Page 71 of The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle
“When I was a kid, I was scared of the dark.” Matt chuckled softly beside her. “Like, I was really scared. I had a nightlight, a flashlight, you name it. My mom said it was okay to be afraid of something, but then I went to stay with my dad and he belittled me. He said no son of his was going to let fear win out.”
“You were just a kid,” Liz said softly.
Matt nodded. “Yeah, my dad was a first-class jerk on a lot of levels. He didn’t let me have my nightlight or flashlight. He took the bulb out of the ceiling fixture so I couldn’t have light at all. Those first couple nights were the longest of my life.” He looked over at Liz. “I would never be the person to tell you to do something just because it scares you.” His jawline bunched and released. “I will say, after that visit with my dad, I was never afraid of the dark again. I was never really afraid of anything much again.” He looked at her. “Except maybe a pretty woman. Those always scare me.”
Liz wanted to look away, but she couldn’t. Was he talking about her? Was he calling her pretty? “So, what you’re saying is, if I force myself to face my fears and go to prom, I’ll never be afraid of anything again?”
Matt shook his head on a smile. “No, I’m not saying that at all. But I am offering to go with you, if you want me to.”
Liz’s heart melted at the offer. Matt had asked her to go to prom with him every year for the last five. It was always a casual invitation that she didn’t think twice about turning down. “He went about it all wrong, but I think your dad was just doing what he thought was best.”
“Loving me in his own way.” Matt nodded. “I know. So? What do you say?”
Liz felt shaky and weak. “My doctor told me to visualize going. I haven’t really been able to picture it in my mind. I can’t imagine wearing the dress or walking into the gym. It’s like my brain refuses to go there.”
The sound of Mr. Beast’s paws against the pavement ahead punctuated the quiet of the night. “I understand,” Matt said after a moment.
Liz shook her head, knowing Matt didn’t understand. “I haven’t been able to visualize going until right now in this moment. I can imagine going with you. Kind of.” She laughed nervously. “I mean, it’s a blurry vision. But I’m there. With you. It doesn’t feel as scary with you beside me.”
Matt grinned at her, his eyes seeming to sparkle as they reflected the stars. “Then we should go—together. I can be your nightlight.”
“I would like that.”
To: Liz Dawson
From: Bri Johnson
Subject: Grounded
Liz,
There’s something so comforting about doing what’s familiar. I love working in the prison library. I love it, and the thought of not having this job to go to once I’m out makes me feel breathless and panicky. Once I leave this building, I won’t have any of the familiar things that I’ve come to rely on these last few years. You’re probably thinking, “you’ll have me.” But even you aren’t familiar because I’m used to turning to you with an e-message. I’m not used to seeing you face-to-face all that often. I’m not the adventurous girl I once was, who loved the idea of what was new and exciting. I’ve changed. We all have. And now I’m faced with having to change again because I can’t be who I’ve become in this prison out there in the real world. I just can’t. And I can’t go back to who I was before I got here either. Anyway, I guess what I’m trying to say is, don’t be surprised if I continue to email you once I’m free. Our e-messages might just be the one familiar thing that keeps me grounded.
B
CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE
MELODY
Melody was waiting impatiently. What was taking Liz so long? Melody had hung a half dozen dresses inside the tiny dressing room of Hidden Treasures for Liz to try on. Surely one of them fit.
“Liz?” Melody listened as movement rustled behind the closed door. “Liz, are you okay?”
Finally, the door opened and Liz appeared wearing the same clothes she’d stepped into the room wearing.
“You didn’t try on any of the dresses?” Melody asked.
“I did. I tried all of them on. None of them felt right.” Liz blew out a breath.
“Well, that’s okay. I’ll find more. There are dozens more dresses here and if they don’t work, then we’ll go shopping somewhere else.” She forced a smile, trying to convince Liz. She really didn’t want to give Liz any reason to second-guess her decision to chaperone prom with Matt. This was a huge deal—for all of them. “Want to keep looking?”
Liz lowered her head. “No. I think I’m done for tonight. Maybe this weekend. I was considering going to take photographs of Sunset Park at sunset.”
“Oh? Are you riding your bike over there?” Melody asked. Sunset Park was several miles away.
Liz rolled her lips together. “No. I’m driving.” She scanned the store and Melody had the distinct impression that her friend was holding something back.
“I’m not sure you’re ready to drive solo just yet.”
