Falling Home by Karen White

Author:Karen White [White, Karen]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
ISBN: 0759260176
Published: 2010-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Cassie sat on the swing in the cool shade of the porch, the writing box settled next to her. The breeze from the fan above rustled the pages of the yellowed letter in her hand, whispering its secrets.

October 1, 1962

Dear Harry,

I was nearly caught last night. The window jamb slammed shut after I had crawled inside, and I think it woke Daddy. I threw myself under the covers just in time. It was so hard to make myself breathe slowly, but I think I had him fooled. I don’t like this sneaking around. I’d like to shout our love from the town square, on top of that soldier’s horse, but until Daddy’s heart is feeling stronger, it’s just something we need to keep to ourselves.

I have a little favor to ask of you. There’s a new girl in town, Catherine Anne Abbott. I know you’ve heard me talk about her, because she’s my best friend in the whole world. She’s moving here from Columbus and will be living with her aunt, old Miss Shrewster. Catherine Anne’s parents died recently in a horrible car wreck, and her aunt is the only living soul in her family. I know her because our parents were friends and we’ve been spending summers together ever since I can remember. She’s quite a few years younger than me, but just as sweet as can be. But she’s come here to live now, with that old, shrunken, prune-faced aunt of hers, and I’m afraid she’ll become just like Miss Shrewster if she isn’t brought out at all. If you do happen to run into her in town, introduce yourself.

Don’t mention you know me—I don’t want to force her to keep our secret—but do say hello and make her feel comfortable. And please tell all your single friends about her. Maybe, when we’re free of our secrets, we can double-date or something.

Daddy has just come home, so I’ll close this letter. I don’t know if I can stand waiting a whole week to see you again. Think of me kissing the locket and thinking of you.

Love,

E.

A car door slammed in the driveway, making Cassie look up.

Harriet approached, a crisp yellow linen sundress hanging loosely on her small frame. “I thought you might like a ride over to Bitsy’s.” She held up something in her hand. “And I brought you one of the shower invitations—for your scrapbook. I’m having napkins printed, too, and I’ll save you one from the party.”

Cassie nodded, feeling a little shell-shocked. She moved the writing box to her lap and allowed Harriet to sit next to her. “How are you feeling?”

Harriet sighed. “Oh, the same, I guess. I suppose I’ll find out what kinds of vitamins I need to be taking when I see Sam on Wednesday.”

She indicated the letter with a nod of her head. “Anything interesting?”

“I’d say so.” Cassie handed her the letter.

The moving air from the ceiling fan played with the fine blond hairs that had strayed out of Harriet’s headband as she bent over to read.

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