Chapter 2

"What's with you?" Andi asked, watching her older sister fretfully peeking out at the night through a curtain. The girl sipped the odd-tasting tea Anya had made for her with a slight grimace. "You're acting weirder than normal."

"How does one act weirder than normal? How is it normal to be even a bit weird? Your question makes no sense. Drink your tea," She replied absent-mindedly, still peering through the window.

Andi slouched back into her chair and scowled over her mug. Leave it to Anya to analyze the simplest of questions. She sipped it again with less of a face, once you got used to the flavor it really wasn't all that bad.

Andi was used to Anya's cautious ways, but sometimes she wished her sister would just loosen up a little bit and enjoy life. She was always so serious and quiet, just like an old, old lady. And she wasn't! She was only three years Andi's senior.

Andi just couldn't identify with that sort of behavior. Life was just beginning to get interesting! Her body was changing pleasantly and boys were beginning to take notice of her. Lately she'd been trying to figure a way to convince Anya if they could maybe go into to town more often. The few friends she had made she rarely got to see. None of them really wanted to make the trek all the way to her home, and Anya was hesitant to leave the house to mingle. Life was so unfair sometimes.

And really, why would Anya want to stay at home alone all the time? Wasn't she lonely for company? Didn't she want to maybe have a boyfriend or husband one day? She was certainly pretty enough. Andi sometimes wished she had Anya's shiny chestnut hair and hazel eyes. Not that her own wavy blonde hair and blue eyed combination was unpleasant, oh no. Not at all. In fact, Andi loved the way she was starting to look.

The little girl look was finally fading and she was turning into a woman. At long, long last. And she was determined to start making the most of it.

"Anya, how about we go to town again tomorrow? There was a cute boy at the fruit stand that was flirting with me ... and we could go back to see the leather-maker. He so has a crush on you. Please? We never go anywhere. It'll be fun. We can get lunch and go to the falls." Andi perked up and gazed at her sister hopefully.

Anya shook her head, "there's no reason to go-"

Andi cut her off, "we don't need a reason to go! Let's just go to get out of the house. When was the last time we just went somewhere to have a good time? I can't even remember. It'll be good for us. You especially. You're always worrying about everything too much."

Anya was surprised that she could not fault Andi on her logic this time around. It had been a long while since she'd just gone out for adventure's sake. And there were really no chores that were urgent, most could wait. And the Summer Harvest Festival was going to be starting tomorrow. She gave a half smile; she hadn't been to a Festival for quite some time.

This encouraged the girl to continue, "see you do want to go out! Hooray! Finally! Is that a yes?"

Anya relented, "I suppose we are due for an outing. Why not? We could go to the Festival if you wanted, or are you too old for such things now?"

Andi leapt out of the chair, beaming. "Are you insane?! I love fairs! Festivals! Parties of any kind, really! Can we leave early so we can spend as much time as possible? All right! Thankyouthankyouthankyou Anya!" She rushed Anya and crushed her in a bear hug, seemingly oblivious to any discomfort now.

"My ribs! You're squeezing too tight," Anya gasped, but smiling all the same.

She loved seeing her little sister so happy. She managed to wrench herself free and gave Andi a playful shove towards the washroom. "Go get washed up and into bed then if you want to leave at first light."

"Woo hoooooo," the girl hooted as she sped down the hall and into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.

Anya watched her go with a bemused expression. As soon as the door closed, however, the worried look fell across her features once again. Miri's words of caution echoed in her head. Maybe tomorrow she would surprise Andi with a puppy. There was almost always someone looking for a home for a litter of pups. And the girl's birthday was in a couple of months. Yes. A puppy sounded like an excellent gift.

It was a chilly morning. The two sisters had eaten a light breakfast for the longish walk. Anya had insisted despite Andi's objections.

"Can't we just go? There'll be plenty of food at the fair," she'd asked, reluctantly nibbling on a piece of toast.

Anya had shaken her head, "you need something in your stomach for the walk. You'll work up an appetite again, I'm sure. Now eat. The sooner you're done, the sooner we can leave."