Wanderlost Read Free Page B

that’s probably it for me. He needs the soccer mom vote to win and he’s not gonna want some girl who hosts keg parties for high school kids helping with his campaign.”
    â€œBut you didn’t!”
    â€œI know. And maybe I could convince him of that. Butthe hint of a scandal coupled with a pissed-off donor? Forget it. It’s over.”
    This time she sinks low in the bed before losing it with a fresh batch of tears. I stare slack-jawed for a second at my typically stoic big sister, then scoot across the quilt to wrap my arms around her. The pillow she’s been hugging squeezes between us.
    Obviously, it’s not like I haven’t hugged my sister before, but I don’t think I’ve ever consoled her, and the role reversal feels awkward. This is usually her job. She’s the one who offered me half her Halloween candy the time I was on crutches and Mom thought it would be too dangerous to go trick-or-treating. She’s the one who made the attendant at the top of the log flume at Cedar Point let us out so we could walk down the attached steps since I was freaking out so bad I couldn’t breathe. Our roles are clear.
    She’s the big sister.
    I’m the baby.
    I pretend to mind, but secretly I love having my mom put away my laundry and set out vitamins next to my juice glass every morning. I still sleep with a stuffed animal and have the same friends I did in nursery school, and I’m okay with those things. More than okay. They’re comforting. Safe. Home.
    Elizabeth sniffles a few more times and her sobs subside.
    I ease out of the hug and say, “It can’t be as bad as you’re making it sound. You’ll figure something out.”
    She clears her throat and straightens. “The thing is, Iactually do have one idea that would solve everything.”
    I grin. “See? I knew you would. You wouldn’t be Elizabeth if you didn’t.”
    Thank God. She’ll be fine and I can let go of the crushing weight of guilt on my chest. Already I can feel it getting lighter, floating away.
    Elizabeth glances at me from under her lashes. “It’s simple, really.”
    She pauses and collects a breath before blurting, “You just need to go to Europe as me.”

THREE
    M y jaw drops to the floor along with the tissues I was getting ready to offer Elizabeth.
    â€œYou can’t be serious!”
    My sister’s eyes flash. “I wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for your party. You have no idea how big the stakes are for me right now. What if this scandal follows me around and I can’t land a job on any campaign? Do you have any idea how screwed I’d be? If I cancel this Europe tour, the congressman is going to need to know why. But if I go—or everyone thinks I go, at least—he won’t have a reason to suspect anything is wrong.”
    â€œYeah, but—”
    â€œBree, please. Just take a little bit of time and think about it. It’s only for a month. What were your plans for this summer? Lounging by the pool with your friends?”
    â€œNoooo.” I pause. “Well, okay, yes, but I was also going to work on some new jewelry techniques and finally launch myEtsy shop. Everyone says my designs are good enough to sell.”
    Elizabeth’s voice is sticky sweet when she says, “I’m sure they are. But as far as jobs go, you could put that one on hold without letting anyone else down. Or better yet, you could bring your beads and your supplies with you and do them on the bus.” Her tears have dried completely and she seems pleased as punch with her quick solution. She continues, “Most girls, most people , would be over the moon about a chance to go to Europe.”
    â€œWould they?” I ask, having a hard time controlling the sarcasm. “Would they also be over the moon about the chance to lead A BUS TOUR OF SENIOR CITIZENS through Europe? I don’t even think I