Page 87 of A Surefire Love
“What do I say if someone asks about the fire?”
Blaze caught her sister’s gaze in the rearview mirror.
This was what came of telling Mercy she’d sounded guilty yesterday when she’d randomly inserted into conversation with Anson that she hadn’t started the fire. “If someone asks you a direct question, answer honestly. But don’t volunteer anything they don’t ask. Let’s practice. How did you find out about the fire, Mercy?”
“Anson showed us a video. Am I allowed to saythat?”
Blaze suppressed a groan. “Let’s skip it, if you can. How about you say you saw it on social media and not mention who showed you?”
Many Oaks Bible Church was meeting in the performing arts theater a couple of blocks from the square this morning. As they got closer, trees, lampposts, and brick buildings lined the street.
Blaze tried another question. “Who do you think started the fire?”
“Some kid who did it on accident.”
“Why do you think that?”
“I heard someone tried to put it out. Besides, who’d do that on purpose?”
“That’s a great answer.” Though it did little to assuage Blaze’s worry. “No one knows you left the house, so don’t mention that and it’ll be fine.”
“But what do I say if they ask why I’m grounded?”
“Say you don’t want to talk about it.”
“Oh. Okay, I guess.”
Following a couple of other cars, Blaze steered into the theater’s lot. She parked and twisted toward Mercy. “There are no classes this morning, so you probably won’t end up talking to people anyway. You’ll stay with me the whole time.”
Staying together would also give Blaze an excuse to limit her conversation with Anson. Despite her curiosity about yesterday’s meeting, she hadn’t reached out because the more they talked without her revealing Mercy’s early morning adventure, the worse her omission would be.
It’d be so much easier to tell him, but even if Mercy was exonerated, the questions would leave nasty rumors in their wake. The kind that could haunt Mercy for decades.
Anyway, if the meeting had gone badly, Anson would’ve contacted her. He’d probably been too busy helping pull off the change of venue.
Mercy and Blaze fell in with the flow of people approaching the theater’s entrance. Other than the expected exchange with the greeters, no one talked with them as they found seats that mirrored where they usually sat in the sanctuary. Anson wasn’t in the auditorium yet, but he’d know where to find them when he was free.
Ed opened the service with prayer and announcements instead of Anson. Maybe it was his week to preach? The usual worship team played, but an amp buzzed the whole time and Blaze struggled to focus on God. Thankfully, the team turned off the equipment when they left the stage, and the buzzing stopped.
Greg walked on stage to deliver the sermon. Still no sign of Anson. She did her best to scan the audience without making a big show of it. Didn’t spot him.
Pastor Greg’s closing prayer ended so abruptly, her eyes were still closed when he said, “The leadership board would like for all of our youth leaders to meet at the back before leaving today.”
Was Anson sick? Regret churned in her stomach. She should’ve reached out.
Mercy followed her to the back of the room, and they fell in beside Nolan as a huddle formed.
“Do you know what this is about?” she asked.
He shook his head.
“All right.” Eric Newsome wedged in and clapped his hands. “This everyone?” He looked around at the group of four youth leaders.
Sydney nodded.
Eric’s gaze fell on Mercy and he frowned. She bumped into Blaze like she used to as a much younger child when she wanted to hide.
Blaze put an arm around her and aimed as sweet of a tone as possible at Eric. “What can we do for you?”
