Read Online Kin by Lesley Crewe - Free Book Online Page A

which it hadn’t. The water would still be bone cold.
    Down at the beach, they did their customary stop at the bluffs to overlook the entire bay. Mira Gut was to the right and Catalone was in front of them. Scaterie Island was to the far left. The slight rolling hills that made up the horizon directly across from them were something Annie could picture in her head when she closed her eyes, as if that background had been imprinted on her mind.
    They both kicked off their shoes and socks and carried them when they realized that the stream was too wide to jump over. The bubbling sound of the water cascading over and around the rolling pebbles was familiar, the water freezing cold and brackish, and a few rocks were slippery with moss. It took great skill not to fall in completely. Their toes were numb, so they stopped in the dry white sand and took the time to put their socks and shoes back on—no easy task when your feet are wet and sandy.
    Then they were off to Long Beach, once they navigated the huge boulders that sat on one particular part of the shoreline. It was easy to cross if the tide was low, but pretty difficult when the tide was high, so you had to plan your escape if you wanted to come back the beach way. Fortunately there was easy access to where they wanted to go, just by cutting through the fields and orchards at the back of the Dillon property.
    Long Beach was a vast, gently curved stretch of unsullied sand. It took a good three minutes to run across it to the next point, and only if you ran really fast. It was a great beach for writing on with a stick. Your sentence could go on forever.
    They headed back onto land and through the woods to get to the edge of the Johnsons’ property, following an old pathway. Annie often thought it would be scary if they veered off course, but David taught her to always keep the sound of the waves close so that she knew where the beach was; that way she wouldn’t get lost in the thick brush.
    They eventually emerged at the back of Joe and Eunie’s house. Annie skipped up to the back door first and rapped on it.
    â€œCome on in,” cried Aunt Eunie. It sounded like she was in the pantry.
    They both entered the house and the smell of baking made Annie’s stomach growl. “Hi, Mrs. Johnson.”
    Eunie appeared in the doorway. “Goodness gracious, call me Aunt Eunie. We’re practically family. You’ve both grown so tall! Lila will be happy to see you. We weren’t sure if you were coming today or tomorrow.”
    â€œWhere is she?” Annie asked.
    â€œWell, she has several places she likes to go. She and Freddy are never indoors.”
    Just then the sound of a dog barking heralded Lila’s arrival. Annie and David ran out the back door as Lila and the dog emerged from the trees.
    â€œAnnie! David!”
    Lila and Annie ran to each other and hugged tightly. Then Lila let Annie go and she ran and hugged David too. He was a good sport about it.
    â€œHi, Lila. I like your dog.”
    â€œFreddy’s the best dog in the whole world.” She bent down to give Freddy a quick head rub, as he wiggled in and around the three friends. “Are you here to stay now?”
    â€œWe’re free!” Annie shouted. “I’m free of Miss Doom and Gloom!”
    Just then Aunt Eunie stuck her head out the door. “I’ve got some bologna sandwiches made and lemonade. Would you like a picnic?”
    They all shouted yes and were soon on their way to the beach to sit in the warm sand and eat to their hearts’ content. Even Freddy got a sandwich, which he gulped whole. He also finished off the lemon tarts they couldn’t eat. Then they lay back in the beach grass and looked at the giant clouds going by. Annie talked and talked and talked and David and Lila listened, or pretended to listen. Lila laughed at David when he’d interrupt his sister to give Lila the real facts of every story Annie told. Annie