44

BACK TO MOON LAKE

After Poppy and Gam had picked us up from the Seattle airport, we’d all gone to have dinner. From the way they were treating me, you would have thought I’d been gone a whole year.

Being missed feels amazing.

As usual, the drive from Seattle to Moon Lake put me to sleep.

I’d be lying if I said it didn’t feel good to be home, in my own bed, cuddling Hazel. The past weeks had been like being in a washing machine, whirled around and tumbled. So much had transpired. I like the word transpired.

Gam cracked my bedroom door open. “You asleep?” she asked.

“Not,” I replied as I sat up in bed and turned on my lava lamp.

Gam sat in the chair by my bed, and it felt good to have her there. My gam.

“Seems to me you had quite an adventure, Violet Diamond,” she said with a smile.

I laughed. “Boy, did I.”

Gam patted my head. “But you’re okay?”

“Better than okay,” I told her.

“Not so many missing pieces, huh?”

I thought about the question for a while and replied, “Hardly any.”

“For that and for having you home, I am happy.” Gam kissed the top of my head. “Good night, V. I’ll see you in the morning. Love you.”

“Good night, Gam. Love you, too.”

Right then, for the first time ever, Gam felt like she was all mine.

Before I could turn off the light, Daisy peeked in. She was wearing a dress and tall platform shoes. “Where’re you going?” I asked.

“Out with Wyatt.”

Of course.

Her hair was pinned up in the back in a way that made her look older than seventeen.

“What do you call that hairstyle?” I asked.

“A French twist. You like, ma petite mademoiselle?”

“It makes you look older.” I climbed out of bed and touched the pearly thing that was stuck in her hair. “What’s this thing?”

“A French comb. I could do yours. It would look cute, V.”

“With my big ears? I don’t think so.”

“Your ears aren’t big, Violet. I’ve told you that a million times.”

“They’re bigger than yours and Mom’s.”

Daisy laughed. “Everyone’s ears are bigger than mine and Mom’s. Mine are so small, I’m surprised I can hear out of them.”

“Did you know big ears are prized in some cultures?” I informed her.

“No,” she replied.

“They are,” I said, and I fingered the lobe of my ear. I’d forgotten to take out my earrings, the emerald studs Bibi had given me. “I can’t believe she gave me real emeralds. If you ever want to wear them, you can, okay?”

Daisy smiled. “Thank you, li’l sis.” Daisy’s face turned serious and she stared into my eyes. “You seem happier. Are you?”

“Yep.”

“Cool. Very cool. Je t’aime, V.”

I’d heard that enough times to know that meant “I love you.” “Je t’aime,” I replied.

Daisy patted my head and left.

Nothing about us being different mattered right then, nothing.

We’re like any other sisters.