My cheeks heated with guilt and embarrassment, and she bit her lip, probably thinking about the kiss, just as I was.
“Of course I tell him you’re only friends. But I think he feels like he needs to be like Kope—to prove he can be strong enough and . . . worthy enough. For you.”
I closed my eyes, the late-night cappuccino churning my stomach.
“He doesn’t need to prove anything to me.”
“Maybe not to you. But to himself.”
I remembered the look on his face when he’d come to me last month. He’d been void of that cocky bravado, and showing a deeper kind of confidence in himself—a willing openness I’d never seen before, and it had drawn me to him.
A chime sounded from Marna’s purse and she lifted out her cell phone with slender fingers. She read the text and rolled her eyes. “Argh, I’d better go before Ginger comes looking for me and murders us both.”
We stood and embraced.
“I miss you,” I whispered, and I felt her nod. Then she kissed my cheek.
“Take care, you.” She flipped the chestnut locks off her shoulder and swished out of the shop, taking my secret with her.
When I got back home Saturday night I didn’t know up from down. My internal clock was so battered that I felt confused. Patti forced me to eat and drink something. She then sat on the edge of my bed, running her fingers through my hair.
“I didn’t see a single spirit the whole time I was away,” I mumbled as the grogginess took over.
“Thank the Lord,” she whispered.
I heard her sniffle and saw her hands wiping her face, and before I passed out I wondered how much more of this life she could possibly take.
Summer
End of Senior Year
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
GRADUATION VISITORS
Sweat beaded under my royal blue cap and gown. It was hot for an outdoor graduation, but everyone was too energized to complain. As the band played “Pomp and Circumstance,” it was difficult not to be swept away by the rushes of joy, sadness, eagerness, and hope from hearts in every direction. If only everyone could see what I saw. Colors swirling, dancing, blending. Iridescent mists of attentive guardian angels above them. Not a demon in sight. Abundant joy.
Like at every big event in my life, I couldn’t help but think of Kaidan. He’d moved to L.A. halfway through his senior year, and I didn’t even know if he’d graduated. My mood dampened until I spotted Patti in the stands. She shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand. When I waved, she broke into a smile and sent me a fast-moving wave in return. I half expected to see Dad at her side, but he hadn’t shown. The happy-happy, joy-joy thing was not his scene.
After diplomas had been passed out and closing remarks were being made, I spied two brown-haired beauties at the end of the field. My heart jumped in recognition as I stretched my sight to them.
What on earth were Marna and Ginger wearing? I’d never seen them in matching outfits. Closer inspection revealed knee-length navy blue dresses with thin belts and red . . . neckerchiefs? Then I noticed the tiny airplane emblems on the breast pockets. Flight attendants! I broke into a smile and waved, sending my hearing to them as well.
“Everything all right?” I asked them under my breath.
“Everything is dandy,” Marna said. “Do you like our getups?” She held out her arms and spun around. I gave her a thumbs-up.
We’d been seated in alphabetical order, so I leaned forward to look at Jay several rows ahead of me. I wondered if he’d seen the twins, but they were too far away for him.
When our graduating class was announced, we flung our caps skyward. I bypassed celebratory students, stopping for quick hugs along the way, and found Patti as quickly as I could. At the bottom of the stadium stairs, we moved aside to let the traffic pass, and we embraced, rocking back and forth. Patti’s eyes were red and watery when we pulled apart.
“The twins are here,” I whispered before she could get too sappy.
Her eyes grew. “Is something wrong?”
“I don’t think so. It looks like they got jobs with an airline.”
“Well, I’m excited to finally meet them after hearing about them all this time.”
We found them again in the parking lot, which was gridlocked with graduates and loved ones milling about, conversing and taking pictures.
When I introduced them to Patti, she took them both by surprise by giving them big, motherly hugs that they returned with awkward pats and unsure expressions.
“I know you told me they were gorgeous, Anna, but my goodness!” She pulled back. “It’s so good to finally meet you. Can you girls come to our place? I’m making a cake and we’re barbecuing chicken out in the common area.”
“Er—” Ginger gave Marna a sidelong glance.
“We’d love to come!” Marna said, clapping her hands. Ginger pursed her lips.
“Wonderful!” Patti beamed. She took her camera from her purse and handed it to Marna. “Would you mind taking a picture of us?”
I grabbed Patti and we pressed our cheeks together for the picture.