If You Would Only Believe

Forever and Ever

 Time has passed and things have changed. Especially for me. It was Saturday and I was sitting on my bed just sorta reflecting. I grinned as I recalled the first day of the new school year. I walked had into the high school and went to my class. Unfortunately, Miley and Ida had moved up with me but that couldn't be helped. I wasn't going to let anything spoil my school year. After the welcoming speech in the auditorium I went to my new class. I slid into a seat and dropped my books on the desk. My new chemistry teacher, Mr. Collins, looked up at me and grinned. He had a nice grin. I grinned back. “I'm McKenna.” I said. “Ah, yes, I see your name on my list here.” Mr. Collins replied. I didn't say anymore and it wasn't long before other students started to come in. There was still nearly ten minutes before class started when Ida and Miley came walking in. I saw them point to me out of the corner of my eye and to my despair they took the two seats next to me. “Hi, Kenny!” Ida began. I rolled my eyes. For the rest of last school year Ida and Miley had left me alone mostly because I wasn't there most of the time and Mrs. Flanders had kept a close eye on them. With a new school year, things might be a little different, I had thought. “Hello, Ida.” I said. “We haven't really talked in awhile.” Miley chimed in. “There could be reason for that.” I said, choosing my words carefully. “I thought maybe you had switched schools.” Miley said. “Nope, still here. I graduate next year, though.” I said as I inspected my fingernails. I wanted to give those two the impression that I could care less that they were talking to me. “Still the same grump?” Ida needled. “No, not really.” I said. “Oh, Kenny found happiness then.” Miley said in that snobby voice of hers. “No,” I said as the classroom door closed and class began, “Happiness found me.”

 I think I had Miley and Ida confused all that day. Aunt Sandy made me lunch and put in a whole bag of cookies. When Ida came up to do her old “ice-down-the-back” gag I turned around and handed a her a cookie. “I can't eat them all.” I had said. She looked funnier than anything with a melting ice cube in one hand and a cookie in the other. The look on her face spelled total bewilderment. Miley tried to get me annoyed all day by calling out stupid, mocking things to me. I'm not saying I didn't get annoyed, I just didn't show it. Later on, Miley yelled “Kenny!” down the hall just as I was leaving. I turned, smiled and waved good bye to her. One day, several weeks into the school year, Miley came up to me and sincerely asked why I had changed so much. I was able to tell her some of the story and I left her with a gospel tract. School hasn't changed, but I sure have.

 “McKenna!” “I'm upstairs!” I called to Aunt Sandy. Yes, much has changed in the past year and a half. Yes, it's been that long. I'm now sixteen years old. We still go to Mrs. Lane's church. She's become like a grandmother to me. I've made a bunch of friends at the church and I even sing in the choir. The legal mess that followed after Adam and Emily were found was a nightmare. I had to go to court and testify but thankfully the Druckers didn't press charges at me for hiding Adam. They seemed to want to get the legal stuff all cleared up as fast as possible. It was when Emily's medical report came in that things became interesting. There was enough proof there that the Druckers gave up the rights over Adam and Emily instead of being charged with child abuse. I got to see Adam and Emily one last time over six months ago. Social Services convinced Adam that if they could find the right foster home he and his sister would not be separated. I didn't find out who fostered them and I still fear that I won't ever see them again.

 “McKenna!” “I'm coming!” I called. I left my room and skipped down the stairs. I was dressed in a light blue skirt. My hair was curled and I had a white top. “My, you look nice, McKenna, but there's really not too much need to dress up. We're only going on a lunch date.” Aunt Sandy said. Aunt Sandy announced last Tuesday that she was going to take me on a “girl date” on the next Saturday. “I know, but the outfit's new and I really wanted to wear it.” I said as I slipped on my sneakers. Aunt Sandy tossed me the keys to the car and I grinned. I had gotten my permit last month and I was rather enthusiastic about driving. “We'll go to the galleria mall first.” Aunt Sandy told me. I went out to the garage and got into the driver's seat of the car. That felt good. Before long I was driving down the road with Aunt Sandy beside me in the passenger seat. She was talking about some deal at J.C. Penny's that she wanted to cash in on. I was thinking about Adam, as usual. The afternoon passed without anything unusual happening. I wasn't much in the shopping mood but I did find a scarf that matched my skirt perfectly. Even though I didn't get much it was fun to laugh and spend time with Aunt Sandy. The afternoon passed much too quickly. While I was driving home Aunt Sandy seemed a bit anxious. “Is everything ok?” I asked her. “Oh, fine.” Aunt Sandy replied. She kept taking out her phone and checking the time. “The clock in this car is a little fast.” she remarked. “Only by a minute.” I said as I pulled into the driveway. Uncle Abe's truck was there and it seemed to make Aunt Sandy even more nervous. “McKenna, you haven't been out in the woods for a long time. Why don't you take a trip back there?” she asked. “I haven't felt much like it since I led the police back there. It reminds me of too much.” I said. “I think it would do you some good. You hang around the house too much.” Aunt Sandy said. “Are you tired of having me around?” I laughed. “No, I just hate to see you so cooped up all the time.” Aunt Sandy replied. “Well,” I said uncertainly. “Go on.” Aunt Sandy urged. “Now? In a skirt?” I asked as I looked down at my new outfit. “It won't make the skirt melt.” Aunt Sandy laughed nervously. I shrugged. I got the idea that Aunt Sandy was trying to keep me from going inside. My birthday wasn't for a couple months yet so I couldn't imagine what she was up to. “All right, fine.” I said.