Read Online Savage by Thomas E. Sniegoski - Free Book Online Page A

people, and he gave off an air of sternness that by instinct forced her to be on her best behavior. “I’ll try and get in touch with him later.” She motioned for Snowy to follow her as she flipped the hood back onto her head.
    â€œAre you here about the two of you?” Mr. Seaton asked.
    Sidney froze as she was reaching for the door. “Excuse me?”
    â€œAbout the two of you,” he repeated. “I know that you ended your relationship with my son the other night, and I’m wondering why you’re back.”
    Sidney had never felt more on the spot, as if a bright light shone directly on her and alarms wailed in the distance.
    â€œIt’s nothing about that,” Sidney said, pulling her hood back down and playing with her hair. She wished she didn’t do that when she got nervous and quickly took her hand away. “I’ve just got something that I need to ask him. A favor for—”
    â€œMaybe that isn’t such a good idea,” Mr. Seaton interrupted.
    â€œWhat do you . . .”
    â€œMaybe it isn’t a good idea for you to see him . . . talk to him, right now.”
    She didn’t know how to respond.
    â€œCody was pretty broken up,” Mr. Seaton explained. “He actually talked to me about it when he came home late the other night.”
    Mr. Seaton was standing very stiff in front of the file cabinet, as if attempting to keep everything that he was feeling from leaking out of his body, but she could see it on his face. He was angry.
    At her.
    â€œMy son and I don’t talk about things,” he continued. “Especially things like this—personal things. It was probably something better suited for his mother, but . . .”
    Cody’s mom had passed away from breast cancer their first year of high school.
    â€œHe came into the house that night, and I’ve never seen him like that before. He’s a strong boy, a good kid, but the person who came into my living room that night . . .”
    Mr. Seaton stopped, and Sidney could see that he was remembering.
    â€œThat wasn’t my son,” he said, shaking his head. “That was just a shell.”
    She felt even more uncomfortable, wanting to quickly open the door and run out into the storm. Yes, she would rather have been out in the storm than in the office.
    â€œIt was a tough night,” Sidney agreed. “But it had to be said.”
    â€œYou were done with him,” Mr. Seaton said. “It was fun while it lasted, but now it’s time for you to move on.”
    â€œIt’s not like that.”
    â€œAccepted to a fancy college on the mainland, all kinds of new doors will be opening for you, so why would you want to have anything to do with what’s back here?”
    â€œMr. Seaton, I don’t think . . .”
    â€œClean house, tie up loose ends, move on, and start fresh. I get it. I’d probably do the same if I was like you.”
    The words hit her like a blow to the stomach.
    â€œLike me? What’s that supposed to—”
    â€œI never could understand what he saw in you,” Mr. Seaton went on. “I always figured you were just hanging around until something better came along.”
    â€œYou know what?” Sidney could feel the anger surge, and her eyes burned with tears. As if sensing her emotion, Snowy moved to stand with her. “I think I’ve heard enough.”
    â€œWatching my nineteen-year-old son cry made me think of all the things I’ve lost, and how I’d never wanted Cody to ever feel as bad. And yet, I think he felt worse.” His voice trembled with emotion.
    Sidney managed to get the door open.
    â€œI won’t tell him you were here,” he added as she and Snowy stepped out into the storm, slamming the door behind them.
    Sidney stood trembling in the rain, not from the raw dampness, but from hurt and anger. Things she wanted to say