Page 27 of Haunting the Deep

“Yeah, maybe our Haxtun relative sent this for the dance?”

“I don’t know the Haxtuns. It does seem odd for one of them to send you a dress out of the blue like this, though.” My dad laughs. “And we were just talking about you girls meeting here for pictures.”

I swallow. Does he have any idea how weird this is? Or does he just think it’s a strange coincidence?

“My mom’s sisters do this constantly,” Alice says quickly, and I’m extremely grateful to her for normalizing it. “I think I had seven different dress options for my tenth birthday.”

“If this Myra knows about your school dance, she must live nearby. Want me to ask Mae about her?” my dad asks.

I shake my head. “Don’t worry. I’ll ask her. That way I can send a thank-you card or something.”

“Whoever saw someone look so gloomy after getting a beautiful dress.” He smiles at me. “You used to love them when you were little.”

My shoulders relax. “They’re uncomfortable and I always trip,” I say. I couldn’t be more thrilled he thinks I’m upset only because it’s a dress.

“Here.” He hands me back the card. “I’ll check outside for a delivery slip.”

Or maybe I’m wrong. Maybe he does think it’s weirder than he’s letting on. My dad opens the door, steps outside, and closes it behind him.

The girls move in so close, all of our shoulders touch.

“Isawthis dress in my dream. The very first dream I had. It was on the deck of the ship,” I say fast and nervously.

Alice rubs her forehead. “And we were talking about the dance when it showed up. Another item appearing out of nowhere. And I don’t believe in coincidences. I think Redd was right that we started something. Don’t mess with this dress until we decide what to do with it.” Even in a whisper she sounds bossy.

“We need to track down this Myra H.H.,” Susannah says. “I’m gonna ask my mom. Mary, you do the same.”

“I’ll look in my grandmother’s study. Maybe she has some sort of record of our extended relatives. And not to change the topic, but as far as meeting here before the dance goes…Do you really think we should be going anywhere near somethingTitanic-themed?”

“We can’t be sure the dance is even connected. But if it is, there’s no question that we have to go. We need all the information we can get.” Alice gives me a warning look. “And I’m serious about not touching that dress, Sam.”

If Alice is right that the dance is inevitable, I need to talk to Jaxon. Everything’s changed since this morning. The door opens, and we all jump a foot apart.

“No delivery slip,” my dad says.

“Yeah, I’ll give you a call later with the homework assignment,” I say to Susannah.

Mary picks up her bag, which was resting near the mail table.

“You girls get home safe,” my dad says. “And come over soon so we can plan what to do for those pictures.”

“Sure thing, Mr. M,” Mary says.

The door shuts behind them, and it’s just me, my dad, and the awful dress.

My dad wraps his arm around my shoulder. “That was fun.”

I look up at his chin, which has a little bit of stubble on it. “You’re just basking in the fact that you’re hosting the pre-dance get-together,Mr. M.”

“That was all your friend Mary’s idea. I’m only the hired help around here.”

“Uh-huh.”

He smiles. “It was nice having them over, though, wasn’t it? You’ve finally met a group of people who avoid brightly colored clothing the way you do. I better not take you girls anywhere at night. I might lose you.” He winks atme.

Iblow on a hot cup of strawberry-mint tea and stare at the dress box on my window seat. My phone buzzes on my nightstand.

Jaxon:Talk tomorrow. Going to bed.