Page 66 of Abandoned

Zara climbed into her car, easily a million degrees even though it had been sitting under the trees in front of Will’s house all day.

She glanced at the twisty-tie ring on her finger. The white-and-orange stripes added to the adorableness. She wasn’t sure why it was so hard to believe that Will truly loved her and wouldn’t leave. But she was starting to.

Leaving and being alone at AJ’s apartment wasn’t how she wanted to spend her evening, but she didn’t have a choice. Will had Bible study tonight. She adored that he took his relationship with God seriously. It led her to want to stay regular with her quiet time too and maybe even join a Bible study.

She drove down the road, and when she saw Logan on his motorcycle heading to Will’s, she waved.

Lord, help Logan and AJ to work out whatever differences they have. Restore that friendship.

Zara still couldn’t wrap her mind around the friendships she’d found—well, that God had given her—since she moved to Hazel Hill. The last time she remembered having a set of good friends was all the way back in the summer before sixth grade. It had been the best summer of riding bikes and exploring the creek that ran behind their neighborhood. It had been amazing. Of course, that had ended. The rest of them had all ended up going to a private middle school, but her mom couldn’t afford that. Her drugs and alcohol had cost too much.

Zara shook the thoughts loose from her mind and turned down the street to her apartment. Shoot. Wrong way. She needed to go to AJ’s, not hers. She’d have to take the long way.

Passing by the trailer park where Miley lived, Zara wondered how the young mom and her son were doing. Was Brett continuing to be a monster? Maybe Zara should check on them.

She pulled into the second entrance to the neighborhood and spotted Miley and Corbin at the playground, so she parked. Jumping out of her car, she waved at Miley.

The woman’s face lit at the sight of Zara, and she walked toward her.

“Hey, Miley, how are you doing?”

“I’m good. What brings you to our neighborhood? Doesn’t look like you’re on duty.”

“I’m not. I was headed home, so I thought I’d stop and check on you.” She signed to Miley. How is the ASL coming?

Miley shook a flat hand with spread fingers back and forth to say, so-so.

Good. You’ll get there.

Thanks. “I was actually able to communicate with Claudia some. And she started teaching me some more.”

“Excellent. All you needed was to get started.”

Miley chuckled. “I guess so. Corbin has learned some too. It’s nice to be able to tell him something without disturbing Brett.”

“Is Brett giving you trouble?”

Miley shook her head. “No, he’s been great. He was in a great mood yesterday, even took us to Bob Evan’s for brunch.”

“That’s nice.”

“Yeah. Zara, I wanted to say thank you for checking in on me. It means a lot. My family hasn’t talked to me in years, and it’s great to know someone cares. I don’t get it, but thank you.”

“Of course. I understand what it’s like to not have anyone.”

“But you’ve got that good looking cop. Will, was it?”

“I do now. I didn’t have anyone before Hazel Hill. God is good though.”

“Is He?”

“I didn’t always think so, but I do believe He is. Without Him I’d still be in a pit of self-destruction. He’s the One Who brought me out of it. It was believers who pointed me to Him and came along beside me and became my friends.” Zara wanted to add that she’d still be stuck in that bathroom, but Miley didn’t need to know about that.

“Hmm. Maybe you can tell me more sometime, but I probably should get back home before Brett gets home from work.” She placed her hand beside her mouth to project her voice. “Corbin, one more thing.”

Lord, help Miley to be open to hearing about You. Give me the words to communicate Your truth to her.

“Thanks again for stopping by. It was so nice to chat with you.”