The Hungry House Read Online Free PDF

anymore. I have to take care of her." I looked at my friends. They appeared to be thinking. I could almost hear their brains humming like computers.
    Jennifer reacted first. "Now you listen to me. You are brainy and beautiful. Why, there isn't anything you couldn't do. Just keep away from him and his Mercedes.
    Betts jumped in . "If he does anything unfair, threaten a lawsuit. He won't want the publicity. Take my word. Just do a good job. That's all you have to do. I've heard bits of conversations about things like this at my dad's firm. The laws are all in your favor. Start a diary and document every day:  what work you did, how many hours you worked, and what he did that was out of line, if anything. That way, if you have to leave, you can leave with millions of dollars--or at least hundreds of thousands of dollars. Be strong. We're here for you. My dad would take your case pro bono in a heartbeat. You know that."
    "There's more . I met a guy in my English Lit class. He's cute and seems smart." Now, she really had their attention.
    "Of course he is." Eileen interjected, "but what else. Did you go out on a date with him?"
    "No --I've just met him. We're going for coffee on campus next week. I don't know what I would do without you guys. Now let's talk about your week. Jennifer, you start. You look as if you're bursting with news." She usually was.

 
     
     
    CHAPTER SIX
     
    The following Saturday morning we moved. Jennifer, Betts, and Eileen were helping with the loading, all under Mom's direction. I secretly took note of the scene, so that I could pull it out for future reference and lovingly review each detail. Mom's usually careworn face looked happier than it had in years. Color adorned her cheeks, and her eyes moved affectionately over all of us. In the recent past, she had often sat at the dinner table so weary that she had to lean on her forearm as she ate or drank. Today her upright posture had returned after an absence of many years, and some of the puffiness in her eyes had receded. Her short hair revealed gray at the temples, but was still mostly dark brown in color. Finally, she has something to be happy about, I thought to myself. It's about time.
    I had insisted upon keeping the appearance of the inside of the cottage a secret until moving day, knowing that Mom and I shared the same tastes in all things, including furnishings and architecture.
    Our church picked up the furniture for the needy; we kept only kept Mom's heirloom Chinese dresser. I had packed everything. Finally, the moment came when everything was moved into the trailer attached to Frank's Volvo, and we were off, my friends following in Bett's Subaru. I felt proud, almost to bursting, that I could drive my mom to a better home. As we drove through the neighborhood, another feeling replaced my pride. Without warning, sadness and grief gripped my chest and stomach. Was I making a horrible mistake? How could I move so far away from the place that had given me strength and hope all my life? With each passing block, it felt that a part of my very soul was being lost.
    I shook off the sudden feelings of dread and loss with a great effort of will. I glanced at Mom, wondering if she felt the same emotions. Too soon, we were well out of Laurelhurst and in the West Hills that towered over the city. The car wound up the steep streets and arrived in the driveway to Frank's home.
    Mrs. Black had been watching for us. She smiled. "Hello, Liz--Ms. Howell. Actually, there is a place behind the pool where you can back up to the cottage and unload your things. I would be happy to help you."
    Liz quickly answered. "Oh, no. Don't bother with it. I know you have many other things to do. Thanks for the tip." Somehow, Mrs. Black almost looked disappointed as she turned to go back inside the house.
    When we had backed the trailer to the cottage, Mom turned to me. "I, I have a little confession to make. You know, I'd already noticed the darling little cottage when I