Free Saving Maddie by Varian Johnson Page B

her be.”
    “You were the one who suggested I talk to Madeline in the first place!” I knew my voice was borderline insubordinate, so I tried to tone it down. “You guys can’t have it both ways. You can’t tell me to try to help her, just for Mom to tell me otherwise.”
    Dad sighed. “I agree, your mother and I haven’t done a very good job of communicating with each other concerning the Madeline situation. However, that doesn’t change the fact that two days ago your mother told you to stop seeing Madeline.”
    “But Dad—”
    “Deuteronomy, chapter five, verse sixteen. ‘Honor thy mother and father, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee.’”
    “What about the parable of the lost sheep? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountain and search for the one that is lost?” I gripped the wooden arms of the chair. “We can’t give up on her.”
    I braced myself, awaiting Dad’s rebuttal. Instead … wait a minute. Was he smiling at me?
    “You missed a few words, but you got it basically right, although I like the poetry of the King James Version better than the New American Standard.”
    What the—? I was talking about saving Madeline, and all Dad could do was give me a lecture on the different versions of the Bible. No wonder Madeline walked away from the church.
    The grin on Dad’s face was only momentary. He leaned forward in his chair, his gaze neither happy nor harsh. “Your mother is concerned that Madeline may have a negative effect on you, but I think you’re old enough—strong enough—to handle the pressure.” With the way he looked at me, I couldn’t turn away. “Do you really think you can bring her back to the church? Do you think she’ll recommit to the faith?”
    I thought for a second; I wanted to choose my words carefully. I didn’t want to lie to Dad, especially here, at church.
    “I really think I can save her.”
    I repeated my words in my head. I didn’t think I waslying. I could save her—just not necessarily in the way Dad was thinking.
    “I’ll be honest; I’m not thrilled with the idea of you and Madeline being friends,” Dad said. “But like you, I’m hesitant to give up on her so quickly. No one is beyond saving, no matter what one’s father may say.”
    That clammy sensation from earlier started to spread across my skin again. “Madeline’s father was pretty strict, wasn’t he?”
    Dad nodded. “Greg believes his children should mind their manners and respect their elders, and when they don’t, he believes they should be punished,” he said. “But I don’t think he ever crossed the line, if that’s what you’re suggesting.”
    I stared at the floor, a sour taste at the back of my throat. “What if he did … more? Maybe something worse than physical abuse.”
    Instead of replying, Dad stood from his desk and picked up one of the golf clubs leaning against the wall. He lined up at an invisible tee and took swing after swing.
    I just sat there and watched him. This was what Dad always did when he was thinking.
    Dad finally paused, leaning heavily against the club. “I’ve known Gregory Smith for almost fifteen years, and I’ve never even remotely seen or heard evidence of him abusing his kids—either physically or sexually.”
    I rose from my seat. “But just because you didn’t see it doesn’t mean he didn’t do it. And that would explain why Madeline hates him so much.”
    “A lot of things would explain why Madeline dislikes her father.” Dad sighed. “But I’ll make a few calls, if it’ll make you feel better.”
    “Thanks. That would make me feel better.”
    Dad returned to his imaginary golf game, and after a few minutes of silence, I figured Dad was probably done talking. I headed to the door, and just as I opened it, Dad said, “And Joshua, don’t ever disobey your mother again. You’ll find that she—and I—can be a lot less forgiving.”
    I turned around