Solemn Oath by Hannah Alexander Page B

where both of the double doors stood open to let in the cool late-September air. Maybe he would be gone when they got outside…or maybe it wasn’t even him. It just looked like him.
    But when they stepped around the corner of the building in view of the broad, grassy playground, he was still in the same place in the shadows, hands in his pockets, head bowed.
    Tedi felt her heart pound, the way it had that night when he shouted at her and raised his hand and hit her so hard it knocked her out.
    â€œDon’t you want to find out what he’s doing here?” Abby demanded, nudging Tedi again with her elbow.
    Tedi jerked away. “Stop it!”
    â€œGosh, Tedi, it’s no big deal. Just go talk to him.”
    â€œYou don’t know anything about it. You never saw him drunk.”
    â€œHe’s been in detox, hasn’t he? He won’t be drunk.” Eyes flashing with curiosity behind shiny lenses, Abby nudged her again. “Go on and find out what he wants. I’ll watch from here, and if he looks like he’s going to get close to you, I’ll run back in and get Mr. Walters.”
    â€œOh sure, and what’s Mr. Walters going to do, sit on him and crush him to death?”
    Abby fell silent, giving Tedi her most stern look of reproach. Tedi stared back, hands on hips.
    â€œChicken,” Abby muttered.
    â€œShut up. I am not. I’m just not stupid.”
    â€œDon’t you trust me, Tedi? I won’t let him hurt you.”
    Tedi snorted. “Oh yeah? What are you going to do if he grabs me and runs?”
    â€œChase him down and kick his rear. Maybe throw a rock and hit him in the head, and you know I can do it, too.”
    Tedi held her friend’s steady gaze for another few seconds. Abby had given Graham Kutz a black eye the other day for picking on her little brother and sister. She could also throw a ball better than anybody in the school. And she was a loyal friend, even if she was pushy and had a big mouth.
    Tedi sighed, and Abby grinned triumphantly. “Knew you’d go. I’ll watch from here. Don’t worry.”
    For a moment, Tedi couldn’t get her feet to work. She did not want to go talk to her father. She didn’t even want to think of him as her father. But she wanted to know what he was up to. It would be better to do it now, with Abby standing by, ready to conk him in the head with a rock, than to wait for him to catch her when she wasn’t expecting him.
    When Abby pushed her again, she went, walking slowly, as if sneaking up on a dangerous animal. And he was dangerous. Tedi reached up and fingered the fading scar on her neck where the surgeon had cut into her throat to save her life after Dad had damaged an artery in his drunken rage. He’d also embezzled money where he worked. Everybody in town knew about him. Tedi knew the kids at school talked about her behind her back, and she hated it. She hated what he did to Mom and the way he’d threatened to ruin Mom’s practice again if she tried to get custody. And the only reason he wanted custody was because Mom had to pay so much child support. Tedi would never go back to live with him. She would rather die first.
    Her heart was beating so fast now she could barely hearthe sound of wind flipping the leaves around on the trees. Breathing hard, yet trying not to make noise, she stopped about ten feet from where he stood, and she studied him.
    He looked different. Of course, he wasn’t drunk now, but he looked different from the way he had this spring even when he was sober. He looked smaller somehow. His blond hair looked more gray. He had more creases in his face.
    â€œWhat are you doing here?” She said it, then held her breath, arms straight at her sides, anger and fear mingling within her. If he moved toward her, she would turn and run.
    He swung around, and his pale blue eyes widened, his lips parted slightly in surprise. “Tedi.” He breathed