Excerpt
The first time Brenda saw her cousin, Angelique, she looked like a black angel. Dark as sweet chocolate, dressed in shades of cinnamon chiffon. As Angelique stood at the top of the Amtrak train stairs, Brenda took one look at her and knew she had the Power. It glimmered around her. She glanced at her father. He obviously didn't see how special Angelique was; even Angelique seemed unaware of the strength of the sparkling light she threw out that Saturday morning.
"Angelique, is that you?" Brenda's father lifted the girl from the train to the ground. The layers of her dress floated in the air like wings. "Look how you've grown. Last time I saw you, you were only as tall as a dream, and now you and your cousin Brenda are growing like rainbows into the sky."
Brenda was used to her father talking like poetry, every now and then. Grandmom said he was one of those people who'd been born in a moment of luminosity and had no choice. He was an artist who made things out of anything he found on the street, and taught elementary school. Fortunately, Brenda was never in his classes, but Grandmom said that was just the way it should be, plain and simple, and Brenda should thank her mother in heaven for looking after her.
A porter carried Angelique's suitcases to the platform.
"Girl, your mother sent you with enough clothes for a year, and you're only here for the summer. That's just like Julia." He laughed. "This is a beautiful dress, but I hope you got some playing-around clothes."
"Yes, sir." Angelique said.
"In North Carolina that's the polite thing to say, but there are no 'sirs' here in Philly. Uncle Larry will do. Okay?"
"Yes, Uncle Larry," she said slowly.
"How's your parents doing?" he asked.
"Mother is busy with her charity work, and Father's business is doing very well." Angelique smoothed her dress.
"Good. Now let's get you home so your grandmother can take a look at you. She's cooked quite a feast in your honor."
Larry picked up as many suitcases as he could carry; the porter trailed behind with the rest.
Brenda took Angelique's hand and pulled her along with them. "I'm so happy you're here. You're staying in my room. I've got two beds. We can be like twin sisters, just like our moms really were."
"I'd like that." Angelique squeezed Brenda's hand.
When they reached the parking lot Larry paid the porter and packed the suitcases in the car. Angelique whispered in Brenda's ear, "Do you know that old woman following us?"
"Where?" Brenda asked.
"Behind me, across the street." Angelique turned around. "She's gone now, but she was staring at us on the train platform."
"I didn't notice her." Brenda shrugged. "Could've been anybody."
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