Read Online A Second Chance by Bernadette Marie - Free Book Online Page A

off
to a boarding school in France.”
    Kathy lifted her head. “Zach speaks
French?”
    “ Yup. It’s funny too. You
don’t expect it, but when his friend Simone calls, it spews from
his lips like it’s his only language.”
    “ Hmmm, I still have so much
to learn about my new family.”
    Carlos gave a nod as she rested her
head on his shoulder again. Family pulled together in times of
trouble. There hadn’t been a day since he was fifteen he didn’t
think of Madeline as family. Marrying Kathy wouldn’t change that.
He didn’t expect it to. But how could he feel so far from Madeline
now, and need her so much?
     
     

Chapter Four
     
    Eduardo stood in the hallway and
listened to the sounds of his mother getting sick in the bathroom.
“Mom, are you okay?” he asked as she threw up for the third time
since he’d awakened.
    “ I’m fine, baby,” she said
as he heard her again.
    “ I’m worried about you. Let
me call Dad.”
    “ Just get ready for school.
You can’t be late.”
    He stood there for a few more minutes
with his ear pressed against the door and a pain in his chest that
he didn’t like. His mother was never sick, and he didn’t know what
he could do to help her. So he did as she’d asked and went about
getting his shower and making sure everyone else was ready for
school.
    He made breakfast for Christian and
Clara and made his mother a piece of dry toast. When she turned the
corner into the kitchen, he went to her and helped her to a
chair.
    “ Eat this.” He set the plate
down in front of her.
    She gave it a look of consideration
and then pushed it away. “I don’t think I can.”
    “ You’ve lost ten pounds
already. You don’t have a lot to lose. Eat it.”
    Madeline nodded as he went back to
packing lunch for Clara. “Thank you guys for being here with me. It
really helps me.” She reached her hand out and covered Christian’s.
He only nodded his head. “So when is your choir
concert?”
    “ In two weeks. I have extra
practices next week. I have a note.”
    She smiled. “Okay. We’ll make sure you
get there.”
    Eduardo handed Clara her lunch. “Okay,
Mom. I made you some soup and it’s in the fridge. You just have to
warm it up. Don’t forget your medicine and get in lots of fluids
today. I’m going to call you between classes, and you’d better
answer.”
    “ Yes, sir.”
    “ We’ll be home by four.” He
bent down to kiss her cheek. “You’re burning up.” He put his hand
to her head. “Mom, how long have you been like this?”
    “ Just since this
morning.”
    “ But you’ve been throwing up
for three days.”
    “ It’s normal.”
    “ I’m calling Dad.” He pulled
out the cell phone and she grabbed it from his hands.
    “ You will do no such
thing.”
    His mother made eye contact with each
of them. “This is normal. I’m okay. I have an appointment to see
the doctor tomorrow. We’ll see what they say. Maybe they can give
me something. But I don’t want you calling your father. Do you hear
me?” She looked directly at Eduardo, who hesitantly nodded.
“Okay.”
    “ Why don’t I just stay with
you?” he offered. It was killing him to see her look so
weak.
    “ I’d rather you get an
education. And you’d better get to the bus.”
     
    Carlos missed the kids. The mornings
were fuss free, but quiet wasn’t something he particularly enjoyed.
For five years, he’d had the children at his house every other
week. It had only been a few days, but he knew they’d be gone for
weeks. However, with parent-teacher conferences coming up, it was
giving him time to get his reports for each student in
order.
    Kathy laid her cell phone on the
counter and pulled her travel mug from the cupboard. “I’m going to
be late getting home. I have a meeting and then I’m going to run
over to Regan’s house. Audrey is going to meet us and discuss
catering options.”
    “ Sounds like a lovely
time.”
    “ Smart-ass.” She bent to
kiss him. “Be nice or I’ll make