Read Online Breathe: A Novel by Kate Bishop - Free Book Online Page A

mean, yes. I guess. Do you know how much they are?” Where had Andy gone? He was probably off getting stoned or something. What a pushover I was.
    “The sign says two for five dollars.” She handed me a five-dollar bill, which I took and stuffed in my pocket. I started cutting the orange, muttering swears with each stroke of the knife. So why was I staying? Just when I’d convinced myself that he was never coming back, that I was going to have to call the vendor, have them come retrieve their stuff, and tell them that they’d hired an irresponsible flirt, Andy walked back with two cups in his hands.
    “Here, take a break and have some tea with me.”
    He sat on an overturned milk crate and motioned for me to join him. I looked around for a sign to tell me if hanging out with this kid was a good idea.
    “How old are you anyway?” I asked.
    “If I tell you, will you sit down? You are one of the most stressed out people I have ever met. I thought chopping the fruit would help.”
    “I am not stressed out!”
    “Oh, sorry. Must have read you wrong.” He rolled his eyes.
    I took the cup of tea and perched on another crate.
    “For the record, people-reader, I drink coffee.”
    He smiled and said, “I’m twenty-eight.”
    “Liar,” I said, and took a sip of tea. It was actually good.
    “Why would I lie?” He was looking directly at me. I felt my palms begin to sweat.
    “I don’t know, Andy. I can’t figure any of this out. Did you make a pact with yourself to do a good deed today? And what am I doing here? I clearly have not one ounce of a life, standing around cutting fruit for a stranger.” I stood up and put my tea on the table—a little too hard.
    “Not stressed out, huh?” He smirked again.
    “I am not stressed!” I was so flustered; I just needed to get out of there. “Nice to meet you. Have a good afternoon.” I stuck out my hand. He thought this was hilarious. I tried to resist looking over my shoulder as I scurried away, but of course I did, and I could see that he was still smiling. I was flushed with embarrassment.
    Back at the garage, there was a new parking attendant. About time I had some good luck. The Saturday afternoon traffic was slow getting home, but I didn’t mind. I was alone in my car, and for the first time in weeks, I was thinking about something other than Tripp.

The Botox Stare
(One month, 7 days)
    “Hey Jenny, it’s Alex.” Mercifully, Tucker hadn’t answered.
    “Oh my God! I’m so glad you called!”
    “Hey, what time is that class in the city tomorrow?”
    “The YOGA class?” she shrieked.
    “Uh huh.”
    “Oh my God, Alex! I am so glad you finally decided to come. You are going to LOVE it! Galen is just amazing. You won’t believe his energy.”
    “Uh huh. I remember you said that.” The scrap of open-mindedness that inspired me to call was dissolving quickly.
    “Oh, right. Sorry. I’m just sure it will make you feel so much better.”
    Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. I tried to backpedal.
    “Actually, why don’t we just meet for chai at the Lift when you get back.”
    “What? No! Alex, you are coming with me! Let’s go have chai now and do class together tomorrow.” Jenny said.
    I glanced at the classifieds in front of me. Do people even find jobs in the paper anymore? “Okay. The Lift in twenty?”
    It was Jenny’s favorite spot, with hundreds of teas and an oxygen bar. I always joked that she should just move to Oregon. The fresh air was much less expensive.
    “Perfect! See you in there!”
    I confess Jenny’s kindness confused me. I assumed she and Tucker would have joined Tripp’s team, but I was grateful that she hadn’t. Hanging up the phone, I vowed to become a better friend. And daughter. I might even call my family this afternoon. I felt a lump in my throat.
    “Come on, buddy!” Billy wagged furiously as we sprinted into town, my flip-flops smacking.
    “Alex!” Jenny called and waved from the other side of Miller Street. She