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I shot up as if I were sitting on an ant hill.

"Why do you keep saying that? What's that supposed to mean?" I demanded.

"Ask your mother next time she calls," he said. He looked at Aunt Sara. "I got to clean up and get dressed. No time for this nonsense now." He started up the stairs.

"Why does he keep saying that, Aunt Sara? I have to know what he means."

She shook her head, pressing her lips together as if she were afraid the words would escape.

"I'm not going anywhere until I get some answers," I insisted.

"Oh dear, oh dear. Why does all this have to happen before we go to Olivia and Samuel's?" She sat on the sofa and started to cry. May ran to her to hug her. I felt just terrible as she sobbed and May stroked her hair lovingly, concerned. "You look so beautiful in that dress, too," she wailed. "What have we done to deserve this? What have we done?"

May looked up, confused, hurt, tears building in her soft eyes. All I seemed capable of doing was hurting everyone.

"All right, Aunt Sara. I'm sorry. I'll go."

She sucked back her tears and dabbed her cheeks with her handkerchief. Then she smiled.

"It's going to be all right," she said. "Once everyone gets to know you better, it will be fine. Look how nice Laura's dress looks on you. That's no coincidence. It's an omen, a good omen. Jacob will realize it, too. Fishermen are very aware of good and bad omens. You'll see."

I just stared. She sighed and patted May's hair.

"My pretty little seashell," she said, kissing her daughter. She held her to herself and rocked for a moment. "We all deserve some happiness now, dear. Don't we?"

"Yes, Aunt Sara," I answered.

"Then it's settled. We'll all be happy," she said. It was as if she believed words themselves could change the world around us.

She left to wash her face and straighten her hair. May sat beside me and we looked at one of her books together. Cary came down the stairs and stood in the doorway. he was dressed in a blue suit and tie and looked very handsome.

"You look nice," I said.

"I feel as if I'm in a strait jacket." He tugged on his shirt collar. "I hate wearing a tie. I feel like . . ."

"A fish out of water," I suggested.

"Aye. I'm going outside to wait," he said. "It's my favorite time of day."

"Okay, we'll come along." I signed to May and she closed her book and followed, taking my hand. We strolled in front of the house.

Just over the western horizon, the sun was a rich saffron color, almost orange. The wispy clouds resembled veils of light cotton being pulled across the azure sky. Terns called over the ocean. The breeze was constant, but warmer than usual.

I had to admit Cape Cod was a beautiful place. How it must have broken my father's heart to leave.

Cary glanced at me, and his glimmering eyes met mine.

"Your father's right, you know," I said. "It was my fault."

"Don't start that again," he warned.

"After school ends, I'm not staying here," I told him. "No matter what, I'm leaving. If my m

other doesn't want me, I'll go live with Mama Arlene back in Sewell. I'll get a part-time job and help out, but I can't stay where I'm not wanted, where I can only make trouble for people I like," I said.

A tiny smile took form on his lips. "Summer's the best time of the year up here. You can't leave. Besides, I'm depending on your help come cranberry season."

I shook my head.