EMIT (THE EMIT SAGA) by Barbara Cross Read Free Book Online Page B

services out here now. I read that it’s a booming business.”
    “It’s better than people driving drunk,” Mom added approvingly.
    “Even with that, I keep reading about many alcohol-related accident,” Grammy said.
     
    Sunday morning, Lily and I joined our dads on the driving r ange. Lily liked golf, but I only went if she asked me to come.
    “Thanks for coming,” Lily said smiling, knowing exactly how I felt.
    “This is so boring. You owe me.”
    “Fine, how about later we go to the beach and look for your fantasy man.”
    “Sounds like a plan,” I shot back, ignoring her sarcastic tone.
    Mom, as pre-arranged, picked me up at the golf course and drove me to Meadow Hill Farms for my hack. There was no one there, so I was alone. When I was almost done, I noticed a black car pull in the driveway. It slowly inched up the path at a snail’s pace, made a K-turn halfway up the long driveway and stopped in the middle facing the riding ring. I really felt uncomfortable being watched and shortened my ride.
    As I brought Milton back to the barn, Carlos, one of the grooms was bringing a horse out to the pasture so I asked, “Carlos, do you know whose car that is over there in the driveway?”
    “No, I don’t know.”
    By the time Mom picked me up, the car was gone. As we exited the farm, I saw that it was now parked outside. I had no idea what was going on with all these cars.
    Back home, I found everyone in the kitchen prepping for the barbeque. By two o’clock, the house was full of company. Grammy had invited some neighbors and it was lively outside.
    I was in the kitchen cutting watermelon when Martin, Marina and Anna walked in.
    I was so shocked. “What are you guys doing here?” I said so loudly that Anna started crying.
    “I’m so sorry Anna. Look here’s Amber,” I said and that made her stop. Marina put Anna on the floor and she immediately crawled after the dog.
    “I see that Dad didn’t tell you we were coming,” Martin said and I shook my head no.
    “Grammy invited us,” said Marina.
    “I’m so happy you made it,” said Grammy as she walked inside from the patio.
    “Happy Birthday.” Martin gave her a big hug. “Thanks for inviting us.”
    “You are welcome anytime.”
    Marina handed Grammy a big gift-wrapped box.
    Grammy carefully opened it and it was a beautiful turquoise ceramic bowl. She loved it and after wiping it down, put the green salad in it.
    While Marina and Martin took their bags to the guest room, Lily and I took Anna outside to play on the beach. She scooped the sand in her hands, but began to cry when the sand got wet and stuck on her hands. I carried her into the kitchen and cleaned her up.
     
    Monday morning , Lily and I found everybody outside. Anna was in the pool with Martin, so I walked in and put her on a raft. As I pushed her around, Amber jumped in to retrieve a ball. Anna was so surprised that Amber was swimming that she almost toppled in.
    Later that afternoon, Uncle Ian drove us to Greenport for the yearly carnival. The adults would meet us in the evening to watch the fireworks. While waiting for one of the rides to start, I looked around at the people and thought I saw him, walking towards the parking lot.
    “Lily, look over there, that’s him,” I said excitedly and pointed.
    Lily looked at me and said, “I was just kidding before about searching fo r him.”
    “Just look,” I said. She looked reluctantly, but by that point he had disappeared.
    “Forget it, he’s gone now,” I said angrily.
    “I’m sure that it wasn’t him. Seriously, what would he be doing here?” Lily asked.
    “I don’t know.” I shrugged. “He must have a doppelganger out here because it really looked like him.”
    Lily shook her head and moved up in line and the subject was dropped.
    Around ten o’clock, Aunt Cecile called Lily’s phone and after our parents and Grammy found us, we watched the fireworks together. Martin and Marina stayed home with