Step on a crack, break your mother's back,
Touch another person's skin, and Dad's gone for good . . .
Caddie has a history of magical thinking--of playing games in her head
to cope with her surroundings--but it's never been this bad before.
When her parents split up, Don't touch becomes Caddie's mantra. Maybe
if she keeps from touching another person's skin, Dad will come home.
She knows it doesn't make sense, but her games have never been logical.
Soon, despite Alabama's humidity, she's covering every inch of her skin
and wearing evening gloves to school.
And that's where things get tricky. Even though Caddie's the new girl,
it's hard to pass off her compulsions as artistic quirks. Friends notice
things. Her drama class is all about interacting with her scene
partners, especially Peter, who's auditioning for the role of Hamlet.
Caddie desperately wants to play Ophelia, but if she does, she'll have
to touch Peter . . . and kiss him. Part of Caddie would love nothing
more than to kiss Peter--but the other part isn't sure she's brave
enough to let herself fall.
From rising star Rachel M. Wilson comes a powerful, moving debut novel
of the friendship and love that are there for us, if only we'll let them
in.