Read Online (Once) Again by Theresa Paolo - Free Book Online Page B

took another bite.
    “Liz used to watch the Food Network a lot. Sometimes I paid attention.”
    “That simple, huh?”
    I nodded, ignoring my own food, too busy watching the enjoyment on Kat’s face. “How long has it been since you’ve had something homemade? Other than the breakfast you’ve cooked me,” I asked.
    “I thought I was the one asking the questions?”
    “You were, but change in plans. Question for question.” Kat put her hand on the counter and looked up at me, her lips parted, and I knew she was about to argue. “Just humor me. Please.” I flashed my notorious puppy dog stare.
    Kat rolled her eyes. “Fine. A couple of weeks ago. It’s cheaper to buy TV dinners. Plus there aren’t any leftovers sitting in the fridge with no one to eat them.”
    I always thought Kat was immune to my charm. But maybe she was sick of being so tightly closed up. Either way, I was taking advantage. I was going to get in as many questions as possible.
    “Are you going to go back to college?” she asked.
    “Couldn’t let that go, could you?”
    “Nope.” She pointed her fork at me. “Now answer. Or the game is over.”
    “Honestly. I don’t know. I miss it. But . . . I don’t know. Going back there . . .” The thought alone caused me to shudder. “I just don’t know. What about you? You ever going back? You did your part. Justin’s in school. You can do things for yourself now.”
    I waited for her to dodge the question. Change the subject. Abandon the game.
    She rubbed at her forehead. “I’ve thought about it. A million times, I’ve thought about it. But it’s just not feasible.”
    “Why not?”
    “School is expensive. I can barely afford to pay my bills as it is. Plus I would have to cut down on shifts, and then I really wouldn’t be able to afford my bills. It’s not in the cards for me. I accepted that a long time ago. I’m okay with it. I just want what is best for Justin.”
    “Spoken like a true mom.” A smile tugged at the compliment. Probably the best compliment she could get. “So if you were to go back to school, what would you go for?”
    “That’s two questions.”
    “Is it?” I shrugged. “You can ask me two questions if you’d like.”
    She shrugged. “It’s a fairy-tale thought, but I’d want to go to med school. I want to be an oncologist. I went with my mom to every treatment. Every doctor’s appointment. Her oncologist treated her like a friend. When my mom passed away, she came to the funeral.
    “I know most oncologists wouldn’t. They’re impervious to death. But this doctor still had compassion, and I think it helped my mom hang on a little longer. As silly as it sounds, I wanted to be her. She always knew the right things to say. Knew all the best treatments that would suit my mom. Even knew when it was time for my mom to enjoy her final days without any more treatments. She’s making a difference every day, and that’s something I want. I want to live on a grander scale. Live for others, not just myself.
    “John Bunyan said, ‘You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.’”
    “Who is John Bunyan?”
    Kat laughed. “Sorry. Justin’s a history buff. Sometimes things he says stick. Honestly, I have no idea who John Bunyan is.”
    This time I laughed. “I’ll Google him later.”
    “Oh good. Then fill me in, so I can actually pretend I know who my brother is talking about.”
    “Don’t worry, I got you. What’s he going to school for?”
    “Liberal arts right now. He hasn’t pinned anything down. He loves history, so to me that means becoming a history teacher, but it’s like talking to wall.”
    “Okay.” I held my hand up. “You just sounded like my mom. That’s a little creepy.”
    Kat leaned across the counter and pushed my shoulder. Instinctively, I grabbed her wrist. We sat there, staring at each other. Two years ago I would’ve dove across the counter and pressed my mouth to hers. But