May 1907

It's twilight.

From my bedroom window, I can see the sky over the water, a purplish-blue. The first stars dot the clouds, pinpricks of white light shining through the darkness.

It's 8:00. Nearly time for bed, after a considerable amount of reading, of course. I've already changed into my nightdress, and am sitting in bed when something hits my window.

I sit up, straight as a board. A million possibilities run through my head, from thieves to pirates, before something else hits my window. A pebble, just lightly enough to get my attention without breaking the glass.

I run to the window, pressing my fingertips to the glass pane. To hell with the fingerprints!

And there he is, on the grass outside. Miles, tall and dashing, dressed in work clothes. A buttoned shirt, thick pants, suspenders, and durable rubber boots. He may have just come from the docks, I'm not sure, but I smile at him, and indicate that I'm coming downstairs.

We meet outside, and he embraces me warmly. "Gretchen."

"Miles." I breathe back, hugging him tighter. "My God, shouldn't you be at home? Resting up for tomorrow?" I ask.

Miles chuckles. "Well, I couldn't leave without saying goodbye."

"We'll be there to see you off in the morning!" I argue, trying not to smile.

"That's not quite what I meant;" Miles says with a grin. "Come on, let's head down to the beach!"

We run down the dirt road, my bare feet and his boots kicking up dust as we did so. After a few minutes, we reached the beach, and slowed to a walking pace.

"I'm going to miss you, Gretchen;" Miles says sadly.

I take his hand. "Think of it this way. You wish to marry me, but I'm not old enough yet to be engaged. But I'll be sixteen by the time you get back. And I'll wait for you;" I insist.

Miles rubs my hand between his thumb and forefinger absentmindedly. "And I'll be eighteen, too. It's so long, a whole year away from you, and this place..."

"This place will be the same when you return;" I say, laying my head on his shoulder, "as will I."

Do you know what my name is?

Well, yes, everybody calls me Tess, but that isn't my legal name.

My legal name is Theresa-May Appolonia Banks. Theresa-May.

Sounds like the main character of a YA novel, or maybe a romance. Except I'm not.

I'm asexual, not that it's anybody's business.

The family vacation was a surprise. I mean, we always go on vacation for a week during the summer, but this year's vacation is for the entire summer.

In Hemlock Harbor, New Jersey.

Supposedly, it's this cute little beach town that's kind of secluded. Meaning they won't have a whole lot to do other than...the beach. Not like Ocean City, where we usually go.

Josh, my little brother, isn't too happy with this development, either.

The house we're staying in is this old Victorian mansion place. Big enough for everyone to have their own room.

I claim the tower room fairly quickly (yes, the house has an ACTUAL TOWER...a really small one...) and put my stuff in there.

It looks like it used to be a child's room. The walls are painted a pink color, there's a vanity that matches the bed. A little girl's room, maybe.

I've only been in the room five minutes when I feel a cold hand on my shoulder. When I turn, there's nobody there.

Whatever. I'm determined not to turn this summer into a ghost-hunting tour.

Mom pops her head in. "Ready to head to the beach?"

I shrug. "Sure, why not?"