Fatherless: A Novel Read Online Free PDF Page B

grant…widely anticipated treatment for age-related dementia…affects over 9 percent of the population…
    “Another daft attack on scientific progress,” she mused while saving the link. “Mindless Neanderthal!”
    Backing out of the news app, Julia noticed two new messages.
    FROM MARIA DAVIDSON: Don’t forget about helping Jared tonight. Love u Sis!
FROM ANGIE TOLBERT: Hi Julia. Did Jared’s gift arrive?
    She smiled at Maria’s reminder before feeling her stomach tense at the note from Angie.
    I asked Jared to send Angie a thank-you text last week , she recalled. That would have ended the dialogue until his next birthday .
    Instead, Julia felt obligated to send a response, which required searching her contact history to retrieve the name of Angie
     and Kevin’s latest baby. She remembered signing a congratulations note Maria had put in front of her several months earlier,
     but couldn’t recall the kid’s sex or name to save her life.
    Moments later, Julia had the tidbit of information needed to draft a quick reply.
    Hi Angie. The package arrived safe and sound. Jared loved it. Very thoughtful of you and Kevin! I hope little Leah is doing
     well. Stay in touch.
    She reached for the send now button, but paused, choosing instead to schedule delivery for later in the evening. No reason
     to let Angie know she might be available to chat.
    Noticing the time, Julia grabbed her bowl and moved toward the sink. She felt a tad light-headed. The restless nights were
     taking a toll. Steadying herself for a moment, she considered postponing the counseling appointment so she could lie down
     on the sofa. But she knew it wouldn’t help. Dreams don’t sleep.

Chapter Four
    Angie Tolbert froze in mid-stride, her body stiffening as she watched the plastic Minnie Mouse cup fly downward toward the kitchen floor.
     There was nothing she could do. The dancing sequence of bounces would wake the baby, who had finally fallen asleep a mere
     thirty minutes earlier.
    She had managed to tiptoe through the breakfast routine, successfully shushing five-year-old Tommy and two-year-old Joy through
     their meal in hopes of settling them in front of a video while she took a much-needed nap. But then it happened. Joy stretched
     out her chubby little arm in an unspoken request for more apple juice. Always in tune with his sister’s needs, Tommy decided
     to lend a hand. Something went wrong in the handoff, launching Minnie from the side of the counter into an impressive acrobatic
     spin.
    After the sixth noisy hop the cup decided to settle itself against the far cabinet, ushering in eight seconds of hope-filled
     silence. Then Angie’s heart sank as she heard the same erupting cry that had kept her awake for seven of the past nine hours.
    “Sorry, Mommy.” Tommy took the rap. “It was an accident.”
    “Don’t worry, sweetheart,” Angie said. “Thank you for trying to help your sister.”
    Angie was so ready for Kevin to get home, desperate for a good night’s rest. Proud as she was of his growing influence in
     the Western State Alliance, she found herself resenting the additional travel required.
    Kevin enjoys adult conversations over steak while I eat boxed mac and cheese with the kids. He gets a wake-up call from a
     friendly hotel service. I never get to sleep due to endless screaming from a fussy baby… She caught herself in mid-complaint. Nothing good would come from another pity party.
    While placing the cup in the sink Angie noticed that both Tommy and Joy had climbed down from their counter stools. Joy trailed
     her brother as they ascended the staircase on a quest to rescue their baby sister from solitary confinement.
    As Joy reached the tenth step she giggled at the sound of Angie’s approach from behind. Both knew what would happen next.
    “I’m gonna get you!” came Mommy’s threatening promise. “You better hurry!”
    As usual, Joy did the opposite. She held still, eagerly anticipating Angie’s scooping her up