The Burden of Secrets by Jillian Storm

Author:Jillian Storm [Storm, Jillian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scribbles ‘n Lit
Published: 2020-02-03T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

Tuesday brought a hard rain. As soon as I woke up, I looked out my bedroom window and saw Stan’s car parked in front of Nancy’s house. Just my luck. Stuck in the house because of the weather. The gloomy day was a perfect match for my mood and allowed me plenty of time to replay yesterday’s nightmare in my mind. I spent the morning playing Crazy 8s and Parcheesi with my brothers and mother.

My mother picked up on my mood. “Is everything okay with you and the girls?”

“Yeah. It’s fine. I just have some things on my mind.” I gave her a weak smile.

By 11:00 am, the weather had started to clear, but Aunt Addie was still sleeping.

Mom squirmed to get comfortable. “Well, Addie went back to sleep after she took your father to work. I must be working her California body too hard. But I need some groceries in this house and that won’t wait. So sweetie, I want you to run to Mead’s Market and take your brothers with you to help. She held up a grocery list she had been working on between Parcheesi moves. “I’m sure Mr. Buchanan will let you and your brothers borrow a cart to bring the groceries home.”

“Aw, Mom, do Corey and Mikey have to come? The last time they came they disappeared in the toy aisle and didn’t help at all, but they were sure to get a free lollipop from Mr. Buchanan when we got to the register.” Michael and Corey flashed a conspiratorial smile at each other.

“Boys, you’re old enough to be a help to your sister. What she says, goes.” The boys nodded.

“And put your rubber boots on. There are a lot of puddles out there.” The boys grinned at each other and scurried off to the cellar to find their boots.

I took the list from my mother. At least this errand would get me thinking about something else besides yesterday’s disaster.

“Here’s a signed check. Just fill in the amount at the register.”

I opened the door just as Stan was reaching for our doorbell. He held a beautiful bouquet of summer flowers in his hand. My heart did a somersault. I gaped at him and then at the flowers. His eyes narrowed and he looked past me. “May I come in?”

“Sure.” I moved aside and let him in.

He stood just inside the doorway and asked for my mother. Oh no, he’s going to tell my mother on me! She’ll kill me when he tells her I was peeking in Kirby’s Bar window. I have to do something about this. “Why do you need to see my mother?”

“Because I’ve brought her some flowers.”

“Oh…of course. She’s in here,” I mumbled. I led Stan into the living room to Mom.

Stan flashed one of his glamorous smiles at my mother. “Mrs. Reilly, I heard about your accident and thought you might need some cheering up. These are for you.”

“Stan, how thoughtful of you, and please call me Mary. Mrs. Reilly sounds too stuffy coming from you.

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