Caught in the Net Read Online Free PDF

tattoo.”
    “Yet.”
    “Yet.  The day may come and she will use both of us as
examples.  After all, we both are inked.”
    “Only because you made me,” Dr. Quimby glowered.
    “Rite of passage for our families.  Our dads had them,
we got them and I’m surprised Mike hasn’t asked about getting the dragon yet.”
    “Probably because his little sister will want one,
too.  I know he's a good kid and he really goes all out for her.  He always
has.  I just can't believe he didn't try to talk her out of it,” Dr. Quimby
sighed.
    “I am certain that he tried, but she is her mother's
daughter with the stubborn persistence inherited from both our families.  Joe,
you need to relax.  That boy has sacrificed a lot for his sister.  Give him
some credit, okay?”
    “Yeah, I guess you’re right.  Should we just let this
one go?”
    “I think so.  Seriously, it was not bad enough for you
to blow your cool.  There are far worse things she could have done and you know
it.  Are you okay now?”
    “Yes, thanks.  You never had to worry about this stuff
with Allyson.  They didn’t do belly button piercings back then,” Dr. Quimby
said, plopping on the couch and rubbing his head.
    “No, but I did yank her little ass out of a tattoo
parlor once.  She said it wasn’t fair that all us guys had one and she didn’t.”
    “I don’t remember that.  When did that happen?”  Dr.
Quimby looked confused.  He had known the Jenkins family all his life.
    Scott laughed.  “Shortly after you started medical
school and got your dragon.  Yep, she got blistered for that little act of
defiance.  And for her colorful language.  It blows me away how much Sam is
like her.  It’s almost déjà vu for me.”
    “I wonder if things would have been different if she
was still with us.  I really miss her, Scott.”
    “Me too.  But I’m glad that our girl keeps our
memories of her alive.  Things I wouldn’t ordinarily think of, too.”
    “I know that I need to laugh more.  I’m still so
scared for her.  I’m so afraid she’s going to do something to push herself over
the edge and that I won't be there to protect her.”
    “I know, but we can’t expect her to live in a bubble. 
We’ll get through this together, I promise.  No more yelling, okay?  That's my
job in this house.”  Scott punched his arm.  “Here they come.”
    Michael hesitated before opening the sliding glass
door and stepping into the house with his sister hiding, once again, behind his
back.
    “Kids, come in.  Sit down, please,” Dr. Quimby said,
seeing fear on their faces and feeling guilty.  “Listen, I’m sorry that I overreacted. 
Michael, thank you for looking out for her.  Knowing our little angel, she
probably would have found a way to sneak around you anyway.  Samantha?  Promise
me that you won’t do a tattoo without talking with us first, okay?”
    “I will want the dragon one day.  I deserve it as much
as the rest of you,” she announced, chin high. 
    Her father nodded with a reluctant sigh.  “I figured
as much.  Just don’t sneak, please?  This particular design is very unique to
our family and something that doesn’t disappear.  We need to make certain that
it is done correctly.”
    “I plan on waiting to get mine at the same time that
she gets hers.  I don't want you to feel left out,” Michael said to Sam, as he
squeezed her hand before standing.
    “You’re afraid of it hurting, that’s all,” his sister
teased lovingly.
    Michael shook his head.  “See?  I’m nice to her and
she still picks on me.  I’ll never win.”
    “But, you’re fun to pick on!  You’re my big bother. 
It's my right.”
    “Don’t you mean ‘brother’?” Michael asked. 
    She shook her head, standing on the couch to kiss his
cheek and swing her arms around his neck.  “Nope, I meant bother.  But I love
you anyway.  Carry me,” she commanded as she plopped into his arms. 
    He hoisted her up with ease.