Free Broken Hearts by R.L. Stine Page B

must be hard for her, Melissa thought, surprised to be feeling any sympathy for Josie.
    Earlier in the evening Melissa had walked across the street and paid a visit to Erica and Rachel. Erica hadbeen glad to see her. Rachel seemed preoccupied. She hadn’t even acknowledged that Melissa was there.
    Even during the short visit, it was easy for Melissa to pick up on Erica’s growing resentment and unhappiness. She was spending more and more time with Rachel because Josie was seldom home.
    If only the McClains could afford full-time help for Rachel. They had a nurse who came on weekends. That was all they could afford, Erica had unhappily explained. Mr. McClain’s hardware stores were struggling, and times were tough. Mrs. McClain worked long hours, but her salary barely paid the household expenses.
    After the visit Melissa had returned home. She had called Dave, but his mother said he’d gone out. She had no idea where.
    Melissa spent the rest of the night doing a little studying and a lot of pacing back and forth and staring out the bedroom window.
    She pulled the curtains back into place, glanced at the clock radio—nearly eleven-thirty—and decided to see if Dave had returned home.
    He picked up on the second ring.
    â€œWhere’ve you been?” Melissa demanded, not intending to sound so shrill.
    â€œHuh? Nowhere,” Dave replied, surprised by her burst of anger.
    â€œI called you before. Your mom said you went out,” Melissa said, softening her tone. She stood in front of her dresser mirror as she talked, toying with her sleek, black hair, pushing strands off her forehead, tugging at strands on the sides. “I was over visiting Rachel. ThenI came home and called you. I—I was worried about you.”
    â€œWell, I’m terrible,” Dave said glumly. “I’ve been cruising around all night. Just driving. I couldn’t even tell you where I went. I’m so deranged.”
    â€œYou’re always deranged,” Melissa teased, trying to cheer him up.
    â€œHa-ha,” he said bitterly. “Coach kicked me off the wrestling team after school today,” Dave said softly, so soft Melissa could barely hear him.
    â€œHuh?”
    â€œYou heard me. I’m definitely off the team. Because of Josie.”
    â€œOh no!” Melissa exclaimed. “When you said it before I didn’t really think he’d kick you off.”
    â€œThere goes my wrestling scholarship. There goes college. There goes my whole life,” Dave moaned.
    â€œDon’t exaggerate,” Melissa scolded.
    â€œAll because of Josie,” Dave said bitterly, ignoring her.
    â€œYou shouldn’t blame Josie,” Melissa said softly.
    â€œWhy not?” Dave demanded angrily. “Why shouldn’t I blame her?”
    â€œShe didn’t cheat on the math test,” Melissa said.
    Dave uttered a low curse. “Josie’s messed up my life. I hate her. I really do.”
    â€œDon’t talk like that,” Melissa said, turning away from the mirror and shutting her eyes. “You frighten me when you talk like that. You really do.”
    â€œI don’t feel like talking now,” Dave said abruptly. “Bye.” He hung up without giving her a chance to reply.
    â€œHey!” Feeling hurt, Melissa stood staring at the phone. She was tempted to call him back. He had no reason to hang up on her like that.
    She set the receiver down instead.
    Sometimes when Dave got like this, it was best to leave him alone. Let him simmer by himself for a while.
    Sighing, she started to get undressed.
    What was that flashing red light outside? Flying saucers?
    That was Melissa’s first thought.
    She hurried to the window and immediately saw that the flashing light was atop a black-and-white police car parked in the McClains’ driveway.
    The McClains’ front door was open. The police officers must have gone inside.
    What’s going on? Melissa