The Distance Between Us Read Online Free PDF Page A

it in a bad way. Not really. She’s just hard to figure out is all.” He’s studying me. “She looks like you, though.”
    I peer at my reflection in the rearview mirror. “Do you think so? Not many people say that.”
    “Yeah. She’s got your eyes, and your cheekbones are the same, too. And you’ve both got kind of a square jaw.” He pauses. “But she’s a lot bigger than you are.”
    I keep my eyes on the road. “She gets her size from Arthur. All our children have towered over me ever since they reached puberty.” I blink back tears. “And you’re right about her eyes. They come from the Parker side of the family. My father had the same dark green eyes, and so did his father.”
    We hit another patch of ice by a four-way stop sign and skate a few feet into the intersection before I can regain control of the car. Another vehicle swerves around me, honking, and I exchange black looks with the other driver.
    “Shit,” Alex mutters. Both of his hands are clutching the dash.
    “Oh, for pity’s sake. You’re behaving like an old woman.”
    He glowers at me. “That’s only because you’re driving like one.”
    I narrow my eyes. “And I suppose you think you could do better?”
    He nods. “Yeah, I do. I’m a good driver.” He pauses. “Do you want me to take the wheel?”
    I face front again and proceed through the intersection, fuming. He fidgets in his seat for the next few blocks and I turn up the radio and stare through the windshield at downtown Bolton until I can decide how best to deal with his rudeness.
    My house is on the north side of town, and Carson Conservatory and Pritchard University are on the south side. Bolton is a clean, attractive town, with wide brick streets and dozens of historical buildings and homes lined up along the Mississippi. An imposingcourthouse sits in the middle of the village green, next to a pedestrian mall made up of busy bookstores and coffee shops, restaurants, bars, and a plethora of overpriced antique and clothing establishments. There’s generally not a lot of money in southern Illinois, but Bolton’s association with two thriving academic institutions has kept it more financially sound than many of its neighbors up and down the river.
    My silence is bothering Alex. He keeps darting glances at the side of my face and biting his lip.
    Good. If I let him stew for a while, he may learn some manners.
    He finally clears his throat. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to make you mad.”
    I allow a moment to pass. “You’re forgiven.” I should just let it go at that, I suppose, but I can’t resist a small dig. “Do you talk to your mother that way? If you do, it’s a wonder you’ve lived to be twenty.”
    He doesn’t answer for a few seconds. “I’ve said a lot worse to her.” His voice is subdued.
    I wait for more but nothing is forthcoming. I prod him along. “Speaking of your mother, I keep meaning to ask where you grew up. Where’s home?”
    He turns his head away. “Iowa.”
    “Oh? Where in Iowa?”
    He plays with the button on the glove compartment. “I don’t really like to talk about stuff like that.” His tone is hostile.
    I stare at him, caught off guard. “Why on earth not?”
    He meets my gaze. “I just don’t. Okay?”
    He’s being unreasonable, and silly.
    “Fine. Shall we discuss the weather, then? How about movies?”
    He makes an exasperated gesture with his hands. “I didn’t mean that. We can talk about anything you want. Just not my home, or my family.” He stares at his shoes on the floor mat and lowers his voice. “Please?”
    Without warning, he sounds close to tears, and I reprimand myself for prying. He’s right. I have no claim on him, and he’s entitled to his privacy, just as much as I am.
    I nod. “Forgive me, Alex. I was being discourteous.”
    I’m expecting him to pout now, but all he does is shrug again. “It’s okay. I didn’t mean to make such a big deal out of it.”
    The resentment is gone, replaced by a