The Big Bang by Linda Joffe Hull

attempt black magic with green members.”
    “You know you sound like a full-on witch geek.”
    “Tyler could have a point,” Margaret Estridge said from the door of the all-purpose room where she stood as “youth group” sentry. “Mom says the playground deal made Reverend Griffin like the hero of the neighborhood. Everyone totally loves him even more than usual.”
    “Love energy can cause problems,” Hannah Hunt, who’d spent another week avoiding the math teacher, added.
    “Tyler’s stepdad doesn’t exactly love him.” Eva smirked. “I wonder what kind of power an adult would bring to our…”
    Drills from the security system installers drowned out her final words.
    “Don’t even think about it,” Tyler said.
    Hannah ran into the room and whisper-screamed, “Black alert!”
    Tyler quickly rolled the remaining jewelry into the velvet drape and stuffed it beneath the podium while Eva unrolled a banner from the end of one of the tables facing the audience. Just as the bottom of
Welcome Rancher Youth
brushed the linoleum, her father popped into the room holding a tray of cookies.
    “Afternoon.” Her dad nodded, smoothed a crease in his ironed jeans with his free hand, and started toward her. “What’s in the offing for today?”
    “Busy, busy, busy!” Eva said in her most chipper lilt.
    “The Lord provides the wind, but man must raise the sails.”
    Not that her dad would notice, but Eva flashed what had to be the most ungodly fake smile ever.
    “I just dropped in to apologize for the noise disturbance around here this afternoon,” Reverend Griffin said. “I’m hoping warm Snickerdoodles will make up for the inconvenience.”
    “Thanks, Reverend Frank,” Margaret said.
    “You’re welcome,” he said. “I have to admit I do have ulterior motives.”
    Eva managed a nearly imperceptible eye roll. “What is it you want us to do?”
    “I’d like your group to help out with the Memorial Weekend festivities.”
    “Help out how?” She grabbed a cookie of her own and waited for him to knit his brow in disapproval.
    “I’ve asked the homeowner’s board to double your current operating budget if your group participates,” he said instead.
    Murmurs filled the room.
    She took a bite. “I’m not sure that’s workable for us.”
    “Evangeline,” he said.
    “Eva,” she said, mid-chew.
    “I’ve also arranged things so that those of you who are interested will have first priority for lifeguard positions and other rec center summer jobs.”
    “Including me?”
    “That’s interesting,” her father said, grasping the spiral charm of the Goddess amulet she’d forgotten to tuck into her shirt.
    “Mrs. Jordan helped me make it,” she said quickly. “Pretty, huh?”
    “Very.” He smiled. “Talk things over kids and let me know as soon as you make a decision.”
    “Really?”
    He gave a cursory wave and started for the door. “Be sure and write YOUTH GROUP MEMBER at the top of any job applications you decide to submit.”
    “Will do,” Tyler said.
    “You know what they say,” he turned. “If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders.”
    Eva flipped him the bird as soon as he was gone. “I hope you all realize
maybe
means yes to him.”
    “I agree your dad’s kind of railroading us,” Tyler said.
    Was there any chance he’d actually let her work at the rec center? “I know, right?”
    “It’s kinda hard to imagine the Goths in jobs that involve constant sunshine and little red Speedos, but it will double the money in the youth club treasury/spell fund for a couple days of work,” Tyler said.
    Everyone laughed.
    “He’ll work us to the bone that weekend.”
    “But we’ll be able to do more practice spells so the new people will catch up faster.”
    “The devil’s in the details.” Reverend Griffin’s deep voice boomed through the room of whomever he’d moved on to chatting up as he headed down the hall.
    “More