Finding Someplace by Denise Lewis Patrick

else.
    *   *   *
    Orlando was kissing her in Audubon Park, one of the most beautiful places in New Orleans. She was wearing a brilliant blue sundress that she’d designed.… But they were wrenched away from each other by some force she couldn’t see. Next she was at the Audubon Zoo, sailing around on the carousel and looking frantically for the brown speck that would be Orlando, but she couldn’t find him as the ride spun faster and faster.
    â€œHey! Open up! Open up! Let me in! Anybody in there?” Orlando was yelling.… How in the world could she let him in to the carousel? How loud could that boy get?
    â€œOpen up !”
    Reesie jumped. She’d been asleep.
    â€œTeresa!” Miss Martine was shaking her shoulder. “Wake up, child, there’s somebody at the door, and I’m too stiff to get up.”
    Reesie blinked awake. The wind had stopped.
    Her back ached; her shoulders and legs ached. The door chimes were making her head ache. But before she moved, she looked at Miss Martine.
    â€œWhat happened? Is the hurricane over?” Reesie knew that there was a calm spot in the middle of every hurricane, and as the storm passed over land, that eye in the center could fool you.
    The doorbell chimes had been joined by furious banging.
    â€œIt’s over,” Miss Martine said. “Go on, now. See who it is!”
    â€œWe’re in here!” Reesie shouted. “I’m coming!” Maybe it was her father, she thought. She moved a little faster, clumsily unbolting all Miss Martine’s security locks and throwing the door open.
    Standing there like a giant wet puppy with dreadlocks was Orlando’s missing brother, Andr é .

 
    Chapter Ten
    A UGUST 29, 5:30 AM
    Reesie was so shocked and angry that she barely noticed her feet squishing into the carpet. “Where have you been?” Reesie frowned at him.
    â€œWell, Reesie Boone,” he drawled, “this ain’t your house! What’re you doin’ here? And anyway, can’t a brother come in and get hisself dry?”
    Before Reesie could answer, Miss Martine spoke out.
    â€œYou watch that attitude, Andr é Knight! This is my house!”
    Dr é ’s shoulders immediately shot from slumped to straight.
    â€œOh! Sorry ’bout that, Miss M. I just came by to check on you.…” Dr é stepped in, and a girl appeared behind him.
    She was tall and skinny, wearing crazy high platform heels and a tight white dress splashed with creamy flowers. She wore a scarf wrapped around her head like a turban, which Reesie thought was actually kind of cute, and glitter sparkled along with the water drops on her long fake eyelashes.
    The pair slipped in the door quickly, but not before Reesie caught a glimpse outdoors. It was still raining, and all she could see was the top of a big tree that the wind must have blown down, and the wires of a split telephone pole snaking across the yard.
    â€œTeresa, can you get those blinds open over there?” Miss Martine called to her.
    Reesie knelt on the couch and let more of the weak light in. Then she pulled out her phone and tried her mother’s number.
    She was stunned when her mother picked up on the first ring.
    â€œMama!” Every muscle in Reesie’s body relaxed.
    â€œReesie! Are you okay? Happy birthday, baby!”
    Reesie swallowed hard. She was thirteen! She’d waited so long, expecting to feel special on this birthday. And now?
    â€œEverything … all right … Miss Simon?” Her mother’s words were drowned out by loud static.
    â€œYes, but—”
    â€œMoved patients … Your father knows where you are.… Love you—” The signal was gone. Reesie took a deep breath and turned on Dr é .
    â€œOrlando was going crazy looking for you! Uncle Jimmy evacuated to Houston.”
    â€œI figured.” Dr é shrugged. “We went to the house yesterday, and