Page 7 of Sing Me Home
She humphed, eyes squeezed closed even tighter. “And please help Cash know he shouldn’t talk during someone else’s prayer. Please keep us safe and help Lula have babies.”
“She’s not having babies,” Mom whispered. “She’s been fixed. And she’s old.”
“Ahem,” Addie cleared her throat. “And please help Mom to knowsheshouldn’t talk during someone else’s prayer. And to know that miraclesarereal. They happen every day.” Her head bobbed with attitude. “Like Moses parting the Red Sea.”
“You can’t let her watch thatPrince of Egyptmovie anymore,” Dad whispered.
Addie let out a breathy, dramatic sigh as if to say: Forgive them, Lord, they know not what they do. “Please, helpeveryperson in my family to learn to be reverent and respectful and not to make fun of other people’s prayers.” She huffed. “So, in summary—because I’m sure that was confusing with all the interruptions—we need a miracle so Cash breaks up with Millie. Because we think he can do better. Maybe send him a sign. Just a suggestion. Not that You need me telling You how to do Your job or anything.”
“Oh my word. This car is going to burst into flames.” Dad laughed.
“A-men,” Addie finally finished.
We all echoed a hearty amen.
I looked over at my sister. “A sign, huh?”
She lifted her chin. “Yup.”
“What kind of sign?”
“That’s between you and Him.” She tapped her chin. “But you’ll know it when it happens.”
“Whenit happens? What if God wants me with Millie?”
“He doesn’t,” she, Dad, and Mom said in unison.
Addie poked me in the ribs. “Don’t worry. You won’t be able to mistake it. It’ll be something big. No. Huge.” She stretched her arms out. “Unmistakable. Maybe even something you think is impossible.” Then she squeezed her eyes shut. “PS: Please help Charlie to come home divorced so she can marry Cash. Amen.”
My eyes widened with shock.
Mom gasped. “Adelaide Skye Dupree, we do not pray for people’s marriages to end.”
“Maybe you don’t,” Dad said.
I choked on a laugh.
Mom gasped again, mouth gaping open at Dad.
“Who do you think I got it from?” Addie said, straight-faced.
“Ford Sutton Dupree!” Mom poked him in the side but he just shrugged unapologetically.
Then with no warning, Addie rolled her shoulders back and declared, “Charlie’s coming home. For Cash’s first concert. I can feel it.”
I stared at her, slightly miffed. Why was my sister suddenly prophesying crap? I didn’t need her getting my hopes up like that.
“I think Addie should skip Bible school this summer,” I said to my parents.
Mom turned to face our Modern-day Moses. “Hon-ey. Just because you want it to happen doesn't mean it will. No one’s heard from Charlie in a year. That girl could be dead in a ditch somewhere for all we know.”
“Mom!” I snapped.
“She’s not dead in a ditch,” Dad said as if it were a known fact.
Did he know that for sure? Because I didn’t. Every day, the thought crossed my mind: Would today be the day a state trooper knocked on Uncle Ashton and Aunt Tally’s door to deliver the bad news? The thought made me nauseous. Every time. Just like it did right then.
“Dad’s right. Charlie’s alive,” Addie said with a determined nod. “And when she comes home, you’ll all be sad you doubted. And when she does, it’s bye-bye Millie, heeeelloooo Charlie.”
