Chapter 1

Evelyn

 

Waves rippled across Lake Erie. With each break and splash to the shoreline, Evelyn pictured the water washing away old memories, creating a clean slate that stretched wider and farther than the depths of the ocean.

When she closed her eyes, she could almost pretend the lake was the ocean, the one she’d left behind when she was taken away from the shores of New Jersey. She sniffed the air and wrinkled her nose. There was something missing. Salt.

Evelyn heard footsteps before she felt a gentle nudge. Keeping her eyelids pressed shut, she resisted the urge to look behind her, knowing it was probably her sister, Joyce. No one else would know to find her here.

“You can’t sit staring at the lake all day, Evie.”

Her eyelids fluttered open. “Yes I can.”

“That’s not what I meant. We have chores to finish, and the sun’s starting to set.”

“I know,” Evelyn murmured.

Joyce narrowed her similar, dark eyes. Only the positioning of black flecks set in their irises differed. “If you know, then why aren’t you helping me?”

“I have this weird feeling something funny’s going on here.”

With a long sigh, Joyce wiped soil off the front of her pant legs. “What are you talking about?”

“See that?” said Evelyn, pointing to the sky. “The moon’s out, and all the lanterns on the pier are lit, except for one.”

“So it’s a faulty sensor, or maybe the bulb inside is different than the others. So what?”

Evelyn rubbed her palms along her arms. “It’s been like this since we moved here. When I brought it to the city’s attention, they told me they’d replace the bulb.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“That was weeks ago. I’ve followed up several times, and they said they’ve switched out the bulb. Twice.”

“Hmm. I have to admit, that is strange.” Joyce held out her hand and smiled. “I’m sure a qualified mechanic will figure it out soon. The Halloween celebration is a week away, and you’ve heard how the mayor gets when things don’t sparkle.”

With a tiny smile, Evelyn grabbed her sister’s hand and allowed herself be hoisted off the bench. “If I were the mayor of Gem City, I’d want everything to sparkle, too.”

“So you’re okay with the move here? To Erie, Pennsylvania?”

“I’m getting used to it.” Evelyn shrugged. “I just wish all of us could have come, that we were still together.”

Frowning, Joyce wrapped an arm around Evelyn’s shoulder. “Me too,” she whispered. “Come on. Let’s go home.”

 

The moon had reached its full brightness by the time Evelyn and Joyce opened the front door of what Joyce had called home. Both had done their best to brush dirt from their clothing and shoes before stepping inside their cousin’s house.

“Girls?” called out a raspy female voice.

Evelyn stole a glance at Joyce, who was already removing her shoes.

“We’re back, Carla,” said Joyce. “Both of us.”

Evelyn swapped her shoes for her favorite pair of slippers. She tied the last ribbon as Carla entered the room.

“It’s probably cold by now, but your supper is on the table.”

“Thanks.” Joyce smiled. “I’m starving.”

The girls followed Carla to a kitchen table spread with plates, a pitcher of lemonade, and a potpie.

“Aren’t you eating with us?” Evelyn asked, scanning the flowered tablecloth and noting the absence of a third place setting.

“Not tonight,” said Carla, “but you’re welcome to as much as you like.” She sighed and left the room.

Both girls blinked. Joyce shook her head as if to say: Don’t worry; it’s probably nothing. Evelyn understood her meaning, though she didn’t agree. Somehow, everything felt wrong.

Joyce was eleven months older, but they were often mistaken for twins. In addition to matching dark eyes, both had blonde hair streaked with platinum and gold. Their complexions were still sun-kissed from summer months spent on the New Jersey shore. They shared the same build—an athletic sort of lanky that was almost masculine.

“You’d think she’d want to get to know us better,” said Evelyn, between mouthfuls of pastry crust dripping with gravy. “It’s not like we’ll be here long.”

Joyce frowned. “We don’t know that yet.”

“You’re only staying long enough to help me adjust to my senior year. Then you’ll be off to college—living on campus, with no reason to come back to visit.” She lifted an accusatory brow. “You should have started this fall instead of waiting a year, you know. You didn’t have to wait for me.”

“I’m right where I need to be,” countered Joyce. “Freshman year’s essential, and I didn’t want to screw it up. I’m not sure I could focus with all that’s happened. By next year, we could be college roomies.”

Evelyn twisted her lips, considering this. “So you’re not here mainly to protect me?”

“I need you to get through this as much as you need me, especially with the boys gone.” Joyce’s eyes misted with tears. She blinked them back and lowered her voice. “I get they were too much for Carla to take on, especially when she already has the two of us.”

Evelyn sighed. “I hope someone can take all three of them, permanently, so they can grow up together like we did.”

“Me, too.”