Gil’s smile widened. Another strip rolled down her cheek and dangled. Danny reached over and pulled it off.
“Gross,” he yelped, shaking his hand. “Get it off me! It won’t let go!”
“It won’t hurt you,” Gil said, handing him a tissue.
“I don’t wanna take the chance,” Danny replied. Wiping his gooey fingers, he looked through the portal at the doctors. “So, how’s the future treating you?”
“Quite well,” Dr. Nelson replied. “And how are you adjusting? Over the shock are you?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Is Miss Gillyflower treating you well?”
Gil winced as Danny snickered at the mention of her proper name.
“Gillyflower Meadowlark is treating me fine,” he said with a cherubic smile.
“Watch it, smarty-pants,” she whispered out of the corner of her mouth. “It’s Gil to—”
“Miss Gillyflower,” Dr. Moosly blustered. “I fear you are ignoring the gravity of the situation. This is a serious proceeding. Now, do you have anything to report other than completion of first contact?”
Before Gil could reply, Danny spoke up, “Yes, sir, we think Rick murdered my mom. I know she’s not gonna die ’cause we’re gonna change the future, but I wanna know if that’s why I stabbed Rick. Can you find out?”
“Miss Gillyflower,” Dr. Moosly growled, “you told the boy about his future? Revealing disturbing information during the first twenty-four hours of a counseling assignment is strictly prohibited. The manuals are explicit! The shock could irreparably damage a youth’s fragile psyche, coming, as it were, after the traumatic upheaval of time-travel entry by a stranger.”
“Does he always talk like that?” whispered Danny.
“Yes,” Gil whispered back, “usually worse. Shh!” She turned to address the board. “Danny likes things straight—no evasion. I thought it best to inform him.”
Dr. Moosly glared. “It was irresponsible and—”
“Obviously, it didn’t do any harm,” William interrupted. “Danny seems fine. Aren’t you, Danny?”
“Fit as a fiddle!” he chirped. “Hey, how high is my IQ? Gil won’t tell me.”
“High enough that you should know I’m not going to answer that question either.”
Dr. Nelson chimed in, “Danny, we’ll do some digging into your mother’s death. If there are grounds for suspecting homicide, we’ll let you know.”
“Thanks, that’ll be a relief.”
Dr. Moosly stood to his feet. His face was rigid with disapproval. “This is intolerable! Miss Gillyflower, it is highly irregular to let a child enter into a practicum conference.” His nostrils flared. “Highly improper is what I would call it. You need to review TEMCO protocol and—”
“Hey, lay off her,” yelled Danny. “She’s my friend, and I asked to be included. I know what’s going on, and it concerns me more than it does you. I don’t wanna end up sticking a knife into someone. I wanna be a pro...a pro…”
“Productive,” whispered Gil.
“I wanna be a productive member of society, and I’m gonna be. You just watch! And Gil’s gonna be the best what-you-ma-call-it yet. She’s already figured out I can’t spell because I’m dys...dyspeptic.”
“Dyslexic,” Gil corrected.
“Whatever! And she’s got a plan on how to keep me and Rick from tangling. You just leave her alone! She’s doing fine. We both are!”
“Danny,” Dr. Nelson said soothingly, “as far as I’m concerned, even though it’s unusual, you have just as much right to be included in our conferences as we do. After all, it’s your future we’re discussing. You’re welcome to join us unless Gil feels it would be counterproductive. How does that sound?”
“Fine, ma’am.”
Dr. Nelson nodded. “Gil, unless there’s anything else you wish to report, we’ll let you go until tomorrow night. Danny needs his sleep, and unless I miss the mark, you need to wash your face. I left a facial on too long once, and when I peeled it off, it took part of my skin with it.”
“I think she should keep it on,” William said with a laugh. “She looks quite fetching tonight. Rather like a moldy Easter bunny.”
Rolling her eyes, Gil picked up a wad of paper and threw it through the temporal portal.
“Bull’s-eye!” Danny squealed as it hit William squarely on the chest.
“Until tomorrow, my dear doctors,” Gil said sweetly. With dramatic flair, she pulled Extreme Exam out of the gaming console and shut off the machine, severing the GAP connection.
* * *
Smiling, William tossed Gil’s wad of paper in the air and caught it. “She’s doing great.”
“I quite agree,” replied Dr. Nelson. “She’s quite irreverent, but exactly the type of candidate who’ll get through to Danny. Did you see how he defended her?”
“I sure did. They’ve already formed a close bond.”
Dr. Nelson tapped her lips with a polished nail. “I believe Danny may be right about his mother’s death. When we tested Daniel Winston on death row, he scored very high in protective instincts. His first homicide has always puzzled me, but it would make sense if his mother was murdered.” She turned in her chair. “Peter, what do you think?”
“It sounds like a reasonable hypothesis,” the director replied. “I’ll see if I can discover a connection between Rick Olsen and Mrs. Winston’s suicide. I think we’re off to a good start.”
“I disagree,” spat Dr. Moosly. “Miss Montgomery is lacking in decorum. How can she properly guide an unruly youngster like Danny? That impudent child needs to be restrained, not encouraged. She isn’t the proper match for the boy.”
William shook his head and smiled. “I think you’re wrong. Gil and Danny are the perfect combination.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Around midnight, Sue Winston kicked off her shoes and tossed her coat on the couch. Giving a weary sigh, she quietly opened Danny’s bedroom door. The soft glow of the hall nightlight streamed past her as she slipped into the room. Wisps of honey-colored hair escaped the braid looped over her shoulder as she bent down and kissed her son’s cheek. “Sleep well, little man,” she whispered.
Danny sat up. “I’m awake, Mom. Did you like the stew?”
“I just got home and haven’t had any yet,” she replied, sitting down on the edge of his bed. “But it smells heavenly. Did Rick make it?”
“Nope, I did. I cleaned the house too.”
“That was thoughtful of you,” she said, running a hand down his cheek. “I was going to clean it tonight, but now I can just go to bed. Thank you, love.” As Danny smiled, she said, “Now, what are you doing up? Can’t you sleep?”
“I’m too excited. I met a new friend today.”
“That’s wonderful. What’s his name?”
Danny grinned. “Her name’s Gil.”
“Oh,” Sue said with a chuckle. “I see. You’ll have to tell me all about her tomorrow, but now it’s time for sleep. Morning’s coming soon.”
“Was work okay?”
“A little hectic, but fine.” She wrapped a bit of frayed blanket around her finger. “Where’s Rick?”
“He got called into work.”
“That’s happening quite a bit lately.”
“Yah, but I don’t care. I can take care of myself. I don’t need him hanging around.”
“Yes, you do.” Sue began combing Danny’s hair with her fingers. “What would you do if a fire started?”
“Call 911. I’m not a baby. I know what to do.”
“Regardless, it worries me when you’re home alone. I want you safe.”
Sue watched as Danny chewed his lip. “Mom,” he said slowly, “if I found someone else to watch me, could we get rid of Rick?”
Hearing the tense note in her son’s voice, Sue froze. “Honey, has Rick done something wrong?” When Danny refused to meet her eyes, she felt her heart tighten. “Danny, talk to me. Tell me what’s going on.”
After a small pa
use, Danny whispered, “Rick pushes me around. I...I don’t like him.”
Keeping a soothing hand on her son’s back, Sue said in a tight voice, “That bruise on your cheek. You didn’t get hit with a baseball, did you?”
He shook his head.
“He’s hitting you? Oh, Danny, why didn’t you tell me?”
“I thought I could handle it.” His voice cracked. “It w-wasn’t bad at first, but it’s getting worse all the time.”
“I’m so sorry! I can’t believe I trusted him.”
“That’s okay,” Danny said, giving her a fierce hug. “You didn’t know. He was always nice when you were looking.”
Sue held her son close. “He’s never coming near you again. I’ll make sure he doesn’t come tomorrow, and when I see him on Wednesday, I’ll tell him he can’t watch you anymore.”
“He’s dangerous, Mom. You’ll be careful, won’t you?”
“Of course I will.” She squeezed his hand. “I’m working the afternoon shift tomorrow. After school, ride the bus to the diner.”
“Can I study in the library instead? Mr. Jacobson invited me to supper.”
She nodded. “After work, I’ll come next door and get you.”
“Hey, Mom, Mr. Jacobson’s always home. I bet he’d be willing to watch me.”
“I’ll talk to him, but even if he can’t help, I’ll find someone who can. The most important thing is to keep you safe and happy.”
As Danny sighed and snuggled against her, Sue kissed the heart-shaped freckle on his jaw. “I love your little freckle,” she teased him with a long-standing mom-and-son joke.
“Aw, Mom,” he protested right on cue. “I think it looks silly.”
“I think it looks cute.”
“A guy isn’t supposed to look cute! He’s supposed to look strong and handsome.”
“You’ll grow up to be both. But in the meantime, remember freckles are where the angels kissed you, and the angels must’ve loved you bunches to shape your freckle like a heart.” As Danny pulled a face, she laughed. “And when you’re all grown-up and see your freckle in the mirror, remember it’s where your mama always kissed you and that she loved you very much.”
Danny sighed and smiled.
“Okay, young man, lie back down. It’s time to go to sleep or you won’t be able to wake up in the morning.”
“I love you, Mom.”
“The feeling’s mutual,” she whispered, pulling the covers snugly around his chin.
* * *
As the door closed behind his mother, Danny gazed up at the dark ceiling and sighed.
“Your mom’s pretty terrific, isn’t she?” Gil said softly.
“She sure is,” he replied. “I wish I could make things easier for her.”
“Her job at the hospital’s tough?”
“Yah, but her job at the diner’s tougher.”
“She works two jobs?”
“She has to.” Danny flipped over on his side and peered through the darkness at Gil. “When Daddy got sick, there were tons of bills. Someday, when I get big, I’m gonna give her enough money that she can quit working and relax.”
“That sounds nice.”
He nodded. “She’s all alone except for me. She needs to get married again, but not to anyone like Rick. To someone good.”
* * *
Later that night, Gil got up and stretched. The moonlight acted like stabbing silver beams and it was keeping her awake. Afraid that her tossing and turning would disturb Danny, she tiptoed past his bed and out the door. As she crept down the hall toward the kitchen, she heard the sound of muffled weeping. Frowning in concern, she peeked through the crack in Sue’s bedroom door. Danny’s mother was curled up on her bed with an arm flung over her face.
Gil watched as Sue’s whole body shook as she suppressed her sobs. “Oh, God, how could You let Rick hurt Danny?” Sue wept softly. “Have I drifted so far away that we don’t matter to You anymore? Can’t You see what we’re facing? Are You even there?”
Leaving the doorway, Gil stole to the living room and sat on the couch—Sue’s soft cries still echoing in her ears. Smoothing a wrinkle from the arm of her pink PJs, Gil breathed a prayer of her own. “God, please show me how to help this family.”
* * *
In Washington D.C., William sat on his couch and tried to concentrate on a late-night movie. When the movie’s heroine screamed and he had no idea why, he finally gave up in disgust. He looked down at Iggy. The lizard seemed to be contemplating him with a beady-eyed stare.
“What are you looking at?” William asked gruffly.
As Iggy blinked and butted his hand, William sighed. “I had to let her go, Iggs. I didn’t want to—I had to.” He peered over at the clock and groaned. “I wish practicum conferences were held morning and night. I won’t be able to talk to her for another eighteen hours. A lot can happen in eighteen hours—”
Sitting up swiftly, William grabbed the television remote. Surely something was on...
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The next day, Gil awoke with Danny tugging on her arm. “It’s morning,” he said. “You’d better get a wiggle on if you want to come to school. If last night’s anything to go by, it’ll take you hours to get ready.”
She yawned and blinked. “Are you through with the bathroom?”
Danny nodded. “Mom’s making blueberry pancakes for breakfast. Wait until you taste ’em. They’re super-delicious... Hey, how are you gonna eat? I watched a movie about an invisible man, and when he ate, everyone could see his food digest. It was really gross.”
Gil laughed and shoved his shoulder. “You definitely watch too much TV.”
“Maybe so, but how are you gonna eat without freaking Mom out?”
“Easy. I have a whole stash of energy bars that came with me through GAP. Like me, the bars can’t be seen. Why’d you think my suitcase was so heavy?”
“Clothes?”
Gill tossed her pillow at him. “I’ll give you that, but my suitcase also has a huge supply of food in it. But even if I’d eat your food, your mom wouldn’t see it digest. It’s inside my body, so it’d be invisible.”
“So why’d you bring the energy bars?”
“Because mysteriously moving forks tend to attract attention.” She finished rolling up her sleeping bag and kicked it into a corner. “Go get your breakfast. I’ll eat an energy bar while I get dressed. How soon until we have to go?”
“About an hour.”
“Only sixty itty-bitty minutes?” Gil groaned, pushing him to the door. “You gotta be joking.”
* * *
William dove into NSU’s swimming pool and began a vigorous set of laps. As he cupped the water and pushed it away, he mentally tried to push away his worries. He swam until he was breathless, and when he couldn’t swim another stroke, he flipped onto his back and floated.
Listening to the quiet lapping of the water around his ears, he tried to capture a feeling of peace, but peace didn’t come. He looked over at the women’s locker room door. It was hard for him to realize that Gil wasn’t going to be coming out of it. In his mind, he could clearly picture her skipping over to the pool in her little red swimsuit. He could see her testing the water with a cautious toe and then sliding in with a gasp and a giggle.
Uttering a choked sound in his throat, he spun around and began another set of laps.
* * *
Licking syrup from his fingers, Danny tapped on his bedroom door. When he stepped inside and saw that Gil was ready, he blinked. He thought she’d be strolling around in a bathrobe. “How come it took you forever to change into your PJs and only a few minutes to dress this morning?” he asked.
“Motivation,” she said, tying back her hair. “Hey, Danny, do you own a Bible?”
“Sure, Mom and Dad gave me one for my seventh birthday.” As Danny handed her his Bible, he watched as Gil turned to Psalm 139.
“Ask your mom to read this passage to you, okay?” she said.
“Sure
thing,” Danny replied.
He went to the kitchen where Sue was wiping off the table and tackled her in a bear hug. “Hey, Mom, can you read me a Psalm?”
“Why sure,” Sue replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and tossing the dishcloth into the sink. “Which one?”
“The one by the bookmark, please.”
They sat down at the table, and Sue opened to the marker and read, “O Lord, You have examined my heart and know everything about me...I can never be lost to Your Spirit! I can never get away from my God...How precious it is, Lord, to realize that You are thinking about me constantly. I can’t even count how many times a day Your thoughts turn towards me. And when I waken in the morning, You are still thinking of me.”
After she finished reading, Sue brushed moisture from her eyes and cleared her throat. “Would you like to pray together?”
Danny nodded. He felt a warm glow in his heart as his mother took his hand and prayed, “Lord, thank You that we’re never lost or alone. Thank You for showing us through Your Word that You care about all our problems and worries. Forgive us when we doubt Your love, and help us feel Your presence today. Amen.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Danny whispered. “I enjoyed that.”
“So did I,” Sue replied. “Let’s make it a habit.”
As Sue closed the Bible, Gil whispered in Danny’s ear, “Ask your mom for a note. I want you to be tested for dyslexia.”
Nodding, he said, “Hey, Mom, a friend of mine saw my spelling and said I might be dyslexic. If you give me a note, the school counselor can have me tested and get me help with reading and stuff.”
“Are you falling behind?”
“A little, that’s why I wanna see the counselor.”
Sue picked up a pad of paper. “I’m proud of you for tackling this problem head on. What else have you been up to lately?”
“Oh, nothing much,” he replied. “Except I’ve learned I got a high IQ and can sing.”
Sue smiled. “I knew about your high IQ. You used to escape your crib by climbing down a coat rack. It scared me to death, but your daddy just laughed. He called you his little genius.”
“Really? He did?”
She nodded. “The singing’s news to me, though. I’m anxious to hear you.” She pointed at the clock. “But not right now. You need to brush your teeth before they grow over with purple fuzz. Grape juice mixed with syrup doesn’t seem normal to me.”
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