Page 11 of Did You See Evie

I glance at Mr. Lake.

“It’s after school hours, so yes,” he answers.

“Sweet,” Beatrice says, her enthusiasm renewed.

“We have some permission slips that you’ll need to get signed. It’s important you bring these back tomorrow morning, so we have an accurate headcount. If your parent is already here, they can go ahead and sign.”

Most of the parents come near, taking out pens to sign the forms and hand them off to Mr. Lake. Melinda Terry saunters over, walking past me to address the girls.

“Just one thing,” she says.

My first instinct is to cut her off. I’m not used to parents hijacking my meetings, but with Mr. Lake so close, it’s best to keep quiet. The Terrys are big sponsors of the sports program.

“I wanted to ask while I had all of you in one place,” she says, pressing her palms together. “Have any of you seen an iPhone? I haven’t been able to find mine, and the last place I remember having it was the Waffle Shack after the game.”

Her tone changes as she speaks the diner’s name, as though it’s a sticky mess she wants to avoid. Soon enough, her piety returns, her gaze falling on each girl, searching for a reaction.

“It’s a brand-new phone,” she says, plainly, after none of the girls respond. “I’d be willing to offer a reward for its safe return.”

Beth raises a hand slowly, as though she’s wanting to be chosen to speak in class.

“Have you tried checking the location?” she asks. “If you share locations with Amber, you should be able to see where it is from her phone.”

Melinda has a strained smile. “Yes, Beth. The last location it shows is the diner.”

“Looks like that would be the best place to check, then,” I say, stepping forward. I’m careful to avoid Melinda’s gaze as I address the girls. “Make sure you get these forms signed and returned tomorrow. Hope to see you all on Friday.”

The huddle breaks, the girls banding off into their individual cliques. I can hear Melinda Terry sighing behind me.

“I wanted to keep talking to them?—”

“With all due respect,” I say, using every ounce of professionalism at my disposal, “if you wanted to address the team, you should have come to me first.”

“It was a chaotic night,” she says. “I only thought one of them might have taken the phone by accident.”

That’s not what she was implying at all, and I know it. Ms. Terry is the type of woman who thinks she’s better than everyone around her, especially outsiders. There’s no doubt in my mind that her impromptu address is nothing more than a public accusation.

“None of the girls on the team would steal someone’s phone,” I say. My eyes are locked on hers.

She holds my gaze for several seconds, then, “All right. I’ll check with the diner. Again.”

I nod, just as Mr. Lake wanders over. “Melinda, I hope we’ll be seeing Amber this Friday,” he says.

“She’ll be there.” Her tone with him is far more pleasant.

After she walks away, Mr. Lake pats my shoulder. “Take it easy, Coach.”

“She practically accused the girls of stealing her phone.”

“I’ve known Melinda since she was a kid. Her dad and I were good friends,” he says. “I’m sure she didn’t mean anything by it.”

“They’re good girls,” I say. “I don’t like people implying otherwise.”

“They are good,” he agrees, “which is why they’re being rewarded. Try to have some fun.”

I remain at the school until all the girls’ parents have arrived to pick them up. As usual, Evie’s ride is the last to arrive.

“You don’t have to wait on me, Coach,” she says. She crosses her arms over her chest, hiding into herself.

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