Free Tools of Ignorance: Lisa's Story by Barbara L. Clanton Page B

Transformer action figure in a sealed box. Lawrence Jr.’s eyes lit up, but Sam held the toy out toward Lynnie. “Lynnie this is for you.”
    Lawrence Jr.’s face fell which caused the entire family, including Sam, to laugh. “I’m just kidding.” She handed the toy to Lawrence Jr. “Of course this is for you.” She winked at Lynnie who smiled back.
    “Thanks, Sam.” He grabbed the toy from her hands and tore open the packaging.
    Sam cleared her throat and faced Lynnie. “I have something for you, too. I noticed you liked books about wizards, and I wasn’t sure if you’d read these yet.” She pulled out a hardcover edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
    Lynnie reached for the book and ran her hand across the colorful cover.
    “Have you read this one?”
    Lynnie shook her head.
    “Oh, good.”
    Lisa’s heart swelled. Sam had found a way to bond with Lynnie right off the bat.
    Lynnie clutched the book tightly to her chest and then gave Sam a hug. “Thank you.”
    “Oh, you’re welcome.” She pulled another book from the box. “I brought you the entire series, because if you’re anything like me, you’ll have this book finished like that.” She snapped her fingers. “And then you’ll want to read the next one right away.”
    “Oh, Samantha,” Lisa’s mother said. “That was very generous. She just recently discovered books about magic, wizards, and witches. Right Lynnie?”
    Lynnie nodded, but didn’t look up. She had already started reading the first page.
    Sam smiled. “Well, I’m glad I could feed her need to read. Oh, and she can keep the books, by the way. I have another set at home.”
    “Really?” Lisa said.
    Sam nodded.
    “Thank you so much.”
    Sam blushed. “No problem.”
    Lisa’s mother went into the house with the leftover hot dogs. Her father busied himself setting up the lawn darts with help from Lawrence Jr. and Bridget. They were all out of earshot, except for Lynnie who sat at the table, but she was so absorbed with her new book, that she didn’t seem to be aware of anything else.
    “You just wait until I get you alone later,” Lisa whispered.
    “Oh, yeah?”
    Lisa waggled her eyebrows. “It’s our two week, two day anniversary.”
    “I know. How soon until we can get out of here?” Sam whispered back.
    “After the annual lawn dart competition, you can take me anywhere that’s dark and secluded.”
    Sam blushed to her blond roots and then cleared her throat. “Hey, can you believe Susie broke up with Marlee?”
    “Trying to change the subject, eh?”
    Sam nodded.
    Lisa grinned. “You know, I thought Marlee broke up with Susie that day we visited her after her accident. I mean, geez, Susie looked so devastated when she came flying out of the house. I feel so bad that Jeri and I didn’t go back up to see if she was okay.”
    Lisa’s mother opened the screen door and tossed a wet rag onto the table. “Honey, can you wipe the table?”
    “Sure, Mom. Hey Lynnie, go inside and read, okay?”
    “Okay.” Lynnie got up, still reading, and went inside the house.
    Sam tossed a napkin in the trash can. “You weren’t out to Marlee yet, were you?”
    “Not then, but we’re out to each other now.” Lisa grinned.
    “Yeah, I know. You gotta have somebody to talk to.” Sam sighed. “I hope she takes Susie back. Susie’s miserable.”
    “If she’s so miserable, why’d she break up with Marlee in the first place?” Lisa continued to wipe the table. “I mean, c’mon. You break up with someone and then two weeks later beg to come back? That makes no sense. Did you read the letter Susie wrote to Marlee?”
    Sam shook her head.
    “Me, neither, but Marlee said Susie wants a sign from her at our game tomorrow.”
    “I know what the sign is,” Sam said with a grin.
    “Ooh! What is it?” Lisa threw the rag on the table and sat down in a heap. “Tell me.”
    Sam leaned closer. “She wants Marlee to…”
    “Oh, c’mon, what?”
    “Nope. Marlee