Free Payback by Melody Carlson Page B

this.
    By Friday afternoon Conrad is so concerned about his little sister that he and Alex have decided to drive up to Seattle to pay her a visit in the hospital, where she’s about to be treated with some new medication. “It’s supposed to be really good,” he tells us as we stand in the school parking lot. “But it’s alsosomewhat dangerous. My dad said that it sounds like she’ll either get a lot better…or worse.”
    “I told Conrad that this calls for a road trip.” Alex pats him on the back. “We should be in Seattle by eight o’clock.”
    “Be safe,” I say. “And tell Katie I’m praying for her to get totally well.”
    Conrad nods. “Will do.”
    Olivia and I wave good-bye as they drive off in Conrad’s goofy-looking orange car. I hope it’s roadworthy. If not, I’m sure they’ll work it out. Maybe it’ll be a good guy adventure. And Katie will appreciate it. I know how much she looks up to her big brother.
    “At least you don’t need to make up any phony excuses for not going with Conrad to youth group tomorrow night,” Olivia says as we get into her car.
    “Yeah, I hadn’t thought of that. But I’m starting to miss youth group,” I admit.
    “Hopefully, tomorrow will be your last prom-crashing night. Have you got your costume all ready to go?”
    “I haven’t picked up the dress yet, but I tried on your wig last night. I even did the makeup the way you suggested.”
    “The blue eye shadow and false eyelashes and the works?”
    “Pretty funny. I didn’t even recognize myself. I almost went down to show Mom, you know, pretend like I was a total stranger. But I didn’t think she’d appreciate it. Her sense of humor isn’t too sharp right now.”
    “Is she still in a snit?”
    “I think she’s done with the anger part now. Ebony said it might be like she’s going through the stages of grief.”
    “So which stage is she at now?”
    “Denial, I think.”
    “You’re not suggesting that she thinks Steven, or whatever his name was, is innocent, are you?”
    “Sort of…plus she kind of blames herself.”
    “That is so weird.”
    “Tell me about it.”
    “I’m going dress shopping tomorrow,” Olivia says as she pulls up at my house. You want to come?”
    “Sure. I need to pick up my dress for tomorrow night; maybe you can find something at the rental place.”
    She laughs. “That wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.”
    “No, I didn’t think so.”
    “How about I pick you up around eleven?”
    “Sounds good.”
    “I’d ask you to do something tonight, but the band is having a long practice to be ready for the prom. This is our first prom, and I think Cameron is nervous.”
    “How about you?” I ask as I get my bag. “Are you nervous?”
    She nods with a serious expression. Yeah, but not about the music. I was thinking about your dream…and I even wondered about not going.” She looks at me with concern. “Do you think it’ll be the real deal tomorrow night?”
    “I’m not sure. Like I told you, yesterday’s investigation didn’t turn up a thing.”
    “No more dreams or anything either?”
    I shake my head. “No.”
    “So maybe it’s not tomorrow night’s prom?”
    “I just don’t know.”
    “It’s not that I’m scared, Sam. Not really. But it’s a little unnerving, you know, thinking that something like that could really happen.”
    “You know, Olivia,” I begin slowly, “if you have a bad feeling about this…maybe you shouldn’t go. I mean, I respect the fact that God does give us intuitions, and we really need to pay attention to—”
    “No. I
want
to go. Nothing’s going to keep me from going. But I guess I’m a little nervous. That’s all.”
    “Well, the police will be all around the place. Security will be tighter than ever now. I’m sure we’ll be safe.” But even as I say this, I wonder how I can be so sure.
    She smiles as I get out of the car. “Yeah. God will protect us.”
    I think about this as I go inside my house. I