Another me

TER

t with us. You might have some fun, make

study the nature of it. She doesn't dip her toes in gradually. Lucy just d

ow to do that."Hav

ou've

smiles warmly. "You two go ahead. Lucia can hang out with me." She waves goodbye to Lucy and

rior. A grand staircase curves against the wall, and be

countertop, where there's a vase of

at about?"

ng, so I took it

s get another. That

He fixed it." The corners of m

Sarah's eyes narrow,

know hi

he look like? D

able is how they made me feel. Though I'd rather keep that info

urns away. Her black bone-straight hair, tied in a low ponytail, swings as she moves around the kitchen. Afte

h soap, rinse, then start cho

hoyu ramen. It's going to be very

ow I like

ng. You folks love spicy food. Because of

o twelve at the time, was set on finding reliable internet access. Naomi, their oldest child, who currently goes to MIT, was set on sightseeing. Auntie Sarah, however, was quiet and reserved. Not because she was shy. She

of garlic and ginger from the food processo

I went to choir p

h people your age-not a bunch of middle-

d the Holy Trinity choir because it's what my father would have wanted. He would have encouraged me to audition, saying somethi

ffort at socializing would be joining the church choir. I want you to make friend

ug. "

ed here. I want you to feel like you

e for another, one state for another. I feel suspended, caught between two places,

h her sister who had a baby, my uncle when he returned to Tennessee after every visit with us, Lucy's sleepover at her friend

you understand what I'm saying

le forcing a smile. "I'll

an't ignore my grief. It's constantly present, lurking and slitherin