Never Too Late Read Online Free PDF Page A

Sarah, so lost there for a while, had a maternal figure to watch over her.
    Dotty was a widow just a couple of years older than George. When they first found her, she had a total of four families she worked for, but now she was down to George, who she said would have to bury her to get rid of her. “I don’t like him that much,” she said, lying through her false teeth, “but it’s obvious he is useless on his own. And if I can do one kind thing for his departed wife, it will be to make sure he doesn’t join her too soon.”
    The one person in Clare’s life who hadn’t put in an appearance was Roger. But in the way things that seem too good to be true aren’t, he showed up. He got past the sentries at the door. He waited until evening, just before visiting hours were over, and brought with him that pathetic face that said, Oh I’m such a bad boy, you must take pity on me for I suffer so. What poor Roger didn’t know was that the second she saw him that vision came into her mind—of a slim blonde on top of him. And it infuriated her anew.
    â€œClare,” he said. “I’ve been trying to see you, but your sisters said you didn’t want to see me.”
    She put on her call light. “That’s right, Roger. Go away. I’m an injured woman and you’re making the pain worse.”
    â€œI want to talk to you about Jason,” he said.
    She turned off the call light.
    â€œI think he should be staying with me,” Roger said.
    â€œWhat on earth for?” she asked, genuinely perplexed. “You’re busy all day and most evenings. What’s he supposed to do?”
    â€œWe’ll get in the car pool for school. I’ll lighten my schedule. He can have his old room.”
    She thought about this for less than ten seconds. “No,” she said. “He’s fine at Maggie’s and, in case you haven’t noticed, he’s still very angry. You’re going to have to give him more time and make up with him before you coax him home.”
    â€œHow can I make up with him when he doesn’t want to see me?”
    â€œI’m sorry, Roger, I know it makes you feel bad, but he’s adamant, he doesn’t want to spend time with you.”
    â€œYou can talk to him about that.”
    A few days ago, pre-cracked pelvis and major surgery, she probably would have. But the cause of this current separation had created such terrible anger in Jason. This had been a long time coming; she had always dreaded the day her son would find out that his dad, the object of such admiration, was screwing around on his mother. Jason felt completely abandoned by his father, though Roger kept trying to reconcile with him.
    The night it happened was awful beyond belief. Clare had chosen the time specifically because Jason wasn’t going to be home. He was spending the night at a friend’s house. Clare confronted Roger about his latest affair, which she had researched thoroughly. He denied it and she laid out her proof—copies of bills, cell phone calls, et cetera. She knew exactly who the woman was—one of his many clients to whom he sold insurance. A lot of regrettable things were said, but the worst were:
    â€œOkay, maybe I did have a stupid, meaningless little fling—a guy can make a mistake!”
    â€œA meaningless little fling? There have been over a dozen. Maybe many dozens!”
    â€œWell, you’re not exactly welcoming in the sack, you know, Miss Ice Queen.”
    â€œWhat do you expect? I’ve had to worry about disease!”
    â€œWhen have I ever given you—”
    Roger’s eyes had grown large as he looked past Clare and his expression became stricken. She whirled to find Jason standing there, the in-line skates he’d come home to fetch dangling from his hand.
    â€œMy God, Jason,” she had said, chasing him as he fled from the house.
    Roger rattled the bed rail to regain her