Forever Young: Blessing or Curse (Always Young Trilogy) Read Online Free PDF

get something down.”
    “Can’t
anything be done?”
    “I’m
afraid not. Every specialist I’ve consulted, and there are tons of them, all
say his back was broken so severely an operation could paralyze him. Given the
situation, we dare not take the chance. He’s bad enough as it is.”
    “I
feel so sorry for Mike. He’s such a great guy. He used to be so cheerful, too,
with such a great laugh.”
    “Well,
not any more. I can’t remember the last time he even smiled. I’m constantly
monitoring him in case, God forbid, he breaks down in a moment of weakness and
does something drastic. It’s heartbreaking to see him like this.”
    “I
know exactly how you feel. I had a hard time dealing with Mom’s osteoporosis,
especially near the end when she was so helpless. It’s difficult to stand by
and know there’s only so much you can do.”
    Jeanne
sighed. “I guess we’re at that age, you know, the time for reciprocating for
all we’ve received, but it’s not like a day at the ballpark, that’s for sure.
Well, enough about me. Now, spill. What’s happened on your end? You mentioned a
possible lead.”
    “I
do have something to report, but I’m not sure if it’s good or bad. Larry’s
boss, the Angel Man himself, says he might have a job for me at the Institute. He’s
invited me to his office tomorrow to talk it over. It’ll be nerve racking
facing that place. I hope I’m up to it.”
    “I
appreciate what you’re going through, but maybe if you get it over with, you’ll
feel better afterward.”
    “You
may be right. Anyway, I did agree to go, so I won’t back out now.”
    “I
wonder. If you didn’t call him, how did he know you needed a job?”
    “Not
too hard to figure out. He knew I worked at Foster High, and the school board
cuts have been all over the news.”
    “It’s
nice he thought of you, but be careful. A man with his popularity is used to
getting his way in more ways than one. Don’t let him think he can hit on you,
because you’re lonely and a widow.”
    Dorrie
gave a short laugh. “Whatever made you think of that, Jeanne? Need I remind
you, I’m at least twenty years older than the man and not exactly the most
gorgeous woman who’s walked the face of the earth?”
    “Don’t
sell yourself short, Dorrie. There’s nothing wrong with your looks, and lots of
men go for older women.”
    “Oh,
please, you’ve got to be kidding. There’s no reason for someone in his league
to be attracted to me. Besides, if such an unlikely event were to occur, I’d
have no trouble refusing him. Sex is the last thing on my mind. I miss Larry
too much.”
    “Forgive
me, little sister, for my warped sense of humor. Sometimes I don’t think before
I speak.”
    For
as long she could remember, though they weren’t related, Jeanne had been dubbed
big sister, and Dorrie the little one. It was their way of acknowledging their
significance to each other.
    “Thanks,
Jeanne, I know you mean well. It’s good to know someone out there cares,”
Dorrie said, swallowing a lump in her throat.
    “Always
have and always will.”
    “Ditto.”
     “On
that note, I hear Dad calling me, so I better see what’s going on. Let me know
how the interview goes. I’ll cross my fingers and toes and say lots of prayers
that something good comes of it.”
    Thank
God for Jeanne. Without her, Dorrie didn’t know what she’d do.
    ***
    On
Monday, Dorrie steeled herself to make the drive to the Institute. Her heart
almost burst as she maneuvered down the mountain road. When she made the turns
near the steep drop off, she couldn’t stop  her hands from shaking on the
wheel.
    Unlike
the last time, after the trek down the mountain, this time a uniformed guard
stood at attention outside his station and checked her ID. Was it the same
person who’d suffered the intestinal emergency the night of Larry’s death? She
didn’t have the fortitude to ask. As she drove onto the straight stretch, she
glanced ahead at the parking