Читать книгу Straight from The Onion Vine Book 2 Turnaround - Jody Scottsmith - Страница 7

She rang the doorbell and the grandmother quickly answered, inviting her in. Kara was painfully aware of fading headlights as Mom backed out the driveway.

She forced a smile and stepped inside with a cheerful ‘hello’, masking her doubt about what to do.

“Suzanne hasn’t come out of her room, not even for supper,” her grandmother said.

“She doesn’t know how important tonight is,” Kara paused. “Mind if I give it a try?”

It almost seemed the grandmother knew more about today. “You know where her room is,” she gladly said, pointing to the stairs.

Kara tried not to look rushed on her way up. After a quick knock she stepped inside. Just as she thought the room was dark. There was a curled up mound under the covers. Kara felt the side of the wall until she found a light switch. She closed the door behind her and went over to the bed.

Suzanne had a down comforter pulled over her head. She raised up long enough to see who it was.

Kara sat down on the bed next to her. “I thought you’d like to see what I’m wearing.”

“I’m not going to The Onion,” Suzanne hoarsely whispered.

“Think I’d look like this for The Onion?” Kara was hoping to get Suzanne from under the covers. She did stick her head out to look.

“You look nice,” she observed.

“Didn’t your grandmother tell you? It’s Scott’s birthday! We’re going to Cedardale; just the four of us.” Kara had her attention and continued. “His dad wants this to be a surprise. Scott and Neil will be here any minute.”

Suzanne folded the covers back. “If it’s his birthday, why haven’t you said something? I don’t have a present or even a card.”

Neil said she would question this; Kara was ready with an answer. “Scott doesn’t like birthdays, or cards and presents. That’s why we have to spring this on him.”

“He doesn’t like birthdays?” Suzanne sat up a little. “Why not?”

“I think it’s because his dad’s always at the hospital. Who wants to spend a birthday alone?”

Suzanne cleared her throat. “I so get it. Dad’s usually on base.”

With that, Kara went over to her closet and saw a skirt like she had on. She heard a sob and a hiccough from Suzanne, like at Ricardo’s.

“Can I ask you something?” Suzanne began. “Does Scott…have you ever seen any pictures? You know, of his mother.”

They made eye contact for the first time. Kara knew there was a connection Suzanne wanted to make. She sat back down on the bed.

“I’ve seen a wedding picture on a book shelf.”

“At Ricardo’s…you were right. I don’t even have a picture of Eleanor.” She raised her voice, her rage building. “Can you believe they were all thrown out?”

The pain in her voice was clear. Kara leaned over to give her a hug. The tremors from her sobs seemed to last forever, then Suzanne relaxed her hold.

“I’ll be right back,” Kara whispered. She went in the bathroom to wet a washcloth.

“Put this over your eyes. It’ll help with the redness.” She couldn’t keep a tear from running down her face. “Don’t forget, I know what it’s like not to have a parent.”

Suzanne sighed at the pleasant coolness of the washcloth. When she lowered it, Kara knew the time was right.

“It’s pretty bad…someone threw them out. Mom saved a few pictures. Dave looks so different now, I didn’t recognize him.”

“You’re kidding,” Suzanne added, with a hint of surprise.

Kara shook her head, and begun. “Here’s the thing, Suzanne. So we didn’t luck out with one of our parents. Why go over and over it? It doesn’t change anything. I think we’ve both been through enough.”

Kara’s logic seeped into her consciousness and she sat up on the side of the bed. Suzanne gave her eyes one final wipe with the wash cloth and put it down. Then she reached for a bottle of water on her night stand and drank all of it.

“I don’t know if I can do this…tonight, I mean.”

“You’ll be with friends,” Kara reassured.

“I need a shower,” Suzanne informed, looking at the bathroom. Kara backed off to give her room. Slowly at first, she reached for her bathrobe on the door and closed it. Kara listened for the shower to turn on and let out a ‘yes’.

She returned to the closet and found the skirt she picked out earlier. There was a sweater to match; Kara put them on the bed. Car headlights bounced against the walls. “Scott and Neil,” she cheered. It gave her hope this might work.

It didn’t take Suzanne long to get ready. Kara helped put concealer under her eyes to hide the swelling. On the way downstairs, Kara heard football talk and knew Scott was there. He could have waited in the car, but

knew this was important to her.

Neil mentioned reservations at Cedardale and good byes were said. The

grandfather walked them to the door and the grandmother smiled from her rocker. On the way out Kara turned and waved a ‘thanks’.

Neil and Suzanne walked in front to the car. He gave her a quick once-over and a ‘wow’. “For a techie, you sure know when to say the right thing,” Kara thought. Scott heard it too and put his arm around her. He gently pressed her against the car to give her a kiss.

She put a hand on his face. “How did you know we could do this?”

Scott met her eyes. “Because I know you.”

They kissed again with more intensity.