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

close enough my dad could still keep tabs on me. The twins watched. I’d hear all about Calvin and me at the bush all the way to Alaska. I didn't care. Being alone with Calvin was worth the harassment.
    At the base of the bush was a large granite rock I brought back from a camping trip with my, now ex-friend Maggie and her girls’ church group. It was the size of a basketball. Even though I was very proud of my rock, Sue wouldn’t let me bring it in the house. Dad, trying to make peace with his wife, relegated it to the bush then gave me his 'don't bring it up again' look. It had actually looked very good there all these years. It was something else I was leaving behind. Something else I would miss.
    It's odd what one thinks about during stressful situations.
    I straightened my dull blonde hair and hoped Calvin couldn’t see the sweat that trickled down my back and spread like an ink blot on my cotton blouse.
    The humidity was stifling, but my adrenalin had me hyped with Calvin so close. It was a good thing I didn’t wear a tank top today or he would’ve seen the waterfall that developed. Before we reached the bush I took my glasses off so he could see the only good feature I had. My friends told me my pale blue eyes were beautiful and I should play them up. If I’d known how, I would have. Well, not this year. Maybe I’d learn how next year when my dad and The Change were done wrecking my life.
    Elated that Calvin had graced me with this private audience, I overlooked his fidgeting since everything he did was worth whatever time it took to do it.
    My mouth was dry as the desert, but my arm pits were into overdrive, sweating out the last of the two liter soda I drank with the three sandwiches, bag of chips, two apples and three snack cakes … oh, and the two liters of water I chugged to keep my stomach full. My stomach hadn't been fooled and was hungry again. My out of control appetite would have to wait. Calvin wanted to talk to me .
    It was exciting that he wanted to spend time with me, and I could feel the tears work their way up from my throat. Afraid I might cry in front of him and ruin any chance – albeit slim I might have, I choked them back. The effort made breathing almost non-existent.
    With his hands shoved deep in his jeans pockets, he stared at his high tops instead of me. They alternated between digging his toe into the ground, scuffing it across the grass and kicking my rock. I’d never seen him like this before. He’d always been so confident, so sure of himself. Some insensitive jerks might even say cocky. I found this side of him endearing. What am I saying? Every side of Calvin was endearing.
    When he began jack-hammering my rock, I worried. He still hadn’t spoken. Time was running out. Plus, I hated to see my rock abused even if it was by Calvin.
    My dad broke the silence and I jumped. “Sylv we’re going to make one more run through the house then we’re out of here.” I could hear the edge in his voice even though he kept smiling for Mrs. Thompson's benefit.
    “Okay.” I waved as the adults went into our empty, generic house. The twins still played tag, however at a much slower pace. Hopefully they would wear themselves out and sleep in the car so I wouldn't have to put up with their incessant yammering.
    Our time was limited and I didn’t want to waste it like this. Not that being with Calvin in any way was a waste of time. Because it wasn’t. He didn’t say anything so I found my voice and forced calm tones, hoping it wouldn’t squeak.
    “Well, I guess this is good-bye, you off to Florida and me to Alaska.”
    I hoped he would at least shake my hand. A chill ran down my spine at the thought of our fingers touching … our palms squeezed together … My knees went weak just thinking about it. Now there was a memory to bolster me while I was stuck in our vehicle for six days. Maybe even help me through the two years I would be stuck in the wilds of Alaska.
    He grabbed me in a