Counting on Starlight by Lynette Sowell Page B

selfie with Tim. It scared Jake to see his sister as a young woman. If he ever had daughters, he’d resolve to lock them in a box until they were twenty-five, at least.
    The play started, and his eyelids grew heavy. He blinked to see Tim whisper something in Maddie’s ear. Then Maddie nodded and glanced over her shoulder. Jake bent as if to tie his shoe. As he did so, Liann reached down for her purse. Their heads nearly cracked together. Her perfume was a little flowery, with a hint of spice that kept it from being too sweet. Just like her. Why did women do things like wearing that kind of perfume? She pushed a button on her cell phone, and it went dark.
    Jake straightened up. Good. Maddie must not have seen him. When intermission came, however, she probably would. Maybe she’d make more of a deal out of him being out with Liann, which was fine by him.
    His eyelids felt heavier, so he decided to close them for a few minutes. He wasn’t much of a theater guy. He heard Liann chuckle at some of the lines. What a pretty laugh she had. But then, so was she....
    Someone was poking his side. “The gig’s up, Coach.” Liann.
    Jake sat up in the auditorium seat, blinking. The lights were at full strength again. He blinked at Liann. “I was only out for a few minutes....”
    “Right.” She poked him again in the ribs. “You snorted once. I had to cough to cover it up.”
    He looked toward Maddie and Tim’s seats, but didn’t see his sister. Tim still sat there, next to Kyle Sanders from the team, and the two boys were talking. “When did Maddie leave?”
    “As soon as the lights came up, she and the other girl left down the other aisle.” Liann glanced toward the doors in the rear corner of the auditorium. “She knows we’re here. She waved at me and started giggling when she saw you with your head tilted back.”
    “Did she look mad?”
    “No. Surprised, but not mad.”
    Chatting female voices grew louder. “Hey, so what are y’all doing here?” Maddie stood at the end of the row, her hands on her hips. “You don’t even like plays.” She glared at him.
    “I...um...” Jake’s brain fumbled then dropped his thought.
    “He invited me....” Liann began.
    “I wanted to make sure you were okay,” he blurted.
    “You’re not Dad.” Maddie frowned.
    “I know, but I told him I’d watch out for you.”
    “You’re here all day when I'm at school, and you don’t see me.” Maddie crossed her arms over her chest. “How do you know I’m not getting into trouble there?”
    “I don’t think you get into trouble at school.”
    “Well then, why can’t I go out with Tim, plus Kyle, plus Bekah, without having my chaperones hovering in the back?” Maddie shot a look at Liann.
    “Watch your tone, Madelynn. I’m not your dad, true. But he asked me to watch out for you. We don’t want anything to happen to you.”
    Maddie lowered her arms, and her shoulders drooped. “I know. I’m sorry.... But I’m careful. Tim’s sweet and funny. He got accepted at TSU, did you hear? He just found out today.”
    “No, I didn’t know.”
    “See, he’s a lot like you. Going to your alma mater. He's like Dad, too. He’s a hard worker. He wants to be a teacher, too.” Maddie glanced from him to Liann then back to him again. “Were you planning on going to Dairy Queen after the play?”
    Jake nodded.
    “That figures.” But she smiled at him as she returned to her seat.
     
    #             
     
    A line of cars snaked its way to the drive-through window at Dairy Queen. Liann studied the menu. She remembered going  here when she was a kid, and her aunt and uncle would take her out for an ice cream treat.
    “I’m getting something a little more substantial than ice cream.” Jake patted his stomach. “Maybe a burger and fries, and some ice cream. So order whatever you want.”
    “I think I’ll just have a Blizzard.” She looked at the line of vehicles. Tim’s car was three ahead of them. “I figured