Read Online Mind of Her Own by Diana Lesire Brandmeyer - Free Book Online

up thinking she is someone else. Someone named Jazz.”
    “That’s a funny name.” Joey scrunched his face as if he were thinking hard. “Is it like Jasmine in Madison’s movie?”
    “I don’t have that movie anymore. It’s a baby movie.” Madison elbowed him. “Brat.”
    “This is not the time, Madison. Joey is just trying to help.” Collin stood against the doorway. Jazz couldn’t see his expression, but she had a feeling he wanted to know the answer as well.
    “I have a headache and I don’t remember right now, but I don’t think it’s a princess name. Ask me again later and maybe I’ll know.”
    “If Mom is crazy, who’s going to take care of me?” Tim asked. “Are you going to stay home with me today, Daddy?”
    “I’m taking you to Miss Laurie’s house for a little while. Then you’ll come back this afternoon, and your mother, Jazz, will watch you until I get home.”
    “Is that smart, Dad?” Madison put her hand on her hip and squared off to face him. “How do you know she won’t do something like . . . like lock him in the bathroom or let him eat candy all afternoon?”
    “Miss Laurie is next door, and . . .”
    “I’m right here. Why don’t you ask me what I’ll do to him?” Jazz brushed an annoying strand of hair from her eye. “I may not remember being your mother, but I think I can watch someone so small without hurting him.” Can you? a nagging voice echoed inside her head. How do you know? What does a boy child do or eat?
    “I’m sure you’ll be fine with him.” He turned to Tim. “You can watch your videos this afternoon and let your mother—Jazz—rest on the couch, okay?”
    “Will she make me a snack?” Tim and Joey looked at her with huge brown eyes, like basset puppies begging for a piece of chicken from the table.
    “I think I can manage a snack. Snacking is one of my favorite things to do, Tim.”
    “Okay, then. I guess it will be fun,” Tim said and slid his hand into hers. “I like her.”
    Collin clapped his hands together. “Everyone, out. Breakfast is on the table, and I’m late for work.”
    Collin ushered the children from the room. With the edge of the door in his hand, he turned. “I’ll leave my work phone number on the fridge. If you need to, call. And try to rest today, okay?”
    “What time do you get home from work, Collin? Please say before school’s out.”
    “Usually around seven, or sometimes eight.”
    “In the evening?” She moaned and fell back on the bed. “What about dinner? And what am I supposed to do with the kids?”
    Collin rested his forehead against the doorway. “I’ll leave early and bring home takeout, but please call me if you remember who you are, so I can stay at work.”
    “Sure.” But no way would she call. The doctor said to rest, and that’s what she planned to do—no matter who she was.
    * * *
    A door slamming downstairs startled her. Silence crept through the house, no high-pitched voices or feet thumping on the stairs. The only sound came from the electronic hum of the bedroom clock. Had they all left for the day? She crept from the warm bed to the bedroom door, opened it slowly, and peeked around the corner. Nothing to see but beige walls and beige carpet stretched like a runway down the hall.
    “Hello? Anyone still here?”
    A clock chimed from somewhere in the house as her only answer.
    Sighing with relief that there wouldn’t be any questions for a while, she strode across the thick-carpeted bedroom to the bathroom. The whirlpool tub beckoned with its high-gloss ceramic tiles. With a quick twist of the brushed-nickel knobs, she started the flow of hot water for a well-deserved bath.
    After her indulgent soak, Jazz realized she would have to wear yesterday’s clothes or wear something else of Louisa’s. Neither seemed appealing, but since clothing was not optional, she had to put something on. She dried off with a thick towel. Maybe Louisa had clothes worth investigating, if her linens