The Long Road Home Read Online Free PDF Page A

earrings, a large cameo pin, and the solitary engagement ring. It was a pitiful show compared to the many-carat diamonds, rubies, and emeralds on the list.
    “So much fuss about so little,” she said softly. Her shoulders slumped. “It doesn’t matter. Just take it and get out. Please.”
    The man paused, then selected out the pearls and set them delicately upon the suitcase. “I don’t see those on the list,” he muttered as he rushed out the door.
    Nora picked up the pearls and rubbed them against her cheek. “Oma, I miss you,” she said. She slipped the pearls around her neck and placed the earrings in her ears.
    In the mirror, the burgundy notebook was visible in her bag. In that same bag, beneath wool sweaters, nestled a shirt box. And in that shirt box was a stash of personal letters, memos, and a pocket diary that she’d found on Mike’s desk the day he died. Papers that were scattered next to an empty bottle of bourbon and a loaded ashtray.
    Mike had called her to New York from her house in Connecticut, yelling over the wire that it was urgent. So she had come, against her better judgment, only to be ignored once again. Until that night, before he died.
    “Don’t trust anyone,” he’d told her, roughly awakening her. He was drunk, again, and the sour smell of bourbon and smoke descended upon her like a winter cloud.
    At first she was afraid. Something in his voice had changed; she heard it even in her sleepy stupor. The anger was gone. The arrogance was gone. In its place she heard desperation and fear.
    “Don’t trust anyone.” That was all he’d said. That and a firm shake and an intense stare. So intense. Telling her in that gaze that he was leaving. Warning her that she was on her own now. Perhaps, too, that he was sorry. She liked to think that anyway.
    Nora closed the suitcase, zipped it, and locked it. Whateversecrets lay hidden in that notebook, she’d uncover them later. On her own. One thing was certain—she would keep her secrets from Ralph Bellows.
    “Mrs. MacKenzie?” Trude stood at the door, arms akimbo.
    Nora could tell she’d overheard the entire exchange. “Well, I’m all set to go,” said Nora with false enthusiasm.
    Trude clenched her lips and nodded. “Well then, let’s get you go.”
    Nora walked over and touched Trude’s shoulder. “I wish I could take you with me.”
    “I not ask for much,” Trude replied, opening the door once again for an offer.
    Nora sighed and shook her head. “I couldn’t pay you. I don’t know how I can take care of myself, let alone anyone else. And what about Roman and the children?”
    “They love mountains. Live good. Cheap.”
    For a wild second Nora considered it. How good it would be to have them nearby. Friendly faces and support.
    “I wish I could,” she replied, looking into Trude’s disappointed face.
    Trude nodded. “I know. I had to try, though.”
    Nora hugged Trude in a rush. Trude faltered, standing stiff in awkwardness. Nora felt awkward too at this rare show of physical contact. Suddenly, however, Trude responded and Nora felt true affection in the Polish woman’s bear hug.
    “You’re the only family I’ve got left,” Nora whispered.
    “You take care of yourself, hear?” Trude said, pulling back and revealing a flash of tears. “Here. Piroshki for the car. I make them. You be sure to eat them.”
    “I will, I will.” Nora laughed, moving back.
    She picked up the suitcase. It was unusually heavy. With his papers and notes, Nora was taking Mike with her.
    “I will carry for you,” Trude said.
    “No,” Nora replied. “I have to carry this.”
    She took one last look at the apartment. The sun was setting now and poured in through the slats of blinds, creating vertical shadows across the parquet. Her luxury apartment never looked more the prison it had been for years.
    “Don’t trust anyone.” Mike’s last words to her sounded again in her head.
    “I don’t,” she said to the ghost. Nora turned