Its been a year since Tommy Wallachs last book came out.
But lucky for fans, theThanks for the Troubleauthor has another one coming this year.
The boy side-stepped to the very edge of the roof, then sat down.
Credit: Tallie Maughan
After a moment, she tapped back, and a minute later, she emerged onto the roof.
You must be freezing, he said.
His sister ignored him.
Then do it already.
This was the moment of truth.
Its beautiful, his sister said.
Her tone was reverential, awe-struck.
He felt himself becoming one with the kite, carried aloft by some impossible force.
Unable to help himself, he let out a single loudwhoop.
This joyful noise did not go unheard.
Just next door, Emilia Cardacci happened to be awake as well.
She looked up at the night sky.
Stars disappeared and reappeared, as if trying to signal her somehow.
No bat had ever danced like that.
Nor would a bat allow itself to be leashed by the foot, as this one had.
And who else could it be but that strange little boy?
If flight was possible, then everything was possible.
She didnt have to do anything she didnt want to do.
She could be like that…thatthingup in the sky: free.
For many weeks afterward, Emilia would wonder if everything that came next really happened as she remembered it.
Let go, she wanted to scream, and at the same time, she understood why he couldnt.
The kite had opened a doorway, a glimpse into a world they hadnt even known existed.
The boy disappeared over the edge, down past the gable and out of Emilias sight.
And then his little sister appeared at the very spot where he had fallen.
Stared at you like she was seeing into your soul.
Never bothered saying good morning or good evening.
Even now, she wasnt screaming or crying, just standing there, gazing downward.
The boy lay in the alley between their houses.
Ever so slowly, Emilia reeled in the kite.
She reached down and tore out the silk, rubbing it between her fingers: impossibly soft.
Give that to me.
It was the boys sister, whod emerged silent as a shadow from her house.
She still wasnt cryingand how was that possible?
For an instant, Emilia entertained the thought of refusing.
Something inside her wanted to keep the silk, as a sign or symbol of something.
But that would be crazy.
Im sorry, she said, offering up the silk.
The girl tore it out of her fingers and ran back into the house without a word.
She was crying for that strange little girl, who couldnt cry for herself.
