Page 11 of Mistaken Magic

Whenwe pulled into the driveway,Mr.Sparksgot out, slammed his door behind him, and simply stormed toward the house.Hedidn't even look at me.Hisreaction was so strange, so completely over the top, thatIfelt nervous.Notthe new family kind, either.Everythingabout this man made me wonder if he was going to show up in my bedroom again, andIcouldn't decide if he'd be naked or carrying a hatchet.Ialso wasn't sure which would be worse.

Thetruth was, this family just wasn't right.Maybethey could fool everyone else, but some of their issues were completely out there.Thenagain,Liamwas a part of the family, or so he said, and he seemed pretty normal.Plus, he was a caseworker, so he had to be safe.Theywent through some kind of background checks, didn't they?

Still,Idecided to wait there forLiaminstead of going up to the house.Mostlybecause they hadn't given me a key, they'd made no move to tell meIwas welcome to come back in, andIhonestly didn't know if walking in would make things worse, soIdid nothing.Thepassenger seat was fine, and it gave me a little time to try to wrap my mind around what had just happened.

Liamwas offering to basically pay my way through some college courses?Justbecause he wasn't using the perk of his job?Butwhy me?Andwhy now?Wasit because his brother was screwing me over and he felt guilty?

Thatwas the optionIliked the most.Granted, it could also be becauseLiamwas some kind of sick pervert, but he wasn't really giving me that vibe.Ormaybe my luck was finally turningaround?Becausecollege?Really?Thatwas mydream!Andstarting early?Therewas no way this could be so easy.

Theflash of headlights announcedLiam'sarrival even before his car was parked.Ihopped out of the rotting land-barge and did my best to look calm.Evidently,Ifailed.

"Youok?"Liamasked.

Inodded vigorously. "IthinkMr.Sparksmight be upset, though."

Liamblew that off. "John'salways upset.It'shis default emotion."Thenhe gently rested a hand between my shoulders and turned me to the door.Yep, he knocked.

SoIstood beside him, waiting.Itdidn't take long forMrs.Sparksto answer, and the look she gave me could've frozenHell.Whenshe stepped back to let us in,Itried really hard to keep my eyes on the carpet.Liam, however, turned to give her a hug.Thatmade my foster mom titter.Ok, so maybe there was hope for her yet?

"Whatschool option?"Mr.Sparksasked before we were really all the way in.

Liamclasped my shoulder and expertly steered me to the loveseat, then sat down.Mr.Sparkssat across from us in the recliner, andMrs.Sparkstook her place on the couch as close to her husband as she could get.I'dbeen in enough family discussions to recognize the placement as us against them.

"Whereare the other kids?"Liamasked.

Mrs.Sparkspointed up. "Igave them the evening off from chores.Whyis that girl back here?"

"Nancy,"Mr.Sparkschided. "Youknew she wouldn't get moved immediately.Liamseems to think we need to talk about options or something."

"IthinkLorraineshould go toSilverOaksInstitute,"Liamtold them.

"Can'tafford it,"Mr.Sparkssaid, his tone sounding like that should end the discussion. "Sendher to the group home."

Liamjust lifted a hand. "Hearme out,John.I'vegot family placement credits for working there, andIcan spend them on any member of my family.Aniece counts.It'llget her a year of education, and since she's a senior, that's all she needs.She'llbe housed on campus, fed on campus, and would only need to come back here for the winter holidays at worst.It'sthe kind of opportunity that not a lot of foster kids get.Itwould also look very good on your record."

Wait, a year?Atthe church, he'd made it sound likeIcould get more, but still, a year was a lot.Hell, a year of college was a head start.Worst-case scenario,I'dget ahead.Bestcase,I'dget even more, right?Ialso kinda didn't want to ask right now.Nowwith theSparkslooking so pissed.

Mrs.Sparkswas starting to look interested. "Butisn'tSilverOaksInstitutea college?Liam, she's in high school."

"She'dbe in a special program," he explained. "It'slike thoseAdvancedPlacementclasses they offer at the public school, but more intense.Shewould be earning both her high school diploma and a few college credits at the same time."

"Ok,"Mrs.Sparkssaid, "but doesn't that place require a uniform?"

Liamhummed a thoughtful noise. "Thereis a dress code, yes.Theuniforms are supplied by the school, though."Hewaved that off as if it was inconsequential. "Untilwe see if she can even be accepted, the rest doesn't really matter, does it?"

Mr.Sparkswas now leaning forward just the slightest amount. "So, if she gets into this school, she won't be back here untilDecember?"

"Correct,"Liamagreed. "There'salso the chance that she could winter on campus."

"Isthis an all-girl's school?"Mrs.Sparksasked.

"No,Nancy,"Liamsaid. "SilverOaksis co-ed, but the male and female dorms are divided and chaperoned.Theclasses are intermixed, though."Helowered his voice to a conspiratorial level. "ButIhappen to be one of those chaperones.Plus, most of ourAPstudents tend to stick with their education and receive a bachelor's degree or better.LikeIsaid, it would lookverygood on your record."

"Oh!"Thewoman reached over and patted her husband's hand. "Thiswould be a great opportunity for her,John."

"What'sthe catch?"Mr.Sparksasked - which was ironic, becauseIwas wondering the same thing.

Liamsighed. "I'llhave to make sure there's a place open tomorrow, and it's always possible she won't qualify.Herrecords make me think she has a good chance, though.Ifshe's accepted, it'll take a few days to get her a dorm, which means she'd be staying here through the weekend.Usually, the first week is a sort of trial period, both for the school and the parents, butI'lltry to shorten that as much as possible.Unfortunately, this means one of you will need to drive her to class onMonday... orIcould come pick her up."

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