Free Prowl by Amber Garza Page A

David wasn’t my dad after all? That my dad was someone named Wesley? Someone who was dead and trying to reach me? And if so, did he rape my mom? If so, what happened to David? Why had he suddenly disappeared? I wished Mom would just tell me the truth, but I knew she never would. She was the queen of secrets and she’d been keeping this one for a very long time. No, right now my only hope was Wesley. He held the key to unlocking this mystery.
    I woke up early the next morning and headed straight over to Rhiannon’s. As I rapped on her door, anxiety swept over me. What would I find out today? After several minutes of knocking, Rhiannon still hadn’t appeared. I glanced around and spotted her car parked on the street. Puzzled, I walked around to her bedroom window, attempted to peek inside but the curtains were shut. Maybe she was sleeping. It was pretty early, after all.
    Behind me a car pulled up. I shielded my eyes against the glare of the sun and peeked out from under my hand as a Hispanic woman emerged from the vehicle. In her hand she carried a basket of cleaning supplies. Glancing behind her I read the housecleaners sign splashed across the passenger side door.
    “Hi,” I said as I approached her.
    “Hello,” she answered looking down warily.
    I guess I did look suspicious, peeking in the windows. “I’m Kenzie. I live next door. I’m a friend of Rhiannon’s.”
    “Hello,” she repeated, stepping around me. As she walked to the front door I followed her. Before she stuck her key in the lock she turned around. “Can I help you?”
    “I’m just here to hang out with Rhiannon. She’s not answering but her car’s out front and so I know she’s home. She’s probably just sleeping in. So, I thought I’d just slip in with you.” I realized I sounded like a lunatic but I needed to get to that Ouija board.
    The housecleaner shook her head. “No, they’re not home. They’re on vacation.”
    “Vacation?”
    She nodded.
    “But…I don’t understand.” My mind whizzed through all my prior conversations with Rhiannon. Never once did she mention anything about a vacation. “Did they say how long they’d be gone?”
    “Two weeks.”
    “Two weeks?”
    Again she nodded. “I’m sorry. “ She unlocked the front door. Before I could ask any more questions she slipped inside. I heard the click of the deadbolt locking. I had probably scared her to death.
    Defeated, I headed back to Grandma’s front porch and collapsed on the swing. How was I going to get the answers about my dad? I needed that board. But it’s not like I could break into her house and steal it. But I also couldn’t wait a whole two weeks to find out the answers.
    Maybe I’d have to buy my own board. I knew I could buy one at any toy store. But I wondered if Wesley could find me on any board. Was Rhiannon’s board the only one Wesley would appear on?
    I’d never know if I didn’t try. Decision was made. I would borrow Grandma’s car when she came home from work and head to the store to buy my very own Ouija board. Now all I had to do was wait.

10
     
    B y the time Grandma arrived home it was almost time for my date with Isaac. I tried not to let my disappointment at not getting the Ouija board ruin my evening. I put on a black skirt, sparkly top and ballet flats. For the first time in months I actually wore short sleeves and it felt good. The salve that Rhiannon gave me worked and my cuts were healing nicely, but I did swipe some foundation over them just to be safe. After flat ironing my hair and applying some makeup I emerged from the bathroom.
    “Wow, Kenzie. Isaac’s not going to know what hit him.”
    I blushed, swatting away her words. Just then there was a knock on the door. I opened it to find Isaac standing on the porch, his face hidden behind a huge bouquet of fragrant flowers. I took them in my hand and thanked him. When our eyes locked, he grinned showing his dimples. He wore khaki pants, a white collared shirt and