Red is for Remembrance by Laurie Faria Stolarz Read Free Book Online Page A

orange glow of the logs.
    "I'm learning every day," Shell says, hoping to reassure Clay of whatever reservations he may have about him.
    "Of course you are." Clay turns back to smile at him. 'And you're doing a good job of it. It's just, even though you've only been here a handful of months, I've noticed that you carry a lot of influence here. Campers are drawn to you. Take Lilly for instance."
    She'll clamps the rock even harder, having feared this very moment. "What about her?"
     
    "I'm curious about your intentions for her."
    "I like Lily," Shell says, swallowing hard.
    A lot?"
    "Is that a problem?"
    "If it's the truth, it isn't," Clay says. "You should never be afraid of the truth."
    "It is the truth," She'll says.
    Clay nods, a dead stare to his eyes. "That's what I thought." He clears his throat and looks away.
    "I just wanted to be sure. And I wanted to tell you about tonight. Lily will be there and I know she's fond of you. I'd hate for you to influence her in a way that might keep us from our peaceful mission. Understand?"
    58
    "I'm not sure," Shell says, shaking his head, completely confused. "Would you prefer it if I didn't go?"
    "Of course not. You of all people need to be there. How else will you learn our peaceful ways?"
    Clay stands, looking back at She'll. "You're going to do very well here. I'm sure of it."
    Late that night, Clay, Lily, Brick, Shell, and Daisy cram themselves into the community car, a creamy beige Grand Marquis with scratches all over the hood and a Cape Cod bumper sticker on the rear with a giant smiling crab. Dressed in dark clothing, from knitted hats to winter gloves and boots, the group is well equipped with duffel bags, flashlights, and tools for breaking and entering.
    Clay is driving. He waves to the campers on patrol duty-- those who've been assigned to stay up and watch over the camp tonight-- and then pulls out into the driveway.
    "Is the camp patrolled every night?" Shell asks Brick, wondering if they're carrying weapons.
    Brick nods. "Just in case."
    "In case what?" Shell whispers.
    But Brick doesn't answer Shelly's question. He just continues to eyeball Clay in the rearview mirror.
    Frustrated by the silence and a bit uncomfortable with the tense energy in the car, She'll stares out the window the whole way, trying his best to relax, wondering what the patrolling is all about. How would anyone even find their
    59
     
    place? And what would they possibly want to take from it? It's not as though they're rich with possessions.
    They pass by the honey farm where the owners-- an old German couple, according to Brick--
    raise bees and sell candles. Shell memorizes street signs they pass, trying to get a firmer idea of where he is. It's a good ten minutes before he's able to see much more than barren trees and vacant streets.
    "There's the Bargo Tower," Brick says, pointing out the window.
    They come to a stop light at the end of the street. There's a tall brick tower standing high atop a hill, just to the right of them. Shell has to scrunch down in his seat and look up to appreciate its height.
    "You can see the whole cape from the top," Brick says.
    Shell nods, making the mental note, noticing the Brutus town sign that sits at the base of the bill.
    They drive for another half hour at least, passing through two more towns, and finally cruising through a residential area. Clay slows the car and clicks off the headlights. "The family who lives at this house is away all week," he says, steering the car down a long, narrow road. He orders the campers to open their doors slightly, so as not attract attention or make any noise, and then he pulls up in front of a medium-sized cottage set a good distance away from the other houses on the street.
    "How do you know?" She'll asks, noticing how the interior car light fails to go on despite the open doors-- as though someone removed the bulb.
    60
    "I've been watching it." Clay points toward the front of the house. "Check it out-- shades drawn