Who is Mackie Spence? by Lin Kaymer Read Free Book Online

like some help putting those branches I cut in the truck.”
    I decide it might be a propitious (thank you, Mrs. Littlejohn, for that highly useful word) time to call Mackie. With Dad and Justin out of the house, my call will be private.
    Lounging on my bed, I pick out her number on my phone.
    â€œHi, Jeremy,” she answers in a melodic voice that makes me melt further into my mattress.
    â€œHey, Mackie. What’s up?” It feels great just to hear her voice.
    â€œHow’d it go this morning?”
    â€œWe won. Ryan came in first, Cole was fourth, and I ran my best time,” I almost add that Brody got spiked, but check myself.
    â€œYou do sound happy. Are you going to Jen’s party tonight?”
    â€œYeah, sure.”
    â€œIt’s a sleepover for us girls, but you guys are invited for awhile.”
    â€œWhat time?”
    â€œAround eight.”
    â€œOkay, see you there. And hey, it was nice last night. Good. On the porch,” I say.
    â€œYes. It was.”
    After talking with Mackie, I shower and put on a pair of old warmups. Then I sneak in a nap on the canvas hammock on our back porch. While daydreaming about Mackie, I drift off to the fuel-deprived sputtering of our neighbor’s lawn mower.
    When I wake, it’s to the touch of Mom’s hand on my shoulder. The sunlight has grown dim.
    â€œJeremy, dinner’s ready.”
    â€œOkay.”
    â€œI heard you had a big day.”
    â€œIt was so fine,” I mumble.
    â€œCome in.”
    I walk into the kitchen. The table has been set and Mom and Dad are busy at the counter.
    â€œWould you find Justin and tell him dinner’s ready?” Dad asks when he sees me. I climb the stairs to the loft landing, legs feeling a bit stiff. Justin pops out of his room.
    â€œHey,” I say.
    â€œAre we having dinner now?” he asks, working on untangling his earbud wires.
    â€œYeah. Chicken.”
    Justin makes clucking sounds and then grabs his neck as if choking.
    I trail him down the stairs. Once we’re in the kitchen, the smell of baked chicken and garlic bread has us both focused completely on the food.
    I pour glasses of milk for my brother and myself. Then, with very little conversation, we eat.
    Mom is quiet, typical for her on a Saturday after she’s taught most of the day. But midway through dinner, she asks, “Are you celebrating with the team?”
    â€œNo. Brody got spiked. Nobody wants to be around him tonight.”
    â€œAre you staying home?”
    â€œNo. Jen’s asked everyone over.”
    â€œWho’s going to be there?” Mom questions.
    â€œThe usual. Erica, Jon, Ty, Wes, Wendy, Mackie . . . maybe some others. I don’t know. It’s a sleepover for the girls.”
    â€œWho’s driving?”
    â€œNot sure. I’ll probably catch a ride with Wes.”
    â€œLet me know who’s driving before you leave, please.”
    I nod.
    â€œWill Jennifer’s parents be home?”
    â€œYeah. What’s with all the questions?” I snap.
    Dad answers. “After Spooner’s last party, we want to know who’s going to be at Jen’s. You know some of the kids who were at Spooner’s when the police showed up.”
    â€œSo?” I ask, not following his point.
    He looks at Mom then turns to me again. “Your mom and I don’t want any surprise calls from the police. Not ever.”
    I shrug. They don’t have to worry. I’m not going to end up like Spooner.
    â€œIt won’t be that kind of party. The worst that might happen is that Jen and the girls will want us to dance.” I grimace.
    Mom raises her eyebrows.
    â€œShe has electronic games and we’ll play cards. Don’t worry, there won’t be any drugs or vile alcoholic spirits,” I add.
    Dad sends me a look that says he’ll hold me to every word. Can I ever reassure them enough?
    â€œDo we have any dessert?” Justin asks, and the