Gemm opened the bag, and a sweet pastry smell puffed into the air. “I ordered these special from the mainland,” she said. “They’re from my favorite bakery.” She pulled a large, golden, chocolate-studded cookie out of the bag and offered it to Lo.
Lo sighed. She took the cookie and stuffed it in her mouth, already looking guilty.
“Not like that, sweetie,” said Gemm. “These are special. Savor them.” She took a small bite. “Delicious.”
Lo’s tears didn’t quite come, but they shivered over her eyes like a rising tide. She wrapped the heavy wool blanket around her body and shuffled up the stairs.
Gemm opened her mouth to call after her, then closed it again. She looked at Noah, and he shook his head. Gemm raised her eyebrows but turned away, saying nothing.
Great, he thought. This summer is off to a perfect start.
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About the Author
Photo by Anna Niedzieska
BETSY CORNWELL is the author of Tides and the New York Times bestseller Mechanica. She graduated from Smith College and was a columnist and editor at Teen Ink before receiving an MFA in creative writing from Notre Dame, where she also taught fiction. After grad school, she ran away to Ireland to live with the fairies.
Learn more at www.betsycornwell.com
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