Read Online Memories of Love by Jean C. Joachim - Free Book Online

eyes.
    “I’ll be your best friend, Sarah,”
Molly said, taking her hand.
    “You are. Pick one.”
    “I love cats, but I can’t have one
‘cause I’m allergic. Can I sleep with this one?” She picked out a fluffy, stuffed,
Himalayan cat in beige and dark brown.
    “I call her Fluffy. She’s my
favorite cat,” Sarah said.
    “Then you should sleep with her.”
Molly held it out.
    “You take her. You’re my best
friend. You sleep with Fluffy, and I’ll sleep with Buster.”
    “Thanks, Sarah. What’s Buster?”
    “He’s a pug. I know he’s kinda funny-looking, but I like him. Someday, I’m gonna
have a real, live pug.”
    Sarah turned out the light again and
climbed into bed. The girls rolled on their sides, facing each other. Before they
could start talking again, sleep overtook them and further plans for the search
for Cara Brewster were postponed until the next day.

 
    * * * *

 
    In the living room, Grant joined
Jane on the sofa. She put down her copy of Vanity
Fair and confronted her brother.
    “What the hell is going on with you
and Evelyn?” She trained her gaze on his face.
    “I don’t know. I asked her if she
wanted a divorce, but she didn’t answer me.”
    “A divorce?” Jane’s eyes widened.
    “I think she’s having an affair.” He
combed his hand through his hair.
    “Are you sure?”
    “Sarah complained Evie’s always late to pick her up. Her not coming up here
with us for several weeks. Sometimes she doesn’t answer her cell. Her excuses
are pretty thin. Maybe because I’m an attorney, or I’m just a suspicious guy,
but I don’t like the answers I’m getting…or rather not getting.”
    “She didn’t deny it?”
    “Nope. Changed the subject. Classic
diversion to avoid the truth.” He rubbed his face.
    Jane placed her hand on his arm.
“I’m sorry, Grant.”
    “Don’t be. I think I’m happy for
her. Maybe she’s found the right guy. Sure as hell isn’t me.” He stood and went
to the window.
    “You’ve been married a long time.
Sure this isn’t just the seven year itch?”
    “I’ve never really been free to give
her what she needs.”
    “Cara?” He nodded. “When’re you
going to confront her, by the way?”
    “Hey, one confrontation at a time,”
he chuckled.
    “Seriously, Grant. You’re playing
with a lot of lives here.”
    “I thought I could do it. Let Cara
go, love Evelyn, have a family for Sarah. But now it’s all falling apart, and
I’m powerless to stop it.” He began to pace.
    “You’d better get your life
straightened out. You have a little girl to care for. And I think she needs her
mother, her real mother. Cara’s been AWOL long enough.”
    “Sarah keeps asking, and I have no
answer. Damn, Cara! Where the hell is she? Why isn’t she here, visiting? At
least calling or writing? I don’t even know what continent she’s on.” He banged
his fist on the arm of the sofa.
    “It’s time you found out,” Jane
muttered.
    “What?”’ Grant turned to face her.
    “Nothing. It’s like living in an
armed camp around here. You and Evelyn don’t stay in the same room for more
than a few minutes. You could cut the tension with a knife. I can’t live like
this. It’s nuts.”
    “We’ll work it out. Give us a few
more days.” He blew out a breath.
    “You’d better stay together until
next weekend, because I got three tickets to the theater, not just two.” She
pushed to her feet.
    “Three? I asked you to get two.”
    “It’s time to put everyone’s cards
on the table. We need to clear the air, and you need to get a life.” Jane
picked up her magazine.
    “What the hell are you talking
about?” He picked up his newspaper from the coffee table.
    “Nothing. You’ll know soon enough.”
    “No one in this house listens to me
anymore. I’m going to bed.” Grant threw down the paper and stood up.
    “Sweet dreams. Relief is on the way,
big brother.” Jane shot him an enigmatic smile.
    “God, Jane. I shudder to think