“I’ll go with you today if you like,” Leila says encouragingly, adjusting her glasses.
Bessie gives her a little smile. On an early afternoon, they are lounging on the younger girl’s bed, surrounded by bookshelves filled with murder mysteries and neatly arranged by author in alphabetical order. Miss Marple sleeps between the girls on the quilt.
“I’d like that. Oh, look! Some of the leaves are starting to turn,” Bessie comments, glancing out the window into the backyard. “Fall’s coming.” She drops her head. “And I can’t go back to school. I won’t.”
“Never mind that. We’ll think of something,” her sister says, jumping off the bed.
“You always do.” Bessie grins fondly.
Soon, they are riding their bikes out of their neighboring streets. Bessie glances around at the familiar scene as she p
