Free Second Chances by Brenda Chapman Page B

I’d go. I looked toward the back of the store. All I would need was for one of my parents to walk in and hear me agreeing to go swimming with her. I put her stuff into a paper bag and slid it across the counter. She threw in two packs of gum that she’d taken from the display. I rang everything into the register. “Two dollars and ten cents.”
    â€œCall it a babysitting job, you know, when you come. I’ll pay you to watch Seany while I swim. It’ll be good to have you. It gets lonely there all day by myself.”
    â€œI’ll try to come after lunch.”
    Candy reached in slow motion into the pocket of her skirt and pulled out a lighter. Her face puckered. “Damn! I forgot my money. Can I pay you tomorrow?”
    â€œMom doesn’t let … “
    â€œThat’s okay. I’m good for it.”
    Candy grabbed the bag and had tucked it against her hip as if she was carrying a baby. Her eyes drifted past mine and focused on the dust particles dancing in the late afternoon sunlight streaming in through the window. She moved toward the door and I didn’t know how to stop her.
    â€œYou can pay me tomorrow when I come babysit,” I called.
    Now I’ll have to go see you.
    â€œYou’re an angel. A beautiful little red-haired angel.” Candy waved at me and stepped through the door.
    She let the screen door snap shut, and I moved in front of the window to watch her trip down the path toward the road. She looked ghostly in her white skirt and floating steps, almost dancing into the trees, her hair flowing behind her like golden ribbons. I watched until she had disappeared from view before going back to my seat on the stool behind the counter. I stared back toward the window and tried to make my eyes focus on a story in the magazine, but all I kept thinking about was Candy leaving Sean alone in the house.
    A few minutes later, a car door slammed. I lifted my head. Elizabeth bounded into the store. She was carrying a shopping bag, and she was smiling. “That was a great day,” she said. “Too bad you decided not to come.”
    I pretended it had been my choice to stay. “What did you buy?”
    â€œA few tops and the best pair of black clogs. It wasn’t Toronto, but it was good to get into a mall again. It was like … like there is life after Cedar Lake.” She took a few steps and turned around. “Michelle and Danny will meet us at the beach around nine. Is that okay?”
    â€œI guess I can fit it in.”
    I watched Elizabeth saunter through the store and enter the kitchen, letting the door swing closed behind her. Her voice mingled with my parents’. My father’s low rumble seemed to go on a long time. Elizabeth said something I couldn’t make out and my father laughed.
    A burning feeling started in my stomach and worked its way up. I crumpled up the magazine and flung it against the wall with all my might. It made a satisfying thunk when it hit. I lowered my arm and laid it across the counter, then rested my cheek in the crook of my elbow. I stayed that way until the bell jingled and a customer came in to buy milk.
    â€œI’ll catch up with you at the beach,” I said to Elizabeth. “Dad wants me to stock shelves before I go. We have tins of cat food that need urgent stacking. Code red. Cats won’t sleep soundly tonight unless the Findley shelves are full of Puss n’ Boots.”
    We were in the bedroom getting ready for the beach party.
    â€œYou should stand up for yourself and tell him where he can put the cat food,” said Elizabeth, leaning into the mirror to put another layer of mascara on her lashes. “What are you, his bloody slave?” Her eyes found mine in the glass.
    I stretched my arms to the ceiling and pulled a clean T-shirt over my head. It was dark green and scoop-necked and fit me better than most tops I owned. It made my eyes look greener than usual and my chest