Free A Question of Mercy by Elizabeth Cox Page A

with is not your mother?” Marie’s curiosity was aroused. “Who is she?”
    â€œJust somebody my daddy married.”
    â€œYou mean she’s your stepmother?” Betty asked. “What’s she like?”
    â€œMean, I bet,” Marie said, hopefully. “Do you hate her?”
    â€œShe’s okay, I guess.”
    â€œWhat about your brother?” Betty’s voice grew quiet. “I saw him today.”
    â€œWhat about him?” Jess knew Betty would make fun of him.
    â€œIs he your real brother?” Marie asked. “He is so good-looking.” They had seen Adam only from a distance—preparing his fishing gear or riding in the car with Edward.
    â€œHe’s her son. Not my real brother.”
    â€œDoes he have a girlfriend?” Betty asked.
    Adam’s height made him attractive. He shaved now, and his jaw had a strong, manly look. He had a sweet smile and curls falling above bushy eyebrows. Jess thought he looked like the framed photo of a younger Calder.
    â€œHow should I know?” Jess hated these questions and wanted to talk about something else, but they kept urging her to bring Adam with her tomorrow night. “I don’t think so,” she said.
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œHe gets up early to fish with my dad. I don’t think he wants to stay out so late.”
    â€œWe’ll make it worth his while,” said Betty. “You could at least ask. What’s his name?”
    â€œAdam.” Jess pretended she would ask him, but the next afternoon Jess saw the girls on the beach and Marie said that she had already asked him.
    â€œWhat’d he say?” Betty looked eager.
    â€œNothing. I think he’s shy. But he might meet us,” said Marie. “Anyway, he seemed pretty excited when I said he should come.”
    â€œI don’t know,” Jess said. “He’s kind of strange.”
    â€œI don’t care,” Betty said. They were irritated with Jess. “Just bring him with you. Okay? He obviously wants to.”
    Jess showed up alone that night. She waited until Edward and Clementine went to sleep and climbed out the window. She thought Adam was asleep too, but he was waiting to see where she went and climbed out his window to follow her to the beach. Jess was already with the girls and they kept asking ‘Where’s Adam?” until Betty saw him coming over the dune through the grass and waved to him. He ran across the sand at an awkward gait, and the girls were laughing. But the moment he spoke, his words came out elemental and hollow-sounding.
    â€œI came,” he said, his voice echoing in on itself.
    â€œDamn,” said Marie. “What’s the matter with him?” She was speaking to Jess.
    â€œNothing,” Jess said. “You said you wanted him to come. Here he is.”
    â€œYeah, but what’s the matter with him? He talks funny.”
    Adam looked confused. “What’s the maat-ter with me?” He laughed too loud, the way he laughed when his feelings might be hurt.
    â€œLook at him. He walks like an old person.” Betty pointed to a gull on the beach. “Like that bird.”
    â€œOkay, okay,” Jess said. “He’s slow. Okay?” She turned to leave, to take Adam with her. “He can’t learn like everybody else.”
    â€œNo,” Betty said, sounding apologetic. “Don’t go. It’s okay. I have some stuff stashed down the beach. Let’s go.” Her voice became full of mischief. “Marie has a flashlight.”
    â€œAnd more than just a flashlight!” Marie shouted. She gave Adam the flashlight and told him to turn it on.
    â€œC’mon.” Betty took Adam’s hand, and they ran on the beach. Adam’s heart pounded in his chest and his throat felt tight. He laughed loud, a real laugh this time. Jess followed to a place on the beach where a fire had been built the night before. Betty told