Double Date (3 page)

“It makes me want to be über-careful about the man I marry,” Cassidy said somberly. “Not that I'm planning anything. Not until I'm at least thirty anyway.” She made a nervous laugh.

Now they all took turns making jokes about guys and marriage, but as Cassidy's car pulled up to Devon's house, Devon felt a dark cloud of sadness settle over her. It was the same black cloud she'd been experiencing ever since her mom had gotten involved with Rodney a few weeks ago. Just the same, she made a stiff smile as she told her friends good-bye. As she got out of the car, giving what she hoped looked like a lighthearted wave, she wished that she had someplace else to go home to. Some other life . . . something different than this.

E
mma felt a stab of guilt as she watched Devon going into her house. “I know she's not happy,” she said glumly. “But I don't know what to do about it.”

“Just keep being her friend,” Cassidy said as she drove away.

“Devon isn't the easiest person to be a friend to sometimes.” Emma had known Devon for as long as she could remember, and sometimes it felt like they were destined for a never-ending love-hate relationship.

“I know what you mean. But I've kind of incorporated a Scripture into my life recently. Maybe I'll call it my Devon verse.”

“What is it? ‘Love your enemies'?”

Cassidy laughed. “Devon isn't my enemy.”

“I know.” Emma felt more guilt. “She's not mine either, but sometimes she makes me kinda crazy—hey, where are you going?” she asked as she realized Cassidy had turned on the wrong street.

“Taking you home?”

“No, remember I said I'm supposed to go to my grandma's today.”

“Oh yeah.” Cassidy nodded. “I forgot.”

“Mom's worried that she's depressed . . . missing my grandpa, ya know. I'm supposed to cheer her up.”

Cassidy did a U-turn on the quiet street. “That's nice you can do that, Em.”

“So, tell me—what's your magic verse?”

“Well, it's not magic. It's in Second Corinthians. I think it's in chapter twelve. But don't expect me to quote it to you.”

“Whatever. Just give me the gist, okay?”

“It's about how God's grace is big enough to help us through anything. When we're at our weakest place—like how hard it is to be a good friend to Devon sometimes—God can step in and become our strength. We just need to realize we're weak and ask him to help us. Anyway, it's something like that. I read it in a devotional book last week and it kinda stuck, ya know?”

“That's pretty cool. Can you text the reference to me so I can look it up too?”

“Sure.”

“Maybe it's working for you, Cass. Because it seemed like you and Devon were getting along pretty good today. Better than usual, anyway.” Emma frowned. “Of course, it also seemed like you were ganging up against poor Felicia.”

“You still think that? After what you saw and heard about her? You think we're ganging up on her just because we want to maintain the integrity of the DG?”

“Yeah, well, when you put it like that, I guess not. But I still feel sorry for her.”

“I feel sorry for her too. It looks like she's making some really stupid choices.” Cassidy pulled into Emma's grandma's driveway then turned to peer at Emma. “Think about it, we already have one problem child in the DG. You really think we should take on another?”

Emma bit her lip as she gathered her bag. “I don't know . . . maybe not.”

“Want a ride to Costello's later?”

“Sure.” Emma thanked her for the ride as she opened the door, and as she walked up to the house, she thought about what Cass had said about God's grace being big enough.

“There's my girl.” Grandma opened the door and happily hugged Emma. “I've been looking forward to this all day.” She led Emma to the kitchen. “I decided that we'd make pumpkin bread. How does that sound to you?”

“Yummy.” Emma dropped her bag on a chair and took off her jacket.

“We'll make enough to freeze for Thanksgiving and for you to have some to take home.” She opened the oven door. “I already baked the pumpkin and it's nice and cool now. You can do the scraping.”

Emma was relieved that Grandma seemed to be in good spirits, but she was still thinking about Devon as she scraped the pumpkin meat into a bowl.

“Is something troubling you?” Grandma asked.

Emma told Grandma about Devon's situation. Oh, she didn't go into all the details—like how Devon had nearly poisoned herself with too much alcohol last weekend—but she did tell her about how Devon's mom was acting pretty irresponsible. “This Rodney dude is a lot younger, and according to Devon, he's a total jerk. She thinks they'll get married in December, and I can tell from how she talks, he's been spending the night at their house sometimes.” Emma tossed a big chunk of pumpkin in the bowl. “I can't imagine how upset I'd be if Mom did that to me.”

“No, I can't either. But I can't imagine your mother doing something like that in the first place.”

“No . . . she wouldn't.”

“That's too bad for Devon. I really thought Lisa had better
sense. But she went through that hard divorce. I'm sure that took a toll on her self-esteem. I'll bet that's part of her problem now. Still, it's not fair to Devon.” Grandma shook her head as she chopped nuts. “Having a mom's boyfriend spending the night in their home . . . well, that's just wrong. Especially with a teenage girl in the house.” She put down her knife with a clank. “And I'm pretty sure Dr. Phil would agree with me on that.”

Emma couldn't help but laugh. Grandma was a die-hard Dr. Phil fan. She had all his books and never missed a show—even if it was a rerun. “So I've been wondering . . .” Emma put the last of the pumpkin into the bowl. “Maybe I should offer to let Devon live with us. I'm sure Mom wouldn't mind. Sometimes she gets along better with Devon than she does with me.” Emma frowned.

“Oh, honey, that's so sweet that you're willing to share your home with Devon, but do you really think that's a good idea? I know you girls have been close off and on over the years, but I also know you can fight like cats and dogs sometimes too.”

“That's true.”

Grandma measured some flour, dumping it into the mixing bowl. “I hate to see you feeling like the odd man out—or odd girl out—in your own home. Especially with the holidays coming, when Edward will be home from college. It might be awkward for him having Devon as part of the household.”

Emma hadn't even thought about how her brother might react to Devon living with them, but she was actually relieved that Grandma's thinking was taking this route. Because as much as she wanted to help Devon, the idea of having her full-time in their home until graduation was a little scary. “Yeah, those are good points,” she admitted. “I hadn't even considered those things.”

Grandma paused from measuring salt. “I have an idea, Emma. Something that might be good for both you and Devon—and for me too.”

“What?”

“How about if Devon moves in with me?”

“Seriously?” Emma blinked.

“Absolutely. Devon and I have always gotten along well. I know the girl's got a bit of the devil in her—she always has. But thanks to Dr. Phil I've picked up some skills over the years. I think I might be of some use.” Grandma smiled.

“Really?” Suddenly Emma felt unsure. Was she truly willing to share her grandma with Devon?

“You know, Emma, it might even be an answer to prayer for me.” She sighed. “I've been out of sorts since your grandfather died. I've felt rather lost. Oh, I try to act like I'm fine, but the truth is, I'm lonely.”

Emma nodded. “Yeah . . . I know.”

“Devon is a little chatterbox.”

“That's true.”

“And she doesn't have a grandma nearby.”

“That's true too.”

“And she's almost like family. I've known her mother since she and your mom were in school together.” Grandma clasped her hands. “Oh, Emma, this is so exciting. Do you think Devon will be interested?”

“I, uh, I don't know.”

“Do you think Lisa will mind?” Grandma pursed her lips. “Although, considering what you've said about this Rodney fellow, I would think Lisa would be relieved.”

“Yeah, and then Lisa can do whatever she wants. Have her boyfriend over or disappear for a few days.” Emma scowled with disapproval.

“It might even be a wake-up call for Lisa,” Grandma said as she measured cinnamon.

“How so?”

“If she sees that choosing to be involved with Rodney like
that means that Devon has to live elsewhere . . . well, perhaps she'll rethink the whole business.”

“Wouldn't that be nice,” Emma said dourly.

“So what's our next step?” Grandma asked hopefully. “Do I call Devon? Or should you?”

Emma frowned with uncertainty. “I'm not sure.”

Grandma's mouth twisted to one side as she unwrapped a cube of butter. “Maybe you should call her, Emma. That way, if she's not interested, it won't make her uncomfortable. I wouldn't want to pressure her at all. Of course, she would have to understand that she would be subject to some house rules if she comes here. I certainly wouldn't want her to think she could just run wild.”

“No . . . that wouldn't be good.” Emma felt even more uncertain now. What if Devon accepted this offer, thinking it was her ticket to complete freedom?

It wasn't long until all the ingredients were mixed and the bread pans were filled with spicy-smelling batter. As Grandma closed the oven door, she turned hopefully to Emma. “Why don't you call Devon right now, honey? I'm dying to hear her answer. Even if it is no.”

“Okay . . .” Emma reluctantly went to get her phone, remaining in the living room as she hit the speed dial. What if this was all a big mistake?

“Hey, Em,” Devon said in a slightly flat-sounding voice. “What's up?”

“Well, I have kind of a crazy idea—actually my grandma has a crazy idea.” Slowly, Emma explained. The other end of the line was so silent that Emma wondered if she'd lost the connection. “Devon?” she said. “Are you still there?”

“Yeah . . . I'm here.” Devon's voice sounded even stranger now.

“Are you okay?” Emma asked nervously. “You haven't been getting into your mom's booze again, have you?”

“No, of course not. I told you I was never doing that again.”

“Yeah, but you say lots of things.”

“Are you calling me a liar?”

“No—I'm sorry. It's just that I care about you.”

“Yeah . . . sorry . . . I know.”

“So, what do you think? Or maybe you need time to think about it. Or to talk to your mom . . . or whatever. I just promised Grandma I'd call and let you know.”

“I can't believe this.”

“What?”

“That your grandma would really ask me something like this.”

“Huh?” Emma was confused. Was Devon insulted by her grandma's offer? If she was, shouldn't Emma be insulted that Devon would react like that? After all, Grandma was doing this out of the goodness of her heart. “What do you mean—ask you something like this? Are you saying—”

“I'm just kinda blown away, that's all.”

“Oh?”

“You know what I was just doing?” Devon asked in a serious voice.

“I have no idea.”

“I was on my knees, Emma.”

“Huh?”

“I was
praying
.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah. I can hardly believe it myself. But I felt so desperate when I came into the house. I literally got down on my knees and I begged God to get me out of this place. I hate being here, Emma. I despise it. I mean, it used to be okay, but now that Rodney's acting like he's part of the family, it's unbearable. When I walked into the house and saw his leather motorcycle jacket hanging by the front door, I almost went ballistic. It feels like he's marking his territory—you know, how a dog does in a
yard. Anyway, I was seriously tempted to stuff that stupid jacket into the fireplace, douse it with something flammable and just light it on fire.”

“But you didn't?”

“No. I knew that would just make more problems.”

“For sure. But you were actually praying?”

“I was.”

“Wow.” Emma glanced over to the kitchen where Grandma was cleaning up the baking tools. “So what do you think then?”

“I think—yes, yes, yes!” Devon said happily. “Ask your grandma how soon I can move in.”

“Don't you need to talk to your mom?”

“Did she talk to me before bringing Rodney into our lives?”

“I guess not.”

“Seriously, Em, ask your grandma when I can come, okay? I'll start packing right now.”

Emma went into the kitchen now. “Grandma?”

Grandma looked up from where she was setting a bowl in the dishwasher. “Yes?”

“Devon wants to know when she can come.”

Grandma's eyes lit up and she laughed. “Whenever she likes.”

“Did you hear that?” Emma said into the phone. “Grandma said whenever.”

“Cool. Maybe I'll pack a bag and walk over there right now,” Devon said. “Is that okay?”

“Can Devon come right now?” Emma asked her grandma.

“Tell Devon that the pumpkin bread will be out of the oven in about thirty minutes.” Grandma grinned as Emma relayed this message and hung up. “Well, isn't that amazing,” Grandma said happily.

“Do you want to hear what's really amazing?” Emma asked. “Devon told me that she was actually praying just now, asking God to give her another place to live.”

Grandma's eyes got misty. “Well, isn't that just how God works sometimes—miraculously.” She dried her hands on a towel. “Want to help me clear some things out of the spare bedroom to make more room for Devon?”

“Sure,” Emma said without real enthusiasm. Oh, she was happy for Devon and even happier for Grandma. But a juvenile and selfish part of her was feeling pea green with jealousy too. What if Devon tried to take Emma's place with her grandmother?