Page 36 of They Say a Girl Died Here

“The other one was always sad.”

“What other one?”

From outside came the familiar chug of Mom’s car coming up the road, something rattling inside it needing seeing to, that she either couldn’t afford to get fixed or didn’t have the time to, and Anna had a rush of relief that Todd was gone.

“The boy who came before.”

Anna frowned. What boy? What was Grandma talking about? She was having one of her moments, maybe. “I’ll make you some iced tea.”

She left Grandma in the hall and went toward the kitchen.

“You had jelly on your T-shirt,” Grandma muttered. “But I think he’s dead now.”

Anna stared at her. Jelly on her T-shirt? For a moment she didn’t have a clue what Grandma was talking about and then realized that had happened in a dream. How could Grandma know about her dream?

All these dreams in my head. Ghosts in my head.

Had she told Grandma about it? She hadn’t. She was sure of it.

“What boy, Grandma?” she asked again.

“Your mother’s back,” Grandma said, as if Anna hadn’t asked the question at all. “You’d best get her a drink too.”

41

Caroline stormed into the house past Mom and ran straight up the stairs, face like thunder, feet hard on the wood. Anna frowned, Grandma’s moment forgotten. “What’s wrong with her?”

“Who knows?” Mom closed the door, shutting out the invasive heat. “She’s been like that since she got in the car. A joyful reminder of all those moody teenage years about to arrive.”

“She’s never moody.”

“Well, maybe you can get something out of her.” Mom kicked off her shoes and came through to the living room, flopping onto the sofa. “Because I can’t. And to be honest, I just want an hour or so staring at the TV before having a shower and starting on dinner.”

“Sure.” Anna climbed the stairs, the temperature rising in the house with every inch, and knocked on Caroline’s door. “It’s me, Callie. Can I come in?”

There was a pause before she heard a muted “yes.” Caroline would never say no to Anna. That big-sister adoration was a real thing. Maybe in a couple of years she’d see through it, but for now, Anna could still do no wrong.

“What’s up? You and Holly have a fight?”

“No. Not really.” Shoulders slumped, Caroline was sitting on the side of her bed, her backpack tossed on the floor. Anna saw a woven straw bracelet tied around her wrist, the skin red.

“What’s that?”

“Oh, nothing.” Her little sister didn’t meet her eyes. “Just, like, a protection charm. We’ve all got them.”

“Protection from what?”

“The Farmhand.” She looked almost defiant.

“That story is baloney.” Anna came closer to look at the bracelet. “And that straw is going to rub you raw if you leave it on.”

“I’m not taking mine off until Holly takes hers off.” She sniffed. “Especially now.”

“Why especially now?” Anna joined her on the bed, sitting cross-legged, and tugged on the sleeve of Caroline’s T-shirt, forcing her attention. “Talk to me.”

“I just … You’ll call me stupid if I tell you.” Her brow furrowed. “I know you will.”

“I promise I won’t. Whatever it is, it can’t be that bad.” She meant it too. It couldn’t be the thing bad. Nothing like that would ever happen to Caroline. She was charmed. Everyone loved her. She was a good girl. Even if her friends had argued, they’d make up with her soon enough. Caroline was too easy to like. To love. Everything was easier for Callie. Always had been.