Page 41 of Nineteen Seventy-Six

“How long are you here?”

“We leave tomorrow.”

Evangeline’s eyes narrowed. “When did you get in?”

“Yesterday.”

“Short trip.”

“Is this an interrogation?”

“Just seems weird. That’s all. No notice. You just show up…”

“Weird that I want to see my sister?”

“Without calling? Out of the blue? Spontaneously? Yes.”

Colleen wrung her hands under the table. She hated to lie, under any circumstance, but especially to Evie. The strength of their bond relied on the purest form of honesty; the rawest of vulnerabilities.

But this isn’t your truth, Colleen.

“I realized that I might not see you again until Christmas.”

“And that’s if I come home,” Evangeline said, tearing off a hunk of bread from the basket the waiter dropped off. She shoved it in her mouth and continued. “I only came home last Christmas because everything at home was a mess.”

“Who says it’s not a mess still?”

Evangeline swallowed and tore off more bread. “You’re going back to Scotland, so it must have settled some.”

“My life is there now. With Noah and Amelia.”

“You stayed in New Orleans for six months, Leena.”

Colleen refused a drink, opting for water. Evangeline ignored the waiter altogether, until he walked away with an awkward shuffle. “Is that an accusation, or a question?”

“Just making a point.”

“Okay,” Colleen said, drawing out her syllables. “There were a few reasons, I suppose. I had work to do, to set things up in Ophelia’s absence. I was worried our brother was going off the deep end, and since you haven’t asked, I’ll just say this: he’s wearing denim. Yes, Augustus. Take that as you will. I didn’t think Amelia would be ready for an airplane in her first few months, and I wanted her to have time with Mama and her uncles and aunts before I took her away again.”

“Those are all good reasons,” Evangeline said, her face unreadable.

“But?”

“But that doesn’t explain why you’re here. And why you look so…”

“So, what?”

“I don’t know. Jittery.”

Colleen tensed. “Well, Evie, it’s been a jittery few months for us.”

“No,” Evangeline said, wagging her finger. “That’s not it.”

“I don’t know what you’re getting at. I just wanted to see my sister.”

“Okay, Colleen,” Evangeline said and a sudden smile spread over her face. “Whatever your reasons, I’m glad you’re here.”

“Whatever my—” Colleen shook her head. “Tell me about you. Last time we talked, when you called…”

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