Free Believe: The Complete Channie Series by Charlotte Abel Page A

downstairs and found everyone—except Abby—gathered in the parlor. And everyone—except Courage—in tears.
    Daddy sat in the green wingback chair between the front windows. His eyes were red-rimmed and puffy.
    Momma was on the sofa with Savvy and Zeal clinging to her neck and wailing at the top of their lungs. Momma’s sobs were almost as loud as the boys’.
    Courage stood in the middle of the room by himself with his spine ram-rod straight and his shoulders pulled back like a little soldier. He was definitely the calmest person in the room and the one most likely to tell her what was going on.
    “CoCo, what happened?”
    “Savvy had a bad dream. He went to crawl in bed with Momma, but she was gone.” As soon as the words left his mouth, his whole body trembled, but he did not cry. Courage never cried.
    “But, she’ll be back soon, right?” Channie already knew in her heart that Abby was gone for good. She also knew exactly where she’d gone. And who she was with...Diego.
    Daddy shoved a wrinkled piece of paper at Channie and said. “That thieving little whore ain’t welcome in this house. And she sure as hell ain’t getting these boys.”
    Channie read the letter silently …
     
    Dear Momma and Daddy,
    First of all, I ain’t mad at neither one of you, but I can’t stay here no more. I borrowed some money outta Daddy’s chest. I’ll pay it back as soon as I can. I am going to make a home for myself and the boys and once I get settled in I’m coming back for my babies. Tell them I love them and that I already miss them and I wish I could have taken them with me. I don’t know how long it will take, but I will come for them someday.
    Tell Channie I’m sorry and to remember everything we talked about.
    Love,
    Abundance

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Friends
     

     
    M OMMA AND D ADDY PUT A be-calm spell on the boys and each other then went to bed. Channie declined their offer to do the same for her. She had school tomorrow and didn’t want to be drowsy all day. After tossing and turning for forty-five minutes, she regretted her decision, but it was too late to change her mind. Momma and Daddy were already asleep.
    She could put a be-calm spell on herself, but it wasn’t a good idea. Casting mood-altering spells on yourself was tricky and rarely worked the way you wanted.
    Channie couldn’t bear the weight of her blankets and kicked them off, but the air in her room still felt thick and heavy. She got out of bed, raised her window and leaned outside. The air was cold but dry, so it wasn’t uncomfortable. The light of the waning moon fell softly across her head and shoulders, soothing her. Channie knew she’d never be able to fall back asleep so she got dressed and climbed out onto the roof. She sat there for about five minutes, then climbed down.
    She was so absorbed in her own thoughts she was halfway to the pavilion in the park before she realized where she was going. The picnic table was hidden in the shadows so when a familiar voice quietly greeted her, she jumped.
    “Josh! What are you doing out here?”
    “Stalking you.”
    “Really?” Channie knew she should be concerned, but she was more flattered than anything.
    “No, not really.”
    Josh leaned forward into a silver-blue pool of moonlight. His mouth quirked sideways into a crooked grin and his eyes sparkled with mischief. He was flirting with her. Channie wasn’t in the mood for playful banter, but she was glad Josh was here. She didn’t want to be alone.
    He said, “I’m a chronic insomniac and I hate taking sleeping pills. Riding my bike helps me relax and Heritage Park is one of my favorite places to hang out so I’m not really stalking you, it just looks that way.”
    “Oh.”
    “You sound disappointed.”
    “Don’t flatter yourself.”
    “Ouch.”
    “Sorry.”
    “At least you didn’t run away screaming.”
    “I’m not the screaming type.”
    “That doesn’t surprise me. But finding you outside on a school night