Half Title

Dedication

For my very own crew of boisterous cousins, who prove that—when it comes to families—bigger can be better. The Gleasons have nothing on you all.

Title Page

I don’t …

I can’t …

This can’t be happening.

This has to be a horrible joke. Some sick prank.

While I have the capacity to comprehend the meaning of every word coming out of Sheriff Gleason’s mouth—I can break down what he’s saying into nouns, verbs, and adverbs—none of it makes sense. It’s as if he’s talking about somebody else. The names and locations he’s including are foreign to me. Yet I am the subject.

How can that be possible?

Numbness overtakes me as he continues to list names I’ve never heard before. Places he says I’ve been. He seems convinced he’s speaking sense, but there’s no way this is real.

I finally glance at Dad, who looks like his entire world has been shattered: his posture is crumpled, tears stream down his face, his eyes gaze blankly at the floor.

No. This is simply a nightmare.

Because if what the sheriff is saying is true, my entire life has been a lie.

Chapter One

Chapter

ONE

Describe a significant event in your life and how it has influenced you.

Seriously? I can’t believe that years of hard work, studying, and planning has come down to having to answer these kinds of questions.

Okay. I can do this. I’ve written fifteen hundred words on how prehistoric drawings influenced how we communicate today. I can certainly wrangle up something about myself to persuade a scholarship committee to give me money.

No pressure or anything.

What do they even mean by “significant”? I’m seventeen. Getting a huge pimple right before class photos is a major life event. Being called on in class when you don’t know the answer is a big deal. Let’s be real: when our small town got a second screen added to the movie theater, it was front-page news for weeks. So my idea of significant might be a tad underwhelming to anyone else.

I get they probably mean something truly momentous. That right there is the problem. I have a pretty quiet life. I do really well in school and stay out of trouble. My life is the opposite of significant. It’s … my life.

I live in the tiny town of Valley Falls, Wisconsin. Nothing here really changes, and I like that. Dad and I had lived in five different cities before we finally settled here eight years ago. It’s a great life, but that doesn’t help me answer this essay question.

Has my existence truly been unremarkable?

Seventeen years and nothing to show for it.

“Well, Baxter, I give up,” I say to my brown Boston terrier sitting on my twin bed. I stand from my desk and collapse next to him. Baxter replies by licking my cheek.

At least Baxter sees me as a significant person. He does rely on me for food and walks, so probably not the most unbiased source. If only scholarship committees could be as loving and dependable as a dog.

Baxter jumps off the bed and twirls around in a circle. He barks twice at me and then runs into the hallway. Which means one thing: Dad’s home.

The front door opens as I take a step out of my bedroom and into our living room. “Hey.”

“Ally! How was school?” Dad asks as he takes off his work boots and hangs his tool belt on one of the hooks near the door.

“School was good.” I try to give him a convincing smile, although I know he’ll see right through it.

“Uh-oh.” Dad tilts his head at me. “What’s wrong?”

“Oh, it’s nothing, really.” I plop down on our worn dark gray couch. “Did you know that I’ve not had one single significant event in my life?”

Dad pauses for a moment, then holds up a grocery bag. “I would disagree. It’s Taco Tuesday.”

“Ah, yes. That does take a little of the sting out,” I say. “I hate to be the one to tell you this, but it looks like Taco Tuesday is now Scholarship-Planning Tuesday. In fact, all fun events have been canceled until I’ve successfully applied to every scholarship available in the state of Wisconsin.”

Dad walks over to stand in front of me. “Don’t be too hard on yourself, Ally Bean. Plus, I got hard and soft shells, so win-win!”

“Did you also pick up answers to these impossible essay questions?” I ask, to which he looks around in his bag like he might pull out a completed essay. “They’re all about accomplishments and life goals. It’s making me feel a little … unaccomplished.”

“Unaccomplished? My daughter? My pride and joy?” He sits down and puts his arm around me. “I need names. I need contact information. How dare they make my brilliant daughter feel less than. They will not get away with this injustice.” He nudges me and continues until I crack a smile.

“It’s a lot,” I admit. I made myself a list of all the scholarships I’m eligible for. If I do four a week, it’ll take a month to apply to them all.

“Maybe you should only apply to the ones that ask you about the person who has had the biggest influence in your life. That one will practically write itself.” Dad clears his throat loudly and points both thumbs at his chest.

I groan, even though he’s speaking the truth. I know it’s cheesy when someone says their parent is their best friend, but that’s who my dad is. It’s just been the two of us for as long as I can remember. He’s the one I can tell anything to, the one who knows how to put a smile on my face when I’m feeling down or under a lot of pressure.

Especially when I’m being overly dramatic about one silly scholarship essay.

“You’re right,” I admit.

Dad puts his hand up to his ear. “I’m sorry, what was that? I need it repeated. Loudly. Actually, wait. Let me get this on video.” He reaches into his back jeans pocket and removes his outdated flip phone. “This is the only time I wish I had one of those newfangled gadgets you kids can’t get enough of.”

A laugh escapes my throat.

“There’s my girl.”

I lean into him. I know what comes next: one of Jason Smith’s patented pep talks.

He rubs his light brown stubble thoughtfully. “You know that any college would be lucky to have you.”

I don’t know about lucky, but I’ve got the grades and ACT scores to get into any state school.

“And you’re going to get that Academic Excellence Scholarship,” he states confidently.

“That’s not guaranteed.”

The state of Wisconsin gives a scholarship to the top student of each graduating class for tuition at most state schools. My plan is to attend the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, and major in education. The scholarship would make a nice dent in the tuition. I’m currently in the lead, but Dana Harris is only one-tenth of a GPA point away from tying.

I don’t excel in sports, I’m not particularly artistic. All I have is my brain and its ability to comprehend whatever my teachers throw at me.

So getting accepted may not be a problem, but the money to pay for it will. I need as much scholarship money as I can get. Dad works in construction, and there are sometimes weeks when he isn’t working. I babysit whenever I can and save every cent. We live modestly in this small, slightly dated one-story, two-bedroom house that Dad rents from our next-door neighbor. Our rent is reduced because Dad does odd jobs for our landlord.

We get by.

Wait, that’s not entirely true. We more than get by. Sure, looking at our house, it isn’t much. Some of the furniture is old and shabby. The kitchen hasn’t been updated in decades. It’s cold in the winter and hot in the summer, but it’s ours. Every trinket is a memory. Every rip in the upholstery and stain on the rug is a story.

Over eight years, Dad and I have accumulated a life here out of practically nothing. We knew no one. We had very little. But here we are now.

And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

“I know that look.” Dad smiles at me, and the corners of his brown eyes crinkle. “You’re thinking of something.”

“Perhaps it’s possible my life hasn’t been that tragically boring and uneventful,” I reply.

“Well, thank God for that.” He stands up and wipes his calloused hands on his flannel shirt. “I’m hungry. Let’s get dinner ready.”

We walk into the kitchen, which overlooks the living room. Dad starts handing me items from the shopping bag to prepare. He takes out a frying pan and turns on the gas stove, while I put my collarbone-length wavy brown hair up in a ponytail. One time, and I mean one time, there was a piece of my hair in our food and he’s never let me forget it.

“Smart move”—he gestures at my hair—“I wasn’t in the mood for a side of hairball with our tacos. Now, cue up some music, please. And I must specify, proper music.”

“You mean old people’s music,” I fire back as I turn on his favorite classic rock station.

As Dad starts browning the ground turkey, I prepare all the fixings for Taco Tuesday. “Wait a second, I thought we didn’t count iceberg as a green?” I start cutting up the lettuce. Dad and I have an agreement that we have to have a fruit or vegetable with every meal, and one green thing with dinner. You know, healthy living and all that.

“Listen, we’ve got onions and salsa—which is made up of tomatoes and other vegetables. We’re more than doing our due diligence.”

“We’re the epitome of good health.”

“We should write a cookbook or go on one of those cooking competition shows. We’d dominate, as long as the challenge involves making tacos or heating up a pizza. Oh, don’t forget all the calcium we’ll be consuming.” He hands me a bag of shredded cheddar cheese.

“Yes, I’m a growing girl.” I get a bowl out for the cheese but can’t help but put a few pieces in my mouth. Maybe more than a few. “I can verify that the cheese is at its top cheesiest.”

“I should probably also check, to be safe. I need to be a good parent.” He opens his mouth, and I put a few shreds in. “Oh, you’re right.”

“I’m sorry, can you say that again? I need to get this on video.” Then I pull out my own outdated phone. While mine is not of the flip variety, it’s not a smartphone. It’s actually pretty dumb, but it texts, so that’s all I need.

“Since I’m being a model father, I should probably make sure you’ve finished all your homework.” He backs up from the stove and starts playing air guitar to whatever song is on the radio. Such the model father.

“It’s all done. I even read ahead in English since I have to go to the Dorns’ tomorrow after school to babysit.”

Dad pauses his solo. “Really? How late are you going to be? Will you just be missing the pizza portion of pizza-and-bad-movie night or the whole thing?”

“I’m not sure. I’ll find out.” I get out the plates and silverware. “We can always watch the movie on Saturday before Lee’s birthday party.”

“Sounds like a perfect way to prepare yourself for the royal family. Let them eat cake!” Dad says with a flick of the spatula.

“That’s Marie Antoinette.”

“Well, then … Off with their heads!”

“That’s from Alice in Wonderland,” I say with a shake of my head.

Dad lifts his eyebrow. “Shakespeare did it first.”

“Of course he did.”

“See, your pops can still teach you a few things! Now, on to more pressing issues to discuss.” He takes the shells out of the microwave. “What’s your prediction: Is Josefina going to run off with the priest? Or is she going to save her family’s farm by marrying el jeffy?”

“It’s jefe,” I correct him. “You forgot that Josefina’s sister has blackmail material that might get them out of it.”

“But will she get there in time?” He grabs me by the shoulders. “Will she? I need to know!” He then sucks in his breath as he puts his hand to his heart. “Dios mío!”

My hand flies up dramatically to my forehead. “Mi corazón!”

Dad stops the overacting. “My head?”

“My heart. Head is cabeza.”

“Ah, see, I’m learning. Before you know it, I’ll be muy fluent.” He bobs his head to the new song playing.

“Aha! But who relentlessly teased me when I started watching telenovelas?”

“Now, now, I was just being the thoughtful and concerned parent that I am. Add selfless to that. And excellent browner of meat.” He takes the skillet off the stove and begins filling our taco shells.

“You truly are so selfless,” I tease, although I like that we started watching these shows together.

Last year for extra credit in Spanish class, we had to watch Spanish-language programs without subtitles. While scrolling through streaming options, I decided to watch a program called Mi Amor, Mi Vida (My Love, My Life), about a couple torn apart by a family rivalry. Dad would occasionally walk by and comment on the overacting, but then he’d start asking questions about what was going on. I’d tell him of the crazy plot twists and how everybody was connected. One week he sat down to watch with me.

It’s been one of our traditions ever since. Along with stuffing our faces full of delicious tacos.

We both settle on the couch with our plates as we start to watch our current telenovela obsession, which we decided is a female version of The Count of Monte Cristo, but with the Mexican drug cartel. At least that’s what we think it is. Sometimes Dad and I start making up our own backstories for the characters, so we get a little sidetracked.

Dad sinks back in his seat, a wistful expression on his face. “This is how I like my Tuesdays: good food and good company.”

“I think you mean the best company,” I correct him.

“Obviously. And now for the only way I like my drama: in television form.”

“Hear, hear!” I clink my glass with his.

Chapter Two

Chapter

TWO

“Let me guess,” Marian says as she arrives at my locker the next day. She places my lunch bag to her forehead. “Leftover taco mix and chips.”

I grab my bag from her. “I didn’t realize you’re clairvoyant.”

Hmm, what if I changed up all my habits? Maybe that would make a good essay topic. Imagine it: Ham sandwiches on Wednesdays! Watching telenovelas on Mondays! The scholarship committees would need an armored truck to bring me all my money.

Or not.

“I hope you brought me extra chips.” Marian pulls her thick, curly black hair back in a clip.

“I think that is up there on the rules of being your best friend: Thou shalt share food.”

“Yes!” Marian grabs my elbow. “Speaking of food, do you want to go for a drive after school for some McDonald’s french fries and girl talk?”

“Is Rob actually letting you drive his car?”

“Of course not.” Rob’s the only one in our group with his own car, and he’s more protective about it than any human should be with an inanimate object. “But we’ll obviously ignore him.”

“Obviously.” Sometimes I wonder if Marian only dates Rob because of his car. “As tempting as that is, I can’t. I’m babysitting for the Dorns.”

Marian groans. “Can it be this weekend already? I can’t wait for Lee’s party. There’s going to be so much cake.”

I accidentally let out a snort, but in the most ladylike way.

“What?” Marian asks.

“It’s just something with my dad last night. You know he likes to refer to you guys as the royal family.”

Marian looks thoughtful for a moment. “Yes, and I’m obviously Kate.”

“Obviously.”

“Do they even have enough members of the royal family for all my family to have doppelgängers?”

Good point. There are a lot of Gleasons.

“Neil would be Harry; that one’s easy.” Marian gives me a little nudge.

We walk into the buzzing cafeteria and go to our usual table, which is already thick in discussion. It’s par for the course when you get enough Gleasons together. There’s always plenty of talking and teasing.

“Anybody else almost smash their computer against the wall filling out college applications?” Julia asks.

The replies range from groans to throwing a napkin at Julia’s face. Glad it’s not only me.

Jan steals a potato chip from her sister. “Like you have anything to worry about, Miss Head of Every Committee.”

“Oh, okay, Miss Guaranteed to Get an Athletic Scholarship. And stop stealing my food. You could’ve packed chips yourself.” Julia pulls her bag of chips protectively to her chest.

“And I’ll tell Mom you’re not sharing,” Jan threatens.

Julia grimaces as she holds out her bag.

While they act like twins, and look similar with that thick, curly Gleason hair, Julia and Jan are thirteen months apart. Their parents decided to have them be in the same grade, since they were allegedly inseparable as kids. While still extremely close, they couldn’t be more different. Julia’s president of Student Council, Key Club, and Future Farmers of America, and vice president of the senior class. She’s perpetually outfitted in a cardigan and ballet flats, even in the dead of winter. Jan, on the other hand, is one of the best athletes in school and only wears yoga pants and fleeces and puts her hair in a tight ponytail with numerous bobby pins to tame it. They are two of the four Gleason cousins Marian has in our grade.

Neil (aka the Harry), the “red sheep” of the family with his dad’s ginger hair, also sits with us. Lee hangs out with her own friends, as she has fought against being defined by her family her entire life.

Dad isn’t really kidding when he refers to the Gleasons as the royal family. As one enters Valley Falls, they’re greeted by Gleason’s Garage, which is owned by Marian’s dad, who also happens to be the town mayor. Five blocks down Main Street is Gleason’s Grocer (run by Marian’s uncle Peter and her grandfather), which is the heart of the small downtown district.

“We need to get on this family’s good side,” Dad had joked as we first entered town all those years ago. And that was before we realized that Marian’s mom is the elementary school principal, her uncle Brian is the sheriff, her aunt Karen is the city comptroller, and her grandmother is editor in chief of the community newspaper.

You can’t walk more than a block without running into a Gleason. Marian took me under her wing on my first day of fifth grade. She guided me gently by the elbow and started introducing me to everybody.

I’ve been by her side ever since.

The entire Gleason clan has, in a way, adopted Dad and me. We go over to one of their houses—all within two blocks of one another—for holidays. I might still be full from Thanksgiving last week. We’re invited to any family event. And man, do the Gleasons always look for an excuse to get together and celebrate. They’re a friendly, funny bunch, and also extremely loud. I guess if you’re one of ten cousins within eight years of one another, you have to shout to be heard.

“SHUT UP!” Jan yells at Neil now. “Let’s go outside, and I will wipe the floor with you. Girls can be just as fast as guys.”

“Especially if the guy in question is Neil,” Julia replies with a snort.

“Hey,” Neil protests, and then tries to flex his skinny arms.

“What’s going on?” Rob asks as he sits down next to Marian. “Did I miss everybody picking on Neil? Because if so, let’s start from the beginning.”

Neil shakes his head as he takes a bite of his sandwich, his cheeks matching his ruddy hair.

“We’re talking about college applications,” Marian says, always the peacekeeper of the family.

“Can we talk about Neil instead?” Rob winks at Marian before pulling her in for a kiss.

The Gleason clan reacts by gagging.

Neil wisely ignores Rob and turns to me. “So, Ally, how are applications going? Not like you have to worry about getting into schools.”

“Yeah, Miss Valedictorian,” Jan says with an overexaggerated bow of her head.

Marian groans. “Did I miss the memo that we now refer to everybody as Miss Something or Other?”

“Miss Bossy,” Jan and Julia reply in unison.

“I’m struggling with the essay questions for scholarships,” I admit.

“Right? Who are the sadists who come up with this stuff?” Rob asks as he pushes back his long black bangs that are always in his eyes. “Where do I see myself in ten years? I don’t even know where I see myself this weekend.”

“Which is why I’m in charge of our social calendar. And we have Lee’s party on Saturday,” Marian reminds him.

“Right, right …” Rob’s dark brown eyes stare at my plastic container of taco mix. “Are you going to finish that?”

I push my remaining lunch at him. Rob eats more food than should be humanly possible. Even though he has the tall and sturdy build of a football player, the only exercise Rob gets is by working his mouth overtime.

“Rob, for the love of God, let Ally eat her lunch,” Marian says with a shake of her head.

“It’s okay,” I reply. I was finished. Plus, I’m not afraid to use my fork on Rob when he forgets to ask. Which is often.

“So, Ally,” Rob begins as he inhales a tortilla chip full of my leftovers. “What questions are you stuck on?”

The Story Continues on BooksBarbecue!

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