The Long Way Home Read Online Free PDF

then and I’ll see you on Sunday.”
    “Sunday?”
    “For dinner. Remember? You invited me for a home-cooked meal.”
    All the cylinders in her brain clicked into place. Yes, now she knew. The thank-you dinner. But had she said Sunday? Jazzy seemed so certain. Marnie said, “Oh, of course. My mind just drew a blank for a second.”
    “We’re still on, then?”
    “You bet.” Marnie chuckled self-consciously. “I’ve been looking forward to it. Come around six. I’ll leave the front door unlocked. Just come on up. It’ll be great to have company.”
    Before Jazzy got into her car, a question came to Marnie. She leaned out the window and called out, “Jazzy!”
    Jazzy turned questioningly. “Yes?”
    “What kind of work do you do?”
    “I’m a cashier.” She twirled her keys around one finger. “At the Supercenter on Highway 63.”
    It sounded dreadful. Marnie’s job, teaching four-year-old kindergarteners—now that was a wonderful job! The younger the kids were, the better she liked them. Little children were so energetic and curious. Even the ones who wore her out with their shenanigans had redeeming qualities. And they were a joy to look at, so fresh-faced and perfect with their flawless skin and pearly white teeth. In her opinion, everybody was beautiful when they were young. Dealing with children was a joy because there was so much potential there. Everything lay before them. But working with the general public? Standing at a cash register for hours on end? Oh my, that had to be depressing. She asked, “Do you like your job?”
    Jazzy looked thoughtful. “I wouldn’t say I like it, but it’s what I need to be doing right now. You know how that goes.”
    Marnie nodded, even though she didn’t completely understand.
    “I know that my time there is limited,” Jazzy said. “Actually, I feel that I’ll be making a change soon. I have faith that when the time is right I’ll find what I’m really meant to do with my life, and it will all come together for me. For now, this is good.”

Chapter Six
     
    Sunday evening, Laverne Benner peered through the blinds at the young blonde woman parked across the street and continued watching as she got out of the car and made her way up the walkway to the house. Laverne’s cat, Oscar, made figure eights between her legs until she nudged him away. Silly cat.
    She waited to see what the young woman would do when she reached the front door. Long ago, she’d had her son, Dave, disconnect the doorbell to her unit. The upstairs one still worked, and when it buzzed she could hear it through the ceiling. She ignored all visitors. Most of the time it was salespeople or church folk, no one she’d have wanted to talk to anyway.
    As the girl got closer, she could see her more clearly. She was a pretty thing with blonde shiny hair that swung as she moved, all bounce and animation, a big smile on her face, although there was no perceptible reason to smile.
    At the front door she didn’t pause but came right in. Laverne tensed for a second, afraid, but she could tell by the movement in the front hall the girl was headed for the stairs. Oh, okay, a guest of the new tenant. What a relief. At the top of the stairs she heard a knock and then the tenant’s voice greeting her guest. The girl said something and then let out a peal of laughter. Laverne found herself smiling. It was a lovely, infectious sound. Musical.
    She went to the door and opened it, hoping to hear more. At her feet, Oscar joined her in peering out, and then, before Laverne could block him with her foot, squeezed through the opening and was out.
    “Oscar,” Laverne said, in a hiss. “Come back here.”

Chapter Seven
     
    Marnie had everything prepared. The money she owed for the car battery was in an envelope, ready to hand over as soon as Jazzy walked through the door. She’d cooked all day, a veritable Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, gravy, potatoes, rolls, and sweet potatoes. Too late she realized