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Dread sank in her stomach. "Is everything okay?"
"Can we talk in the hall or something?" Sara asked, her gaze moving frantically back and forth from the podium in the front of the hall toward the exit sign hanging above the double doors leading out into the hallway.Uncomfortableseemed to be the word of the evening.
"Sure." Eva gave Charlie a wave and then pointed toward the hall. The child nodded his head and went back to chattering with his newfound friends.
The hall was unlit and quiet. Eva turned as soon as Sara slipped through the door. Sara was tall, spare, and had a beauty mark on her left cheek. She worked as a loan officer at the bank and always dressed in neutral colors as if being sedate would make her more approachable. "What's wrong?"
Sara released a deep breath. "Look, I hate to do this with all the stress you've been under. Taking care of a kid when you're not used to it must be a huge adjustment…”
"But..."
"Drew said Charlie threatened to stab him with scissors."
"What?"
"I know, I know. I'm not trying to make a mountain out of a molehill, but I thought you needed to know. I heard that he experienced some trauma at the hands of his mother."
''A little, but his mother never harmed him," Eva said, immediately wondering if in fact Claren had done something to Charlie. She hadn't thought to ask, but the womanhadbeen desperate enough to leave him in search of drugs. What other things had she been desperate enough to do? "I can't believe he'd threaten Drew. He likes him."
"It's probably a power play. Charlie lost control of his world, so he wants to control what he can. Drew's a bit shy and impressionable. I can see how he could be easily manipulated. So though I don't think Charlie would hurt Drew, I do think you need to know."
"I am so sorry, Sara."
The woman nodded. "I know. It was really hard for me to come to you, and, hey, I won't say anything to anyone. I talked to Drew about how to handle situations like this. My son won't be ugly to Charlie, but he will remove himself from any situation where he feels uncomfortable. Good luck, Eva." Sara patted her arm and then stepped back into the fellowship hall.
Eva slumped against the wall and stared at a bulletin board announcing church news. There was a colorful pumpkin in one corner and leaves dotting the gingham background, but none of those cheerful, positive flyers and posters made her feel any better.
Charlie had threatened to stab his friend?
She couldn't wrap her mind around Sara's words. For the past few days Charlie had been so good. Mostly. He'd been a typical kid, dropping jelly on the floor and forgetting his signed papers, but he seemed secure, comfortable. As if what she was doing worked.
He had an appointment with Macy Hebert the next day, so Eva could bring this behavior up with her at the start of his counseling session. But she had to say something to Charlie before he went to school the following morning. She couldn't have something happen, especially after Sara had told her about his behavior. Of course, saying something and doing something were two different things.
Eva pushed off the wall and entered the fellowship hall, nearly making it past Jake.
"Eva," he called out.
She turned and pasted on a smile, dreading dealing with Jake, even though part of her wanted to sink in his arms and admit she had been a moron. She wanted someone to hold her, to tell her everything would be okay. But it couldn't be Jake. "What are you doing here? You never come to these things."
"Shelby."
"She sent you an email, too?"
“And threats. She fits right into this family. She's learned how to issue ultimatums with a gracious smile."
"Takes talent," Eva said, craning her head around a group of older ladies discussing the best cranberry salad recipe in search of her brother. He still sat with Matt's boys, happily munching on sugar cookies. He didn't look like a serial killer to her.
Okay, she knew he wouldn't actually hurt Drew. But something was wrong and it was up to her to fix it, which was another good point to add to her list of reasons for not messing around with Jake. She'd taken on an important responsibility in giving her brother a stable environment. Charlie needed her to make wise decisions... to put his needs over her desires.
"So did you like the concert?" Jake said, sounding...not himself.
"It was good,"she said, craning her head again.
"He hasn't moved."
"Who?"
Jake made a face. "Your brother".
