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past.”
    Dinner that night was a bumpy affair. No matter how lighthearted the conversation, Tessa’s mood continued to sour. At odd moments she would stare into space, completely checking out of the conversation.
    Shortly after ten, Tessa announced that she was cold and wanted to go inside.
    Instantly, everyone stood.
    â€œOh, this is just fabulous. Are you planning to carry me? Maybe we should call the piano movers.”
    â€œCome on,” said Jill. “Lighten up. We’re just concerned.”
    This time, Tessa managed to get up without losing her balance. She made her way slowly through the screened door and sat down heavily once again on the living room couch. “There,” she said, adding more loudly, “You can cancel the hoist and derrick.”
    â€œI’ll bring you a fresh ice pack,” said Jill, piling the dirty plates together.
    As they were cleaning up and loading the dishwasher in the kitchen, a knock came at the back door.
    â€œDon’t answer it,” called Tessa, with an unusual urgency in her voice.
    â€œDon’t be silly,” said Jill, wiping her hands on a towel. She hooted when she opened the door. “Jonah?”
    A tall, bushy-haired youth with a lopsided grin stood outside, soaked to the skin. “I … ah, I got caught in the storm.”
    â€œHow did you get here?” she asked, motioning him inside.
    â€œHitchhiked.”
    â€œFrom St. Louis?” called Tessa. She sat up straight, attempting to see over the kitchen island.
    â€œUmm … yeah?” He was wearing bell-bottomed jeans and an old army field jacket and had a folded red bandana tied around his forehead. Jane was surprised by how much he’d shot up since the last time she’d seen him.
    â€œYou’ve got to get those clothes off,” said Jill. “Are you cold?”
    â€œA little.” He dropped a two-strap duffle next to the island. “I don’t have any clean clothes.”
    â€œI’ll start a fire,” said Jill. “You need to take a hot shower. And then you can borrow something of mine. You know where I keep my sweats?”
    He smiled shyly at Jane and Cordelia. “Hey. You may not remember me—”
    â€œOf course we remember you,” said Jane. “You’re Jill and Tessa’s nephew.”
    â€œLooking a little the worse for wear,” said Cordelia, hand rising to her hip.
    â€œGet in here and give your other auntie a hug,” called Tessa. It was the first time all evening that she looked happy.
    His dark eyebrows shot up when he saw her foot propped on a pillow. “What happened?”
    â€œFell down the deck stairs, tore some ligaments in my ankle.”
    â€œBut she doesn’t want any sympathy,” said Jill.
    â€œI adore sympathy,” Tessa shot back. “Just don’t like hovering.”
    Jonah removed his wet Nikes before padding over to her to give her a kiss.
    â€œYour parents never called and said you were coming,” said Jill, following him into the living room with his mug of coffee.
    â€œThat’s because they don’t know.”
    â€œThey don’t know ?” said Tessa.
    â€œNope.”
    â€œYou just left?”
    â€œThey were in the middle of one of their thermonuclear shouting matches. I wrote a note, said I was going to stay with a friend for a few days. I doubt they even realize I’m gone.”
    â€œLord,” said Tessa, scooting herself farther back against the pillows. “Jill, we better call your brother.”
    â€œNot before I talk to you,” said Jonah, standing his ground. “Look,” he said, shoving his hands into his back pockets, “I hate St. Louis. I refuse to spend my senior year there. The school is totally lame. All those kids talk about is computer games and sports. I want to stay here, with you two. I want to be able to graduate with my class at Lost Lake High. Is that so much to ask? I