September 2011
7 posts
Chapter 20.
When the windows started bursting out of the buildings above them, they went inside. A hotel was sheltering people, and handing out glow sticks. So Helen and Jane sat at the back of the hotel’s lobby, glow sticks lit around their necks, and listened to the broken glass whipping around outside.
“My father wants to pay for my tuition,” Helen said.
“So you don’t...
Chapter 19.
Hurricane Anthony was on his way. It was all the news would talk about. It was a powerful storm, especially for so early in the hurricane season. Even at school, the announcements took a break from talking about the upcoming prom to warn students about the impending hurricane. When the bell rang for their last class, Jane and Helen went outside and stood looking at the sky.
The wind was...
Chapter 18.
After the movie, they walked along the highway. When they started walking, the sky was grey, but it got darker and darker as they headed away from the city. They climbed up the rocks along the side of the road, so they were up above the approaching cars.
“Why does it have to be so far?” Helen said. “Oh god, I am going to sleep forever.”
“We’re almost to...
Chapter 17.
The secretary’s name was Ruth. She led Jane and Helen to a leather couch, and asked if they wanted juice or coffee. The couch was so comfortable. It was ridiculous. There was no reason for a couch to be that comfortable, especially not in a big office building. Jane ran her fingers up and down the leather stitches.
“Juice?” the secretary said again.
“I’ll have...
Chapter 16.
The next day, Jane called Helen again. It rang twice before Helen picked up.
“Pigeon phone,” Helen said. “Pigeon speaking.”
Chapter 15.
Back in Halifax, Jane felt she was running out of time. It was just a feeling. Time for what?
She called Helen in the morning, before she left for school, but Helen sounded funny when she answered. Her voice was weird, and Jane wasn’t sure it was her.
“Hello?” Helen said.
“Uh, is pigeon there?” Jane said.
“What?” Helen said. She laughed and...
Chapter 14.
The Smithsonian Air and Space museum was everything Jane wanted it to be. Sputnik, the lunar lander, cosmonaut suits. It took her breath away. There were strange things, too. Unexpected things, like a homemade chess set for playing in zero gravity on the space station. It was the chess set that got her excited about going to the gift shop. It was so small and simple. They must have a replica for...