Free Love Comes Calling by Siri Mitchell

mother back to Maine to be buried and find my father to let him know what’s happened.”
    â€œYou have a father?” There was a Mr. Winslow? “How long have you had a father?” And why hadn’t I known about it?
    â€œOf course I have a father. Where do you think we went all those summers when you were down at the shore?” Now she was looking as if she were mad. As mad as a person like Janie could look. Her mouth was pinched in at the corners and her neck had gone red in splotches.
    I’d never seen anyone look like that, so I tried to make my mouth do the same thing, but I don’t think I succeeded. I’d have to practice in front of a mirror. It might come in handy to be able to pull a face like that.
    â€œHe’s a fisherman up in Maine. And this time of year, he’s probably already gone—”
    â€œGone where?”
    â€œ Fishing! Which is why I need some time.”
    Time? “In order to . . . ?”
    Throwing up her hands, she stalked to the door. I’d never seen her so mad! “Never mind. Forget the whole thing. I need someone I can count on, and I can see you’re not that person.”
    â€œWait. I know I’m not the most . . . I know I mess things up, but I can do this. I want to do this. I feel terrible about your mother, and I want to help you, I really do. Please. Let me try.”
    It was fascinating, watching suspicion and desperate need war in her eyes. As soon as she was gone, I’d practice that look too. Finally she sighed. “I don’t know who else I’d get to do it. You’re the only one I know who doesn’t already have a job or isn’t married, and you’re the only one I know who could even pretend to be me.”
    I threw my arms around her and gave her a hug. “I won’t let you down!” This was a perfect opportunity. The role I’d had in my own play had been make-believe, but this was real. And I was going to make sure I succeeded!

6
    E llis?” Janie was frowning as she disentangled me from her neck.
    I blinked. “What?”
    â€œStop looking like that. Every time you look that way, something bad happens.”
    â€œNothing bad is going to happen. I promise. Only . . . you’ll be away two weeks, and I’ll be working your job . . . do you think . . . could I keep the money I’ll be earning for you?”
    â€œAll of it?” Her voice wavered. “I guess . . . I suppose that’s only fair. . . .”
    This was perfect! It would solve all my problems. I’d work for two weeks, I’d earn some money I would not spend —no matter how badly I wanted to—and then I’d leave for Hollywood! I’d be gone before we even left for the summer house at the shore. I could have laughed out loud, I was that excited, but I didn’t think it would be proper. I had a job to do, and judging by Janie’s face, it was no laughing matter. People with jobs had to be serious, reliable, and dependable. In short, I would need to be the very opposite of me. Everything woulddepend on how well I played this role. I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity. “Talk to me for a minute.”
    â€œÂ . . . why?”
    â€œSo I can get your accent down. I’ll have to be able to do it if you want me to pretend to be you.”
    â€œYou’ll have to do more than talk like me.”
    You’ll have to do more than talk like me. You’ll have to do more than talk like me. “You’ll have to do more than talk like me.” No. That wasn’t it. It didn’t sound like she sent her words through her nose the way I did. I reached out my hand and cupped her nose. “Say that again.”
    She batted my hand away. “Pay attention!”
    Pay attention. Pay attention . “Pay attention.” I had it! “How was that?”
    â€œEllis, how