Jade felt Emma lick her face at the same time she heard Claire calling her name from inside the house. Claire’s voice was getting edgier by the minute. Jade sat up as the porch door flew open. Claire glared at her from the porch as she sleepily wiped at her eyes.

“Seriously? Again? You know it’s not really safe to sleep outdoors on the dirt like that, right?”

Jade pushed Emma away as she stood, “Emma was with me. I am sure she chased every dirt devil from here to Tuscon. I was perfectly safe.”

Claire turned her glare on Emma who loped up to her with the dusty shoe in her mouth. “Unless the devil walked on two feet and was willing to throw a shoe to distract her. Then she would have just licked them to death while they killed you in your sleep.” Her words were made less harsh as she threw the shoe and Emma took off like a shot.

Jade gathered up her blanket and tossed it on the porch as she brushed past Claire into the kitchen, “If anyone came here with ill intent, you and I both know Emma would have made the whole county aware with her barking.”

Emma dropped her shoe right at the door as Claire held it open for her. Emma sat as soon as she entered the room but it quickly became a scoot as she tried to follow Jade around the kitchen while still holding her pose. Jade started making them breakfast while Claire continued to glare at her from the doorway.

“Still, I would feel better if you both slept in the house.”

“Stop. Just stop.” Jade refused to let Claire’s worry bring her down. “We aren’t children anymore. I don’t need you to continue to play the role of big sister. I’m fine. People have slept out of doors for centuries. I didn’t invent it.”

Claire sighed in resignation and moved to the kitchen table where her charts and maps covered almost the entire surface. Jade glanced at the map unable to really see anything that made much sense to her. Claire had been almost frantic for months over something. Every time Jade tried to talk with her about it, Claire would shut her out. The girls shared everything together and had for over a decade. What was so important on that map that Claire couldn’t at least give a hint what was going on?

Jade looked closer at the dark circles under Claire’s eyes and knew her friend was sleeping less than was normal too. Worry lines were etched into her beautiful face making Claire appear much older than her twenty one years. Even her normally vibrant silver hair seemed dull and dank. Claire’s hair was normally something to behold. It made her easy to spot in the crowd because it was so stark. Not blonde, grey or white, her hair was shimmering silver. Like tinsel on a Christmas tree. There was a hint of blonde in her eyebrows that made the coloring not as startling on her tanned face.

Jade and Claire both preferred the challenges of long hair, and often helped each other with braiding and other maintenance. Nowhere were their differences more apparent than in their appearance. Jade’s looks were dark and exotic. Claire practically glowed in any room. Jade was petite and curvy, where Claire was long limbs and angles. Jade always dressed to hide and blend in, Claire managed to make a statement with every outfit.

Claire slammed her hand on the table and sat down quickly. She forcefully shoved the map closest to her away and grabbed her coffee mug, sloshing drips down her hand.

Jade bit her lip to keep from asking the questions that burned in her mind. Claire worked for the local land surveyor, but this seemed more personal than project related. Jade had never seen Claire get this worked up over work before. What had changed? Jade set toast and eggs on the table and watched as Claire stared out the big kitchen window ignoring the food. Jade finally released Emma from her sit position with a small hand command filling her bowl and refreshing her water. Emma’s tail never stopped moving as she devoured her breakfast as if she hadn’t been fed in weeks.

“I’m headed into town today. Was going to stop by and see Stacey around lunch. Do you need anything?” Jade watched Claire closely hoping to get some hint of how to help.

Claire didn’t look away from her contemplation of their yard, “Ask her to dinner this week, will ya? We should have her over to celebrate your birthday.” Claire was big on making birthdays something special. The fact she hadn’t been planning something huge and constantly asking her what she wanted as a gift served was another reminder of how distracted Claire really was.

Jade quickly decided she’d had enough and it was time to try a different tact. What is the point of having a special gift if you never used it? She reached out and grabbed Claire’s hand. The emotional tie was familiar and she quickly separated her emotions from Claire’s. Her friend was not angry as she expected, but frustrated. Claire’s emotions were tied up in childhood yearnings and deep fear. Claire yanked her hand away from Jade and narrowed her eyes.

“Stop. Just stop.” Claire was practically willing her to stop. She tried covering up her emotions making it harder, but not impossible for Jade to feel what was happening beneath the surface. The girls never talked about Jade’s unusual gift, but Claire was aware. She also knew that touch made it easier for Jade to do what she did. What Claire didn’t know was that touch not only enhanced Jade’s ability, it also had a lingering effect. Jade also discovered over the years with Claire that it was easier and easier to make the connection and the effect lasted longer each time.

Jade picked up her coffee mug and took a small sip, “It would help if you just talked to me about what’s going on?”

Claire looked way, but not before Jade caught a glimpse of tears in her eyes. Jade felt sadness and defeat swamp her and nearly started crying herself.

“It doesn’t matter. I only have three days left. After that, it will not matter.” Claire’s voice was thick with her unshed tears.

“What’s going to happen on my birthday? What’s the big deal about this year? What’s going on?” Jade was desperate to hear Claire’s answer.

“You will be twenty!” Claire practically shouted at her. Claire was willing her to understand, but Jade hadn’t a clue what she was missing.

“So? I earned the right to vote two years ago and I’m still too young to drink. It’s a new decade of my life, but what’s the big deal about me turning 20?”

Claire snorted. Then mumbled, “The right to vote.”

“Hey, it’s important.” Jade frowned. Claire glared at her. She opened her mouth to speak then closed it again. Claire’s shoulders slumped and she let her head hang for a few seconds. Then she shook herself and grabbed the previously shoved map, dragging it back in front of her. Jade stared between her and the map.

“That’s it?” Jade couldn’t believe she had gotten her to speak about it at all, but yet she didn’t have any answers.

“Go to work, Jade. If your birthday comes and goes without anything changing, then I will talk all about it. I will tell you everything. At that point, it won’t matter anyway.” Claire said.

Jade blew out a breath. “Forget it! If you won’t tell me now, don’t bother when it won’t matter anyway.” Sarcasm dripped with every syllable. Jade was angry now and this time when the tears sprang to her eyes it was for her own reasons. She was hurt that Claire was keeping secrets that somehow connected to her birthday. Jade’s movements were stilted as she practically threw dishes in the sink and gathered up her things.

She was blinking rapidly to prevent the tears from falling, trying to let anger overtake her hurt. Claire stood and moved to block her from walking out the door. The girls glared at each other in the doorway. Claire looked her up and down, “Going to town in your pjs today?”

Jade couldn’t stop the laugh that bubbled up. She quickly swallowed it and pursed her lips together. She couldn’t stand for Claire to be right at that moment. She wanted so badly to stay mad and make Claire feel bad for not spilling her secrets. However, the humor of the situation couldn’t be denied. She smiled tightly.

Pajamas in public was not something she ever did or would ever do. With all the pride she could muster, Jade turned and raced up the stairs to her room to change.

Next Chapter: Chapter 3