His Ordinary Life Read Online Free PDF Page A

the truck, her mind already shifting into teacher mode, planning for the day’s classes. The soothing routine of trying to stay one step ahead served as a welcome distraction to her angry teenager simmering in the front seat and the confusion of having Del around.
    Del rested a hand on the roof. “Have Blake come to your room after school. I want to talk to him, and I’ll pick him up then get the girls.”
    “Sounds great.” Eyeing her watch and mentally preparing to deal with her rowdy first period, she leaned toward him, mouth raised for the casual kiss they’d shared so many other mornings as they parted in the driveway. His eyes widened, his gaze dropped to her lips and reality slammed into her.
    What was she doing ? They weren’t together anymore. She laughed nervously and backed away. The crisp scent of his aftershave lingered in her nose. “Sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”
    He continued to stare at her, his expression unreadable. “Yeah.”
    “I’ll see you this afternoon.” She climbed behind the wheel. When she started the truck, Blake reached for the radio controls and soon Staind’s latest hit blared. She backed down the driveway, aware Del stood watching until they were out of sight.
    * * *
    The memory of that almost-kiss stayed with Del all day. The image of Barbara’s upturned face lingered while he made arrangements to cover his sales calls, rented an SUV with more room than his temporary car, and checked in with his mother. The thing that got him the most was the level of hunger he felt for that simple goodbye kiss. Once he’d gotten over the initial shock of having her lean toward him, he’d wanted that kiss the way a desert-stranded man craved water.
    He still wanted it, and as he pulled into the school’s parking lot a little before four, an eagerness to be in Barbara’s presence tempered his concern for Blake.
    God, he was just asking to get kicked in the gut. This morning had been habit and didn’t mean anything. She didn’t want him anymore, had made that more than clear when he’d moved out, and if he indulged in building fantasies out of the interlude, he deserved whatever heartache he got.
    When he stepped from the rented Explorer, the humid heat blasted him, stealing his breath for a moment. Cars still filled the parking lot in front of the high school, but he’d been lucky enough to find an empty spot near the back row. On the large grassy field next to the building, the marching band practiced formations, red and silver flags spinning and twirling to the school fight song. Farther back, helmets clattered and a coach’s whistle shrilled.
    Spring football practice. In the May sun, under pads and practice jerseys, the heat would be unbearable. His junior year, he’d passed out after a set of up-downs and opened his eyes to the pale, frightened faces of Tick and their younger brother Will. His senior year, with Tick away at UGA and Will gone, he hadn’t played. He’d drifted, ignoring his teachers, separating from his family. Until Barbara, his life preserver in the dangerous waters his life had become.
    Blake was in his own version of those dangerous waters. Kids didn’t just change overnight without reason. Somehow, he’d get to the bottom of whatever was going on. Somehow, he’d be his son’s life preserver.
    Del pulled the glass door open and stepped into the blessed cool air of the school lobby. The raw scent of fresh floor wax hovered in the air. The auditorium doors stood open, and out drifted the strident voice of Mrs. Louella Hatcher, who’d taught drama and English as far back as Del could remember. Several students sat in a circle in the lobby, strumming guitars and breaking into laughter with every wrong chord.
    He walked into the office, not looking at the memoriam board to see if Will’s freshman photo was still posted.
    “Can I help you?” The blonde secretary looked up and graced him with a perky smile. Recognition dawned in her blue eyes and the smile