Supernatural Summer Read Online Free PDF Page B

another life? If his theory was true, I must have done something horrendous.
    My mom stood in the doorway and rapped tentatively on the doorframe. "Can I come in?"
    I nodded without looking up.
    She came in and sat on the floor beside me. "We really messed up, huh?"
    I shrugged.
    "I'm sorry I've been so presumptuous. You're right, I have no idea what you're going through. But I know one thing for certain. Whatever you're struggling with, I wish I could shoulder your troubles for you." She stroked my hair. "I wish I could scoop the pain and craziness out of your life and carry it for you. I'd give anything in the world to be able to do that."
    Tears welled in my eyes. I didn't know how to help her understand. Didn't even know where to start. She cocooned me in her arms and caressed my back in slow, soothing circles. Her breathing slowed to match mine.
    All at once, I knew how to tell her everything.
    "I'm so ashamed," I said, and I buried my face in her lap and bawled. All the hopelessness and disappointment flooded out of me.
    My mom sniffled as she pulled me closer. For once, I didn't care if she was trying to empathize with me. Or maybe she wasn't. Maybe, even if she'd never endured the humiliation I had, she really did understand. From the way she sat, hugging me and stroking my hair, I think she probably did.
    I ended up telling her what happened with Joshua. It wasn't nearly as embarrassing as I expected. She took it in stride when I told her about the electric kiss.
    "If he's worth anything, he'll be back," she said.
    I shook my head. "He'd find out what I am."
    "Then you'll know what kind of guy he is. I remember when your dad and I started going out…"
    I held up my hand, sniffled a laugh. "Mom, please stop."
    She shook her head. "…and on our first real date, your dad took me to an elegant restaurant. It was about the time my auric energy was peaking. I was so nervous, when we walked to our table, the chandeliers were swaying and some poor man's wine glass shattered right in his hand. I didn't think it could get any worse until my soup bowl flew across the table and into your dad's lap. Vegan lentil soup was everywhere ."
    "Oh no."
    "Oh yes. Your dad went to the bathroom to clean up, and I was sure that was the last I'd see of him. But he came back and we finished our date. I found out later he paid the waiter twenty dollars to make sure I didn't bolt while he was in the bathroom."
    During the moment of truth, my mom had stayed; I had fled. And I hadn't found out if Josh was the right one for me.
    My mom gave me a fresh start and told me I was no longer grounded. "But here's the deal," she said. "We've got to keep the communication lines open, okay? I don't want to be left deciphering the chaos in your energy field."
    I said I'd do my best.
    Josh called three times that week and each time, I signaled to my mom that I wasn't home. She dutifully wrote down the messages. The slips of paper with his number gathered in a small pile next to the phone.
    I called in sick for work and didn't leave the house the entire week. Audrey came over and reported that Joshua hadn't been to the restaurant since the party.
    "You should at least call him back," she said.
    We were lying in lounge chairs in the back yard. I reached my hand over the chair and held my palm against the grass for a few seconds. When I pulled it away, the green blades had shriveled and burned.
    "He'd ask too many questions," I said.
    Two days later, the doorbell rang.
    "I got it," I yelled on my way down the stairs, expecting Audrey to arrive any minute. Ram Dass beat me to it. He stood at the threshold pointing a plastic sword at whoever stood on the porch.
    "State your name and business," he challenged the visitor.
    "Yeah, is Summer around?"
    My eyes bugged. I recognized the voice immediately. It was Josh. He caught a glimpse of me when I reached the bottom of the stairs. I let out a low groan.
    "Hey," he said.
    "Hi."
    Ram shuffled forward and poked his sword