The sun still hadn’t reached the top of the cemetery wall, and the moss at the base looked like black velvet. A yellow-flecked bird rode the breeze like an invisible roller coaster.People in some religions, Nella knew, believed in reincarnation, where a spirit slipped free from a dying creature to live in a new one. She of course believed in an immortal soul that went to heaven or hell. But watching the bird disappear over the cemetery wall, for a moment she let herself pretend it was the spirit of someone buried there, set free to fly in the blue summer air.“You’re up early,” Dad said.“I had bad dreams.”“You and me both. Want to tell?”She shook her head.“Me either.” He drained his mug and stood up. “It’s going to be another scorcher. We’re using so much water this summer, we . . .” He stopped, looking at her. “What?”“Nothing. I mean. Dad? Do you believe in fate? Or do you think we get to choose how our lives turn out?”Dad whistled under his breath. Just that second, the sun glided up over the stone wall.
