Read Online Playing with Fire by Melody Carlson - Free Book Online Page B

Ebony, my trusted friend and Dad's old partner. She deserves my honesty. So why didn't I tell her the truth? Maybe it's like Olivia said. Maybe it's too soon to jump to conclusions. It's only been a week, and Zach probably just needed a break. I'm sure he'll get it together by the beginning of next week. Perhaps he's meeting with Casey right now. Or maybe he'll attend an NA meeting this weekend. I happen to know, since I studied the schedule, that there's one at a local church on Saturday night. Maybe I can encourage him to go. I could even offer to go with him. I've heard that it's good for family members to get involved.
    But on Saturday morning when I attempt to encourage him in this direction, he sort of shuts me down. Not in a rude way exactly. But he informs me that he and Tate already have plans for Saturday evening.
    “Have you met with your sponsor yet?”
    He frowns at me. “No offense, Sam, but you're starting to sound like a nag.”
    “I'm sorry. It's just that I care about you, Zach.”
    He smiles. “I know you do. And I promise that first thing next week I will start going to NA, and I'll meet with Casey.”
    “Really?”
    He nods. “You happy now?”
    “Yes, thanks.” And so I feel hopeful.
    “Hey, Zach, how's the job search going?” Mom askshim a little later when we all happen to be in the kitchen at the same time.
    “Okay,” he says as he stares into the refrigerator with his back toward her.
    “Meaning?” Mom stands behind him, waiting, I'm sure, for a more complete answer. She hasn't said anything specifically yet, but I think she's getting impatient with Zach. And I suspect she's a little worried too.
    “Meaning…I have some good prospects.”
    “Where?”
    He turns and looks at her, and it's hard to read his expression. “Here and there.” Then he takes out a soda, closes the refrigerator door, and walks out of the kitchen.
    Mom frowns. “I hope he's taking this seriously,” she says to me as she pours a cup of coffee.
    I nod. “I think he is.” But even as I say this, I'm not totally sure. I guess I just want to believe that it's true. If Zach wasn't in the family room right now, I'd use this opportunity to tell Mom what Ebony said to me a few weeks ago. As it is, I don't really want him to hear me saying something so negative.
    Besides, it's not like he's done anything wrong. I think we're all a little apprehensive. And I know it's hard to figure out what our roles are with each other after having been apart. I mean, I want to encourage Zach to go to meetings and to talk to his mentor, but how do I do that without sounding like a nag? Mostly I think I need to pray for Zach. I need to ask God to continue the healing miracle that has already begun in his life. I pray that Zach will succeed and make everyone proud. I know, with God, this is within the realm of possibility.

I s that Tate and Zach?” Olivia asks after we exit the movie I theater on Sunday night. Conrad and I are double-dating with Olivia and Alex. It's their first “official” date as a couple, and I can tell that Olivia is being careful not to act overly interested.
    I glance over to where a couple of guys are getting into a dark-colored Toyota across the street, but it's rainy and dark, and I can't see them well enough to be sure. “That does look like Tate's car,” I say as we huddle underneath the awning, waiting for Conrad and Alex to bring the Gremlin by to pick us up.
    “I wonder what they're doing over there?” Olivia peers at the run-down apartment complex on the other side of the street.
    “Maybe Tate lives there,” I suggest, although I had assumed he was living at home to save money. The Toyota pulls away just as Conrad's bright orange Gremlin pulls up.
    “Our chariot awaits,” says Olivia, and we dash over and hop in.
    As the three of them discuss the movie, which I thought was a little lame, my mind is elsewhere. Primarily on Zachand Tate. What are they up to tonight? And does Tate really live