Read Online The Curl Up and Dye by Sharon Sala - Free Book Online Page B

was mad, but she didn’t know why.
    “Okay. I’m here if you need me,” she said softly.
    I will always need you, LilyAnn. You just don’t need me . But the thought went unsaid.
    ***
    Lily knew something was wrong—very wrong. Mike had turned off communicating. Every time she tried to get him in a better mood, he either looked right through her or wouldn’t look at her at all.
    The entire afternoon passed with hardly a word spoken between them. His supper tray had come and gone, and he’d rejected it as blatantly as he was rejecting her. Her stomach was in knots. She couldn’t go home tonight without knowing what was wrong. After the shift changed and the new nurses came on the floor to do rounds, the room was finally quiet again. Lily took it as her chance to try and straighten things out.
    “Hey, Mike?”
    He glanced over at her. “What?”
    “Are you mad at me for some reason… or am I reading too much into this, and it’s just because you’re in pain?”
    His nostrils flared slightly. She could tell she’d struck a nerve.
    When he didn’t answer, she persisted. “Have I done something wrong?”
    He closed his eyes and leaned back against the pillow for so long that she thought he wasn’t going to answer, and then she realized he was staring at her.
    “No, LilyAnn, you haven’t done anything wrong. I’m the one with some issues to face.”
    She frowned. “Like what? Is there anything I can do?” She thought there were tears in his eyes but decided she was mistaken.
    “No. This is all on me. You’ve been telling me something for eleven long years, but I didn’t want to hear it. Now I get it, and I’ve got to figure out what comes next.”
    She stood up, her hands suddenly shaking. “I don’t understand. This sounds so final. If I’ve done something to ruin our friendship, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. You’re my best friend.”
    “You don’t need a friend, LilyAnn. You need to get a life. Obviously you’re moving on. I wish you all the happiness.”
    “Moving on? I’m not moving—”
    All of a sudden the door swung inward and Mike’s parents rushed in.
    Carol was in tears, and Don looked as anxious.
    “Mike! Oh my goodness, honey! I’m so sorry. Are you okay? How do you feel?” Carol cried. Then she slid her arms around his neck and hugged him gently, but with fervor.
    Mike winced as he managed a grin.
    “Hey, Mom. Hey, Dad. Great to see you. I’d have taken a header sooner if I knew that’s what it would take to get you to visit.”
    Their laughter was one of relief as they turned to Lily. Carol came toward her with her arms outstretched.
    “LilyAnn, sweetheart! I shudder to think what might have happened to Mike if you hadn’t been there for him. Thank you! Thank you so much!”
    Lily suffered their hugs and kisses, somehow managing to react normally, but her heart was breaking. Something awful had happened between her and Mike, and she didn’t understand.
    “I’m so glad you’re here,” Lily said. “Mike needed you guys. Faith really came through for you, didn’t she?”
    Carol rolled her eyes. “Faith’s husband is a jewel. We feel blessed to have him in the family.”
    Lily smiled and looked at Mike, but he was, again, ignoring her and talking to his dad.
    “So, Mrs. Dalton, how long can you stay?” she asked.
    “We’re definitely staying through Thanksgiving.”
    Lily smiled. “Great. You’re having it at my house. My mom and Eddie are coming here for Thanksgiving before going on to his daughter’s house. She just made him a grandfather for the first time.”
    Carol clapped her hands. “I am so excited to see Grace again and to meet her husband. It will almost be like old times.”
    Lily looked at Mike again, but this time he was staring out the window, seemingly oblivious to the conversation.
    “Yes, like old times,” she said. “So, I’m going to leave you guys to have private time with Mike. I’ll see you soon. Come for supper tomorrow night…