Read Online Kindergarten Baby: A Novel by Cricket Rohman - Free Book Online

Lindsey saw the moment when he made the connection between the whirling object over his head and his own arm attached to it. The belt fell to the stage floor, and Laura quickly retrieved it.
    Willy scowled at the rows of wide-eyed students and shouted, “What are you lookin’ at?”
    “Take it from the top,” instructed Lindsey. “One, two, ready, sing.” The singers got back to their song, the audience resumed its wiggling, and Willy stood perfectly still.
    ***
    The temperature had dropped far below normal for Tucson, though it still wasn’t winter weather, according to outsiders. Nevertheless, old pueblo residents got out their winter clothing, taking advantage of the rare cold spell.
    Shawna came slinking down the hallway in a fur coat. “Finally, I can wear this,” she said. “Come on. Let’s take the doggy for a walk.”
    Anthony, still easily aroused by her flamboyant, sexual ways, grinned. “Should I ask what you’re wearing under that fur coat?”
    “Only if you want to know.”
    He chuckled. “Oh, I already know. Just how far did you want to walk the dog?”
    “It’s more of a ‘how long?’ question really,” she replied, ramping up her seductive tone a notch or two.
    “All right, then. I’ll play along. How long of a dog walk does my baby want to take?” he asked, lowering his own voice.
    She shrugged. “Just long enough to be seen by a few people and to cool off. I’m getting hot in this coat already.”
    “So take it off,” Anthony suggested, going along with the provocative game of the hour.
    Shawna pouted, batting her long eyelashes. “Not yet. I’ve just put it on. Come on. I’ll make it worth your while,” she teased.
    “You always do.”
    She jangled the leash and called, “Here, Rover.”
    That was one thing Anthony didn’t like about Shawna. She always called Wendell another name, like Rover or just plain Dog, and she gave him attention only when it suited her needs. Her lack of affection or even appreciation for his lovable dog baffled him. Wendell was a great dog.
    They ventured into the cold night air, the doctor, the dog, and the stripper. Anthony stared at her feet as they walked.
    “How can you walk in those shoes?” he asked. “You know how hard they are on your back. After all the treatments you’ve been through for back and leg pain, you amaze me.”
    She smiled sweetly. “And I hope to keep amazing you for a very long time, darling.” She flapped a dismissive hand at him. “You know I like to look good, love. High heels are a woman’s legs’ best friend. You’d complain even worse if I went out in Birkenstocks. Besides,” she said, stroking his arm, “I rather like all those adjustments you give me.”
    Only the clicking of the stilettos and the jingle of Wendell’s collar broke the quiet of the night, though a discriminating listener might hear other noises of the desert around them: a neighbor’s horse whinnying, the hoot of an owl announcing its location, or a distant coyote yipping. Anthony took Shawna’s hand while they walked. He wanted to talk‌—‌to really talk, like he had in the past with Lindsey.
    “You know,” he said gently, “I don’t feel good about what we’re doing to Lindsey. Maybe we’re rushing things.”
    Her reply was snide. “Ah, yes. Your little fairy tale princess has come up in conversation once again. You do know that she doesn’t have a monopoly on the ‘happily ever after’ thing, right? Every woman wants that. You’re my handsome prince now, and you know what they say: ‘You snooze, you lose.’ Well, I don’t intend to lose. So why don’t you come over here, baby, and feel good about this,” she purred. She leaned against the nearest tree trunk and let the coat fall open, exposing just enough naked skin to avert Anthony’s emerging conscience.
    Wendell, who had been sitting up straight, his gaze shifting eagerly back and forth as each of them spoke, now sighed a long, disgusted sigh. He laid down,