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be late getting Kimmy. I’ve got to call
the elementary school. I’ve got to call Bev or Matt. “This day
sucks!” I said as I slammed my forearm into the door
panel.
    I had just taken my cell phone out of
my purse when a knock on my window made me jump. There was Evan
standing outside my car. I hadn’t heard him pull in behind
me.
    He opened my door as I quickly dried my
face. “Hey, Leese, what’s wrong?” His tone was smooth and
soothing.
    “ I—I—don’t know. My car
won’t start and I’ve got to get my little sister from school.” I
got out and stared at my little blue bug like I was seeing it for
the first time.
    “ Did you leave your lights
on?”
    “ No, I don’t think so.” But
I leaned back inside just to make sure. Nope, my lights had been
off.
    “ When do you have to get
your sister? How far is it?”
    I glanced down at my cell phone. “I’ve
got to be there in the next ten to fifteen minutes, but…”
Frustration and emotion choked my throat and clouded my
thinking.
    “ Come on, I’ll give you a
ride,” he said softly. There was no hint that we’d just had a
blowup in math class an hour ago. I started to take a step toward
his car, but I knew that neither Bev, nor Mom would be pleased to
know I’d accepted his offer.
    “ I—I can’t.”
    “ What?” he smiled. “Come on,
it will only take us a few minutes and then you and your sister
will be home. I’ll come back and see what I can do to get your car
started.”
    I wanted to say yes, but I was here in
Pensacola because my parents were worried about my safety. I didn’t
know Evan. I wanted to think I knew him, but, to be real with
myself, I’d barely just met him. It would be like stepping out on
the main drag and sticking out my thumb.
    I opened my phone and started
dialing.
    “ What are you doing?” he
asked, stunned that I was turning down his offer. He reached for my
phone and I pulled away and backed up to my car.
    “ I have to call Kimmy’s
school,” I said without looking into his stare. And that was what
he was doing; he was staring at me so hard it was giving me goose
bumps. I was relieved to hear someone’s voice on the other end of
the line. “Hi, this is Kimmy McKinneses’ sister. I’m having car
trouble. Could you have Kimmy wait for me in the office? Thank you.
Yes, I’ll call if I’m going to be much later. Thanks again.” I hit
the end button and began dialing the next number when Evan reached
out and took the phone from my trembling hand.
    “ Give me that back,” I
demanded, trying to sound authoritative instead of
afraid.
    “ The only thing I’ll give
you is a ride. Come on,” he said, grabbing my wrist.
    My martial arts training was not
forgotten as I twisted his arm and jerked myself free. And then I
saw it; anger written all over his face. His eyes had narrowed and
his mouth was not much more than a tight line. His chest seemed to
heave and every muscle and vein looked as if they had doubled in
size, suddenly he looked like a giant.
    As scared as I was at that moment, I
heard the sound of something familiar. We both looked up to see the
custodian heading toward us on his golf cart. Evan took a deep
breath and some of the angry red that had filled his face
disappeared.
    “ I just wanted to help,
Leese.” He tossed back my phone, got in his car and was
gone.
    My knees were trembling as Mr. Garvey
pulled up beside my car. “Are you having some trouble?” He
questioned, but he kept looking toward where Evan’s car was
speeding from the lot.
    “ Yeah, actually my car won’t
start. It’s completely dead and I’ve got to get to the
elementary.”
    “ Let me take a look,” he
offered with a knowing smile. “I’ve got jumper cables in my cart,
if we need them.” He lifted the hood and peered inside. “Here’s
your problem,” he showed me, as he lifted a cable in the air. “Your
positive terminal cable popped off.” He wiggled it back down on the
post and told me to try cranking the