Matters of Faith Read Online Free

could nearly hear Meghan’s awed inhale, and I wondered if Marshall had somehow, subconsciously, picked this girl just for his little sister.
    This waif, this pixie, was a near dead ringer for Winona Ryder in Meghan’s favorite years—the funky leggings, spiky bangs, lots of buckles years. She grinned at Meghan and held her arms out. I almost cringed in embarrassment for her, trying too hard, too soon. But I underestimated something, either my daughter or Ada, and Meghan circled the car and hugged the girl, briefly, but hard. I moved down the steps quickly, and Marshall met me at the front of the car, lifting me off my feet for a moment.
    â€œWhat’s up, Mom?” he asked, letting me inspect his face. He hadn’t shaved, not that anyone more than three feet away from him would notice. He flushed and ran his hand across his jaw. “Come on.” He took my arm and turned me toward Ada. She flashed me the same grin she’d given Meghan. Thankfully—for both of us—she didn’t open her arms for a hug, but held her hand out. I shook with her, instinctively clasping my other hand over hers when I felt how cold her slender fingers were.
    â€œIt’s so nice to meet you, Mrs.—”
    â€œNo, call me Chloe.”
    â€œThank you, and thank you for having me to your home,” she said, pulling her hand from my grasp and looking up at the house, its three stories towering before her. She slid her dark sunglasses up into her hair as she tilted her head back, and I saw with a little shock that she had a thin, silver hoop through her left eyebrow. It winked in the sun, sparking cold and white like a star. She turned on that brilliant smile again, and I heard the screen door squeal open at the same time.
    â€œCal,” I said, turning around and motioning him down the steps. He hadn’t needed my encouragement and was nearly upon us. “This is Ada, Marshall’s friend.”
    â€œGreat to meet you, Ada,” Cal said, taking her tiny white hand in his. It disappeared up to the wrist in his big brown hand, like a bait fish, caught and calm with inevitability. “We’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”
    â€œDad,” Marshall said, appearing at Ada’s side and placing a proprietary arm across her shoulders. “How’s it going?”
    Oh , I thought with a start at his tone. Oh, this was new, this attitude, this was completely new. I didn’t even know what it was, some male thing, some claiming of manhood on Marshall’s part, some test. The very air was charged, with more than humidity, more than happiness at our son being home. Cal released Ada’s hand and clasped Marshall’s shoulder, giving him a shake. Marshall stood his ground, though I could tell it took effort.
    â€œIt’s good, kid,” Cal said, and I nearly flinched when I saw Marshall’s bravado collapse in the face of his father’s condescension. Cal had won for a moment.
    â€œCome on, come on,” Meghan said, tugging on Ada’s elbow. Ada ducked out from under Marshall’s arm and allowed herself to be pulled into the house, scattering the tension like so many flies. I reached out for Marshall and we walked into the house behind them, with Cal trailing after us. I heard the screen door catch his heel and felt a nasty little measure of satisfaction for that small, well-deserved punishment.
    AS Marshall finished unloading the car, he and Cal maneuvering around each other, I followed Ada. She trailed Meghan up the stairs slowly, glancing at the family photos that ran up the wall in their mismatched frames. Meghan was clutching an old-fashioned, battered train case in one hand, and with the other she steadied herself on the railing as she twisted back and forth to catch glimpses of Ada.
    I hung back when we reached Meghan’s room, leaning against the doorframe while Meghan gave her the grand tour.
    â€œDo you want the top?” Meghan