Zoey has no idea what it means to be normal. Everything she touches has a taste, and her father’s identity is a town secret. Her sisters have their own issues. While it's a struggle for Celeste to connect with the world, Ruby, who has a flair for the dramatic, doesn't worry about anything. Orphaned at birth, the fourteen-year-old triplets live with their aunt and mark seasons by the annual migration of captivating birds. Despite an almost idyllic childhood grounded in Aunt Flory's home-cooked food and family values, Zoey struggles with her identity in a community where the Starling family is the subject of gossip. But secrets run deep in the small town, and the triplets aren't the only ones with something to hide. Zoey soon discovers that the truth isn't obvious and different perspectives shape the world. It's always how you choose to look at things that matters most.

Bugs, Weeds, and Water is created by Evangeline Greene, an eGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.

Bugs, Weeds, and Water

That same afternoon, Ruby and Zoey were sprawled out on the front porch painting their toenails when Aunt Flory whisked out the front door with Celeste in tow.


"You girls want to go for a ride?" she offered. "We're off to the optometrist. John thinks Celeste might need reading glasses."


"Glasses?" Ruby said. "Cool. Get big ones. That's what the movie stars wear."


'Leave it to Ruby to make reading glasses glamorous.' "I'll stay," Zoey said, pointing to her wet toenails.


"Me too, but good luck," Ruby told Celeste.


They were gone less than a minute when Zoey looked up to find Evelyn standing on the lawn. "Hello, Starlings," she said.


"Hello," Zoey said, casually dipping her brush in the bottle.


Expertly twisting her foot to her face, Ruby blew lightly on her toes without answering.


"We're building a house," Ruby said. "What's it look like?"


Chapter 40