Flashover by Dana Mentink Page A

involved. Probably just about as much info as you’ve weaseled out of people.” He looked at his watch.
    â€œGot plans?” she couldn’t help asking.
    â€œCharlie and I are going fishing tomorrow if the weather holds. I told him I’d get some supplies before the store closes up.”
    â€œSince when do you like fishing?”
    He smiled. “Since I’ve matured and appreciate the value of quiet and relaxation.”
    Ivy sat heavily on a worn recliner. Tim handed her a glass of ice water. They chatted until her mother called Mitch and Roddy into the kitchen.
    Ivy got to her feet. “I’ll help, Mama.”
    Juana waved her back. “No, no. You rest your shoulder, baby. Mitch and your brother can help.”
    Mitch gave her a wink and snatched another chip before he left.
    Ivy rose and prowled the room. She often felt restless at her mother’s house, afraid the old, familiar surroundings would bring back too many memories. Today she could not fend them off as she wandered along the braided rug, burned on an edge where her father dropped a Christmas candle. Even though she was only five at the time, Ivy remembered the mixture of terror and fascination she felt as the rug caught and a flame erupted before her father stamped it out.
    Unwillingly, her eyes were drawn to the photo of Sadie, beautiful Sadie. Unlike Ivy, Sadie’s hair was a dark black curtain that fell in a smooth wave. She remembered helping her sister wrap giant pink rollers in her hair only to have her hair fall back into stubborn straightness the next morning. Tim joined Ivy, looking closely at the picture.
    â€œSadie was a beautiful girl. I wish I could have known her.”
    Ivy nodded. “You would have liked her. She was fun-loving, a real spark plug.” And a strong Christian, like you are, she almost added.
    â€œYou miss her, don’t you?”
    Without warning her eyes filled. “The accident happened just before we moved here, fifteen years ago. I still can’t believe that much time has passed. Everyone seems to have gotten over it but me. Roddy doesn’t even talk about Sadie.”
    He put his arms around her. “People deal with things in their own way.”
    She let her cheek rest on his strong shoulder, tears trickling onto his T-shirt.
    â€œShe was so young, only eighteen.”
    â€œAnd you were barely twelve.” His voice was soft in her ear, soothing like a lullaby. “I can see how a terrible thing like that could change your life.”
    The anguish she felt suddenly changed to anger. She jerked away from him. “It did change my life, and I know what you’re thinking.”
    He looked puzzled. “What’s that?”
    â€œYou know. You want to say something about it being God’s will and all that.”
    He blinked. “No, I wouldn’t presume to speak for God, Ivy. I just know He loves you and feels your heartbreak.”
    â€œWell, I don’t want Him to love me. I won’t love Him back, do you hear? You can sing His praise until the cows come home, Tim, but I won’t love a God who tortures people like that.” She rubbed a hand over her wet eyes, shocked at her emotional outpouring.
    Tim sighed. “I know you’re angry, Ivy, and hurt. I would give anything to help take some of your pain away, I really would.”
    The look he gave her was so tender, so honest, that she felt a stab of regret for her outburst. She wanted suddenly to snuggle in his arms and return to the comfort she found there.
    Her mother poked her head into the room. “Come to dinner.”
    Grateful for the interruption, Ivy led them into the kitchen.
    They squeezed in next to Mitch and Roddy at the table.
    Ivy was happy to focus on the food and conversation after her unsettling connection with Tim. She could still feel his arms around her and part of her felt quivery inside. She tried to savor her mother’s golden-brown potatoes and