Page 133 of Beneath the Blue Moon
“Casey?”
I open my eyes to the afternoon sun shining in through thedrapes.
“I’m sorry.I didn’t mean to wake you.”
Sitting up, I find Anna poking her head through the door.Ismile, motioning for her to enter.
“Come in.Just give me two minutes.”
As she walks in, I head to the bathroom.I return to findher sitting at the foot of the bed, looking nervous and unsure of herself.
“Hi.”
“Hi.Sorry, I didn’t come sooner, but I wasn’t sure you wereup to company.”
“No need to apologize.I’m the one who owes you an apology.”
“For what?”
“I promised I would help you and I just disappeared.”
“I understand.I heard what happened, and I figured you’dneed some time.”
“I did.”
“But you’re back.”She smiles.“I’m glad.”
“Me, too.”
“Uncle Ethan was a total dragon when you left.He loves you.”
I know.“What about that boy you told me about?”
She gives me a toothy grin and moves closer.“After Istopped feeling sorry for myself, he asked me out.”
“Of course he did.”
“We’ve been out a few times, and it’s going well.”
“I’m glad.You deserve to be happy.”
“So do you.”
Clara appears in the doorway, looking distracted.“Casey, Ihave to run out for a bit.”
“That’s fine.Go ahead.”
“Anna can keep you company.I won’t be long.”
“No problem, Aunt Clara,” Anna says.
We spend the next half hour talking about everything andnothing.She’s a wonderful girl.Smart and funny, too.I feel a weirdconnection to her I can’t explain.Maybe it’s the fact that we both lost ourparents.
In the middle of a sentence, she freezes, panic taking overher features.
“What’s wrong?”
Leaning forward, she whispers in my ear, “Whatever she says,don’t listen to her.”
