Always October by Bruce Coville Read Free Book Online Page B

again. “She’s fascinating. Beautiful, but kind of … strange. She makes me think of a cat.”
    â€œI know exactly what you mean. Dad used to say that his own father told him there was a long story behind that painting, and the key to the family mystery. When Dad would beg him to explain, Arthur always told him to wait until his eleventh birthday. But by the time that birthday rolled around …”
    I stopped, unable to say more. As if Little Dumpling could sense what I was feeling, he reached up and patted my cheek.
    Lily waited a bit, then nudged me and said, “Let’s see if we can find a camera.”
    I nodded. A little farther down the hall I stopped and said, “Junk Room B has the more recent stuff.” Shifting LD to my left shoulder, I touched the knob three times, then opened the door. Stepping aside, I said, “After you, madam.”
    â€œDracula’s devious dentures!” Lily cried when she saw the array of books, paintings, gadgets, trunks, boxes, artwork, and general clutter. “This all belonged to your dad?”
    â€œWell, it’s not fair to blame him for all of it. As I said, I come from a long line of pack rats.”
    She stepped inside, gazing around in amazement. “A carton of whoopee cushions?”
    â€œDad thought they were hilarious.”
    She pointed to the wall. “Helmets?”
    I took a deep breath, then said softly, “Dad was a major spelunker.”
    â€œThat sounds dirty. Do I need to look it up on Urban Dictionary?”
    Despite how I was feeling, that got a smile out of me. “Well, it can be dirty, but not the way you mean. A spelunker is someone who explores caves. It was Dad’s hobby. He loved being underground.” I took another deep breath, then said softly, “He never came back from his last trip.”
    â€œJake! I’m sorry. Did he …?”
    I closed my eyes. “No one knows what happened. He was exploring solo, which is a major no-no for spelunkers, but Dad was ornery that way. When he didn’t report in, they searched the cave he was supposed to be investigating. They couldn’t find any sign of him. But whether he found some hidden chamber and got stuck or copied his own dad and just took off on us …”
    My voice trailed away. After a long silence Lily said, “There are all kinds of stupid stories going around school about what happened. Why don’t you—”
    I cut her off. “I don’t care what they think! And I don’t want to talk about it. All right?”
    She nodded, looking frightened.
    LD began to fuss.
    â€œGive me the baby,” she said. “I’ll walk him in the hall while you look for the camera.”
    I passed over LD, glad for the chance to be alone for a few minutes.

11
(Lily)

THE PUZZLE IN THE PICTURE
    I hurried into the hall … and straight back to the painting of Tia LaMontagne. I studied it until LD began to squirm. Then I started walking, jouncing him gently and crooning as I wondered what it was like for Jake to not know whether his father was dead or had simply taken off for a new life.
    I stopped in front of the picture of Tia LaMontagne again. Jacob definitely had some odd-looking relatives … but then, who doesn’t? The thing was, none of them looked as odd as Tia. I paced with LD but kept coming back to that one picture, staring at it and thinking about what Jacob’s father had said.
    An idea was forming in my mind.
    Just then Jacob came out of the room holding a box. “Found one!” he crowed.
    I continued to stare at the painting.
    â€œDid you hear me?” he asked, coming to stand beside me. “I found a camera!”
    I nodded, then said softly, “Jake, what if your grandfather was giving your dad a clue?”
    â€œHuh? What are you talking about?”
    I blushed a little, wondering if I was being foolish. “I just had an idea. Maybe it’s crazy, but I think