Blast From the Past by Nic Saint Read Free Book Online

as he stood back and watched with proper amazement.
    “Thank you, Daddy,” she said deferentially as she bent at the knees in an attempt at her favorite ballet pose. She wobbled a bit but finally came to a stop, her feet turned out. “Glad you like it.”
    “That boyfriend of yours is one lucky guy.”
    “Oh, I know he is.” But so am I, she thought. Very lucky indeed.
    Just then, Jackie came prancing down the stairs. When she saw her sister in full getup, she frowned. “What are you doing all dressed up? Prom’s been canceled, didn’t you know?”
    Amy stuck her tongue. “You wish.”
    Jackie merely shrugged and flung herself onto the couch, then turned on the TV with the remote. “See if I care,” she grumbled.
    “Why don’t you show me your dress, honey?” Dad said in an attempt to lighten the mood.
    Jackie didn’t look up. “I ain’t got no dress cause I ain’t going.”
    “You do, too.” Mom had made them matching dresses, Amy’s pink and Jackie’s a nice cerulean blue.
    “I’m not going to dress up like no circus freak just to please a bunch of bozos.”
    “Brad’s no bozo,” countered Amy, taking offense.
    “Brad’s the head bozo. Bozo number one. That’s why he’s taking bimbo number one to the prom.”
    “I thought you just said prom was canceled?”
    “It is, but don’t let that stop you from making a fool of yourself.”
    “The only one making a fool of herself is you, Jackie.”
    Jackie arched a single eyebrow, her gaze still fixed on the TV screen. “Is that so? At least I don’t look like a second-rate Barbie.”
    “Well, at least I’ve got a date for the prom.”
    Jackie’s eyes darkened, and her fists clenched. “You know what? You can take that Ken of yours and stick him where the sun don’t shine.”
    Amy grinned. “Oh, but I plan to do just that, honey.”
    With an anguished cry, Jackie flew up from the couch and threw herself at her sister. They both went down in a cloud of pink satin and gauze.
    “Girls, girls!” Dad cried, holding up his hands like a referee.
    But then Jackie had closed her hands around her neck and was throttling the life right out of her, bouncing her head against the floor.
    “Amy! Jackie! You stop this right now!”

Chapter 11

    “Nothing wrong with a bit of sisterly rivalry,” grumbled Jackie. She stared down at her sister as she blinked confusedly. The moment she saw the deathly pallor on Amy’s face she regretted having flown into a rage, and quickly knelt down beside her.
    “What… happened?” Amy was saying. “Where’s Dad? He was just here a moment ago.”
    Jackie’s face fell. “Dad’s not with us anymore, Ames. Remember?”
    Amy brought a hand to her head and scrunched up her face. “Ouch. My head hurts. What did you do to me, Jackie?”
    “It’s not your sister, honey,” interjected Mom. “You got a nasty hit from that car. You better lie down.”
    “Car? What car?” Reluctantly, Amy allowed herself to be led to the sofa and sank onto it, then rested her head against the soft embroidered pillow. Each time Jackie saw the pillow, she was reminded of better days. Days when Mom still used to do needlepoint. After Dad died, she’d given up on all of that, as she’d given up on a lot of things.
    She stroked her sister’s head. “You just rest a bit.”
    “But I can’t rest,” exclaimed Amy, eyes wide. “Brad will be here soon. He’s picking me up in his car. We’re going to the prom, remember?”
    Jackie exchanged a distraught glance with her mother, then decided to play along for now. “You have plenty of time to get ready, honey. Brad won’t be here for a while.”
    Amy stared at her with a pained expression. “Sis. I’m so sorry for all the horrible things I said. I really didn’t mean any of it. I want you to have just a good time at the prom as I will.” She clasped her sister’s hand in hers and pressed it to her chest. “I really want us to be friends again, Jack. I really do.”
    Tears