Two days after Colette’s funeral, I’d pressed a razor blade against my thigh. I hadn’t broken the skin or anything, but I’d thought about it. I’d wanted to do it, but I’d started shaking so badly that I could barely hold the blade and then I felt like I was going to throw up. I hadn’t done it again since. But still, I couldn’t pretend it hadn’t happened.

“I know she’s a worrier, but it’s more than that now. I think she—”

She got quiet; I bit my fingernail.

“Sissy, I know she’s your kid. And I know Frankie’s a lot to handle. I don’t want to make you mad. I just think—”

She listened some more; I pressed my ear against the dirty screen, not wanting to miss a thing.

“Of course, I know you love them! You live for those girls!” Aunt Maureen sighed. “Listen, let’s just keep in touch about it. I’ll keep watching her here, and you can decide what you want to do when she gets home.” She paused and added, “You know what I think. I can even do some research if you don’t have time with the inn and Frankie and every—” Pause. “Okay, that’s fine.”

She waited a few seconds and said, “You’re welcome. And I love you, too. Hugs to Charles and Frankie. Bye.”

An hour later, we sped toward town in the minivan, country music blasting this time, since Uncle Bran said we needed to “embrace the spirit of the West.”

Kane was happily dancing in his booster seat, kicking his feet and flapping his hands. Next to him, Kennedy had her arms crossed and was angrily staring out the window as the singer sang about the love of his life: his pickup truck. Aunt Maureen and Uncle Bran sang along at the top of their lungs.

I saw the overpass coming up fast and held my breath.

The day blinked as we went under.

I spun around in my seat to check.

Nothing.

You’re so weird!

When I faced forward again, Kennedy was staring at me.

“Why do you do that?” she asked, maybe with less punch than usual.

I shook my head.

“I don’t know.”

chapter 10

Friday, we started our photography unit. We’d finished our drawing unit a day early, and there was a street fair happening in town that Karly said would be a good opportunity for interesting pictures. Maybe she just wanted to go to the fair.

I was out of my comfort zone, since the only photography experience I had was taking selfies and stuff on my phone. I had no idea how to work the heavy and awkward loaner camera, but I was okay with taking a break from drawing.

Because you’re horrible at it.