Black Water Creek Read Online Free PDF

filled the sink with hot water. “You can’t go home again, can you dear?” she quietly asked.
    Kelly was caught off guard and almost dropped the dishes. “What?”
    Sue shut the water off and turned to her. “I can tell you’re a good mother to that boy. And good mothers don’t go on road trips with their toddler without packing at least an overnight bag for no good reason.” She gently took Kelly’s arm. “And don’t give me any stories about walking into doors, either. Don’t think I didn’t notice your nose.”
    That was all it took. The gravity of the entire day slammed into Kelly like a load of bricks and she burst into tears. Sue immediately grabbed her and pulled her close. Kelly hugged her back and cried into the bosom of a woman she had just met and didn’t care. Sue said nothing, she just stroked the back of Kelly’s hair and gently rocked side to side.
    She finally got a hold of herself and Sue handed her some tissues. “I’m sorry,” Kelly said and blew her nose.
    “Nonsense,” Sue scolded. “You’ve got nothing to be sorry for. I’m proud of you.”
    “What are you talking about ? I’m a mess.”
    “It’s a brave thing you did. I’ve seen too many women in your shoes who were afraid to leave. Too many who forgive the bastards when they apologize the next day and swear they’ll never do it again.”
    “I guess,” Kelly sniffled. “I don’t feel very brave. I’m scared to death.”
    “A good night’s sleep wi ll help you feel a lot better. It’s been a long day and I want you to get some rest. Let me show you the guest room.”
    “But the dishes.”
    “Oh, that was just an excuse to get you into the kitchen for a little girl talk. I’ll take care of them, come on.”
    Sue led Kelly past the den where Keegan sat on the floor, eyes glued to the TV. Ed was reclined in an easy chair, mouth open and snoring. “I swear, that cable bill is such a waste,” Sue said. “I hardly ever watch television and Eddie can never stay awake longer than five minutes to watch anything.”
    Sue opened the door and turned on the light of the guest room. A double bed sat between two night stands. It was small but cozy like the rest of the house. After the long day, the bed looked heavenly.
    “The bathroom is right down the hall,” said Sue. “I’ll get you some clean towels and you can borrow something of mine to sleep in.”
    Kelly carefully washed her face in spite of her sore nose and changed into a nightgown Sue placed on the bathroom counter. It was plaid flannel and made her look like an old lady but soft and ridiculously comfortable. She went back into the den where Keegan was still watching TV with heavy eyelids. She managed to pull him away without too much protesting, changed his diaper, and helped him into his side of the guest bed. She sat with him for a few minutes and stroked his hair while he sucked his thumb.
    Once he was asleep, she quietly slipped off the bed and took her cell phone out of her purse. She held down the power button and waited for it to turn on. After a moment, it vibrated in her hand and the display lit up.
    MISSED CALLS: 23
    NEW MESSAGES: 9
    She didn’t have to check the call log to know who it was. Half of her wanted to delete the voicemails without listening but other half was curious. Was he screaming obscenities into the phone or apologizing and begging for her to come home?
    LOW BATT the phone warned. “No,” she whispered to herself and held down the power button.

Chapter 5
     
    Kelly tip-toed past Ed still snoring in his easy chair into the kitchen. Sue was finishing up drying the dishes and putting them away. “What can I do for you, dear? Is the little guy sleeping?”
    “Yep, out like a light,” Kelly smiled. “It’s been a long day for both of us.” She picked up the last remaining plates in the rack and handed them to Sue. “Do you happen to have a computer? I don’t have my aunt’s phone number but I think I could probably look it up