Ghost Writer by Rene Gutteridge

Author:Rene Gutteridge
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781598566383
Publisher: Hendrickson Publishers
Published: 2012-02-21T00:00:00+00:00

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“I called Eleanor,” Kathy said after dinner as Jonathan helped her clear the table. The girls had scattered and they were alone in the kitchen. Jonathan had worked for the rest of the day digging through slush piles and writing rejection letters to proposals that on any other day might have gotten some consideration. But Jonathan could write a rejection letter in his sleep, and all he was capable of doing this day was work that took no mental effort at all.

At five o’clock sharp he left the office and returned home to his family. All were happy to see him, and he wished that everything were as normal as it seemed when he opened the front door to his home.

The lump in his throat had lingered all the way home, and after kisses from his daughters, he collapsed on the living room sofa and remained unconscious for over two hours until Kathy had come to wake him around seven-thirty.

The dinner table was full of chatter from the girls, Meg discussing her wish to become a cheerleader, Leesol lecturing all of them on how despicable boys are, and Sophie showing everyone how to mash peas so they’re easier to eat. Kathy, unusually quiet, listened and smiled, as did Jonathan, who felt as if he had just awoken with a hangover.

With dinner over and the girls out of sight, Kathy must’ve felt it was time to talk about the trip to Eleanor’s. Jonathan scraped Sophie’s mashed peas into the disposal as he said, “Is it all right for the girls to go early?”

Kathy nodded and wiped the counter. Jonathan studied her for a bit, waiting for her to add something, then said, “Honey, you’re quiet. Are you okay?”

She looked up at him, her eyes moist and shiny, a sign that tears were soon to follow. She looked away and Jonathan approached and put his arm around her. “Kathy, I know you’re scared about this writer. It’s going to be okay. But I wish you would go to Eleanor’s.”

Kathy shook her head, wiped a lone tear away, and continued to busy herself in the kitchen. Jonathan followed closely behind, picking up the loose crumbs she’d missed. “I’m going to figure this out. I’m going to figure out who is doing this. I promise you.”

Kathy threw her sponge in the sink and loaded the dishwasher, still wiping tears away. Jonathan finally made her stop. He turned her around and tilted her chin up so he could look in her eyes. “Are you okay?”

A stream of tears flowed from her eyes, but she managed to look back at him. “Jonathan, I love you. I always have. I would do anything for you. Anything at all to make you happy.”

Jonathan laughed a little at the odd statement and said, “You do make me happy, Kathy.” He guided her gently to the kitchen table and pulled a chair out for her. “I know we’re having some problems. I don’t think either of us can deny that. But we’ll work them out—”

“I want us to pray,” Kathy said suddenly.

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