Mustard on Top Read Online Free PDF

couldn’t recall.
    “Seth is full of himself,” Theo teased. “Don’t get him started.”
    The easy relationship between Theo and Seth made Ben wonder if Seth was Helen’s boyfriend. The idea curdled the coffee in his stomach.
    “Theo’s just jealous,” Seth shot back.
    “You’re not acting anymore?” Ben inquired.
    “He doesn’t need to,” Theo answered. “Royalties.” Theo rolled his eyes seemingly at ease with Seth.
    “Jealous, like I said.” Seth examined his fingernails feigning boredom then he looked at Ben. “I take the occasional acting job, but mostly I lead a life of leisure.”
    “Which means hanging out at Hot Diggitys and trying to pick up women,” Theo put in.
    In a gesture Ben couldn’t interpret, Seth cocked an eyebrow in Theo’s direction.
    “You live in Nalley?” Ben asked.
    “Most of the time, but I travel a lot. I grew up here.”
    “So how are you doing on your bet with my mom?” Theo grinned.
    “Your mom WILL BE going skydiving. The woman owes me big-time. The sacrifices I’ve made for her are unthinkable.” Seth mock shuddered.
    “Oh brother.” Theo rolled his eyes again.
    “Speaking of which,” he began jogging in place, “I better work off some of my excess energy.”
    “Right. Whatever,” Theo said.
    Seth pointed a finger at Theo. “I’m counting down the days, believe me. Catch you later.”
    Ben was glad to see him go.
    “What’s this bet between your mom and Seth?”
    Theo’s smile dissipated. “I should probably get to work.”
    Having been dismissed, Ben floundered back to his go-to topic. “I could pick up a starter for your Corvette.”
    “You don’t need to do that.”
    Theo turned away, and the fear he’d never see him again seized Ben. “Can we get together soon?”
    Theo, already a few steps down the boardwalk, turned. “Uh, yeah I guess.”
    “Dinner tonight?” Ben hated sounding desperate.
    “I’m working tonight. Maybe tomorrow. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.”
    “Tomorrow works. What time?”
    Theo’s hands were jammed into his pockets again. “Why don’t you come over about six.”
    “To Agatha’s?”
    “Oh right. I guess so.”
    “I’ll be there.”
    “All right.” Theo strolled off in the direction of Hot Diggitys.
    As he walked away, Ben’s heart ached. He never should have driven off that night, worked with the Drug Enforcement Administration to testify against Freckles, or entered the US Marshal’s Witness Protection Program. He should have acted like a man and taken care of his son. He felt like a snake in need of shedding his skin.
    The money he’d sent had allowed him to justify the arrangement. Money they’d never received. Who knew Helen’s mother, an ex-beauty queen, was capable of thievery.

    Helen tried not to think about Theo and Ben’s meeting. The power company had turned off the gas and electricity to her house, and fire department had granted her access. She put off repairs and had spent the morning wrangling with her insurance company. Since she’d already asked employees to cover her shift the day before, she didn’t feel right asking them for more, and planned to work in the afternoon.
    After the frustrating morning, Helen strolled down the boardwalk before going to work. She gazed across the vast, blue-black Pacific Ocean crashing on the beach and tried to set her mind free of the details that had it in knots.
    She thought of the group of homeless people who lived in the nearby forest. For years she’d delivered hot dogs to them on her way home from work. Compared to many, she had everything.
    The oblong, shiny, yellow blob that was Hot Diggitys came into view. Patched and painted a few years earlier, the building’s sheen reflected the sun. Hot Diggitys was a local landmark and that gave her a sense of pride.
    Drawing closer, Helen spied Theo and Emma standing at the counter talking. Emma wore a lacy, transparent stretchy black top and black bra. Although pretty, Emma hid her looks