riddle before the strangerâor the weatherâdestroys their chances.
Chapter One
Today is going to be great. I head down to the dock to wave goodbye to Mom and Dad. Theyâre going to Victoria for the day. That means that apart from my sister Ellen, who doesnât really count, I am totally alone on the island for the whole day.
On my way back to the house, I plan my day. I can do whatever in the world I want. Iâve lived on this island all twelve years of my life, and this is the first time I have been alone on it for an entire day. If it warms up, Iâm going to swim in the water hole. Then I want to check out the spring salmon run off Rudlin Bay.
First I need a couple of sandwiches, one for right now and one to take with me. Iâm going to start the day with a hike to the midden on the other side of the island. A midden is basically an ancient First Nations garbage dump. That sounds gross, but itâs actually really cool. All the gross stuff has decomposed by now, and all thatâs left are shells and bones covering a long stretch of beach. I go over there sometimes and sift through it. I have a good collection of bones from that site. But first things first, itâs time to head inside for a snack.
Unfortunately, as I pull the ham and cheese out of the fridge, Ellen walks in.
âWhat are you doing?â she asks.
Ellenâs voice has this mocking edge that would normally tick me off, but the last thing I want today is to fight with her, so I answer simply, âMaking a sandwich.â
âI can see that, Simon, but why?â Ellen says. This time thereâs no ignoring the you-are-so-stupid tone in her voice.
âIâm hungry.â Duh! I donât say that out loud. I donât want to risk my day of freedom, after all.
â That hungry?â she points to the huge amount of food.
Youâd think she could figure it out, but I patiently explain that Iâm making food to last a while.
âWhat about your chores?â she says.
âWhat about them?â I ask.
Ellen puts her hands on her hips and stands between me and the fridge. Iâm uncomfortable with where this conversation is going. I donât want to fight with Ellen today, but I can see my plans for the day disappearing if I let her tell me what to do.
âMom and Dad expect the chores to be done. Weâre the keepers while theyâre away. Theyâve got enough to worry about. You are not going anywhere until youâve done your chores.â
I hate it when Ellen speaks to me like that. But I have to admit itâs true. Mom and Dad have a hard day ahead of them. The governmentâs been closing lighthouses all around here. Dad is sure Discovery Island Lighthouse Station is next. He and Mom are going to tell the people at the ministry about all the things they do: rescue boaters, keep weather records and help the biologists collect data on waves and currents. Man, I hope they can convince them that the lighthouse station should stay open. This is my home !
âIâll have lots of time for chores,â I say. I start spreading mustard on the bread. Ellen stands there and watches me. She looks so much like Mom right now. Mom doesnât have to say anything. She has this look. Ellen has it too. Someday my sister is going to make one scary mother. I look back at her, trying to ignore the Mom look, but itâs useless. The look is working. I can feel it.
âOkay, okay, Iâll do my chores first,â I say.
âYouâd better. Then you can do whatever you want.â Ellen smiles sweetly.
Ha.
My main job is the boat shed. I keep it tidy so we can pull the boats in quickly during storms. I was rummaging in the shed looking for my fishing rod yesterday, so I know exactly how messy it is. This is going to take forever, half an hour at least!
I start with the ropes. I coil them properly and hang them in their spot on the wall. Then I organize the crab
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