Page 127 of Protecting You

“Yeah. Just ahead.” Alyssa pointed to the gallery Brooklynn had opened a few years back. The original rotting wooden siding had been replaced with teal-colored aluminum. Brooklynn had painted the shutters bright white and added a fancy sign in the front, making the place look cheerful and inviting, a perfect reflection of her personality. “Take a left right after it.”

Callan turned onto a street that was no more than an alley separating Brooklynn’s gallery from the souvenir shop next door. There was a parking lot, but it looked full, even though the summer season didn’t officially start until after Memorial Day, more than a month away.

“Park behind Brooklynn’s truck.” Alyssa indicated the spot, and Callan maneuvered the Mustang into the tiny space between the orange Bronco and the crumbling asphalt that separated her driveway from the parking lot. An outdoor stairway rose to the third floor.

“Your sisterliveshere?” Peri asked.

Climbing out of the car, Alyssa said, “Above her store. She’s a photographer, and she sells her pictures downstairs.”

“That’s so cool.”

It was pretty cool, actually. Brooklynn had taken her lifelong love of photography and turned it into a business.

“Can we see it?”

“There’s probably not enough time today,” Alyssa said, “but another time. I know she’d love to show you around.”

The second-floor door opened, and Brooklynn stepped onto the landing and leaned over the railing, waving. “Come on up.”

They took the metal stairs and stepped into her apartment.

“Come in, come in.” Brooklynn closed the door behind them, her cheerful smile wide. She was party-ready, with her curled dark brown hair falling in waves halfway down her back. She wore a bright pink dress with white polka dots and pink kitten heels with a white sparkly bow. If Alyssa had to guess, her sister would have a purse that matched the outfit perfectly.

Suddenly, it occurred to Alyssa that her sister would have a closet filled with bright-colored dresses covered with daisies and sunflowers.

Maybe she should’ve borrowed from Cici instead.

“Brooklynn, I’d like you to meet Cal?—”

“Caleb.” He stuck out his hand to shake. “It’s great to meet you. This is my daughter, Peri.”

“Peri.” Brooklynn’s smile widened when she focused on the child. “That’s a fabulous name.”

Peri started to say something, then closed her mouth, looking confused.

“It’s a nickname, right?” Alyssa said quickly. “Tell my sister your real name. She’ll love it.”

“Persephone,” Peri said. “After the goddess of springtime.”

Brooklynn gasped and slapped her hand to her chest. “That is literally the coolest name I’ve ever heard. You are so lucky!”

Peri’s grin was shy but authentic.

“You guys need something to eat or drink?” Brooklynn asked. “Water, soda?”

Peri shot an eager look at Callan,Caleb, who said, “Water, if it’s no trouble.” To his daughter, he added, “I’m sure you’ll get your fill of treats at the party.”

“Oh, she will.” Brooklynn winked at Peri. “I promise.” She waved toward the living room to one side of the door. “Make yourselves at home.” She hooked her arm through Alyssa’s. “Come on, sis. You can help.”

Not that Brooklynn needed help getting two whole glasses of water, but she followed her into the kitchen.

Brooklynn’s photography adorned the walls, of course. One in the kitchen was new. Brooklynn had captured the sun peeking over the horizon, casting the waves in shades of red and bronze. In the background, the rocky spit of land that edged the south end of the cove was snow-covered. “That’s breathtaking.”

Brooklynn smirked at the photo. “It’s okay. It’s not what I was going for. I’m trying to get a specific shot, and I just can’t seem to get it right. It’s frustrating.”

Alyssa imagined her sister setting the shot up in the dark, waiting for the sun to rise. Waiting for the perfect wave. Snapping, snapping. Then trying again another day.

And then, she saw it differently. “You take someone with you, right? You don’t go out by yourself in the dark.”

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