Excerpt from TOUCH BLUE
by Cynthia Lord
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Glancing back to the ferry, I spy Dad's Red Sox cap in the line of passengers. “There they are!” I wave, but Dad's speaking to the ferry crew, who are unloading boxes, groceries, and bags of mail.
Then I see Aaron. Skinny as a spar, he seems too tall for thirteen, with a pinched-sour mouth and red hair. A redhead on a boat is unlucky! Why didn't Iremember to mention that to his caseworker? His hair falls near to his shoulders, bright as October leaves….
“This is Libby and Tess.” Dad holds an old tan suitcase in one hand. “We're all glad you're here, Aaron. Isn't that right, girls?”
“Yes!” Libby shoves by me and throws her arms around Aaron's waist.
Aaron lifts one hand cautiously. He gives Libby a little, quick pat on her back and then steps away from her.
I push my lips into my widest, welcomest smile. “Hi, Aaron!”
He glances at me. His eyes are muddy green, like the sea deep in the coves. “Hi.” He says it flatly, like
I'm just anybody. Why'd Natalie pick this boy for us? A fear whispers in me that maybe she didn't have anywhere else to send him.
From Touch Blue. Copyright © 2010 by Cynthia Lord. All rights reserved.
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