Counterfeit Son by Elaine Marie Alphin

Author:Elaine Marie Alphin [Alphin, Elaine Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Published: 2010-06-14T05:00:00+00:00

"Stevie's right," Cameron said more quietly. "We broke a rule, and we're in trouble. Fighting about how much trouble isn't going to make it any better."

Stevie looked startled.

Cameron sighed and laid his head back on his arms. "Just leave me alone, will you?"

Diana studied him thoughtfully. Then she took Stevie's arm and turned him toward the door, and the two of them went out of the room without another word.

Cameron sat there as the afternoon wore on, listening to the geese honking as they flew over the lake and wondering how bad the punishment would be. He'd figured out that thanks to Neil's going off alone six years ago, this was the worst rule he could have broken. He wanted the Laceys to love him the way they had loved Neil, and he knew he deserved this punishment, but—

Pop had been right, he thought in despair. Cameron could never be good enough to make up for how bad he'd been. Through all the soul-crushing nights and the aspirin-popping days, he'd survived because he'd gone on hoping. He'd promised himself that if he took his punishment, if he tried to be good, something would happen. He wasn't quite sure what, but the pain would be over at last, and he'd be glad he'd hung on.

The hum of the air-conditioning filled the room, and he felt cold in his corner. His right leg ached where Pop had broken the bone two summers ago and set it himself, cursing Cameron for the extra trouble. There were a lot of aches when he got chilled, but that one was the worst. He wished he were out on the lake in the Sunfish, with the hot sun beating down on him and the golden highlights of the water shimmering into his eyes. He had loved the sailing every bit as much as he'd dreamed he would. Even with Diana's eyes jealously following him, even knowing that her boat was only a few lengths behind his, Cameron had felt free. He'd thought his endurance had finally paid off.

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