Free Kelly Jo by Linda Opdyke Page A

Wylie's dad's tee shirt and jeans, left the safety of the building's corner and strode to where they waited,  his bare feet dirty from walking through the woods.  He tried to look nonchalant.  He knew he didn't.
    Wylie's face proved that Wylie was in trouble.  "Jack, this is my dad and my mom."
    Stony expressions told Jack not to offer a handshake.  Instead, he nodded respectfully and said, "Ma'am", to the very pretty blonde who didn't come close to doing the same justice to the Grease outfit that Kelly Jo did, and offered a tense smile and, "Sir", to Wylie's dad.
    Wylie's father's tone was clipped.  "I heard Wylie's explanation.  Now I want yours."
    Jack shot a quick sidelong glance to Wylie, but Wylie gave nothing away.  Jack's mind raced, knowing Wylie would never have called Jack over unless he'd been forced into a corner.  He would also bet Wylie now banked on Kelly Jo staying away.
    But Jack had learned the hard away about second-guessing what Kelly Jo might or might not do.  He hoped Wylie didn’t get taught that lesson.
    "Well, sir," Jack began, clearing his throat and thinking fast.  "I was down at the creek and miscalculated whether or not the rope swing would make it across the water."  He gave his most disarming smile to Wylie's mother.  "Miscalculated badly.  I ended up in the water.  Soaked to the skin."  He nodded toward Wylie.  "I don't know what I'd have done if your son hadn't come along.  I talked him into letting me borrow clothes from your house and I promised to pay for them out of the prize money."  He looked at Wylie.  "You did tell them I was on my way to the talent show when I fell in the creek, didn't you?"
    Relief flooded Wylie's face and Jack knew it was relief that Jack's story was close enough to his own to pass scrutiny.
    Wylie's father held Jack's gaze and Jack tried not to shrink from the scrutiny.  "No, he didn't," the man said flatly.  "Nor did he mention the rope swing.  Only that you fell into the creek."
    Jack looked sheepish and felt his cheeks redden.  "He was sparing me from looking the fool that I acted at the creek," he stated.  "He's a good kid and I don't mind telling you how grateful I am for his help.  And I will make it right."
    "You have no shoes on," came from Wylie's mother.
    "That's part of my act," Jack said feebly, closing his eyes in disbelief and turning himself so that Wylie's parents also turned, putting their backs to the building's entrance.  Kelly Jo had returned, carrying something large and white, and disappeared around the corner that led to the auditorium.
    Wylie's father held Jack's gaze steady.  "Part of your act?  And so was playing on a rope swing?"
    Jack flushed.  Now, how could he possibly answer that?  "Yes," he blurted.  "I'm singing Old Man River."  His smile was weak.  "Just trying to...set the mood, I guess."
    Wylie's mother interrupted with, "Harlan, we have to go...our dinner reservations."
    Wylie turned to his father, his voice eager.  "Can I stay and watch the show?  Please?  I know where you're going to dinner and I'll meet you there when the show's over.  I promise!"
    Wylie's mother looked skeptical.  "I don't know, Wylie..."
    Wylie rushed out, "Mom, you and Dad deserve this special dinner.  It's hard to fight and then make up with me or Sylvie around..."
    "Wylie!" his mother gasped.
    Jack saw Wylie's father bite back a smile.
    "Okay," his father agreed, though with a touch of reluctance.  "But don't come to the restaurant.  We'll pick you up here. Don't leave.  With anyone," he reinforced, giving Jack a hard stare.
    "Thank you!"  Wylie hugged his parents, begged the money for a ticket and then hurried over to stand in the ticket line. 
    As Wylie's mother blew Wylie one last kiss and walked off hand-in-hand with Wylie's father, Jack wondered what they'd say if they knew the real reason Wylie begged to see the talent show was that Wylie couldn't wait to see Kelly Jo wearing the costume Wylie had