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back to the house."

I followed him. When we entered the house

again, Uncle Jacob asked Cary in to talk about the

lobster business with them. I told them good night and

went to my room to read. A little while later I heard

Cary go up to his attic hideaway. I listened to him

scuffle about and then all grew quiet, but for the

muffled voices of Uncle Jacob, Aunt Sara, and their

friends below.

My eyelids felt heavy. I dozed off, woke up,

went to the bathroom, returned, and dressed for bed.

After I put the lights out, I gazed out the window and

saw the moon walk on the ocean. How beautiful. Had

Laura looked out this window and been thrilled by it?

What was she really like? I had Aunt Sara's constant

descriptions, comparisons, and remarks, but somehow

I thought there was more to her daughter than she

knew.

Cary knew, I thought. She had been his twin,

but he was afraid or unwilling to talk about her. It

would take time, but more importantly, it would take

trust. I wondered if I could ever get him to trust me

with the secrets of his heart. I knew he had secrets

buried deeply.

I closed my eyes and lay back on my pillow and thought about Mommy. Where was she tonight? I swallowed back my tears and pressed for sleep to

keep myself from thinking sad thoughts. Was that what Cary did every night?

A Cocoon of Lies

The next morning, Sunday, we went to church