Read Online Nine-Tenths by Meira Pentermann - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Meira Pentermann
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took a step back in surprise. Is she doing drugs? Summoning his courage, Leonard knocked lightly. The music stopped. A minute later, Natalia cracked the door and peeked out, appearing insecure and apprehensive.
“How are you doing?”
“I’m just listening to music and going through my things.”
Leonard peered through the small opening and noticed what appeared to be scrapbooks or photo albums on her bed. The aroma, stronger now, smelled like citrus or something sweet, perhaps an air freshener or perfume. Or a cover-up for smoking something.
“Okay,” he said. “Just let me know if you need anything.”
Natalia’s expression, one of disbelief, broke Leonard’s heart. The idea that his kindness shocked Natalia was unbearable. Was I really that bad of a father? Another uncomfortable feeling followed. Why did Natalia’s room smell like something sweet? Determined to sneak in at a later date, he returned to his bedroom to search for the elusive DID pass.
A few minutes later, he heard a door open and close. Thank God, Alina. I need all the help I can get. The footsteps sounded odd, however. Shoes. Alina would not emerge from the bathroom wearing shoes. Leonard stood and crossed to the door, peering out stealthily. Natalia descended the staircase carrying something in a small plastic bag, its handles tied in several knots. When she reached the foot of the stairs, Leonard followed her.
She slipped out the back door. Leonard pursued, closing the door quietly behind him. He arrived just in time to see Natalia squeeze through a gap in the bushes — overgrown junipers which ran along the house. He was dumbfounded. Still reluctant to confront his daughter in the fear that she would follow in her brother’s footsteps, he merely stared, feeling helpless. His throat dry, he tried to swallow only to find that made it worse. A few minutes later, the bushes rustled and Natalia began to back out of the tight space.
Leonard’s heart palpitated as he frantically looked around for cover. He dashed behind a large oak tree in the corner of the yard and peeked tentatively in Natalia’s direction. The girl emerged without the plastic bag, and she quickly returned to the house.
After several minutes, Leonard found the gumption to leave his hiding place and creep toward the bushes. Hesitantly, he crawled into the gap. A garden shovel rested against a mound of dirt next to a one-foot square hole which was at least a foot and a half deep. A large dinner plate lay in the hole, stuck at an angle. A cylinder container of powdered sink cleaner stood on the far side against the house. Leonard carefully removed the plate. Filled loosely with dirt and a layer of white powder, the hole resembled a miniature mass grave. Leonard’s stomach turned over. Clearly, Natalia had tossed the bag in the hole and covered it with a layer of dirt and soft scrub. He cringed and realized that he didn’t want to know. Drug paraphernalia, empty liquor bottles — whatever it was, he refused to look. He jammed the plate back into the hole and scrambled back. Glancing around nervously, he made his way back to the house.
Coward.
He bit his lip and his eyes stung. He weakly consoled himself with the spineless argument that a father should respect his daughter’s secrets.
Secrets. Why the hell didn’t I think of it before?
He dashed upstairs, taking the steps two at a time. Rushing into the bedroom, he was momentarily taken aback by Alina’s half-naked form standing near the closet. His jaw dropped and coherent thoughts slipped away. Then he shook his shoulders and crossed to the dresser.
“I was expecting a more enthusiastic reception,” Alina said seductively. “Last night you were dying to get me naked.”
“Yes, yes,” Leonard said absentmindedly, as his mind refocused on the task at hand. He dropped to the floor, flipped over, and scooted backward banging his head. Oblivious to the pain, he peered under the dresser. Then he slid his hand under
“How are you doing?”
“I’m just listening to music and going through my things.”
Leonard peered through the small opening and noticed what appeared to be scrapbooks or photo albums on her bed. The aroma, stronger now, smelled like citrus or something sweet, perhaps an air freshener or perfume. Or a cover-up for smoking something.
“Okay,” he said. “Just let me know if you need anything.”
Natalia’s expression, one of disbelief, broke Leonard’s heart. The idea that his kindness shocked Natalia was unbearable. Was I really that bad of a father? Another uncomfortable feeling followed. Why did Natalia’s room smell like something sweet? Determined to sneak in at a later date, he returned to his bedroom to search for the elusive DID pass.
A few minutes later, he heard a door open and close. Thank God, Alina. I need all the help I can get. The footsteps sounded odd, however. Shoes. Alina would not emerge from the bathroom wearing shoes. Leonard stood and crossed to the door, peering out stealthily. Natalia descended the staircase carrying something in a small plastic bag, its handles tied in several knots. When she reached the foot of the stairs, Leonard followed her.
She slipped out the back door. Leonard pursued, closing the door quietly behind him. He arrived just in time to see Natalia squeeze through a gap in the bushes — overgrown junipers which ran along the house. He was dumbfounded. Still reluctant to confront his daughter in the fear that she would follow in her brother’s footsteps, he merely stared, feeling helpless. His throat dry, he tried to swallow only to find that made it worse. A few minutes later, the bushes rustled and Natalia began to back out of the tight space.
Leonard’s heart palpitated as he frantically looked around for cover. He dashed behind a large oak tree in the corner of the yard and peeked tentatively in Natalia’s direction. The girl emerged without the plastic bag, and she quickly returned to the house.
After several minutes, Leonard found the gumption to leave his hiding place and creep toward the bushes. Hesitantly, he crawled into the gap. A garden shovel rested against a mound of dirt next to a one-foot square hole which was at least a foot and a half deep. A large dinner plate lay in the hole, stuck at an angle. A cylinder container of powdered sink cleaner stood on the far side against the house. Leonard carefully removed the plate. Filled loosely with dirt and a layer of white powder, the hole resembled a miniature mass grave. Leonard’s stomach turned over. Clearly, Natalia had tossed the bag in the hole and covered it with a layer of dirt and soft scrub. He cringed and realized that he didn’t want to know. Drug paraphernalia, empty liquor bottles — whatever it was, he refused to look. He jammed the plate back into the hole and scrambled back. Glancing around nervously, he made his way back to the house.
Coward.
He bit his lip and his eyes stung. He weakly consoled himself with the spineless argument that a father should respect his daughter’s secrets.
Secrets. Why the hell didn’t I think of it before?
He dashed upstairs, taking the steps two at a time. Rushing into the bedroom, he was momentarily taken aback by Alina’s half-naked form standing near the closet. His jaw dropped and coherent thoughts slipped away. Then he shook his shoulders and crossed to the dresser.
“I was expecting a more enthusiastic reception,” Alina said seductively. “Last night you were dying to get me naked.”
“Yes, yes,” Leonard said absentmindedly, as his mind refocused on the task at hand. He dropped to the floor, flipped over, and scooted backward banging his head. Oblivious to the pain, he peered under the dresser. Then he slid his hand under
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