“Hey, Mom. The coffee’s perked. Pour mine while I get dressed, will you?”
“What did your last one die of, young lady?”
“The usual. Lack of breath, I guess.” Deana left the room, smiling. Mom was the best. Always so cool and nice about everything.
She felt a stab of guilt.
She didn’t
Slipping into blue jeans and a yellow T-shirt, Deana decided the time was ripe to introduce Mom to Warren.
She’d like him. He was so sensible and grown up.
And he had his own business.
Deana returned to the kitchen, her ponytail swinging jauntily. Mom was at the sink, rinsing out the two used coffee mugs. Deana picked up hers from the table.
Wisps of aromatic steam met her nostrils.
She felt better already.
I gotta tell Mom about Warren.
How shall I play it?
Dummy. Why not tell it like it is?
“Mom.”
“Yes, dear?”
“There’s someone I’d like you to meet. Guy called Warren Hastings. Lives on Del Mar with his sister. And his dog, Sabre.”
Leighed perked up. She turned to face Deana.
“And how did you meet this… Warren, honey?”
Deana grimaced slightly. The next bit wasn’t gonna be
“He owns a bookstore, Mom. In San Anselmo.”
“I ordered a book by phone one day…”
She cringed.
“But how romantic, honey. You should have told me. And is he
“Yes, he’s real nice, Mom. You’d like him.”
“So when do I get to meet… Warren?”
“I’ll give him a call today. We can arrange something.”
“Dinner would be fine. Just let me know. I’ll get something sent over from the restaurant.”
Leigh’s mind slid back to the night Deana brought Allan to dinner. When he’d met Mom and Dad—was it only
My God.
What can
Your world turned upside down; a boy dead; your daughter devastated by it all.
Although she
And Nelson… Thank
She hated herself for even thinking this way, but it was a blessing Mom and Dad made that emergency dash to Colorado. And if it didn’t seem so
Deana smiled at Leigh.
“Good thing Gran and Pops are in Boulder. They would’ve made things ten times worse. Pops shouting, Gran crying and everything… Missed out on the barbecue, though.”
“What
Their eyes met, and Leigh smiled. “Got to agree, honey. They been here, Mom and Dad could’ve made things a whole lot worse!”
“You gonna tell them about Allan and Nelson and everything?”
“Uh-huh. But not for a while, honey. Just let’s see how things go.”
THIRTY-SEVEN
It was dark on Del Mar tonight. Really dark.
A gentle wind disturbed the trees.
Scudding clouds hid the moon and stars from view.
Apart from the rustling leaves, it was quiet, too.
Deathly quiet.
Only Deana’s breath sounded harsh and loud as she hurried toward Warren’s house.
She hadn’t called him, as she’d told Mom she would. Instead, she’d decided to slip out again. Meet up with Warren as he walked Sabre.
A thrill of excitement brought goose bumps to her skin. The hair on the back of her neck rose and prickled.
It was scary out here on the street.
In the dead of night.
It may be scary, but the thrill of running alone through the night was worth every second.
Anyway, with Nelson gone, there wasn’t too much to be scared of.
Except Mommy Dearest and her dog.
Maybe a rapist or two.
And the black car.
But she was a fast runner.
She could hide in shadows, dart down alleyways, or tackle anyone who looked like they were going to attack her.
Mom still didn’t know about her midnight runs.
Warren did, though.
Fuck Mace.
Somehow, though, she didn’t think he’d inform on her.
He’d keep it all to himself.
She shuddered.
She
And she
