Touch of Eternity(6)

When I was still small, my dad and I built a wooden pier so that we could jump off it into the water, and to have a place to tie up our boat. I had happy memories of us sitting there together, letting our feet dangle into the lake. But since last summer, I didn’t like the pier as much.

Ashley had spent the month of June with us, and within a week, half the boys in town were in love with her—if love is the right word. Including Ryan. He’d been glued to her side the entire summer. One evening after I’d said good night, they went for a walk alone and then headed for the pier together, where they did God-knows-what. When Ashley came into the room we had to share, I pretended to be asleep. I couldn’t say what annoyed me more: that she sucked up so much of the town’s attention or that she had ruined my pier.

The thought that that terrible summer might repeat itself was depressing. And I was pissed that my parents had made the decision without me.

“Great. Sounds just great!” I grabbed my bag and stormed up to my room.

I felt quite content with the loud bang that reverberated through the house when I slammed the door. I turned my music way up and dropped onto the bed. I couldn’t believe I’d have to welcome Ashley for her magnificent comeback. And just when Ryan seemed to have noticed me for the first time. Oh well, I thought, who cares about them?

As I raked around in my backpack looking for my homework, I came upon Grandma’s red book.

I’m usually pretty tidy, but my bag is the exception—it’s ruled by anarchy. I thought I’d put the diary, or whatever this leather book was, onto my bookshelf, but apparently I hadn’t.

I leafed through it. Each page was filled with beautiful old-fashioned handwriting—tight, perfect, curvy shapes. I figured I’d have plenty of time to read through it on summer evenings, while dodging the Ashley-Ryan lovefest.

Then I remembered my real find. The necklace.

I tried to recall where I’d left it. I rummaged through the hamper in the bathroom until I found the pants I’d been wearing in Grandma’s attic. Phew, the necklace was there, in the pocket. I pulled it out and went back into my room. Twisting and turning the pendant under my desk lamp, I could now see that there was something written on the front above the arrows. The elegant writing was so delicate it was hardly visible.



Unfortunately, I couldn’t read all the letters. I brushed my fingers over the old words, and suddenly the pendant radiated a strong heat—so strong that I almost dropped it. The feeling disappeared as suddenly as it had come. I wondered whether I had only imagined it. But I could have sworn that the metal had almost scorched my hand. No, scorching wasn’t the right word; it hadn’t hurt. It was more of a very intense, good feeling—warm, like sitting in front of a campfire. I shook my head to sort my thoughts.

I slid my fingers over the letters again, bracing myself, but nothing happened.

Well, of course nothing happened, silly, I told myself. It was a piece of silver on an old chain! Still, I couldn’t help feeling disappointed.

My phone rang.

“Sam! Do you know what just happened?”

It was Kim, of course.

“What?”

“You won’t believe this. Justin Summers kissed me!”

“Justin?”

“After you left—and way to say good-bye, by the way—Ryan left in a hurry. And then all of a sudden, I was standing there alone with Justin.”

“Ryan’s best friend?”

“Yes… You don’t sound like you’re happy for me.”

It was obvious that Kim was disappointed with my commentary, so I quickly changed my approach.

“No, it’s great. Of course I’m happy for you! I just don’t quite understand what actually happened. Start at the beginning.”

“We were just standing around talking, and suddenly Justin looked really shy. Then he said he thought it was very sad that I was so into Ryan. And I was totally confused. But before I could say anything, he leaned down and kissed me.”

“Whoa!”

“I know, unbelievable! But you know what’s weird? I always thought he was kind of cute.”

Kim was speaking so fast that I had difficulty picking up everything. I hadn’t seen her this excited since we visited that candy factory in fifth grade.

“And, oh my God, he was a good kisser!”

“What about Ryan?” I asked.

“Well… it turns out Ryan is in love with someone else.” Kim could no longer hold back. She almost shrieked as she burst out, “And that someone is you!”

I almost dropped the phone.

“Me?”

“Well, that’s what Justin said, and he’s Ryan’s best friend.”