Read Online Art for Art's Sake: Meredith's Story by Barbara L. Clanton - Free Book Online Page B

barely above a whisper, “maybe you should come back.” She fidgeted where she stood on the sidewalk. They didn’t have permission to take pictures of someone’s private property, let alone trespass in the yard.
    “No,” Dani called back, “it’s cool. I’m just gonna check out the front porch. Maybe look in the windows. If the coast is clear, you guys should come up. Okay?”
    “Okay,” Meredith said with resignation. “Hey, Mikey Spikey, let’s get ready to go up to the front door.”
    “Scawey.”
    “Oh, I know it’s scary, but Dani’s up there and she’s very brave. Besides, Mikey, you are the only one of us that knows taekwondo. What if Dani needs you?”
    He looked at her as if considering this and said, “Okay, Mewey, c’mon.” He pulled her by the hand through the open gate and practically dragged her up the walkway.
    Meredith called, “I hope the coast is clear, because we’re on our way.”
    “I see you had no choice.” Dani smiled.
    “None.”
    “Hey, Meredith. Take my picture on the landing.”
    “Okay.” She pulled Mikey to a stop. “Wait a second, Mikey. Let me take Dani’s picture.”
    Dani held the banister with one hand while the other was shoved deep in her bulky letterman’s jacket. Meredith snapped the picture. She zoomed in a little and snapped another, but watched in horror as Dani, along with the banister, went tumbling to the ground.
    “Dani!” Meredith screeched and ran to her. Dani sat in the wilds of what used to be a flower garden. The flowers were long dead from the winter cold.
    “Oh, my God, Dani. Are you okay?” Meredith searched for breaks and bruises. She grabbed Dani by the arm and patted her up and down. She even felt Dani’s forehead as if Dani had a fever. She stopped when she saw Dani grinning at her.
    Meredith smacked her in the arm. “Cut it out. I thought you were hurt.”
    “Is that all you’ve got? We’ve got to get you into some kind of weight training program. Gee whiz.”
    Dani could have been her father’s clone with that comment, but Meredith ignored it and said seriously, “Are you okay?”
    Dani locked eyes with Meredith and said, “You’re cute when you’re worried.”
    Meredith felt her face grow hot. “Oh, stop that. I was afraid you got hurt.”
    “Well, I may have bruised my ego a little, but I’m okay.” Dani reached a hand toward Meredith’s face. “You’re very pretty with your hair pulled back, you know.”
    Meredith leaned back out of reach, mortified. Dani had almost touched her acne scars. Meredith knew she was blushing furiously, and if she didn’t know better she would have thought that Dani Lassiter was flirting with her.
    Dani pulled her hand back. “Why don’t you wear your hair back at school?”
    “I don’t know,” she stammered. “I guess I don’t want to be seen.” She instantly regretted saying it. She never thought she would admit that to anyone. She barely admitted it to herself.
    Dani brushed herself off and stood up. “Well, I think from now on you need to be seen. Starting on Monday.”
    “Dani, I—” Meredith started to protest, but Mikey launched himself at Dani sending them both sprawling back to the ground.
    “You 'kay, Dani?”
    Dani laughed. “Mikey, I’m okay. Really.” To Meredith she said, “He said my name. Did you hear that?”
    “Yeah, he’s quick like that.”
    Dani smiled and got up. “Hey, let’s go get hot chocolate and cookies. This ground is kind of cold.” She stopped and looked at Meredith. “Oh, can he have sweets?”
    “Sure, why not. Let’s get out of here. Cookies, Mikey?”
    “Cookies! Yeah.” Mikey heartily agreed with the change in plans for the evening.
    They stood up to go, but something caught Dani’s eye. “Hey, look at this banister I broke.” Dani pointed to something in the shadowy darkness. “It looks cut at the base. Like with a hacksaw or something. See where it’s smooth all the way around except just right here in the middle