Grace by Richard Paul Evans Read Free Book Online Page B

are your pants all wet?”
    I looked down. My pants were soaked. “I was walking by the creek and kind of fell in.”
    â€œThrough the ice?”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œWhat were you doing by the creek?”
    â€œWalking.”
    He just looked at me blankly. He likely would have said more but he seemed pretty much baffled by most things I did these days. “It sounds like there’s water running.”
    â€œYeah, uh, it’s the toilet…you know how it runs sometimes.”
    â€œIt sounds like the shower.”
    Just then the Bee pulled into the driveway.
    â€œLooks like Mom came home early,” my father said.
    Now I was worried. “I’m going to take a shower,” I said. “Mom wouldn’t want me to catch a chill.” I hurried back to the bathroom. Grace’s clothes were in a pile on the floor outside the shower.
    â€œAre you okay?” I asked.
    â€œYes.” She sounded normal again.
    â€œYou scared me,” I said.
    â€œMe too.”
    â€œWe have a problem. My mom just got home.”
    She stuck her head out. “What do we do?”
    â€œJust stay in there, I’ll figure something out.”
    â€œI need some clothes.”
    â€œI’ll find some.”
    Fortunately my mom saved my clothes after I grew out of them for Joel. I could hear my brother talking to my mother in the hall. When their voices quieted, I opened the door a crack and peered out. Joel was just a few yards away. “Hey,” I called in a loud whisper.
    He turned to me. “What?”
    â€œGet me some of my old clothes from the hand-me-down box.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œGrace fell in the creek.”
    It took a moment for him to make the connection. “Is she in there?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWith you? ”
    â€œJust get the clothes,” I said. “And don’t let Mom see you.”
    As if on cue, my mom came around the corner. “What are you doing?”
    â€œI was just asking Joel to get me some dry clothes. I fell in the creek.”
    â€œThrough the ice?”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œWhat were you doing by the creek?”
    â€œWalking.”
    She looked at me with the same blank expression my father had. Then she said, “Supper will be ready in a half hour.”
    When she was gone, Joel asked, “What should I get?”
    â€œJust something warm. Not my summer clothes.”
    â€œDoes she want underwear too?”
    I thought about it. “I guess.”
    I shut and locked the door. A few minutes later Joel knocked. I cracked open the door; he was holding a stack of clothes.
    â€œDid you get socks?”
    â€œYou didn’t say to.”
    â€œOf course she needs socks. Where’s Mom right now?”
    â€œShe’s making dinner.”
    â€œI’ve got to get Grace out of here.” I thought for a moment. “I need you to create a diversion.”
    Joel smiled and nodded his approval. He had read enough comic books that the idea of creating a diversion clearly pleased him. “I know. I’ll put a dishcloth on one of the stove burners and start a fire in the kitchen. Then, while Mom’s trying to put it out, you could sneak her out the back.”
    I looked at him. “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. Just ask her to help you with your homework.”
    â€œWhat kind of distraction is that?”
    â€œIf the house is on fire, we’re all in trouble.”
    â€œI don’t have any homework.”
    â€œMake some up.”
    The shower shut off.
    â€œJust give us five minutes. Make sure Mom’s in the kitchen. I’ll take Grace out through our bedroom window.”
    â€œI can’t believe you’re in there with a naked girl.”
    â€œJust do it.” I shut and locked the door.
    â€œCould you get me a towel?” Grace whispered.
    I took one from the towel rack and turning my head handed it around the corner of the shower.