Free Be Mine by Justine Wittich Page B

“That sounds like fun.”
    Daniel finished inhaling his meal and pushed his chair back. “I better hit the books for that test first period.” He threw perfunctory farewells behind him as he headed for the den.
    “See. I told you the boy ain’t been actin’ right.” Clara’s said worriedly.
    “Consarn it, woman! What’s funny about wantin’ to get his book work done?” Jonas glowered at Clara. “You women think a boy has to be make sense all the time. He’s het up about this game tomorra’, and that’s the end of it.”
    Clara glared back at her longtime adversary. “What do you know about boys, you old goat? Old bachelors like you should be put to pasture when they start thinkin’ they know anythin’. I say the boy’s holdin’ somethin’ back. He don’t seem as excited as he should be.” She looked at Chad, who stifled a sigh and stood.
    “I’m sure there’s nothing wrong, but I don’t want you worrying. He’s at a rough age.” The frown creasing his forehead eased as he asked Sabina. “Sure we can finish up tomorrow?”
    “No problem. If we start early, I’ll be gone by noon.” Sabina wanted to escape Chad’s clear golden gaze, which seemed to pin her against the polished wood of her chair.
    “Then I’ll pick you up here at seven. Has anybody heard a weather report?”
    “Mebbe some rain tomorrow, Chad. Nothin’ to be a problem.” Jonas reassured. “‘Tain’t that far to Athens anyhow.”
    Chad’s departure made the room seem empty, and Sabina helped Clara clear the table. Recalling her promise to Erica, she hoped Chad’s talk with Daniel didn’t last long.
    After refusing an invitation to help wash dishes, Jonas left. Clara, pink-cheeked, seemed revved by their skirmish. She saw Sabina’s quizzical survey, and turned even pinker. “Jonas and I nearly got married nearly fifty years ago. He called it off. Said I was too `managin’ . ’ I never let him forget it.”
    Her high color and the militance in her eyes were nearly Sabina’s undoing. The slam of the front door reverberating through the house enabled her to stifle her laughter.
    “See? He won’t talk to Chad. I ‘spect Chad didn’t go about it right.” Concern chased the color from the older woman’s face.
    “Would it hurt if I just stopped in to wish Daniel good luck?” Sabina wished she could escape the webs of involvement these nice people were wrapping around her. The sticky filaments felt as if they would entangle her permanently.
    Clara brightened. “Your pretty face might just bring him ‘round. He won’t dare send you packin’ . ”
    As she made her way to the cozy den, Sabina thought, I just want to give him Erica’s message and get away. Before this, she had always managed to keep others at arm’s length. She wasn’t accustomed to people sharing their problems, their pasts, and their hopes for the future. The thing that disturbed her most was that she cared.
     

CHAPTER SIX
     
    The silence in the den was other-worldly. Pearl Jam held court; Sabina could see the empty CD case on the floor next to the table. She was grateful headphones confined the sound to Daniel’s headphones. After this afternoon’s explosion, rock music would complete the destruction of her nervous system.
    Standing across the table from the teenager, she waved her hand between his face and the open book in front of him. No response. She touched his hand gently and felt her heart constrict with compassion for his all too visible vulnerability. Daniel had the body of an over-size adult, but the finishing process hadn’t yet taken place.
    Daniel reacted by removing the headphones with polite reluctance. “Did you need something, Sabina?”
    Aware no one but he could hear her, Sabina whispered, “There’s mail for you in the window seat. Erica made me swear I wouldn’t tell anyone but you.”
    Before she finished speaking, Daniel rushed to the bay window and pulled out the thick envelope. As Sabina turned to leave, his