Free Vision of Shadows by Vincent Morrone Page A

weekend. We were just talking about…”
    Maggie leaned even closer, one hand propping up her chin. “Yes?”
    “Stuff.”
    “Not good enough , sister,” Maggie complained.
    I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes for a moment. I needed to tell Maggie something because she wasn’t about to let up, but I couldn’t tell Maggie about what was really going on. 
    “Maggie,” I said. “What we talked about wasn’t romantic. Not even close. It was more… family related. Payne wanted to speak to me today because of a family situation. One he thought maybe I could help with. That’s all.”
    Maggie nodded as I spoke . She waited a beat when I was done, considering what I said.
    “Family stuff?” she echoed. “What kind of family stuff?”
    “Private family stuff,” I answered. “His, not mine. I’m supposed to meet up with him after school in the same place. Just to talk. Nothing more. I can’t tell you anymore. It wouldn’t be right.”
    “Oh .” Maggie wore a contemplative look. “Okay, I get that.”
    I waited for the next array of questions to begin, but they didn’t come. I breathed a sigh of relief. Before long, we each pulled out homework and got busy. When the bell rang, I realized it was the last class of the day. It was time to head home before meeting Payne in the woods. Alone. 
    E arlier, when I was with Payne, I was certain with all my heart he meant me no harm. But all of the visions of him in my dreams squeezing the life out of me kept flooding back to my mind ever since, as did all of the other far more romantic images of us together. I wasn’t sure what to make of it all. Last night’s nightmare hadn’t helped calm my nerves either. 
    “Maggie, can I tell you something?” 
    “Are you nervous,” Maggie asked, “about Payne? I think I understand. Ever since you explained it to me, I’ve been rolling it around. I’ve got to say, I don’t think I like this. This could be bad.”
    “You think?” I asked. 
    “Yeah, I do.” She nodded. “I could be wrong, of course. I hope I am. But considering we’re talking about Payne McKnight and his history, I have to wonder what his intentions are.”
    M y grip tightened on my book bag, and it was all I could do to keep myself from shaking. 
    “Maggie,” I said, “listen. There’s just something about Payne…I don’t know how to describe it. I may be wrong. I hope I am, but I’d feel better knowing that you know I’m going to be alone with him. So, if something should happen, and I disappear, you tell my uncle what I told you. Okay?”             
    Maggie’s eyes grew as wide a s saucers, and her mouth formed a perfect O. Her hand flew from her open mouth to her beating heart and then back again several times.
    “You think something might happen to you?” Maggie asked. “That’s crazy! I can’t believe…”
    “What do you mean you can’t believe?” I asked. “After what you just said to me about being worried about his intentions and his history? What was that all about?”
    “I was afraid he was going to pull the ‘ can’t we just be friends’ card on you,” Maggie explained. “It never occurred to me you were really afraid of him.”
    I couldn’t believe it. What was it about this girl that made me keep putting my foot in my mouth? It must be the fact that she gotme to talk more than any other livin g — emphasis on livin g — person.
    “What did you mean by his history?” I asked.
    “Bristol, he’s had a rough life. I figured that was part of what you were talking to him about?”
    “Keep going ,” I demanded.
    “You know,” Maggie answered, “about the car accident.”
    “What about my parents?” I asked.
    “Not your parents. Payne’s Mom was killed in an accident. He was thrown clear from the car and survived. But his Mom…” She shrugged and shook her head, unable to finish her sentence.
    Was it his mother’s grave he was visiting? 
    “Ok ay.” I sighed. “I think I