Read Online Until Today by Pam Fluttert - Free Book Online Page A

Dad blames me, but I did not expect him to be so – well – so cold. How could he say something like that in front of everyone? He just announced that he doesn’t give a damn about me, or my feelings.
    â€œKat?” When I look up, Greg is standing in front of me. His hand touches my shoulder. After Dad’s words hitting me like an ice cold shower, Greg’s touch feels welcome. He cares, and my father doesn’t.
    I watch my Dad pace across the patio. My mother tries to stop him with an outstretched hand. He brushes it away, ignores her, and continues marching around, mumbling to himself. His hands rake through his hair while he glares toward me every few seconds.
    Mom whispers something to him.
    â€œNo, I will not calm down!” my father shouts. He kicks one of Mom’s petunia pots. Dirt and a rainbow of pinks and purples fly through the air. The flowers land on the ground, close to my feet.
    Scott grabs my hand. “Come on, let’s go search by the river.”
    Greg holds up his hand. “Hold on. Let’s organize this and do it properly. We’ll all split up.”
    Greg turns to Dad. “Dave, we’ll go down by the river together.”
    I’m grateful to Greg for getting my father out of here. If anybody can handle his temper right now, it’s him.
    My dad stares at Greg with narrowed eyes. Everybody is quiet, waiting to see what he’ll do. My breath releases when he says, “Fine,” and strides toward the river.
    Greg watches Dad walk away then says to Amy. “Honey, you take Maria with you and go around to the neighbors. Maybe they’ve seen her.”
    Amy nods. She and Mom walk away, arms around each other.
    Greg starts sprinting after my father.
    â€œWhat about us?” yells Scott.
    Greg turns. We can hardly see him anymore in the last of the evening light. “You guys grab a flashlight and look around the property. Don’t go too far into the woods.” Greg points toward the trees bordering the back of the yard before turning and disappearing over the riverbank.
    I go into the house for a flashlight. Scott is waiting for me on the patio when I return.
    â€œLet’s go.” I turn on the light and we follow its beam across the yard.
    â€œSorry to drag you into this.” I stare at the beam of light, embarrassed to look at Scott after my dad’s outburst.
    â€œNot a problem. I wasn’t sure if I’d see you again after…”
    Scott’s voice trails off.
    â€œWatch that tree root.” I point with the flashlight at a large tree root sticking out of the ground.
    â€œAfter the other night?” I ask, completing Scott’s sentence. I stop and point the flashlight up into the trees. Would Sarah climb up and get stuck?
    Scott’s footsteps stop beside me.
    â€œWell, yeah. It was kind of weird. It was like I did something that freaked you out.”
    I start walking again, still looking up at the branches. Scott shuffles along beside me.
    â€œOuch,” I yelp, stubbing my toe on a large stone.
    Scott grabs my elbow so I don’t fall.
    â€œThanks, I’m okay. Guess I better keep the light on the ground.”
    â€œWhat did happen?”
    I try to distract him and change the subject. “You mean with Sarah tonight?”
    â€œNo, I’ll let you save that one for your dad. I don’t envy you having to deal with him later.”
    I snort in agreement.
    â€œWhat happened to you the other night?”
    I point the light at a grouping of evergreens. “Why don’t we look over there? She could be hiding behind one of those.”
    â€œFine.”
    He sounds annoyed. I don’t want him to be mad at me. He’s the only friend who will talk to me right now. My stomach tenses at the thought of losing both Scott and Steph.
    â€œIt was nothing,” I finally answer him. “I guess I had a strange dream or something that freaked me out.”
    Scott grunts.