Red Rain

20

“My parents say we’ll have a house in Malibu. That’s where they are right now. In L.A., buying it. It’s right on the ocean. See, you go out the back door and you’re on the beach.”

“That’s awesome, Ruth-Ann. Can I come live with you? I mean really.”

“It’s like being on vacation all the time. Only you live there. And there are celebrities all over the beach. You know. Movie stars. And TV. And you just hang out with them.”

“You think Johnny Depp could be your neighbor?”

“No way. He’s too old. They don’t let old people in Malibu.”

The girls both laughed. They sat almost side by side on Ruth-Ann’s bed, talking and texting each other at the same time.

“Dylan Sprouse?”

“You like him? I like the other one.”

“They could be your neighbors. You could hang with them and they’d ask you to be on TV. And you’d be a star.”

“No way, Elena. I’m only fourteen. I don’t want to be a star till I’m sixteen.”

That made them both laugh again.

Elena Sutter and Ruth-Ann Glazer had been friends since third grade, and best-best friends for two years since sixth grade, mainly since they shared the same sense of humor, although Ruth-Ann was the real wit, sharp and sarcastic. And because they lived two houses down from each other and were in the same eighth-grade class at Sag Harbor Middle School, and because they looked so much alike, they could be sisters.

They agreed that Ruth-Ann looked like the older sister, because she was at least four inches taller than Elena, and already had the beginnings of a woman’s body, meaning she had breasts, and wore her hair in a more sophisticated, layered look, which she acquired during one of her many trips with her parents to L.A.

They were both pretty and smart and popular. They both had an easy way of getting along with other kids, and of not getting in their own way when it came to success at school. They were both spoiled but not in an obnoxious way. They knew how to get whatever they wanted from their parents and still allow their parents to think they were the ones in charge.

Elena was a miniature fourteen-year-old version of Lea, her mother. Creamy-white skin framed by straight, black hair, serious dark eyes, a delicate face and a wiry body, perfect for the gymnastics classes that she was becoming more serious about.

They tapped on their phones for a few minutes without speaking. Elena’s phone bleeped. She squinted at the screen. “Ethan.”

Ruth-Ann lowered her phone. “Ira’s friend Ethan? What’s he want?”

Elena shrugged. “Nothing. Just said ’sup.” She thumbed the keys rapidly.

Another bleep. “He wants to come over. His PlayStation broke.”

“Tell him no way. Tell him your brother Ira isn’t here. He’s at your house. Ethan pretends he wants to hang with Ira. Then he just stares at you. Like a sad puppy dog.”

Elena laughed. “He does look like a puppy dog.” The light from her phone gave her face a pale tint. “Hey, I’m not kidding about Malibu. Your parents would let me come with you, right? Just for the summer, I mean.”

Ruth-Ann studied her friend. “You’re joking. You’re getting two new brothers, and you want to come live with me?”

Elena scrunched up her face. “Why do I want two new brothers?”

“Because they’re hot? Show me that photo again.” She grabbed Elena’s phone and began shuffling through photo screens. She stopped at the twins’ photo and brought it close to her face.

Elena grabbed it away from her. “You think they’re cute? I think they’re blond freaks.”

“You’re messed up, Elena. They are totally hot. I mean, for twelve-year-olds. Check out those smiles. Those dimples on this one’s cheeks. What’s his name? Danny? Adorable. They could be on TV. Really.”

Elena stuck her finger down her throat and made a gagging sound.

She squinted at the photo. Daniel and Samuel. Wavy blond hair, almost white. And those big blue eyes. Wearing red T-shirts way too big for them. And those sick, sweet smiles.

“Like they’re posing as angels,” Elena said. Where did that thought come from? Weird!

“Where are they going to stay?” Ruth-Ann studied the photo. “Are you changing rooms? They’re not moving into the playroom downstairs, are they?”

“No way. Dad fixed up the attic. He made it really awesome. He bought them a laptop and a TV, and he got them a Wii. He said they’ve had a tough life. He wants to make things nice for them.”

“Tough life? No kidding. They lost both their parents, didn’t they? And their house? And all their stuff?”

Elena nodded. “I think Dad wants to write a book about them.”

Ruth-Ann handed the phone back to Elena. “For real? You know, my parents were talking about your dad’s book. Did you read it?”

“Not really. Just kinda looked at it.”

“Mom said the book says parents should let kids do whatever they want. Just let them be free. My parents made jokes about it. They said it would make a great sitcom.”

“Is that all your parents think about? Sitcoms?”

“Well, yeah. Their show was picked up for another year. All they talk about are jokes and scripts and stuff.”

“Ruth-Ann, do you watch it?”

“Of course not. No way.”

They both laughed.

Elena twisted the phone in her hand. “My dad’s book isn’t true. He is stricter than your parents. I mean, he doesn’t let Ira and me do what we want. I always have to trick Mom into letting me go places. Or Roz. Roz is the easiest because she’s busy worrying about Axl.”

“I forgot about Axl. It’s gonna be crowded in your house, Elena. I mean, a mob.”

“That’s why I want to come to Malibu with you guys.”

“How is Ira taking the new brothers thing? Is he freaking?”

“Of course he’s freaking. Ira freaks when his shoelace comes untied.”

“Now you sound like my parents. They’d like that joke. They’d type it into their BlackBerries right away.”

“It’s no joke. The poor kid is totally stressed already. I mean, he thinks sixth grade is really hard.”

Ruth-Ann snickered. “Wait till he gets to eighth.”

“He hates his teacher. Miss Montgomery. Did you have Montgomery?”

“No. I had Price, remember?”

“Montgomery acts real nice. She’s real pretty and she’s very sweet, but she gives hours and hours of homework every night. And then she doesn’t even collect it or go over it or anything. Ira says she just makes you do it.”

Ruth-Ann snickered. “Tell Ira to suck it up.”

Elena sighed. “I think he really misses Mom and Dad when they’re both away. Roz is great. But. . you know.”

Elena’s phone rang, startling her. She stared at the screen, but she didn’t have to. She recognized her dad’s ringtone.

“Hi, Dad. Oh. Okay. Okay. I’m coming. Bye.”

She clicked the phone shut. “It’s my new brothers. They’re here. I gotta go.” She jumped to her feet and strode out of the room. She was making her way down the stairs when she heard Ruth-Ann’s shout.

“Hey, Elena-good luck.”