Read Online Forever Beach by Shelley Noble - Free Book Online Page A

this weekend. We have plans.”
    It was the craft fair weekend. Sarah wouldn’t be participating; no way was she going to lug antique clocks outside to subject them to the weather and sticky fingers, both sugar and theft-wise. But there would be children’s activities and the beach all weekend, and Sarah wouldn’t go into the store at all on Sunday.
    â€œMs. Delgado is available Wednesday after her AA meeting.”
    â€œIt will have to be after three o’clock, Leila isn’t back from school until then.”
    â€œShall we say three then at family services? Room 102. I can pick Leila up and bring her back.”
    â€œThat won’t be necessary. I’ll bring her and wait.”
    â€œActually, it would be better if I pick her up.”
    â€œFine.” Sarah knew the drill and the psychology. Stay home so that the child knows she will have a place to return to. Don’t blow this because of your own stubbornness. “Thank you. She’ll be ready. See you on Wednesday.”
    â€œWe really do have the child’s best interest at heart.”
    â€œOf course you do. And I really appreciate your effort on our behalf.”
    â€œWell, then until Wednesday.” They said good-byes, very civilized. Sarah hung up, barely resisting the urge to throw the phone across the room. She knew they were doing the best they could with the resources they had—not enough—for more children than they could place, with demands from all sides. Too many files, not enough money, not enough sleep, not enough people who cared. But that didn’t make it okay for a kid to fall through the cracks. Not now, not then, not ever.
    Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  Dear Nonie
    Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  I don’t guess you’re ever gonna write me back. But in case you read this I just wanted to tell you that my mama died. They came to tell me yesterday. I didn’t go to the funeral or anything. Because by the time the system found me she was already buried.
    Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  I asked how she died.
    Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  They just looked at me all sympathetic. They didn’t have to tell me. She died like all users die. I guess I should be sad. Or maybe even happy to know I won’t ever have to go back there, not that group home is much better.
    Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  I don’t mind. The last place didn’t work out. Surprise,huh? I made sure they got my new address in case you get a mind to write.
    Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  Doesn’t matter, I guess. I write you even when I don’t send the letter. I think someday you might change your mind and want to hear from me. I still want to hear from you.
    Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â  Well, that’s all for now.
    Your sister,
    Sarah

Chapter 5
    R eesa stood at the kitchen sink drinking her first cup of morning coffee and wondering why a garden took so many hours and years of work when nature only took a few weeks to obliterate it.
    There had been a day when she would have rushed out first thing on a Saturday morning. Early with the sun and the birds, to hoe and weed and pick the week’s anxieties away. It had been great therapy. She could also remember why she had quit.
    She drained her mug, put it in the dishwasher, and picked up her briefcase.
    Saturday. A day for family, for gardening, for hanging out at the beach. She would be hanging out at the branch office trying to catch up on her paperwork and praying no removals came in that she would have to try to place on a weekend.
    â€œLater,” she called to Michael, who had just taken themorning paper and a bowl of cereal into the family room. She was almost to the front door before the television began blaring