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Sunflowers and Suspicions

By Karen Malley

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1
“My sister is missing.”
The carefree chatting around the table came to an end as Julie’s three friends stared at her. “Your twin sister?” Susan asked.
“Yes, my twin sister. My only sister.” Julie slumped back against the chair at Susan’s table. “I’m not sure what to do.”
Kathryn cocked her head, studying Julie. “How do you knowWhy do you believe she’s missing? When did you last talk to her?”
“It’s been two weeks.”
Anne shifted baby Hannah from one arm to another. “How often do you usually talk to her?”
“We usually text every couple of days.”
“If you text that often, why did you wait two weeks before deciding she was missing?” Susan asked.
Julie frowned. “She said she’d be on location for a job and wouldn’t be in touch as much. I didn’t knowrealize she meant never.”
Kathryn leaned forward, her eyes wide. “What kind of job does she do? Is it dangerous?”
Julie shook her head. “No, not at all. She’s an actress. She lives in New York. If she hadhad anything dangerous to do, I’m sure they’d use a stunt person.They’d use a stunt person for anything dangerous.”

Anne’s eyebrows lifted. “Is she famous? Maybe she’s trying to hide from the paparazzi.”
Susan threw a napkin at Anne. “For a smart lady, you’re sure a goof sometimes. If she were famous, she wouldn’t be able to disappear. It would be all over the news.” She turned to Julie. “She’s still trying to get her big break, right?”
“Right. She told me this was her chance.”
“How long was the job supposed to last?” Kathryn asked.
“She never told me. All she said was she’d be away for the shoot and I shouldn’t worry.”
“But you are worried.” Anne said.
“I am.”
“What are you going to do?” Susan asked.
“Go to New York and see what I can find out.” Julie glanced around the table at her dear friends, anxious to hearlisten to their opinions.
Kathryn, Anne, and Susan returned her gaze with compassion in their eyes.
“Sounds like a fun adventure,” Susan said.
“We’ll pray for you,” Anne said.
“How can we help?” Kathryn asked.
Julie’s heartheartheart swelled with Llove for her friends filled Julie. “You guys are the best. I’ve been so nervous about what to do, and wondering if I’m crazy to go there, but your support means everything to me.”
“That’s what these Saturday ladies’ brunches are all about,” Susan said. “Friends supporting one another.” A cry sounded from the nursery. “Sounds like Grace is awake. I’ll be right back.”
Susan exited the room, and Anne turned back to Julie. “When’s the last time you were in New York? I havehaven’t been there since the kids were born.”
“My sister moved there a year ago, but I’ve never gonebeen there.”
“Really?” Kathryn asked. “You’ve lived in Pennsylvania your whole life, right?”
“Yes, but my parents never took us many places. I’ve been to Philly a few times, but not New York. I’ve seen my sister less often the past few years.” Julie sighed. “We used to be so close.”
“What happened?” Anne asked.
“It’s a long story.”
Susan returned a moment later with her baby in her arms. She settled next to Kathryn, who peered down at Grace with longing.
“You girls are so blessed,” she said, watching Anne and Susan cuddling their little ones.
“Your day will come too, Kathryn,” Anne said. “It’s funny. A year ago, kids were the last thing on your mind.”
“A few things changed since thenthenin the last year,” Kathryn said.
“True,” Anne said. “I’m sure you and Adam will be holding a little one before long.”
“Whoa, slow down, give us a chance to get married first,” Kathryn protested.
“Soon enough,” Susan said. She turned back to Julie. “When will you go?”
“I’m helping in the nursery tomorrow morning, so I’ll probably head up after church. County Women’s Service’s is closed on Monday. That will give me a couple of days to check things out,” Julie said.
“WJulie, what’s your sister’s name?” Anne asked. “We want to pray for her.”

Julie paused for a minute. “Well, her real name is Amy, but she changed it to Jade when she decided to go into show business. I’m still trying to get used to calling her Jade, but it’s all she’ll answer to anymore.” She sighed. “I guess you’d better pray for Jade. Thanks.”
****
Julie stood in the doorway of her bedroom, her carry-on suitcase sprawled open on the bed in front of her. Was she crazy to run off to New York because her sister hadhadn’t called her back? She walked to her closet. No. Something wasn’t right.
Truth be told, cities made her nervous. She was much more comfortable in Pine Springs. It reminded her of the small town where she and Jade grew up. Where their parents still were, happily oblivious of any of Julie’s worries about Jade. They wouldn’t notice Jade’s absence for a while, since Jade called them so infrequently. It was amazing how the two sisters turned out so differently. Julie could point to the exact day everything changed. Sure, Jade was following a different path for a while, but it wasn’t until after it happened, the two girls were set on different courses for life. She shook her head. It was time to focus on finding Jade now.
She filled the small suitcase with the essentials: a change of clothes, toiletries, her Bible, journal, and a pen. Now all she needed to do was catch the train. Not a big deal. One of the big selling points for the apartment complex was its proximity to the train station. Jade insisted Julie should live there because of it.
Julie could still picture Jade when she told her. “You’ll want to go into Philly as often as possible, so you don’t get bored to death in this hick town.” Honestly, Julie only went into Philly when Jade came to visit. She’d prefer to live in Susan’s building, but it was easier to let Jade havehave her way. She sighed. Would that always be the case?
Julie zipped her suitcase, gave the apartment a quick once-over, double checked the train schedule, and walked to the station. Two trains and a subway ride later, she rode the escalator as it carried her out from under the city, anxious for the first glimpse of the New York sky. She stood for a moment, trying to get her bearings, while fellow travelers swarmed around her. She moved to the side and pulled out her phone. After plugging in Jade’s address, she followed the directions until finally, she stood in front of Jade’s apartment building. After a moment’s hesitation, she pushed the intercom for Jade’s place. No answer. As if it would be that easy. Moments later, a young woman approached the building. Julie tried not to stare at her, with her picture-perfect skin and hair. Her spiked heels were so high it was hard to imagine standing in them, much less prance through the traffic like she did. When she sawsaw Julie, her eyes widened, and she made a beeline to her.
“Jade, girl, where’ve you been?” She eyed up her suitcase. “You been on a trip?”
Interesting. Maybe playing the role of Jade would get her more information. “A shoot out of town.”
“Nice,” the woman said. “Wish I could get some serious roles. What are you doing standing out here, anyway? Forget your key?”
Julie faked a laugh. “Yeah, it’s been one of those days.”
The woman held her fob up to the key padkeypad, and the door clicked open. Julie opened the door, and her new companion hurried down the hall. “We’ll catch up later,” she said over her shoulder. “If I’m late again, Armon will kill me.”
“Right,” Julie said. Like she hadhad any idea who Armon was. Regardless, problem one was solved. Now, how to get into the apartment? She rolled the small suitcase onto the elevator and pressed the button for the fourth floor. As the doors were closing, an older man with slicked-back hair thrust his arm through and entered the elevator. He nodded at Julie. “Glad to see you again. HaveHaven’t bumped into you in a while. Afraid you were avoiding me. A slow grin spread across his face as his beady eyes took in Julie from head to toe. “How about we get some dinner?”
A chill ran down Julie’s spine, and she tried not to show her relief when the elevator door opened to her floor. “Maybe some other time. Things are busy right now.” She speed-walked down the hall and didn’t turn back until she stood in front of Jade’s door. It was a little creepy having all these people mistake her for Jade. Still, it confirmed her suspicions. Jade was not around.
Julie stared at Jade’s door. How could she get in? She sent up a silent prayer.
“God, please guide me. I need Your help to find my sister.”
A moment later, the elevator dinged again, and Julie cringed. Was the creepy guy back? Her cringe turned to open admiration when the mostat the gorgeous guy she ever sawsaw exitinged the elevator. He wore dark jeans and a wrinkled button-down shirt, with a backpack slung over one shoulder. He sauntered down the hall, without a care in the world. His eyes widened when he sawsaw her, and he picked up the pace. “Jade, welcome back.” He wrapped Julie in a hug, and her entire body sprang to life with the feelfeel of his arms around her. A moment later, he drew back, studying her. Her pulse quickened.
His forehead crinkled. “Julie?”
Julie blinked and took a step backwards. Did she knowknow him? No, of course not. This was not a guy she would ever forget. “How did you…”
The man thrust out his hand. “Sorry to be so forward. I’m Matt. I live across the hall. Seeing you there for a second, I thought you were Jade. Sorry about the hug.”
Julie wasn’t sorry. This was Matt? Jade talked about her neighbor, but never mentioned how attractive he was. Figures. Jade was probably always surrounded by gorgeous movie stars. “Don’t apologize. Everyone says we looklook exactly alike. What I don’t understand is how you could tell I wasn’t Jade.”
Matt studied her again, and Julie feltfelt the heat roseise in her cheeks under his scrutiny. “It’s your eyes,” he said. “Definitely the eyes.”
Julie wrinkled her brow. “But we havehaveour eyes are the same eyes.”
Matt shook his head. “No. You havehave light behind your eyes. Yours are filled with hope. Jade always has pain behind hers, even when she’s smiling.”
Matt’s words hit Julie like a punch to the gut. He was right. Jade was in pain, but she wouldn’t let anyone in. “How did you learn to read people so well?”
Matt hitched his backpack higher on his shoulder. “It’s a gift.”
Julie glanced between Matt and the door. “You wouldn’t happen to havehave an extra key to Jade’s place, would you?”
“Jade’s still not around?”
Julie shook her head.
Matt frowned, and but thenthen his lips turned upward into a grin. “I’ll make you a deal. I’ll give you the key if you’ll walk down the block with me to grab a sandwich. ThenThen you can tell me what you’re doing here without Jade and without a key.”
Matt was back with a key in less thanthan a minute and handed it to Julie, who stepped inside and stopped in her tracks. Matt ran right into her.
She whirled around. “Sorry.”
Matt’s eyes twinkled. “I’m pretty sure I ran into you, not the other way around. I wasn’t expecting you to stop short.”
“Sorry.” Julie said again. She turned back, a hand indicating the small living space. “This was not what I expected.” She stepped into the studio apartment, surveying the miniscule kitchen, the fold-up bed, and the bathroom, all almost within arm’s reach.
Matt laughed. “Never lived in New York, I take it?”
Julie shook her head. “No, I’ve never even been here before. I’m more of a small-town girl. My kitchen is bigger thanthan this entire apartment.”
“Space is at a premium around here,” Matt said. “I grew up on in the suburbs of New Jersey, myself. I don’t spend a whole lot of time in my place.” He laughed. “ThenThen again, my apartment has more room to move around. I don’t havehave nearly as many clothes as your sister.”

Julie eyeballed the overflowing closet and the wardrobe next to it eating up more thanthan its fair share ofvaluable real estate. “No one does.”
“The funniest part about it is she has to wear a uniform to work.” Matt’s stomach rumbled and he pressed a hand to it. “How about that sandwich?”
Julie smiled. “Wouldn’t want you to starve to death. Give me a minute and I’ll be right there.”
Matt backed out of the apartment and disappeared across the hall. Julie closed the door behind her and leaned against it. What was she getting herself into? Coming here was a crazy idea, and having dinner with Matt was definitely not smart. He was so out of her league. And from what Jade said, he was already into her. How could identical twins be so different? Jade managed to be glamorous and worldly and guys fell for her wherever she went. Julie was justjust… Julie. The girl next door.
She laughed out loud. In this case Jade actually was the girl next door. It wouldn’t be smart to fall for a guy all the way in New York anyway. She dropped her suitcase next to the fold-up bed and pulled out a brush. After washing her face and giving her hair a few quick strokes, she went back out to meet Matt in the hallway.
Matt escorted Julie down the block past produce stands, pawn shops, and a tattoo parlor, stopping in from of Sol’s Deli. “This is the place.” He pulled the door open, and a set of old keys jingled against the glass, signaling their arrival.
Behind the counter, a rotund man with a graying mustache smiled at Matt. “Hello my boy. You havehave a lovely lady with you today. Must be your lucky day.”
Matt grinned. “It must be. Good to see you, Sol. This is Julie.”
“Well hello to you, Miss Julie. Welcome to my shop.” Sol bowed low, and Julie giggled.
“Thank you,” she said. “Is everyone in New York this welcoming?”
“Ahh, we try our best. That we do,” Sol said. “Now what can I get for you two young people?”
“A number five with the works,” Matt said. He turned to Julie, who eyed the crooked sign listing the menu offerings.
“The same,” she said.
Matt’s eyebrows disappeared under his sandy hair, and Sol chuckled. “Oh, I like this one, Matt. I like her very much.”

Julie turned to Matt. “What justjust happened?”
Matt was laughing now. “You’ll see. I hope you’re hungry.”
After grabbing drinks from the refrigerated case, Matt and Julie sat at one of the few tables lining the side of the narrow shop. Matt twisted off the top of his soda and took a long drink. Julie took advantage of the moment and studied him. How did she end up here with a guy like him?
“So, what brings you here to visit while Jade is away?” Matt asked.
Before Julie could answer, Sol called their number, and Matt stood to grab the sandwiches. “Hold that thought,” he said.
Julie stood too, but Matt put out a hand to stop her. “I got this.”
“But I want to pay for mine,” Julie protested.
“Please,” Matt said. “Let me welcome you to the big city. Allow me to be a gentleman.” He leaned closer and whispered in her ear. “Besides, if Sol sees me letting you pay, I’ll never hearhear the end of it.”
Julie giggled, a little off balance at his nearness. “Ok, fine. I’ll allow you to show off your chivalrous charm. But justjust this once.”
Matt grinned and , thenthen he turned to pick up their order.
Julie took a drink of her soda, nearly spitting it out when Matt returned with the tray laden with the biggest sandwiches she’d ever seen.
“What are those?” she asked.
Matt burst out laughing. “Two number fives with the works.”
Julie eyed the towering monstrosity Matt placed in front of her. What on earth?
Matt bowed his head for a moment, thenthen lifted his sandwich with both hands, opened his mouth farther thanthan humanly possible, and an enormous bite disappeared from his sandwich.
Julie sent up a silent prayer for her food and analyzed the sandwich, trying to figure out the best way to tackle it. She lifted the bun. “Are there both French fries and onion rings on here?”
Matt nodded, his mouth too full to speak. After a mighty swallow, he gestured to her sandwich. “That, my dear, is the works.”
Julie considered deconstructing the sandwich, but after a moment, shoved the whole thing ungracefully into her mouth. An involuntary groan of pleasure escaped her lips as the combination of meats, cheeses, and toppings melted together in her mouth. She closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them, both Sol and Matt were watching her with admiration on their faces.
Sol called from behind the counter. “Boy, if she finishes that sandwich, you ought to marry her. Heck, I might marry her.”
Julie glanced at the two men, shook her head, and took another bite. Men thought they were the only ones who appreciated food.
After a few minutes, Sol disappeared in the back. Matt leaned close to Julie. “What’s going on with Jade?”
Julie put down her sandwich. “I wish I knewknew. She told me she was going on location for a shoot and wouldn’t be able to talk much. . I havehaven’t hearheard from herShe hasn’t called in two weeks.”
Matt nodded. “Yeah, the timing sounds about right. She told me the same thing.” He studied Julie’s face. “You’re worried.”
Julie shrugged. “Yeah, a little.”
“You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t.”
“True. Do you think it’s silly?”
Matt wiped his mouth with a napkin before answering. “Of course not. You’re twins. Isn’t there some kind of psychic connection?”
Julie frowned. “Hardly, but we’ve never gone this long without talking before.”
Matt reached over and patted her hand. Julie tried to ignore the sparks running up her arm. “We’ll get to the bottom of this, don’t worry. But first, I want to finish my sandwich.”
Sol wandered back to the front of the shop, wiping off tables. He stood in front of their table, hands on his hips, his belly bulging below his apron.
“Well, how do you like my sandwich?” he asked.
Julie, her mouth full, gave Sol a thumbs up.
Sol laughed. “The lady is too busy eating to tell me. I’d say that’ is a good sign.” He continued wiping tables on his way back behind the counter.
After Julie polished off her sandwich, Matt shook his head. “Never dreamed you’d finish it. A tiny thing like you eating Sol’s finest. Jade certainly couldn’t.”
Julie snorted. “Jade would never eat something like that. It would take up her calorie count for the week.”
“I don’t get it. I’ve only ever seen her eat salads. Nothing real.” Matt appraised her with his eyes. “You two are the same size, though.” He shrugged. “Well, it’s none of my business. I’m justjust glad to eat Sol’s sandwiches with someone else who appreciates them.”
Sol grinned at them from behind the counter. “You bring her here again, my boy. And I want to be invited to the wedding.”
Matt laughed. “It’s a deal. Maybe we’ll even hire you to cater it.”
Julie glanced back and forth between the two men. “Since when did finishing a sandwich result in a lifetime commitment?”
Sol threw his head back and roared with laughter. “You havehave your hands fullShe’s a handful, Matt. Lovely, good taste in food, and funny. It’s been a pleasure, Miss Julie.”
“Thank you, Sol. It was delicious,” Julie said. “But now I won’t be able to move.”
“Nonsense,” Matt said. “It’s your first night in New York. We havehave exploring to do.”
“What we need to do,” Julie reminded him, “is find my sister.”
“Of course we do. But there is someone else we need to see.”

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