Prologue
“Julia? Julia, come down here. We’re waiting on you.”
Briefly glancing at my shut bedroom door, I finish scrawling in my journal. I have to get the words out before they drive me crazy.
“Julia!”
“Coming!” I hurry my last sentence, shove the tattered book under my pillow, and rush out the door and down the stairs to my waiting family. My sister rolls her eyes while dad looks pissed and mom worried.
Dad grabs my arm pulling me toward the door. “We’re going to be late because of you.”
“Sorry. I was finishing homework.”
“Just get in the car.”
Katie nudges my arm on the way. “Homework. Oh please. What are you up to?”
“Nothing.” I pull my sweater on and climb into the backseat, not at all excited to go spend the day at a family reunion. “I still don’t know why we have to go hang out with all these people we’ve never met.”
“Because we’ve never met them.” She glances out the window as she fastens her seatbelt. “You’re lucky to have blood relatives. You ever think of that?”
I pat her hand. “Sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“I know, but at least you know where you come from. I have to guess.”
“No, Katie. You come from us. Just because it’s not biological doesn’t mean you aren’t just as much a Caputo as I am. You know that.”
She nods, but her eyes are somber. “I don’t want everyone looking at me funny because I’m adopted.” Her eyes meet mine. “You know?”
“I get it, but mom and dad covered that. It’ll be fine. Besides,” I tuck my arm through hers. “You’re my sister no matter how we got here. You’re stuck with me.”
She finally smiles. “I’m glad to be stuck with you.”
“Good. We just have to get through a few hours and it’ll be fine.”
“Let’s hope.” We’re silent for a moment until she nudges me again. “What were you doing in your room? You can tell me.”
“Nothing.”
“Come on, Julia. You’ve been acting weird lately. What’s up?”
My eyes shift to my parents to make sure they aren’t listening. “You won’t tell anyone?”
“Of course not. Sister secret. You know that.”
“I’ve been having weird dreams lately. Vivid and strange, so I decided to write them down. When I write it out, it feels so real, like a movie.”
“What about?”
“A guy. He’s running in the dark, like through trees or something. He’s calling out to someone, but his voice is muffled.”
“Wow. Is he scared?”
“No, not scared. Desperate. I don’t think he’s being chased. I think he’s chasing.”
“What does he look like?”
I shake my head. “I don’t know. I can’t see his face clearly. I just know it’s a man and he’s young and he’s trying to catch up.”
“Weird. You’ve had this dream more than once?”
“Yes. Several times a week for a couple of months.”
Katie tilts her head. “Really? This has been going on that long?”
“Yup. Maybe it’s my hormones going wild.”
She laughs. “Turn fifteen and start dreaming of running boys.”
I laugh too. “Maybe, but I started writing it down and it helps me to get it out for some reason.”
“Well maybe they’ll stop soon or you’ll get to see his face.”
“Maybe.”
We finish the ride in silence until the car pulls into the parking lot of a huge historic church. Dad stops the car and him and mom have a soft chat before he turns to look at both of us.
“Okay, girls. Let’s try to act social and polite.”
“Yes, dad,” we say at the same time.
We all step out of the car and walk up the stone steps to the church. When we enter, mom signs the guest book as we wait behind her, before walking to the side door to go outside where the gathering is taking place. According to dad, the person that organized this is a distant cousin and did some kind of research to find all of us. Turns out most of us live within a hundred miles of each other and many much closer. As we enter the backyard, there’s a huge sign with all the family names written on it. Caputo, Minelli, Lombardo, and Abruzzo. Katie and I stand on the steps watching the hundreds of people filling the grassy area ahead of us while our parents start greeting people.
We walk through the crowd being introduced and smiling politely. We listen, bored straight, as adult after adult tries to connect our relation. When Katie excuses herself to go to the bathroom, I sneak off to sit on a bench out of the sun and away from all the people. I close my eyes, as I rub my forehead.
“Too much?” My eyes pop open at the sound of the male voice. A huge grin spreads across his face. “Hi.”
Oh my god, he’s so cute. I offer a smile. “Hi.”
“Mind if I sit with you?”
“Uh, no.” I scoot to my left as he plops down next to me.
He extends his hand. “I’m Diego. You?”
“Julia. Are we related?”
He shrugs. “Doubt it. I’m here with my aunt and uncle. My mom’s sister raises me.”
“What happened to your mom?”
“She died of cancer when I was a kid.”
My brow crinkles. “I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks.”
“What about your dad?”
“Never met the guy. My aunt took me in after my mom died. Her husband is Lombardo.”