Among the Shrouded Read Online Free PDF Page B

great , Papa.  I just think, for my opinion, that you should take the job.”
    “It would mean closing the clinic.  The clinic I worked so hard to establish.  And what of the people I serve?  What happens if I am no longer there to care for them?”
    “Papa, they never pay!  You take care of them for what?  For the eggs they give you?  The two day old fish?”
    “Yekaterina, I take care of them because I can.  Because I took an oath.”
    “But what about us?  What about Nat alya and Tetyana?  University will not accept fish as payment for their education!”
    No one spoke.  Her mother held her spoon in midair and the twins held their breath.  She stared at her father who held her gaze with a look of disbelief and shame.
    “Go,” he said finally.
    He said nothing more.  Just go.
    She rose from the table and took her coat from the back of her chair where she had placed it earlier in the evening.  She quickly wrapped her shawl around her head and neck and left the little apartment, out into the cold and quiet of the night with nowhere to go and no one to help her.  Her gift could only present her family with opportunity.  It could not make them take it.

 
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER
    6
     
    MIA

     
     
     
    After brunch with Jack and his wife Stella, Mia spent Sunday afternoon alone in her apartment.  She was shocked by the news that Jack was going to be a father.  Knowing what she did about humanity and seeing the things she saw every day, she could not imagine bringing a child into the world.  She spent the rest of the day thinking about how Jack’s life was going to change now that he was going to be a father in addition to being a cop. She also found herself preoccupied with thoughts of Thomas Pritchett, the aura-less man, who had now come into her life not once, but twice in the same week.
    She had been s urprised to see him working at the restaurant.  She had assumed, because of his participation in the lineups, he was the type of man who would not be able to hold down a steady job.  As Jack had pointed out, most of the people who were willing to do a lineup for ten dollars were not typically the salt of the earth.  However, as she had watched him during brunch, she was impressed by the pride he took in his simple actions – folding napkins, picking up trash, and clearing dirty dishes.  He seemed to take his job very seriously and she found she was both surprised and pleased by her discovery.  However, one fact remained that both concerned and intrigued her.  For a second time, she had been unable to see his aura.  And for a second time, she found she was unable to get Thomas out of her head.
    After a restless night’s sleep, she was exhausted Monday morning.  Her mind had swirled with thoughts of her crumbling abilities and unstable future and she had not fallen asleep until after two in the morning.  She was relieved when Chelsea met her in the kitchen with a fresh pot of coffee already brewed.
    “What would I do without you?” she asked, taking the first warm sip from her mug.
    “Walk around like a zombie.  Give me your brains!” Chelsea teased.
    “I feel like a zombie.  What’s the weather supposed to be like today?” she asked.
    “Don’t know.  Just turned on the news.  The new commissioner is the big story.  Do you think you’ll get to meet him today?”
    “Oh, God!  I completely forgot about that!  The one day I need to look sharp and instead I look like I’ve been run over by a bus!” she cried as she tore out of the kitchen.  “I’ve got to get ready.  Thanks for the coffee,” she called over her shoulder.
    One shower, four ibuprofen, and two cups of coffee later, she arrived at the station feeling only slightly more human.  Most of the officers on her shift had already arrived and were milling around, waiting for word on when the commissioner would arrive.  Her father came around the corner as she was entering her office.
    “Morning , Sunshine,” he