Free Amazing Grace by Lesley Crewe Page A

she’s still alive in her late eighties, but I doubt that. At the same time, something compels me to keep searching for Maria. I don’t think she’s dead, but I’m pretty sure she’s forgotten all about me.
    I get in the tub and scoop the bath water from the tap into my hands and throw it at my flushed and mottled face. That way I can pretend I’m not crying. I don’t need anyone to hear that nonsense.
    There’s a soft knock at the door. It’s Fletch. “You okay, Gracie?”
    â€œYeah. It wasn’t her, but I’m all right. Just tell Melissa I’m going to bed.”
    â€œSure thing. Good night.”
    I toss and turn until dawn, finally falling into a heavy sleep around five in the morning. When I open my eyes, the clock says 2:00 p.m.
    â€œHoly macaroni!” I jump out of bed and open the door. “Anyone here?”
    There’s no answer. There’s no animals here either. What the hell?
    Once my bathrobe and slippers are on, I rush to the back door and open it, yelling, “Hello?”
    There’s no answer; now I’m really concerned. I put on my old billy boots and tramp outside, calling. Finally Daffy sticks his head out of the garage door.
    â€œWhat are you doing?” I ask him, as if he’s going to answer me. He sheepishly disappears back into the garage. Obviously something more important is going on.
    When I finally cross the yard and look into the garage, there’s Fletcher with his radio blaring, showing Melissa how to change a tire. The dogs and cats are watching this procedure as if it’s fascinating. I suppose it is, in a way. I don’t think Melissa would ever change a tire in New York.
    She looks up at me, and her cheeks are flaming red from the cold, since Fletcher never shuts the garage door unless there’s a blizzard outside. I have to smile. She looks like I remember her, eight years old, with a saucy grin.
    â€œLook, Gee! If I ever get a car, I can change my own tires! This is so awesome!”
    I shout over the music. “You guys want some lunch?”
    â€œOkay!” they shout back, so off I go to whip something up. Beulah decides she’s had enough of the cold weather and chases me back to the trailer.
    The next few days I start making plans for the food drive and craft sale. Christmas is only three weeks away. Something Jon reminded me of when he called the night before.
    â€œIf this keeps up, she may not pass her semester. When are you bringing her home?”
    â€œFirst you can’t wait to get rid of her and now you’re annoyed she’s staying with me. Make up your mind.”
    â€œYou don’t have to shout. I’m concerned.”
    I take a deep breath. “I’m sorry, but at this point, I think I’m making progress, although she hasn’t opened up about everything, and that’s what I’m waiting for. She can always make up her courses. She’s as bright as a button, just like you were.”
    â€œHer mother comes home later this week. I think Melissa should be here, or Deanne will be furious with both of us.”
    When I get off the phone I tell Melissa I have to go to the church hall and ask her to come with me, but she puts the kibosh on that. “I don’t want to meet a bunch of old women. I think I want to go back to New York. I miss Dad.”
    â€œWould you like to return to the farmhouse one more time before you leave? I can tell you the rest of the story.” Talk about bribery.
    â€œInstead of cleaning the place up, would you make a fire with more of the apple wood? And can we bring hot chocolate?”
    She thinks this is fun. I hope I have the strength to see this through.

CHAPTER SIX
    THEN
    In my head I imagine the lady with the clipboard will magically appear and take me away to her house. She called me dear—I’m sure she’s kind. But I never see her. I sit in the back of a police car and don’t