I must have looked concerned. Amy said, “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure everything’s all right, or Mrs. Dowling would have come for you herself.”

“Ah, it’s nothing,” Carter added casually. “Probably about his prize-winning pig having piglets.” He grinned arrogantly.

“Be back in a minute,” I said. I slipped from the booth and followed Joey back to the Inn.

The message was from Carolyn. I was to call her collect.

She said in a happy voice, “I’ve got a surprise for you.”

“What?” I asked.

“I’m coming to see you.”

For a moment, I said nothing, and then, “When? How?”

“With Raymond and Linda,” she said excitedly. “Your mother and I are riding back with them when their vacation’s over, and then we’ll come back on the bus with you.”

“Well, that’s—I’m glad,” I stammered. “When did this come up?”

“Your mother called me yesterday, to see if I wanted to go. I worked it out with Marlene.”

“Who?”

“Marlene. She owns the dress shop. You do remember I’m working there this summer, don’t you?”

“Oh, sure. I’m sorry. I forgot her name.”

Her voice became soft and longing. “I can’t wait to see you,” she whispered. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“Yeah, me, too.”

“I’ll write you about everything.”

“Yeah, okay. Good.”

“You don’t sound too happy,” she said. “Are you sure you want me to come?”

“Of course I do,” I told her, forcing life into my voice. “I’m just surprised, that’s all. But, yes, I want you to come. It’ll be fun.”

“I’ll write tonight,” she said. “I love you.”

“I love you,” I mumbled.

I walked back across the street to Arch’s and sat beside Amy.

“Everything all right?” asked Carter.

“Fine.” My voice quivered.

“What’s wrong?” Amy said.

I glanced at her. She was more beautiful in that glance than she had ever been.

“It’s really nothing,” I said. “It was about my brother— when he’s leaving to come back up here.”

Amy blinked. A frown, a question, a doubt, swam across her eyes.

“That’s all?” Carter said.

I nodded. I tried to smile. My face felt heavy and hot.

Later, Carter and I went to the swimming pool and sat in the lounge chairs and I told him the truth. He shook his head heavily.

“You’ve got to tell her,” he said.

“I know. I will. But not right now.”

He pushed his cigarette into the ground, then lay back against the chair and laced his fingers over his chest and gazed at the sky.

“You know what’s about to happen, don’t you?” he said quietly.

“No, I don’t.”

“You’re about to see what it’s like for a dream to become a wake-up. And, believe me, Bobo, it’s the most beautiful dream you’re ever going to have.”