Read Online Half In Love With Death by Emily Ross - Free Book Online

funny but my Geraldine, she never came home. There’s not a night I don’t leave a light on for her.”
    I froze. Geraldine. The cashier stared straight at me, as if she knew my sister was missing just like Geraldine was, and saw right through my pathetic attempt to be happy. May grabbed my wrist and pulled me away.
    â€¢ • •
    When we were outside, May turned to me. “I’m sorry. I forgot she worked there.” She added in a whisper, “My sister and Geraldine were in some of the same classes. Linda said she was smart and interested in fish.”
    â€œMarine biology,” Sheila said. She cupped her hands around her lips. “Some kids say that she was murdered, and that her spirit walks the desert.”
    â€œWhat?” It felt like the air was rushing out of me. “Who’s saying that?”
    May glared at Sheila. “Linda says those are just rumors.”
    First Mom mentioning Geraldine, and now rumors I’d never heard. There was so much I didn’t know. “I need to talk to them.”
    â€œNo, you don’t,” May said. “They’re really bad news. And there’s no such thing as spirits.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Please don’t blab this around. Linda told us not to tell anyone, and we’re only telling you because of what happened to Jess.”
    What happened to Jess? I got the awful taste of onion rings in my mouth. Black shreds of darkness floated in the air. It was like all their whispers were tearing me apart, and at any moment I was going to faint. “We better get going. Mom will kill me if I’m late,” I said.
    â€¢ • •
    Speedway grew livelier as we waited for the bus. Cars full of kids cruised by. Some slowed and boys called out to us. Everyone was out looking for someone or something. I gripped my bag tightly. Soon the night would close over us, and this would be Jess’s world—the world we’d lost her in.
    It felt like the bus would never come. I was relieved when Tony pulled up in his gold car and rolled down the window. “You girls want a ride home?”
    I looked from May to Sheila. May mouthed, No .
    â€œThank you, but we’re taking the bus,” I said.
    Tony sighed. “Caroline, this is Speedway. Any minute the rattlesnakes will be slithering out of the woodwork. You really want to wait for the bus?”
    I looked at May again. She shrugged.
    â€œIf you really don’t mind,” I said.
    Tony smiled. “It will be my pleasure.”
    They sat in back while I sat in front. The car smelled like my parents’ house after a party—“eau de cigarettes and stale beer.” I kicked aside some paper cups on the floor and put my bags down by my feet.
    â€œYou buy some nice stuff?” Tony fiddled with the radio.
    â€œSchool clothes,” I replied.
    â€œThree little schoolgirls,” he said, and I could feel May and Sheila holding back laughter. “Jess always said you loved to study.” The car became silent.
    â€œI suppose I do,” I said.
    As he drove fast with one hand on the wheel, the other reaching for a cigarette, he said, “Light that for me, hon.” I beamed, hoping Sheila and May had heard, and lit his cigarette and handed it back to him. “Thanks, I needed that,” he said, exhaling. “You girls want a smoke?”
    â€œNo thanks,” Sheila said.
    â€œNot even you, May? I could have sworn you were the sophisticated French actress type.”
    She stared into her hands and didn’t answer. He took a curve so fast I was pushed up against him. “Whoa,” he said. “Sorry about that, sugar.” He patted my arm with his free hand. When we got to May’s house he said, “It sure was nice meeting you, hon.”
    I was jealous that he called her hon, too, but all she did was frown and say, “Thanks for the ride.”
    â€œI’m getting out here,