At last, it"s the final day of school. On the bus going home, even the air around me feels lighter than it has for a long time, since before the mill was sold. That"s the first surprise.
The second is when the bus pulls up to the house. I see Willa OUT IN THE YARD! It"s a rare thing, especially when no one else is out there with her. My auntie"s head is up, and her nose is flared like a dog scenting something real interesting.
"See you next fall," Mr. Bailey tells me when he opens the bus door, so I can get out. He turns around in the drive and then heads back out to the road.
It"s only then that my aunt seems to notice I"m home.
I go to her. "Auntie?" I say real cautious-like so as not to spook her.
"Deidra Ann," she answers, face set to catch the soft breeze that"s coming from the d
