July (The Year of The Change Book 1) Read Free

as Wichita, Kansas today. Knowing him, he would do it, or we would die trying.
    I’d watched Calvin’s split level house hoping I would get to see him before we left. I even cleaned the sweat and fingerprints off my glasses twice to make sure I could see him clearly if he showed himself.
    Earlier, he’d come out and stood on his stoop and watched us, but went back in. I was grateful. I’d at least gotten a long glance. He came out a few minutes later and walked down the steps, then immediately turned around and went back in his house like he’d forgotten something.
    Two glances.
    I was so lucky.
    With the last suitcase in the carrier, I felt like a fish swimming upstream in the boiling humidity. I wrestled with the latch and it bit me. A cuss word slipped out as I hopped around holding my throbbing finger. Dad huffed from under the hood before he emerged to give me a scathing look that made me wilt all the more.
    “Sylvia, not in front of Tim.” He stepped around and latched the car top carrier without any effort. Of course it closed easily for him.
    He returned under the hood after giving me a warning glare. Sucking my finger I looked to Calvin’s domicile and the beautiful flower gardens that I would miss. His mom, Mrs. Thompson, came out of their house with her arm through Calvin’s, and they walked over to us. It looked as though she were pulling him along. It was nice of her to make Calvin say good-bye. I’d always liked his mom.
    Sue came out, finger combing her short, strawberry blonde hair with the miniature Mom, Tam, following close behind. Sue put on one of her sparkling fake smiles and greeted Mrs. Thompson. “Hi, Teresa.”
    How can she look so crisp and cool in her red capris outfit? No wrinkles or sweat stains, unbelievable.
    “Looks like you’re all packed. Are you sure you have to go all the way to Alaska?” Mrs. Thompson’s sweet face appeared genuinely sad as she looked at Dad.
    Dad wiped his hands with a rag. “Yeah, it’s a little too late to change our minds now.”
    Mrs. Thompson smiled warmly at him. “Well, the neighborhood barbecues won’t be the same without you.” She touched his arm and he moved to stand next to Sue.
    The neighborhood get -together would probably be more fun without Sue fussing the whole time. Then again, she only really complained at me. Heaven forbid I have fun.
    “And we’re going to miss you, too.” Sue gushed as she took Dad’s arm and leaned against him.
    I knew Sue wouldn't think twice about the woman, but she put on a good show. She even reached up to return Mrs. Thompson's hug, with a slight squeeze.
    Dad, always affable, smiled. “I couldn’t pass up such a good job offer. This kind of a chance is rare.” He held Sue tighter. “We’re going to miss this house. When you put your hard labor into a place it becomes home.”
    Yeah, my hard labor and they’re making me leave it. I wanted to scream.
    The adults talked. Calvin stared at our lush green lawn as his breathing accelerated.
    Tam must‘ve bored because she grabbed Tim’s prized race car t-shirt and pulled him backward. “Tag.”
    Sue frowned. The twins ignored her and were gone, dashing about the yard. It was amusing to watch Sue struggle not to yell at her kids in front of Mrs. Thompson. I was surprised she didn’t go after them. Instead she stayed glued to Dad’s side. Personally, I didn't see how the twins had any energy in this oppressive heat. Their identical shade of strawberry blonde bobbed and weaved about the yard like a heat mirage. I sweated more just watching them.
    Calvin cleared his throat and mumbled. “Can I talk to you, Sylv?” He jerked his head away, motioning for me to follow him.
    I wasn’t sure I could speak with all the separation anxiety boiling inside me. Nonetheless, I wasn’t going to pass up alone-time with him. “Sure.” I let him lead the way to the large flame bush on the corner of my house.
    It was just far enough away we wouldn’t be heard, but