Waiting Spirits Read Online Free Page A

strange events of the previous night.
    She slipped from beneath the covers and went to poke her head out the window. The sun was bright on the tangled, overgrown garden. Even the sight of the ruined summerhouse with its collapsed roof and broken walls couldn’t darken her mood—though she hated it when beautiful old things were allowed to get run-down like that.
    She glanced up. The sky was gloriously clear, not a cloud in sight. She pulled her head back inside then turned and hurried down the hall to take her shower. She planned to be out on the beach early. If nothing else, she would like to have a tan to show for her summer exile.
    She wondered what Dennis was doing. Sleeping, probably. Morning was not his favorite time of the day.
    When Lisa returned to the room after her shower, Carrie was sitting up in bed, looking nervous. “There you are,” she said, breathing a sigh of relief. “I was beginning to get worried.”
    â€œFor heaven’s sake,” said Lisa, toweling her hair. “How far away did you think I could get in—” She stopped. The haunted look in her sister’s eyes made her stomach turn. “I’m sorry, Carrie. I shouldn’t have left you alone!”
    â€œIt’s all right,” Carrie replied quickly. “Really. It’s just that last night was… “
    â€œWeird,” said Lisa, finishing the sentence. “Absolutely. I was thinking about it all through my shower. So what do you think? I know we swore as sacred sisters but maybe we should tell Mom and Dad what happened anyway… “
    â€œAre you kidding? They’d call in a whole army of shrinks.”
    Lisa grimaced. “That was what I decided, too. And I’m in no mood to be analyzed.” She glanced at the window. It was weird how a bright sunny day made it hard to hold on to the reality of last night’s strangeness. Turning back to Carrie, she said, “How do you feel? Are you all right?”
    â€œSure. It was just a little welcoming party, right? Or maybe it was that pizza we had for dinner. Can two people have the same nightmare?”
    Lisa smiled. “No, but they can both have the same breakfast. Come on, let’s go get something to eat.”
    Their mother was standing in the kitchen when they came downstairs. “Good morning, girls! Did you sleep well?”
    â€œI didn’t,” Carrie said. “Didn’t you hear Lisa snoring?”
    Lisa didn’t know whether to smile or frown. Carrie was certainly acting like her old self. Maybe she hadn’t been too scared after all. Turning to her mother, she said, “I’m going to the beach today. Okay?”
    â€œOf course,” said Mrs. Burton. “It’s about time you had a chance to get some sunshine.”
    â€œI’ll come, too!” said Carrie quickly. Lisa sighed. She really didn’t want her sister along. But it wasn’t a good day to leave her alone.
    Though they got to the beach by ten o’clock it was already crowded. Looks like everyone wants to welcome back the sunshine, thought Lisa as she scanned the broad stretch of sand for a vacant spot.
    â€œOver there!” said Carrie.
    â€œGood eyes, twerp.” They made their way to the spot and spread out their blanket. Lisa slipped out of her shirt. As she rummaged in her beach bag for the tanning lotion Carrie examined her critically, then said, “You’re not in bad shape for your age.”
    â€œWhat’s that supposed to mean?”
    â€œWell, let’s just say that if that guy comes along again today, you shouldn’t have any trouble attracting his attention. Of course, that bathing suit doesn’t hurt. Did I tell you how mad Daddy was when he saw it? I heard him complaining to Mom the week you got it.”
    Lisa looked down and assessed herself. The red bathing suit was a little skimpy, she supposed. But no more so than those that the other girls were wearing.