Relativity Read Online Free PDF Page A

of her children. I never understood how such a cold woman won the heart of the teddy-bear-like Mr. Parsons.
    “She worked all day but she would always be cooking up a storm. In her free time, she quilted blankets for pediatric cancer patients, delivered Meals on Wheels, and never once did I feel like I wasn’t a priority. I never realized how perfect she was.”
    “Nobody is perfect, Rip, but your mom was pretty damn close,” he says, his voice laced with sorrow. I lay my head back on the couch and close my eyes. I feel so safe here with him.
    “I’m so glad you’re here,” Knox says, his voice sounds kind of funny but I’m starting to drift off so maybe it is just the vodka making me hear things.
    “Me too,” I hear myself answer, my ridiculous response echoing in my own ears.
    It almost feels like Knox touches my hand but I can’t muster the strength to lift my eyes because I’m already drifting away on a cloud of vodka and childhood familiarity.
     
    ******
     
    My phone buzzes, waking me up. I jerk upright on the couch to see that Knox has covered me with a blanket. The television is still on, but the movie I had turned on is over and another is at least halfway through in its place. Knox is curled up in the corner of the couch, sleeping. I’m embarrassed when I realize I’ve been watching him sleep for several minutes, nearly overcome by the desire to crawl into his lap and start kissing him. I get up carefully, trying not to wake him and walk toward the front door where I left my phone.
    Where the hell r u? It’s from Nat.
    My fingers hover over the keypad making a decision. I’ve never lied to Natalie before, at least not about anything that was important, but for some reason I’m having a really hard time thinking about texting where I really am.
    I’m okay, just blowing off some steam , I text back. Technically, I didn’t lie, but I still feel guilty because I know I’m not exactly telling the truth either.
    We got your dad home. Mom gave him a sleeping pill so he’s out for the night. Love you.
    Thx. Luv u 2. Call u 2morrow
    I slept through two calls from an unknown phone number, but it must not have been too important since they didn’t leave a message. I can’t believe I fell asleep here. I have to get out of here but I can’t wait another minute to use the bathroom. I tiptoe over to the bathroom off the kitchen and quietly shut the door.
    I relieve myself of the vodka, feeling ten pounds lighter. After washing my hands, I twist the cap off Knox’s toothpaste and swish a glob around in my mouth to freshen my mouth. I groan when I realize that I’m going to have to stick my feet back into those awful heels because I don’t want to wake Knox to take me home. I open the cabinet underneath his sink searching for bandages to cover my blisters with to help the pain.
    The cabinet is neatly organized with extra bars of soap, packs of toilet paper, mouthwash and washcloths. I can’t get over how grown up Knox has become. He isn’t the lazy, immature sex maniac that I remember. Somehow he’s magically been replaced with a mature, responsible, caring man.
    “Rip, you okay?” Knox asks groggily through the door, startling me.
    “Yeah, sorry. I’ll be right out,” I answer, shutting the cabinet door quietly. I stand up and straighten my dress then survey myself in the mirror. My face is a tiny bit flushed from the small buzz I have, but I don’t look too bad, especially considering the day I’ve had. That must be what all of this is. My brain is trying to compartmentalize all these different emotions and everything is just getting crossed. Everything will be fine in the morning. Knox will just be Natalie’s big brother, not some guy I want to ravage for hours on end. I finger comb my long blonde hair to try and make myself a little more presentable even though I’m just heading home.
    A bottle of cologne sits innocently on the counter by the sink. I pick it up, remove the lid, and then