Read Online Friends and Enemies by Stephen A. Bly - Free Book Online Page A

with Louise toward Lincoln Street in front of the house. “There are other houses around town that are called Fortune houses. We’ve decided this should always be called the Edwards house.”
    Shoulders back, chin raised, Louise Edwards paused. “Grass . . . I mean, the Professor, would like that. You boys and Dacee June were the only ‘children’ he ever had.” Louise patted his hand, before continuing her stroll.
    â€œWould you like me to walk you home?” Robert asked.
    â€œMy heavens, no, I’m not that old . . . yet.”
    When Robert and Jamie Sue returned to the living room, the twins sprawled on the box bench windowsill.
    Veronica pressed her nose against the glass and stared up and down Lincoln Street. “Mama, we really like this house.”
    Patricia sat with hands folded and chewed her tongue. “Do you like it, Mama?”
    â€œI think it’s perfect for us!” Jamie Sue said. “I didn’t know that we were buying so much furniture in the purchase price.”
    â€œMrs. Edwards was very generous,” Robert replied.
    â€œAnd no wonder, what glowing things you told her.” Jamie Sue eased down on the charcoal gray sofa.
    â€œThey were all true,” he insisted.
    â€œAnd that, Mr. Fortune, is exactly why we have so many pieces of furniture left to us.” She patted the sofa seat and he sat down next to her.
    Veronica rocked back and forth on her knees. “We don’t have any beds or dressers.”
    â€œMrs. Edwards never had anything but her sewing supplies up in your room. We’ll all go shopping tomorrow and see what we can find,” Jamie Sue announced.
    Veronica spun around and plopped down beside her sister. “We want French provincial furniture, with separate four-poster beds and matching wardrobes painted white with gold trim,” she blurted out, keeping time with each word by tapping both shoes on the hardwood floor.
    Jamie Sue surveyed the high ceiling of her new living room. “You will get one bed . . . comfortable and sturdy, and well within our budget, and share a wardrobe as you did in Arizona.”
    â€œMother . . .” Patricia paused and wrinkled her nose. “When do we get separate things?”
    Immediately Veronica wrinkled her nose also.
    â€œWhen you get married,” Robert grinned.
    Veronica sighed. “But we’ll have to share a wardrobe even then!”
    â€œThere are worse things in life. You wear each other’s clothes every day of the year. Why would you need to separate them?” Jamie Sue challenged.
    â€œYou just don’t understand what it’s like to be an identical twin,” Veronica whimpered.
    â€œOf course I don’t. I never will. But some day you will both understand what it’s like to be a mother.”
    Little Frank ran into the living room. “I really like my room! I have my own door to the back porch. I can go outside without . . . eh, bothering anyone.”
    â€œWhat you mean is, you can go outside without anyone knowing it,” Robert said.
    â€œYeah . . . that too. Can I go look around the neighborhood? I think I saw a boy my age. Maybe he plays baseball.”
    Veronica jumped up and brushed her bangs out of her eyes. “What did he look like?”
    Little Frank jammed his hands in the back pockets of his brown ducking trousers. “He didn’t have blond curly hair.”
    â€œMaybe we should go for a walk too.” Patricia brushed the bangs out of her eyes.
    â€œYou girls know the rules. You need to stay where I can . . .”
    â€œRobert!” Jamie Sue corrected.
    He ran his fingers through the back of his hair and could feel the tense neck muscles. “Mama’s right. We live in town now. Things will be different. Be careful. I don’t have to keep you in sight, . . . but you girls keep each other in sight. Look after each other.