Page 62 of The Starfish Sisters

I roll ever so slightly closer, burying my face into his skin. In his sleep, he rumbles slightly and tucks me into his chest, and it’s all I’ve really ever wanted, right here. Love. Connection. Peace.

This, please.

THEN

I CANHEARYOUCALLING

May 30, 19—

Dear Suze,

I found out my parents are taking us to Italy this summer, for two whole weeks. I’m so sad! I mean, I should be glad, I guess, but I don’t want to miss the summer with you and Joel. Last summer was so much fun and I have been looking forward to this one so so so much!

Also, they fight all the time. Like, allllllll the time. About everything. Which plates to put on the table, how to stop at a stop sign (how hard can it be? Just stop!!!), where I should go to college (like it’s any of their business). I don’t think my dad is sleeping in their bedroom anymore. I found him on the couch a couple of times, all settled in like he’s used to it.

So I don’t get why they want to take a vacation together. I hope they don’t fight the whole time. I think they should go by themselves, have a second honeymoon, and leave me here. Amma says I should adjust my attitude and try to get something out of it. Italy is a place where a lot of great artists developed their skills.

It’s just not going to be as much fun as hanging out with you and Joel.

Love,

Phoebe

June 4, 19—

Dear Phoebe,

Are you kidding me? Italy???? And you’re mad about it?

You are spoiled.

The End.

Love,

Suze

June 4, 19— #2

Just kidding. I’m super super jealous, though. I wish I could go someplace like that, even with fighting parents.

Not that my dad is fighting. I think he’s going to marry Mrs.Armstrong. They’ve been all moony lately and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a ring on her finger sometime soon.

Also, you won’t be seeing Joel this summer anyway. I thought I told you that he’s going to Seattle to stay with his dad this summer. He really doesn’t want to but his mom insists, so he has to. He left already, the last day of school.

So it’ll just be me and you, like old times. But there’s something fun going on—I made friends with these hippies in the house behind the church. There’sfive people who actually live there, but a lot of others who come over. I really like a girl named Mary, and her boyfriend. They’re so nice, and Mary is teaching me to macramé. They also have KITTENS! Five of them. One is the sweetest little baby you ever saw, black with a half-white mustache. He gets into things so bad. Mary’s brother is so sweet and nice, named Victor. He has blond hair that he wears in a braid and he knows how to do this very intricate beading. He taught me to make earrings, which of course I have to hide.

I miss you. Can’t wait for you to get here. Two weeks isn’t that long. We still have the whole rest of the summer.

From Joel

June 3, 19—

Dear Suze,

This is my new address, so you can write me whenever you want. All the time. I’ll write you, too.

My dad wants me to get a job, so I’ve been applying at all kinds of restaurants. I think I might have a job as a dishwasher at a fish house, which wouldn’t be so bad.