The Boy Next Door

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

During the date I could tell something was wrong. Evan's smiles weren't as bright, his eyes showed that he was thinking hard about something. When I saw that look, I gently brought him back to earth by pointing something out and nudging him.

"And then I tripped and fell on my cousin. She was laughing so hard tears streamed down her face," I was saying as Evan and I walked around the park. He was looking around, not really paying attention. With a smile I faked a yawn (a very simple thing to do) and asked if we could head back. He immediately agreed.

"Evan, what're you thinking about?" I asked as we made our way back to his car.

"Dad," he shrugged.

"I don't know Mr. Walker very well, do you think it would be okay if I visited tomorrow?" His ears perked up and he looked at me in shock.

"Really?"

I nodded. He smiled, a toothy smile that held nothing but joy. "That'd be great."

"I can be ready to go by eleven."

He opened my door and I slid in. Once he was driving, he answered. "I'll pick you up at eleven thirty, Meg."

Hearing him call me Meg sounded so conventional, usual. I didn't like it. When we were almost home, I spoke up again. "Evan, can you call me Liliana?"

He frowned and looked at me. "Your first name? I thought you didn't like being called that?"

I shrugged. "I don't mind if you say it."

"Okay."

He got out of the car and rushed over to open my door before walking me to the front door. "I'll see you tomorrow then, Liliana." I smiled and walked inside. It felt nice to finally have someone use my first name other than my mom.

"How was your night?" Dad asked.

"Fun."

"How's Evan doing?"

"He's a little on the sad side, but he perked up when I asked if I could visit Mr. Walker tomorrow."

Dad's eyes grew wider and he looked me in the eye. "Megan, when you go, be careful."

"What did he do, specifically I mean. Why is he in prison?"

"Again, Evan will need to tell you that."

I sighed and nodded. Madelyn came bouncing into the room. "Meg! You're back!"

"Yep. Why aren't you in bed?"

Mom walked in with a frown set on her face. "Madelyn Marie, get in your room now."

My sister grabbed my hand and towed me to her room. "Can you stay with me tonight?"

"Sure, Madelyn. Just let me get ready." When I met Mom in the hall, I stopped her. "She's getting in bed now."

Signing in relief, Mom thanked me. "She's going to miss you when you leave."

"I know," I said with a smile. "I'll have to call and tell her goodnight. But that's two years away, I don't need to think about missing you quite yet." I was aspiring to get into my dream university, which was a six hour drive from home.

That night, as I laid watching my sister fall asleep beside me, I smiled and closed my eyes. "Heavenly Father, I praise You for who You are and Your gracious and faithful acts toward me when I ignored You. Your servant is aware of the mistakes she's made, please forgive me of my sins that I committed today. Please comfort Evan while his dad is in jail and he's coping. And, God, please bless my family. Especially my little sister. I love her so much, I can't bear to have something happen to her. Thank you, in Jesus' name, Amen."

I fell asleep with a light heart and clean conscience.

Dressing in a dress that went just past my knees and wedges that would make me as tall as Evan, I adjusted my headband and took a deep breath. I'd never even seen the county jail before, I had no idea what to expect. I'd dressed casual but nice, seeing as how I was trying to make an impression on Mr. Walker.

Evan smiled when he saw me. "Ready to go?"

"Yep. Bye, Dad." Dad said bye back and I walked outside to the car.

The tension was thicker than our first date. I wasn't really nervous about seeing Mr. Walker, more nervous about being around all the other prisoners. Evan noticed and stilled my fidgeting hands. "Are you sure you want to do this? You seem scared."

"I'm not scared. A bit nervous, but not scared. I haven't ever really talked to your dad, and I've never even seen the jail before."

He smiled. "It'll be alright. There's a bunch of guards in there, and there's glass separating you from them." I nodded.