Sarah Dessen is moving into new territory for her next book,The Rest of the Story.
Emma is suddenly sent to visit over one summer, discovering new love and old ties in the process.
The book publishes June 4 and isavailable for pre-order.
Credit: KPO
Mom, my cousin Bailey replied.
You dont have to give me this same lecture every summer.
Apparently, I do.
Art by Jenny Carrow
Because youre already hanging out with yacht club boys.
Theyre not all alike, you know.
Theyre alike enough, Aunt Celeste told her.
You know what Im worried about.
This was actually the second time my mom had come up since Id left the raft.
The first had been when I was riding back with Roo.
Unlike when Id gone out with Jack, we were side by side.
When he finally spoke, it took me by surprise.
Im sorry about your mom.
Even though it had been five years and some days, I worried Id moved on too much.
Thanks, I said.
She and my dad were friends in high school.
I nodded, as if Id heard this name, even though I hadnt.
He still lives here?
He looked at me for a second.
No, not anymore.
I live with my mom.
Ours is the green one.
Who has the pink?
Renters, usually, he said.
Season just started, though.
How many people live here year-round?
He was slowing the engine now.
More than youd think.
A lot, like Celeste, have houses they rent out for summer.
I thought she lived with Mimi, I said.
Only from June to August, he replied.
The rest of the time they have a place up by Blackwood Station, right on the water.
Blackwood Station, I said.
I feel like Ive heard of that.
Its the only boatyard in town.
Plus the arcade is right there, and the public beach.
I couldnt make out her expression.
And Celeste is a Blackwood, right?
Her ex-husband, Silas, runs the boatyard and gas station.
Been in his family for generations.
Now I had something else to add to my family tree.
But youre not a Blackwood or Calvander, I said, clarifying.
He cut the engine, letting us drift up to the dock.
Silas, Celeste, my dad, my mom, and yours all went to high school together.
Theres only one, the same one we all go to now.
Its a lot, all this new information, I said.
Im honestly having some trouble keeping up.
Well, then you’re gonna wanna start asking people their five sentences.
I raised my eyebrows.
Its a lake thing, he explained.
Thus, five sentences.
Right, I said slowly.
He cleared his throat.
Born and bred here at North Lake.
High school senior this fall.
Want to go to journalism school.
Wow, I said.
Didnt see that shellfish part coming.
An element of surprise and oddity is crucial with this, he told me.
Hit me with yours.
I need five in all?
Okay, I said, thinking it over.
Well, Im from Lakeview.
Also about to be a high school senior.
Coming out strong, he said as we hit a wave, water splashing over the bow.
My mom grew up here at the lake, I continued, but this is my first real visit.
I came once as a kid, but I dont really remember.
Nice, he said.
Now you need something random and memorable.
I thought for a second.
People dont get my humor.
I think Im funny, but other people often dont laugh.
I know that feeling, he said.
I hadnt met anyone who could relate before.
Yep, he said.
Okay, now for the strong finish.
Your shellfish allergy, so to speak.
Whats it going to be?
I had to admit, I was feeling the pressure.
Especially as the seconds ticked by and nothing came.
What could I say?
I was nervous to the point of obsessive?
I liked organizing things?
Roo did not rush me.
Finally, I had it.
I read the obituaries every day.
Okay, that isgood, he said, then held his hand up for a high five.
You, in five sentences.
Me, in five sentences.
All facts, some informative, some colorful.
Not really all that different from the obits themselves, now that I thought of it.
Only shorter, while youre living, and still have time to add more.
Excerpted fromTHE REST OF THE STORYby Sarah Dessen, on sale June 4, 2019.
Copyright 2019 by Sarah Dessen.
Reprinted with permission of HarperCollins Childrens Books.
