It was later that Isaac knew he had seen the red hair. Shooting some hoops out in the front drive, he didn't hear the person come up. Didn't see a shadow.

"Hello, Isaac." said the soft voice.

Isaac spun around to find a red headed girl standing behind him. She was tiny; sylph- like. She looked frail, her red hair stark against her pale skin.

"Becky?" he said, stunned, the ball falling from his grasp.

Her eyes watered, and she nodded, her mouth quivering into a small smile.

Isaac swooped to pick her up, hugging her tightly. "God, I've missed you!" he cried, spinning around, trying to ignore the feel of her thin frame in his arms. She was too small; too thin.

She winced, but smiled. "Same here, sweet." she told him as he set her down.

He pushed her out of reach, looking her up and down, hands on her shoulders to turn her around. "You've changed." he told her, grinning.

Red laughed tightly. "Sicko."

"You're actually quite stunning. No more ugly ducking, huh?" he said, and she smiled slightly. "Now I really know you're a girl!" he winked.

"Always the charmer." she said, looking up at the darkening skies. A storm was coming.

Isaac nodded. "Always."

"So, what have you been up to?" she asked, a slight chill wind brushing her hair off her face. It was cool, but she wore a summer dress, and it blew around her.

"Touring." he said, making a face. Leaning down to grab the ball, he told her "Just the usual. What about you?" he asked, wondering if she was cold at all.

"Nothing much." she said, her eyes following the ball as it sailed through the hoop again and again.

"Doesn't sound like it." he said as he heard an uneven tone, a catch, in her voice. "Are you sure?" he asked, preparing another shot.

There was no reply, and Isaac turned to look at her.

"No..." she finally said, not looking at him. "Can we go somewhere else?" she asked.

"Sure-" he said, but a call came from the house.

"Ike? You've got a phone call from Lizzy!" Taylor yelled.

"Can she wait?" Isaac yelled back.

"Long distance!" Taylor replied.

"Sorry, Becky. Be right back." Isaac said, jogging up the drive to answer the phone. "Want to come in?" he called behind him, out of habit.

"No. It's okay." she answered, like she had everytime he had asked her in. "Bye, Ike." she whispered, knowing he hadn't heard.

Taylor stood on the steps, studying the odd girl, trying to place her face from somewhere...