Let's see what damage we can do, shall we?

Here we go.

-wise_yet_harmless

MAX'S POINT OF VIEW

If there's anything I can say about Mormons is that they know how to do special occasions. They showed up at our house and did Nudge's hair all crazy and loopy, brought her a hand-me-down white dress for her baptism (apparently white is what you're SUPPOSED to wear- symbolizes purity or something), and they even helped Anne get dolled up. They chatted loudly with big laughter as they all crowded in the bathroom, doing Anne's makeup. Anne stayed happy looking, laughing along occasionally and even speaking out sometimes.

It was weird.

I, on the other hand, spent the day answering the door and guiding people to the kitchen. Mormons all about food, lemme tell ya. They brought cookies, brownies, lemon bars, scones, and assorted chocolates. They women hugged me, the men shook my hand and the kids (the millions of them) grabbed my hands and legs. Angel and Gazzy absolutely loved it. They ran around and introduced themselves to everyone who would listen. They told me they planned to go to church with Nudge since it was so fun.

I just wanted a freakin' nap. And we hadn't even started yet.

Fang, Ella and Iggy joined us, all of them looking nice and put together. They didn't really get what we were doin, but Ella was determined to support us for the special occasion. I was grateful for that. The baptizing was in the same building Nudge went to every Sunday, but we went into a different room than normal. There was a big bath that she was going to be baptized in. There were talks, songs and prayers. They talked about how people can be perfect again, and even though we make mistakes we can repent and be forgiven. It made my stomach drop, thinking of Fang's dad.

Could he really be perfect again?

Could there be forgiveness for everything?

I mean, don't get me wrong. I would love to see my siblings forgiven for being a pain in the you-know-what. But could I ever expect someone like Fang's father to be forgiven for the horrible, gut wrenching acts he had preformed? I was beginning to get frustrated when the women speaking said something that stuck out to me.

"...but don't think that repentance is an easy promise. In fact, it can be the most difficult thing you overcome. Learning from your mistakes is a hard lesson to take to heart. But if you really want it, if you really would like to make up for something you did, there will be nothing stopping you."

I looked over at Fang who was sitting beside me. Noticing my gaze, his eyes found me under his thick bangs that had grown long in the last couple of months. I reached over and linked my arm in his, letting him know I was giving him my support. He responded by placing a hand on top of mine. We stayed like that the rest of the meeting.

Nudge was presented in a white jumpsuit like thing. She walked out into the tub into the waiting arms of Nudge's friend's dad. Apparently you can only be baptized by those with authority and this guy had it. I had met him a few times, so I was okay with the whole thing, even if it seemed a little strange to me. They said another prayer and dunked Nudge under the water for a second before springing her back out. She grinned from ear to ear, dripping wet.

They told me when she came out of that water she would be perfect. With that smile on her face, I could have believed it.

After she got dressed back into her nice dress, we went back to the house for food and socializing. Anne got loads of attention from the other ladies and hardly spent two minutes with Nudge, but my little girl was surrounded with so many people I don't think she noticed. Fang, Ella, Iggy and I stayed away form the crowd and noise in the office, talking. Iggy had already loosened his tie and was twitchy from all the commotion, so I didn't keep them for long. Fang told me before they left that Iggy was leaving in a few days and we should expect some drama from both him and Ella this week. Then they said their goodbyes, congratulated Nudge one more time and left.

I wandered about, trying to remember names and be hostess-like. Luckily for me, however, everyone got the hint that it was about time to leave and filtered out. The twins were so beat they fell asleep on the floor as soon as it got quiet. Anne turned to us after shutting the door for the last time, her face full of exhaustion and bewilderment.

"Well," she said, looking at Nudge and I, "that was something, wasn't it? All the commotion gave me a headache. I'm going to bed, yeah? Night." With that, she took off for her room.

"So," I said, turning to my sister, "how ya feeling?"

"Wow Max. Today was great, wasn't it? Everyone seemed to have so much fun and there was so much food and gosh I feel kinda sick, but in a goody way, yknow? Like after a food eating contest or something. Full of energy and food and totally sick, but it was so worth it. Does that make sense? I dunno, honestly, I'm reeeeeally tired and really sick of these shoes. They're adorable but my gosh do they hurt! Hey, did you know I can start going to their Young Women nights? We do fun stuff for an hour every Tuesday like bowling and movies and stuff- nothing dangerous of course, and I'll let you know what we're doing and stuff but it sounds so fun! OH! And we go camping every year with all the girls and do crafts and stuff! I think this year we're going to some cabins in the mountains and going boating and stuff! I just- wow. Isn't it great Max? Isn't it?"

"Yeah hon. It's great." I opened my arms and my sister flung herself into me, squeezing me tightly. She then bounded up the stairs and into her room to no doubt make some phone calls. I laughed and sunk to the floor next to the twins, too tired to go anywhere.

Mormons are weird. But I like em.

FANG'S POINT OF VIEW

When we got home I sank into the nearest chair, letting my crutches fall to the ground beside me. I took a big, silent breath in, letting it out slowly. Ella didn't notice, as she was still trying to help Iggy understand what that whole event was about. He just was getting it, and I couldn't say I blamed him. It was a hard thing to grasp; not that I thought he really wanted to grasp it.

"Fang?"

"Yeah?"

"Would you like to accompany Iggy and I at the bowling alley tonight? Iggy hasn't been in a while and we'd like to go before he leaves."

I thought about it for a moment. You'd think the blind kid wouldn't be able to aim well enough for bowling- but he was spot on. Give him a couple rounds to get the feel for it and he was ready to cream anyone and everyone. It was unnerving, the way he could tell exactly what he needed to do all because of his hearing. He often wore sunglasses for that kind of thing just so he didn't freak anybody out.

Ha. Showoff.

"Nah," I replied cooly, "you go ahead. I'm pretty beat."

"Are you okay, man?" Iggy asked, crossing his arms. I didn't usually forgo bowling.

"Yeah, I'm cool. Have fun."

Then they were off, hand in hand to walk the mile and a half to the alley. I waited twenty minutes after they left, grabbed my crutches and left, locking the door behind me.

I had things to take care of.

IGGY'S POINT OF VIEW

"You're still wondering about Fang aren't you?" Ella asked, catching me off guard.

"Huh? Yeah, I guess. How'd you know"

"You're walking a lot faster than normal and you look upset."

"I think that church thing got to him."

"I think you're right. But all in all...maybe he needed to hear it. Do you know what I mean?"

"Yeah."

We left it at that. When we got to the bowling alley, I breathed in the cool, damp air. I loved it here. Iggy grinned right along with me, cracking his knuckles mischievously.

"Best two out of three wins?"

"You're on."

FANG'S POINT OF VIEW

It was hot and let me tell you, crutches are a pain. By the time I got to my house, I had beads of sweat gathered on my forehead. I rounded to the back entrance to avoid any extra attention from peering eyes. I pulled the house key off a small chain hanging around my neck and unlocked the door. There was no car in the driveway and no apparent visitors, but I still entered as silently as possible. When I shut the door behind me, I stayed still for close to five minutes, adjusting my eyes to the darkness and listening as closely as possible.

Nothing.

I squared my shoulders and continued on, keeping my eyes open. The floor creaked with use and the sunlight flickered the ripped curtains. It was like something out of a horror film. Too quiet, too suspicious. I went upstairs and into my room, getting supplies. It rummaged through the junk still spilled everywhere, getting various weapons and other supplies I'd been missing. Then I went to Ella's room and filled a backpack I had recovered with some of her things. I thought some of it was unnecessary, like the hair dryer, but I knew she'd want it. Lastly, I crept to my father's room.

He's not here, I reminded myself. He won't be in there, and if he is, he'll be dead. Wait- that's not helping. He's not there. Gone.

Even with my crappy pep talk, my heart was still pounding as I reached out and turned the door knob to open the door. I had a terrible image of him waiting for me right inside the door, his hand raised with a knife or a gun with a sick, evil smile of his face.

I shut my eyes when the door opened, holding my breath. When I was met with silence, I snapped my eyes open.

Nothing.

I steeled my nerves and hobbled into the room, snapping on a light. The room was as messy as always, but I didn't see any bodies or hear any snickers. That was reassuring. I maneuvered over piles of garbage to the small desk in the corner of the room. I wasn't sure I would even find what I was looking for, but I had to try. I tugged open the first drawer.

Nothing.

I opened the next drawer, hearing a bumping noise when I did.

Yes!

Inside, sterling silver reflected my face back at me. I picked up my father's revolver, testing the weight in my hands. I popped the cylinder. It had three bullets in it. I checked the other drawers of the desk and found a box of ammo with five more rounds in it. I put the box in my back pack and tucked the gun into the waistband of my jeans.

Next was the office. I got to the doorway and propped my crutches up agaisnt the wall. Getting down on my hands and knees, I fumbled around until my fingertips found a familiar box. I couldn't take it all- it wouldn't fit. Instead, I grabbed my favorite stack of pictures and shoved them in the side pocket of my backpack. I crawled back out and got up.

I was done here. With quick movements due to my growing paranoia, I left the house and went back to the safety of the street. I went back to Iggy's, my heart beating furiously until I finally made it back inside his house. I went to Nudge's room, depositing all her spoils on her bed. I stashed the rest of the stuff- my stuff behind a couch near the mattress I slept on.

You made it, you're good. You're good.

I kept these thoughts running through my head until I drifted off to sleep.

Well then!

Thoughts?

What do you think about Anne?

The baptism?

Iggy's superhuman abilities in low impact sports?

Fang's field trip?

The gun?

Let me know!

Love you!

-wise_yet_harmless