Read Online Against the Wall (Stoddard Art School Series Book 3) by Lisa A. Olech - Free Book Online Page B

your message. I’ve just been straight out the last few days.”
    “I heard.” She rubbed Kay’s back. “Walter brings me progress reports every morning. Wants me to come see what you’ve done, but I want to wait and see it all finished.”
    “Hopefully, you won’t have too long to wait. I’ve got everything broad sketched and cut in. I’m working one wall at a time, and it’s really coming together. I like it a lot.”
    “I know Bear loves it.”
    Kay nodded. “So he says.”
    “You must be beat, but I wanted to talk to you. Got time for a quick cup of tea?”
    “For you? Absolutely.” Kay led her down the stone steps and into the tiny blue and white gingham-trimmed kitchen. “Put the kettle on. I need to feed the cat.” She filled both the kettle and a bowl with fresh water.
    “Cat? What cat?”
    Kay scooped some kibble into another bowl and took them out to the back deck. “She showed up last week. Filthy and starving. I named her Hope. She seems to be sticking around.”
    “As long as you feed her.”
    “Won’t let me near her, but at least she’s coming up onto the deck now. We’ve made great progress.” Kay pulled tea bags, honey, and mugs from the cupboard. She joined Dottie at the kitchen table. “So what did you want to talk about?”
    “I spoke to your mother the other day.”
    Kay gave a silent groan and dropped into the chair. “And how is my mother?”
    “She says she hasn’t heard from you since Christmas.”
    “Has it been that long? Yes, I guess it has.” Kay got the stare . The kettle’s whistle saved her. Kay leapt up to take it off the heat.
    “She didn’t know you’re staying here.”
    Kay filled their cups. “Did you tell her?”
    “It’s not my business to tell.”
    “Good. Thank you.”
    “It’s also not my business to lie.”
    Dottie would never betray her, but Kay hated putting her in the middle. She was still her mother’s best friend. “You didn’t lie.”
    “Not telling is lying.”
    “Trust me, it’s easier this way. I’ll deal with her. Soon. Not now, okay?”
    Dottie reached across the table and took her hand. “Honey, when are you going to lose that chip on your shoulder?”
    Kay stood again and crossed to the sink. Soaping the sponge there, she began wiping down the small countertop. “It isn’t so much of a chip where my mother is concerned. It’s more like a drag chute.” She scrubbed at an invisible spot.
    “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
    She tossed the sponge back into the sink and wiped her hands. “A drag chute is the parachute that releases out of the back of a racecar to stop it in its tracks. It’s what she does. I’ll be moving along at a great speed, and it’s like my mother sucks the road right out from under my tires. She grinds me to a halt. And it takes way too much to get me back to the starting line, let alone back up to speed.”
    “You need to talk to her.”
    Kay shook her head. “I can’t afford to be derailed. Not now.”
    “She just wants to know you’re okay. And sweetie, you’re doing better than okay, you’re doing great. Don’t you want to share this with her?”
    “No.” She gave a small laugh. “Absolutely not.”
    “So what are you going to do—pretend she doesn’t exist?”
    Kay folded her arms over her chest. “Hey, denial and running are my best things.”
    “Some things you can’t run away from, Kay. They’re going to catch up with you no matter what.”
    Kay sat and took the woman’s hands. “Things are never going to be good where my mother is concerned. It wasn’t my idea. She made her choice twenty years ago. I’m just grateful I have you.” She kissed the backs of her hands.
    Dottie gave her a pitying look. “But I’m not your mom.”
    “Thank goodness.” Kay smiled.
    “You know, you only get one.”
    “Some you get, some you pick. That’s why I picked you.”
    “I just don’t want you to get to the day where you regret things. There’s still time