Weekly dinner at Lucil’s house had become something of a tradition.
The garden was filled with conversation that afternoon. Lucil sat comfortably beneath the shade with Aunt Lizzie, while the rest of the family gathered nearby, talking and laughing.
Nica had been perfectly content enjoying the afternoon.
Until two small tornados found her.
Elsa’s children tugged at her hands and dragged her toward the orchard.
They stopped beneath one of the apple trees and looked up.
The sweetest apples were hanging just a little too high.
Nica looked at them, then at the tree.
She lowered her voice conspiratorially.
“All right, don’t tell Uncle Kane or all of us are dead. I’ll climb up.”
The children immediately nodded.
Nica slipped off her shoes and carefully climbed the tree.
The children j
