pool. “Wyatt and I sneaked off together one night. I know I shouldn’t have. Mom was wiped out and had gone to bed early, so I called Wyatt and he met me out by my playhouse. We went through the bushes to where he’d parked his car one street over.”
Her confession wasn’t doing anything to relieve the knot in my insides. “Where did you go?” I made my voice as light as possible.
“He—he took me somewhere special. He said he hadn’t been there in years, but thought I’d like seeing it.” She leaned in closer. “He took me to a place behind the airport on a dark road, and we parked. He spread a blanket on the hood of his car and we watched the planes take off. One came zooming right over where we were parked and shook the whole car with the sound of its engines. It was awesome.”
I felt nauseous.
She dipped her head, picked at more lint on her towel where there was none. “And he … he kissed me right there under the stars.”