Free Say You'll Never Love Me by Ann Everett

younger version of Raynie sat alone in a wooden chair. When she saw her aunt, she charged from the room and into Raynie’s waiting arms.
    “Are you okay?” She knelt, hugged her tight, and Silbie cried against her chest.
    “I’m sorry, Aunt Raynie. Please don’t be mad at me. Please don’t die and leave me. I promise I’ll do better.”
    She eased the small body away and cupped her face. “I’m not mad, and I’ll never leave you. Why would you say that?”
    “Because I heard Mommy and Daddy arguing about me. They were mad, and then they died. It’s my fault.”
    “That isn’t true. It was just a terrible accident. The last thing they wanted was to leave you. They loved you more than anything.” She held her close again. “Understand?”
    The softness and tone of Raynie’s voice convinced Jared she’d be a wonderful mother, whether she knew it or not. And if there was any way he could convince her of that, he would.
    Raynie led Silbie to the sofa. “This is my friend, Father Jared.”
    “Hi, Silbie.”
    Raynie wrapped an arm around her. “Now, tell me what happened today.”
    “Cody pulled my hair and called me an orphan. I told him to stop, but he wouldn’t. He kept saying it, so I hit him. I’m not one. Am I?”
    “No. You’re not. Orphans have no one to care about them. You have tons of people who love you.”
    “Miss Starr, Principal Baxter will see you now.”
    Raynie nodded. “Do you want to sit here with Father Jared or go with me?”
    “I’ll stay here. I’ve already talked to Mr. Baxter.”
    Raynie disappeared into the office and Jared turned to the little girl. “So, did you get him with a right or left hook?”
    “I didn’t have a hook. I used my hand.”
    He laughed. It’d been a long time since he’d talked to a child her age, so he was a little rusty. “That’s a boxing term.” He fisted his hand. “If you come around like this, it’s a right hook. This way, it’s a left.”
    “Oh. I used a right one.”
    “I’ll bet Cody doesn’t bother you anymore.”
    “I don’t think Mr. Baxter will let me to come to the lock-in.” She cried again, and without thinking, Jared gathered her into his arms. “It’ll be all right. I’ll tell you what. Ever been to the Stars and Stripes Drive-in? If they have a kid’s movie showing, I’ll take you and your aunt. Would you like that?”
    Silbie pushed away and gazed at him with wonder in her eyes. “You just made my day a thousand times better.”
    Jared laughed. This kid was a lot like Raynie, and he liked her.
    Raynie came from the office, took one look at them and smiled. “Okay, let’s go.”
    He came to his feet, and Silbie slipped her hand in his. He studied her tear stained face and wondered what he’d gotten himself in to. The little girl had apparently taken an instant liking to him. Understandable. She’d lost her dad, and she missed him.
    Silbie gazed up at her aunt. “Did Mr. Baxter say I can’t come Friday night?”
    “No. You can come and you won’t be punished. But I want you to apologize to the boy tomorrow. I’ve arranged for us to meet before school. Cody was wrong, but you can’t hit people, no matter what they say. The next time something like that happens, I expect you to tell a teacher. Understand?”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    She put her niece in the backseat of the truck and buckled her in. Once on the road, Silbie leaned forward. “Father Jared, will you still take us to the drive-in?”
    Raynie jerked around to face him. “What? You planned something while I was with the principal?”
    “I was going ask your permission. Besides, you need to experience some of what the city offers before you le . . .”
    Raynie fake coughed, scrunched up her face and shook her head. So, she’d not told Silbie they weren’t staying in Lubbock. Withholding the truth, sounded familiar. “Sure, we’ll still go. We can make a day of it. I bet Aunt Raynie would enjoy a visit to Prairie Dog Town.”
    “Yay! Can