Read Online Yesterday's Stardust by Becky Melby - Free Book Online

silent until Evan pulled into the Eichelman Beach parking lot.
    “What questions are you going to ask?” He reached in the back seat for his camera case.
    “I don’t know yet. Mostly I just want to get reacquainted, build relationships.”
    He shook his head. “There’s that fine line again.”
    “What ‘fine line’?”
    “The one Mitch told you not to cross. Reporters ask questions. Social workers build relationships.”
    “Right. And I’m just going to walk up and say, ‘Remember me? The reporter? I know you don’t know or trust me, but I’d like you to spill your guts right here in my notebook, please.’”
    “Ick. That’s disgusting.” He opened his door. “Fine. Let’s go forge some lifelong friendships with people half our age. ‘Hello, juveniles, we are here to build deep and meaningful relationships and save you from a future of substance abuse and crime and incarceration and—’”
    “They’re half
my
age. You’re practically one of them. Now hush up and take pictures.”

    Three boys lounged in the shade of the concession stand. Dani recognized two of them. “Mouthwash,” she said out loud.
    “In your glove compartment.”
    “No. His name.” She punched Evan’s arm. “That tall kid— remember him? His parents are into that war game.”
    “World of Warcraft.”
    “Right. What do they call him? It’s some brand of mouthwash.”
    “Listerine?”
    “Duh. You’re worthless.”
    “Well, maybe it’ll come to you when we get out there and
scope
out the situation.”
    Dani turned slowly and narrowed her eyes at Evan. “Grandma Agatha had a saying—‘Why be difficult when with a little more effort you can be impossible?’”
    “And that pertains to me how?”
    After a slow eye roll she got out and led the way to a picnic table. “Okay, Scope and…we met his friend with the backward cap, didn’t we?”
    “I’m paid to remember faces, not names. But I do remember him. He had a story that reminded me too much of me. Broken home, controlling mother, father who never says a word unless he’s screaming. He’s an insecure kid trying to look cool.”
    “Aren’t they all?”
    Two girls crossed the sand toward the boys. “And here come the girls who remind me too much of me. Working too hard to look good for the cool, insecure guys.”
    “You and them and the girl in the diary. Nothing new under the sun, is there?”
    Dani stuck her hand in her purse and fingered her favorite pen. “What would you say to them if they’d listen?”
    “Give it up. Stop trying to please everyone. Stop blaming yourself because your parents are too messed up to know how to love you. Pursue God because really knowing Him is the only thing that will make that emptiness go away.” Evan stopped for a breath. “But they won’t listen.”
    “Doesn’t mean we can’t convey truth on some level. ‘Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words.’”
    Evan nodded as he snapped a series of pictures from a distance that wouldn’t allow the kids to be easily identified. The girls copped poses, the boys laughed. After a few minutes the girls swayed off, taking full advantage of the audience watching their backsides.
    Dani picked up her bag. “Let’s go.”
    Scope waved as they approached. “It’s the reporter. Cool story. You doing another one?”
    “Yes.” She stuck her hand out. “Nice to see you again, Scope.” She turned to the backwards cap guy. “Sorry, I don’t remember your name.”
    “Broom.” Bony shoulders shrugged.
    Scope nodded at the third boy who hugged a skateboard like a little kid clinging to a teddy bear. “This is Zipper.”
    Dani raised both eyebrows. “Dare I ask?”
    The boy aimed a slit-eyed look at Scope. “Just Zip.”
    “When he was like eight, he got his tongue stuck in his jacket zipper.” Scope reached behind Broom and slapped Zip on the back. The boy only glared. “Zipper makes him sound like a stud.”
    Dani laughed. “I’d like some input