Unforeseeable by Nancy Mehl

believe we’re different, Callie, but I don’t think we’re perfect. If you expect too much from those of us who live here, I’m afraid you’ll end up disappointed. And hurt.” She shook her head. “You’ve built a wall of protection around yourself to keep out painful truths or emotions you can’t control. Someday that wall may fail. I’m not sure you’re prepared for what’s on the other side.”
    I stared at her, not knowing what to say. Papa used to tell me that I lived in a dream world. Was Lizzie saying the same thing? I started to respond but the phone shrilled, cutting me off. I nearly jumped out of my skin. The phone in the kitchendidn’t ring much, but when it did, it was disconcerting, to say the least. Lizzie picked it up and said hello. She listened to whoever was on the other end, thanked them, and hung up.
    â€œThat was Roger. The KBI has opened the road. There are still agents out there, and they’ll be checking the cars and buggies that go through, but at least people can start heading home.”
    I sighed. “Well, that’s a little good news.” I started to ask her if she’d like me to announce the road opening to the crowd in the dining room when the kitchen door opened and Noah came in with Charity. Charity held out her arms to her mother, who hugged her fiercely.
    â€œSorry I had to send you upstairs for a while, Cherry Bear,” Lizzie said.
    â€œThat’s okay,” Charity replied. “I got a lot of my homework done.”
    â€œI thought you were going to ask my mother to keep her a little longer,” Lizzie said to Noah.
    â€œI did, and she said she would, but your father decided to bring her back because your mother wasn’t feeling well.”
    Lizzie sighed with exasperation and let Charity go. “I wish my mother would just tell us when she’s ill. I know she thinks she’s being a good soldier, but she could make Charity sick too.”
    Noah grunted. “You know your mother. She wouldn’t complain if her hair was on fire.”
    Lizzie nodded. “You’re probably right.”
    Noah was clearly upset and didn’t acknowledge my presence. His attention was fixed on Lizzie. “I wanted to go with Levi, but the men from the KBI wouldn’t let me.”
    â€œHe’ll be all right, Noah,” she said soothingly. “They saidthey’d only keep him a couple of hours. Don’t worry. They know he didn’t do anything wrong.”
    â€œI’ve got to call my parents and let them know what’s going on. I don’t know how I’m going to explain it.”
    I looked over at Charity, whose large dark-brown eyes were wide with anxiety as she stared at her parents. Lizzie noticed her too.
    â€œCallie, could you take Charity out to the dining room? Maybe you could get her a piece of pie.”
    I nodded and quickly cut a piece of pie and a grabbed a fork. Then I motioned to Charity. “Let’s go, honey.”
    She followed me into the dining room without argument, and I sat her down at the only empty table in the room. I noticed that Ebbie, Hope, and Beau were just getting ready to leave. I hurried over to them.
    â€œEbbie, the road is open now, though it’s still being patrolled by some of the men from the KBI. Could you let folks know?”
    He nodded and walked to the middle of the room. Although it took a couple of tries to get everyone’s attention, once he shared the news, people immediately began to leave. I quickly checked out the customers who hadn’t paid yet, but within ten minutes, the room was empty except for Charity, Matthew, and me. Charity asked for a glass of milk, so I told her to stay put and headed for the kitchen. As I opened the door to the kitchen, I heard Noah say, “You’ve got to talk to her. And soon. She needs you to be honest with her.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” I said quickly. “I