The Lilac Tunnel: My Journey with Samantha

I tell Eddie I’m not going to Piney Point. His face darkens, still a liar, he mutters, disappearing back into the hedge with a rustle of leaves. And honestly, I do feel like one. If there were any way to ask Dad’s permission, I’d take it, but there isn’t, and he’d probably say no anyway, strict as he’s been lately about rules like no emailing, blogging, or posting online without asking first, since the internet is such a public place. Apparently, so are phone lines a hundred years ago.

A sudden ache of homesickness hits, the same way I missed Dad right after my parents’ divorce. I need to tell Samantha I can’t go to Piney Point with her, before Eddie beats me to it, and honestly, I’m ready to see Dad again. Sitting with her beneath the oak tree, its leaves rustling overhead, I explain: I miss my family too much, and should catch the first train to Plattsburgh tomorrow. She looks away for a long moment, then smiles, saying it’s all right. She knows what missing family feels like.

Samantha heads inside to find Grandmary again, and I lean against the bark of the tree, wishing I knew how to cheer her up. Reaching into my pocket, I find the friendship bracelet Stella made me, and tying it onto my wrist, an idea comes to me.