Her Eyes Read Online Free PDF Page B

afterward."
    She turned and carried the box back into the dinning room with Win on her heels. Frank watched her leave and was surprised to find Jim doing the same. The old man just shook his head, brows furrowed, a serious expression plastered on his wrinkled face.
    "She was nice to me?” Jim posed a question that Frank wasn't sure if he should answer.
    "Catherine's different. I can't get over how well Win took to her. That dog never liked her, and she wasn't crazy about him either."
    "Are you sure you brought the right woman home from the hospital?” He scrubbed his scraggly gray chin then looked toward the kitchen again. “Catherine ain't actin’ like herself."
    "I've noticed.” The same thought had entered his mind, but he was starting to like the changes he saw in her. If only they were permanent. Yes, Catherine had changed. “Sounds like she's invited you over for dinner and cards. That could be fun."
    "I didn't know she cooked.” Jim looked back toward the dinning room. “What kind of cards?” He scratched his head. “Weird. Really weird."
    "It truly is.” For the time being, Frank wasn't sure if the weird behavior was good or bad. Cooking, playing cards, being nice to the neighbors. Pam used to like to play rummy ... and why was he thinking of Pam again. He kind of liked this version of Catherine.
    "We'll come by. Just call me with the day and time.” While holding that serious expression, he added, “find out what kind of cards we'll be playing. I ain't doing no strip poker."
    "Believe me, Jim. I don't want to play strip poker with you."
    Jim laughed heartily then patted Frank on the back. “Call me. Even if it's just to talk."
    Frank let him out the door and waved goodbye. He tried not to let Jim get to him but in truth, Catherine never liked their neighbors. Not once had she invited them to dinner, nor did she ever stop to speak to Jim when he visited.
    "Can I help you with that?” Frank asked as he went through the house and saw Catherine setting dishes on the table.
    "No. I like doing routine things. Sort of helps me feel like I'm at home."
    She tore off a couple of paper towels and folded them, placing each beside the plate. For a minute, she seemed to have trouble finding the silverware, then her slack memory caught, and she found the forks. She seemed to have the same momentary loss for the glasses, and then she found them and put them on the table. She'd chosen wine glasses, although there was no wine.
    "Sweetie, do you have everything you need?"
    "Sure.” Her face nearly glowed. She seemed content to set the table. “You know I don't drink, but I thought we could use the wine glasses since this was a special occasion.” She pulled a bottle of water out of the refrigerator and poured it in the glass. “Oh, wait, you prefer beer, don't you?"
    "Whatever you're having is fine."
    "Are you sure?” She never offered to get him a drink before today. She might've in the early months of their marriage but that was too long ago to remember.
    "Absolutely. Water is fine."
    Catherine not drink wine? That was the first Frank had heard of it. Catherine drank, and often passed out on the couch. She wouldn't drink water under any circumstances. In fact, he remembered her complaining that it didn't have any taste.
    He was being silly. Catherine looked like the same woman he'd married. Her body was perfect, the long blonde hair was brushed the same way. Nothing physically had changed. Then he noticed her hands.
    "Sweetie, where are your rings?"
    "I took them off. They felt weird. I hope you don't mind.” She shrugged. “I think a nurse ran off with one of those rings anyway."
    Catherine was never without her jewelry. From the moment she woke, she wore some ornaments. Special occasions had never been special unless he shelled out a small fortune for some gold or diamonds. Only one ring adorned her hand now, a plain gold band. The one he'd given her on their wedding day. The one he had to replace with