Page 3 of Turn

Cami reached up and tapped him on the right temple. “Since you’re so proud of your youth, you may want to do something about that spreading gray.”

My father was indignant. “That’s my badge for forty-five years of a life well lived,” he insisted, running a hand over his closely cropped blond hair. “And your Uncle Deck has a hell of a lot more gray than I do.”

“Is Uncle Deck here?” Cami asked, craning her neck around for a glimpse of the forever roguish and leather-clad Declan Gentry. Our father’s cousin was a partner here at Scratch and the unofficial leader of the Gentry tribe.

“Deck will be back later if you want to hang around,” my dad said. “He’s at Izzy’s school right now but I know he planned to return.”

Cami checked her phone. “I would love to see him but we should get going. Dalton took off work early to help unload the car. I hope he’s ready for this. Poor guy is giving up most of his closet space.”

“Now that’s true love,” I pointed out.

“Cams, make sure you confirm with your mother that you’ll be coming to dinner tomorrow,” my father said. “She’s made it into a big event. The whole family will be there. And Cadence will be leaving for camp the following morning so it’ll be your only chance to see her.”

“We’ll be there.” Cami gave our father a peck on the cheek and paused to stare at the ceiling. “I like the effect. This place could use a little face lift, although I’m glad most things stay the same.”

“Well,” my father said, glancing at Aspen, who was still standing at my side. “Actually the starry sky above isn’t the only change.”

Cami looked puzzled, her eyes shifting to me in search of clues.

“I’m leaving,” Aspen spoke up. “Brick’s parents aren’t in the greatest health and they won’t leave Colorado so we’re moving to be near them.”

I’d forgotten that Cami hadn’t heard this news yet. Between her college graduation and the planned move back to Arizona, there’d always been other things to talk about. Aspen had given her notice almost a month ago but right before I left for San Diego I’d heard my dad telling my mother he was still searching for Aspen’s replacement. Her last day was just around the corner so he was running out of time.

Cami was dismayed. “I can’t imagine this place without you.”

Aspen hugged her. “I’ll be back to visit. And I’m sure your dad will find someone who can fill my shoes.”

I glanced down at Aspen’s shoes. They were glittery fuchsia-colored platforms. Fitting into them would be a tall order for anyone.

Our dad walked us out to the car. He raised an eyebrow when he saw how we’d crammed all of Cami’s belongings in there so haphazardly but there was no way to neatly pack some objects, like the orange beanbag chair she’d insisted on carting back to Arizona.

“See you at home, kid,” my dad said to me. He rapped on the hood to get Cami’s attention before she climbed into the passenger seat. “Five pm tomorrow.”

“We’ll be there,” Cami promised. After she shut the car door she cranked the air conditioning up full blast.

“Damn, I can’t believe Aspen’s leaving,” she said. “She’s like a member of the family.”

“I know.” I looked to make sure no one was coming and then piloted the car out of the parking lot. “I think that’s why Dad is dragging his feet over hiring a replacement. It seems wrong to have someone else sitting behind the front desk.”

Cami tapped out a text on her phone. From the blushing smile on her face I could tell she was talking to Dalton. She finished the conversation and tossed the phone on the dashboard.

“I’m glad you’re back to stay,” I said. “I mean, obviously you won’t be living at the old Gentry homestead but I always hated the idea of you being hundreds of miles away.”

My sister touched my arm. “Me too.”

“And if you ever want a break from Dalton, your side of the room will always be waiting for you.”

“Like a shrine?”

“More or less.”

“You don’t have to do that. Feel free to use the space.”

“It’s not necessarily my call. Mom is pretty insistent that nothing in your former habitat ought to be altered.”

“She’ll come around.” Cami snorted with laughter. “On the other hand, I can easily picture Cord and Saylor Gentry faithfully dusting off our old dolls every day in the hopes we’ll return to play with them again.”

I wrinkled my nose. “That’s a little depressing.”

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