Read Online A Mother at Heart by Carolyne Aarsen - Free Book Online Page A

death.”
    â€œIt happened a while ago for me, but I can imagine it’s a shock for you, just finding this out now.”
    Miriam drew in a long breath to compose herself and then looked up at Donna. “After she got married, the relationship faded away.”
    â€œI imagine.” Donna took another sip of coffee, but held Miriam’s gaze. “You know, when I saw you sitting here with Jake, it seemed just like old times.”
    â€œThat’s all they are, Donna—old times,” Miriam said sharply. Donna’s words struck too close to her own yearning. It had been hard to acknowledge Jake’s marriage to Paula, but it was all the harder now that Paula had passed away. If Paula were still alive, Jake wouldn’t be available.
    Donna looked taken aback at Miriam’s harsh tone. “I know that. It’s just that we used to see you guys together all the time. That’s all.”
    â€œI’m sorry, Donna. It’s been so strange coming back here. Everything’s changed so much.”
    Except that it was much the same, Miriam thought as she and Donna quietly sipped their coffee. Looking at Donna somehow made her realize what she had lost when she’d left. This place where she had grown up suddenly seemed secure, unchanging. Here were people who cared. She had been hugged more in the past two days than she had been in years. More people had asked with sincerity how she was doing.
    For the past few years she had been only a face, a body, an object. No one seemed to care about her soul, her heart.
    â€œYou’ve changed, too. I remember the first time your face showed up on the front cover of a magazine. It was the talk of the town.”
    â€œI’m sure it was.”
    â€œOh, don’t get all huffy with me. That’s what Waylen is like. People are nosy, but they care.” Donna grinned at her. “And now, you owe me. Big time.” Donna tilted her head, her tone full of meaning. “You don’t write, you don’t phone. So spill. What happened with you and Jake? What have you been doing? What is your life like? How’s your mom?”
    In spite of the sorrow raised by Donna’s questions, Miriam felt an easing of the tension that had gripped her since she’d come here. Easygoing, straightforward Donna never pulled any punches, never minced words. Never judged.
    â€œMy mom died six months ago.” Again Miriam stopped, swallowing hard.
    â€œOh, Miriam. I’m so sorry.”
    â€œI can’t believe this,” Miriam said, her voice shaky as Donna’s hand squeezed hers tightly. “It’s like each time I tell someone, I relive her death.” She stopped, taking in a deep breath. “It was hard, but I think she was ready. She died quite peacefully.”
    â€œI’m so sorry,” Donna said, stroking her arm with her other hand. “You’ve sure had enough to deal with.”
    Silence drifted up between them as Miriam wiped a fresh rivulet of tears, but this was the companionable silence of friends reestablishing their acquaintance.
    â€œSorry to dump on you like this. Hardly old home week, is it?”
    â€œI’m your friend, Miriam.” Donna smiled at her. “I’m supposed to help you, to listen to you.”
    â€œThanks.” Miriam felt another twinge of guilt that Donna should offer help and support when she herself had remained so distant.
    â€œSo what is modeling like?” Donna asked, changing the subject. “How do you feel when you walk out in front of all those people?”
    Miriam didn’t want to talk about modeling. She had fostered a foolish hope that when she came back here, she would be able to leave the other life behind her, if only for a while. But she had forgotten how intertwined lives are in a small town. Your news is my news.
    â€œActually, the majority of what I do is catalog work. I haven’t done much runway work lately, and, to tell you