June arrived with her suitcase at 5:30.
Dad loaded it into the trunk, and I stood beside the porch rail with my hands shoved into my pockets. The rain had begun, but it was still light enough to see the end of the street.
"Are you coming?" June asked me.
I shook my head. "I'll meet you at the station."
"You sure?"
"No. But I'll be there."
She seemed to understand what I couldn't explain. She stepped forward and hugged me. Her jacket smelled like laundry soap and rain.
"I'm sorry about how I treated you," I said.
"I'm sorry, too."
"Call me when you get there."
"I will."
Then she climbed into the passenger seat.
Dad came around to my side. "We'll take the inland road."
I nodded.
"Your mom's inside. You'll be okay."
"I know."
He touched my hair the way he used to when I was sm
