Departures Read Online Free Page A

parents.”
    “Okay.”
    “Okay,” Christy said. This was all too bizarre. For seven long years—from third grade to ninth grade—she had waited for Matthew Kingsley to even look in her direction, let alone speak to her privately. Now he was standing a few feet away, ever so casually asking her if she wanted to “go do something.” Catching herself staring at Matthew, Christy looked away and said, “Okay, I’ll go ask them.” She turned to open the door to the house and then stopped to say, “Would you like to come in?”
    “Okay. Sure.” Matthew casually stepped forward and followed Christy into the kitchen.
    “Mom, Dad, do you remember Matthew Kingsley?” Christy said.
    Dad rose from his chair and held out his hand to shake with Matthew. “How are your parents doing?”
    “Fine, sir,” Matthew said. “They’re the same as always. I guess mymom has been making plans with you, Mrs. Miller, about the Fourth of July at the Dells.”
    “Yes, we thought we would meet there for a picnic like we used to when you kids were young.”
    This was the first time Christy had heard about the picnic plans. Why didn’t anyone ever tell her anything? She could have at least had a little more time to prepare herself for all these encounters with Matthew.
    “It’s nothing like it used to be at the Dells,” Grandpa piped up. “All commercialized now. You kids have no idea what it used to be like to take a canoe out on those waters and peacefully view the sandstone cliffs. Used to be a person felt he was exploring one of the wonders of the world, before all the tour boats started to clog up the waterways. That’s the only way to explore the Dells, you know—by canoe. That’s how the Indians did it. I can’t rightly stand to see all the moneymaking businesses that have spoiled the place.”
    Grandma reached over and patted Grandpa on the arm as a signal for him to stop the tirade. “Plenty of places on the Wisconsin River and in the Wisconsin Dells area are still remote and undeveloped, dear.”
    “Well, it’s a crying shame, that’s what it is,” Grandpa said. “I read in the paper just last week that over three million people come to the Dells each year. You tell me someone isn’t making a pretty penny on God’s natural wonder.”
    Grandma patted Grandpa’s arm again.
    “Only four places in the world where a person can see such unusual sandstone formations. Did you know that?”
    “It’s good to see you,” Mom said to Matthew, taking the focus off of Grandpa.
    “Switzerland is one,” Grandpa said. “And New York and here. And Germany too. I’ll bet you they don’t have any blasted helicopter tours in Switzerland. Or in Germany, either.”
    Grandma shot a stern look at Grandpa. He shook his head, still disgusted, but he kept quiet.
    Dad sat back down and gave Matthew a wave, as if he were dismissing him. “Tell your folks hi, and we’ll see them on the Fourth.”
    Matthew shot a look of “help” to Christy.
    “Matthew and I were wondering if we could go do something,” Christy said.
    “Oh?” Mom said.
    “What kind of plans did you have in mind?” Christy’s dad asked.
    “Nothing big,” Matthew said, addressing Christy’s dad with his shoulders back a little farther than they had been when Christy and Matthew entered the kitchen. “I thought we’d drive around and maybe get something to eat.”
    Christy’s dad looked at her mom. Mom smiled and nodded her approval.
    Grandma stepped in before Grandpa had a chance to lecture them on how courting was handled in his day. “If you two want to go to the movies, I think it’s still half price at the Bijou. But you have to arrive before six o’clock. Or maybe it’s seven o’clock. You haven’t much time if it’s six o’clock, but you’re welcome to call from here, if you’d like.”
    “That’s okay,” Christy said. The last thing she wanted was for her parents and grandparents to give their input on which movie they should see