Read Online Never Too Late by Robyn Carr - Free Book Online

really was. Those first few weeks after the accident she had become so thin, pale and wasted looking, her face in the constant grimace of pain. But that was easing now and she’d not only put on a couple of pounds, she was able to primp a bit. Her hair was shiny, her face had color.
    â€œThanks. I think I’m going to live.”
    â€œHow’s the pain?”
    â€œI can’t get through the night yet, but as long as I get a nap, my days are pretty manageable. Did you talk to Roger?”
    They were seated in the family room. Jason was at the kitchen table with his schoolbook open while Dotty chopped vegetables at the counter. When Clare asked the question, everyone froze and silence hung in the air for a moment.
    â€œYes. He made me promise to ask you if he could stay and take care of you.”
    Jason slammed his book and shoved back the kitchen chair as he stood. He looked as though he was about to storm out of the room.
    â€œNo,” Clare said without even glancing at Jason. “No, he has to leave. Did you tell him that?”
    â€œYes.”
    Jason looked into the family room and met his mother’s eyes. He smiled somewhat sheepishly. He picked up the closed book and left the kitchen, not angry but mollified. Dotty went back to her chopping without comment, but there was no question she was listening raptly.
    â€œAnd what did he say?”
    â€œThat you can have whatever you want.”
    â€œWell. That was nice of him. I think.”
    Maggie leaned forward and whispered so that Dotty wouldn’t hear. “You should see him. He’s a mess.”
    â€œRoger?”
    â€œDirty, greasy, wrinkled, drinking bourbon. Neat.”
    â€œNo kidding?”
    â€œA broken man,” she said. Then sitting back she wondered what she was doing. It was dangerous to paint him that way and risk Clare’s sympathy.
    â€œAh,” Clare said. “The Broken Man game. Been there, done that.”
    â€œIs that how he gets?” Maggie asked.
    â€œRitualistically,” Clare confirmed.
    â€œBut I’ve seen him here and there during your separations—I never noticed this side of him.”
    â€œI suspect he can put on a good face around his friends and clients. But I’ve seen him miserable and pitiful. Why do you think I always get suckered into one more chance?”
    â€œWell, I knew you felt sorry for him and caved, but…”
    â€œBut you thought I was just stupid? Well, partly. But mostly it’s that Roger is so good at convincing me he’s sorry, that he’s learned his lesson and he’ll never do it again. I think I’ve recovered from that temptation now.”
    Maggie stiffened. “You mean it’s all an act?”
    â€œActually, it’s not an act. I think he really goes through it—the remorse, the guilt, the shame. The depression. The problem is, it has yet to modify his behavior.”
    â€œGod, that accident. It really did shake up your thinking. You finally get him.”
    â€œSort of,” she said. “Probably it’s more that I finally get me.”
    Maggie settled back in the family room, relaxed and had a glass of wine. Clare’s was apple juice—the wine didn’t go well with pain meds. Maggie made time for the family gatherings but the rest of her life was always a rush; she always had a million things to do. Now she seemed more at ease, hanging out at her dad’s during the workweek, than she had in quite a while. Clare wondered if it was because they were finally on the same page about her divorce.
    Then Sarah came home, a little early, as she was doing these days. It was almost as though she was desperate to make sure Clare was all right, that the family remained intact. She was clearly delighted to see Maggie. Before the accident the sisters tried to carve out time for an after-work cocktail at least every other week. “Oh boy,” she said. “Happy hour.” She poured