Read Online Revenge of Cornelius by Tanya R. Taylor - Free Book Online Page A

to take Alex to McKerry's on Saturday.
They have the biggest burgers in town. If you want, I can find out
from your Mom if you can come along."
    "Oh yes! I'd love to come!"
    "I'm sure it'll be all right," Sara
inserted.
    Michael was slowly
approaching.
    "Honey, this is our neighbor, Mrs.
Benjamin and her son, Alex."
    "A real, nice pleasure to meet you."
Michael extended his hand to Andrea.
    "Nice meeting you too, sir," Andrea
replied.
    "Little man, nice shoes you've got
there!" He pointed.
    Alex edged in closer to his mother
again. "Thank you," he responded almost in a whisper.
    "Your husband didn't tag along?"
Michael asked.
    "No. He's at work, so…"
    "I'm terribly sorry we all didn't meet
sooner. My sincerest apologies on behalf of my family. Perhaps,
we'll meet Mister Benjamin soon."
    "Yes. I'm sure," Andrea
said.
    "Well, I'll be moving along. You all
take care now."
    "Thank you, sir."
    Michael continued toward the master
bedroom.
    "Are you sure you didn't want to wait
for Mira?" Sara asked again. "I have fresh coffee if you'd like a
cup."
    "That's nice of you to offer, Mrs.
Cullen, but I'll have to take a rain-check. Alex and I have quite a
number of chores to do. So if you'll just let Mira know I passed by
and she can give me a call when she gets the chance…"
    "Certainly," Sara walked with them to
the door. "I'm glad you stopped by."
    "Likewise and good meeting
you."
    "Bye, Mrs. Benjamin! Bye, Alex!" Rosie
cried behind them.
    "Bye." Alex waved, happy that he was
leaving the house of strangers.
    Andrea said farewell to Rosie, then
walked with Alex to the car. After hopping inside, she felt an
acute sense of relief that Mira actually wasn't there. It was
difficult enough forcing herself out in the first place to confront
Mira with questions that she wasn't sure she even wanted to ask.
She was aware that if Theo knew of her intentions, things would
turn out very badly since the unwritten code was that what happened
at the house was to remain at the house—no matter what.
    She took a deep sigh, started the
ignition and drove away.
     
    * * *
     
    "Hey! How are you? I called for you
several times." Bobby saw Mira at the check-out line. He was
holding a small cart as Mira's items were being struck up at the
counter.
    "I wasn't feeling so well. Sorry. I
told Mom I didn't feel like speaking with anyone," Mira
said.
    "That's…okay. I totally
understand."
    "Mom told you?" She paid for the
items.
    "Told me what?"
    "Dad's sick"
    The cashier glanced up at them for a
moment, then carried on collecting the change from the
drawer.
    "Really? I'm very sorry to hear that.
Hope he feels better soon." Bobby replied.
    Mira took the change and grabbed her
grocery bag. "I'll wait for you at the door."
     
    Bobby only had two items, so in a
minute, he had caught up to Mira and they left the store
together.
    Several feet away from the entrance,
Mira stopped suddenly and looked up at Bobby. "I don't want you to
let my dad know I told you this, but he's really sick, Bobby." She
felt a lump in her throat and forcefully pushed it back. "Dad has
cancer. He's going to die!" Tears started to form again.
    Bobby did the only thing he thought to
do in that instant. He pulled her close and held her. "I'm sorry,
Mira. I'm really sorry." Such news wasn't something he cared to
hear about any member of the Cullen family.
    The tears were racing down her cheeks
now. "I just wanna scream. I need to get this all out," Mira said,
her voice breaking.
    "Well, why don't you?" Bobby asked.
"Don't let anything hold you back."
    "You mean…here?"
    "Why not? There's a slight chance that
someone might call the cops thinking I'm attacking you or
something, but you could always explain yourself later if push
comes to shove." Bobby thought the remark might make her feel a
little better. He couldn't tell if it did.
    Without warning, came an ear-piercing
scream that had 'eardrum bursting' potential. It may have lasted
for thirty seconds.
    "That-a-girl," Bobby rubbed