AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Hey,” I murmured a little dumbly.
She glowered at me. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“I’m going to keep you company.”
“I don’t need company,” she retorted. “Jane doesn’t need you gawking at her. She isn’t an act in a freak show.”
“As if I would,” I growled back. “Jesus, Lauren. Remember who you’re talking to?”
She flinched, “God, I’m sorry, Cooper,” she whispered, her shoulders hunching as she realized what she’d accused me of.
Tension flooded me, but it released a little when she looked so damn guilty. “Hey, it’s okay. I just… I’m not here to gawk. Your mom told me Jane’s real sick.”
She gulped. “Understatement, but Karen needs a break.” Then, she pulled a face. “Some break. She’s going to do homework, after all.”
“Your mom said she likes schoolwork so maybe she’ll enjoy having time to focus without needing her attention split on other things.”
“That’s what I’m hoping.” Her smile was tight as she murmured, “You really don’t have to do this.”
“I know. But I want to keep you company.”
She sighed and stepped down the ragged path that led to the broken screen door. I knew she was only letting me in because I’d made her feel guilty.
The move hadn’t been intentional, but the reminder of my past had been enough to spur her into acceptance of my presence.
M
y father had, after all, killed himself. Bipolar, it was called now. All we’d known back then was he was depressed. Enough to end it all, to leave his family behind, and to thrust them into a harsh reality that I was still reeling from. Even all these years later.
If anyone knew how a parent’s mental health issues could affect a kid’s world, it was me.
Shoving back those thoughts, I followed her to the small house, and saw Karen’s bright smile through the screen door as she saw Lauren waiting for her. The smile floundered, replaced with embarrassment when she noticed me, but Lauren smoothed over that by saying, “He’s a real old friend, Karen. I don’t know how long he’s in town for so he’s going to keep me company whilst I keep an eye on your mom.”
Karen eyed me, but she nodded after a lot of biting her lip. “Sure. There’s ice tea in the fridge for you, Lauren. I can’t tell you how grateful I am. I really want to get this assignment done.”
Lauren smiled, kissed Karen on the cheek in thanks and shooed her away. “Go on. It’s fine. I know my way around, silly.”
With another look at me, Karen hesitated a second then headed down the small hall to her bedroom.
I took a look around at the grim house and sighed. It was like being home again.
There was a single room attached to a hallway that led to the bedrooms and a bath. The carpet was grim but freshly hoovered and everything was spotlessly clean.
In fact, the small woman in an ironed housecoat was the reason for that.
I took in the neatly pinned up hair, and the made-up face, as well as the collection of cleaning products she had around her.
Though the house was like walking back into the eighties, I realized Jane was also a manic cleaner… Because the kitchen, though filled with old cupboards and seventies equipment, gleamed like a new penny.
The sofa was hoovered too and smelled of soap when I sat on it, and the wooden TV unit and the coffee table literally glowed with polish.
Lauren directed me to the sofa and headed to the kitchen. She kissed Jane on the cheek then grabbed two glasses and the jar of sweet tea Karen had made for her.
She returned to my side, poured us both a drink, and sat down too.
“Doesn’t she talk?”
“She does. Too much,” Lauren said with a little smile. “But she’s busy now. She’ll wear herself out soon and will nap.”
