Come Fly With Me Read Online Free PDF

Allison sing-songed.
    “Evading question number two. And now going for the Triple Crown—who’s his tailor?”
    “He desperately needs a makeover and the directions to Barneys.”
    “So he’s smokin’,” Kenyon sighed.
    “Seriously, Ken, I love you dearly, but cut the cake right now or I’m sending you back down the hall. Your job is to calm me down, not rile me up.”
    “I’m not the one doing the riling,” he muttered under his breath. He put a chunk on a plate as Allison went to put on the coffee.
    “My hearing is excellent,” she called over her shoulder. He was sitting as meek as a mouse when she pulled out a chair and plopped down. She reached for his hand. “You’ll have your fun—but not today.”
    “I know. I’m just trying to keep it light.”
    “And I love you for that. You’re the best fairy godmother, ever.”
    “You just be careful who you’re calling a fairy.” He laughed good-naturedly.
    She took a bite of cake. Tears sprang to her eyes. “It’s my Bubby’s recipe!”
    “Of course it is. We’ll worry about the calories next week, for now, you need the comfort only fattening food can provide.”
    “I knew you’d put those recipes to good use. No one bakes with real butter anymore.” She sat silent for a few minutes. A thousand images flared up in her mind. The summers in Maine—her beloved grandparents, those memories competed with the present and the stress of the last few days. The combination brought out a vulnerability that she hadn’t given into in many years.
    “I’m not sure I can do this, Ken,” she whispered.
    “I am. It’s just the exhaustion talking now. And when people offer to help, surprise yourself by accepting it. You don’t have to be the hero. Just text me your request for baked goods in the morning, so I’ll make sure to have all the proper ingredients.”
    She managed a watery smile.
    “Let me tuck you into bed.”
    “Would you please? My legs have turned into jelly.”
    He gently guided her toward the partitioned rear of the loft that served as bedroom space. He pulled a tank top and p.j. bottoms from a drawer and handed them to her. He turned his back.
    “Are you sure you can’t do this for me? I’m dropping.”
    “No way. I’m only going to undress you when I know you’re awake enough to enjoy it.”
    “You know, bi-sexuality was a fictitious invention of the eighties when closeted gay people were afraid to venture too far out of the closet.”
    Ken turned around with a big smile on his face. “I can assure you, bi-sexuals are alive and well. The only reason you don’t hear about them is that gay people nowadays are afraid to admit they like to switch hit. It sounds disloyal.” He pulled back the fluffy duvet and plumped her pillow.
    “Why are all the good men gay? I must be really tired if I’m speaking in clichés.”
    “You’re actually speaking in your sleep. Good night wee one,” he said as he shut the light. He walked into the kitchen area, wrapped up the remains of the cake, popped it in the freezer and let himself out.
    *****
    An eleven-year-old Allison was sitting at the top of the ten-foot cliff, the waters of Bar Harbor swirling softly below. She clapped her hands together.
    “Do it again! Do it again!”she urged excitedly . But this time it was her father taking the plunge.
    “No!” she shouted, waking herself up. Her heart pounded, and she felt drenched in sweat as she jumped from the bed. She raced around the loft switching on the lights. It had been many years since she’d had the nightmare. She pulled on a sweatshirt and made a fresh pot of coffee. Her hands shook as she took a few calming sips from her favorite Hershey's mug. Her nerves sang as she aimlessly walked around the loft in a futile attempt to quiet them. When the worst of it had passed, she climbed the flight of stairs to the top floor of the building. The only place that gave her that inner tranquility she desperately sought had four large