The Word Game Read Online Free PDF

deal? Of course it is.” Ida said.
    “It’s not. And it’s being dealt with, and besides”—she looked up at Mark who was coming back down the stairs—“nothing happened.”
    Ida tightened her lips but didn’t say anything. Nothing happened, her foot. How was she dealing with it? What girls?
    “I just saw Myah pull up. Keera’s getting her stuff together now,” Mark said quietly to Tricia.
    So Keera was involved. That poor child. Growing up fatherless, and then having Eddie, a womanizer, be part of her life. No wonder that girl was sneaking around at night with boys. The kids these days, they get too much leeway, with too much freedom. Not like when she was a child.
    “I’ll go meet her,” Tricia said.
    When Tricia left the room, Ida decided to find out from her son-in-law what was going on.
    “Nothing too serious, Ida. Just kids being kids,” Mark said. “I did worse at their age. Trust me. Tricia is just upset because it was Keera and Katy.”
    Ida gasped.
    “Calm down, woman,” Gordon shook his head at her. “Sounds like it’s all been handled, and there’s no reason for you to cause a scene.”
    “A scene? Who said I was causing a scene? And don’t you tell me to calm down, old man. I have a right to be concerned.” Ida glared at her husband.
    “He’s right,” Mark interjected. “It’s been handled. Gordon, I need to run over to the Peterson’s job site to take a look at some issues. Want to join me?”
    Gordon shook his head. “No, I trust you to handle it. These old bones can’t climb all those stairs at their place. Why someone would want a three story plus basement is beyond me.”
    Ida frowned. “If I need to go home, I’m sure Tricia can take me. Go. Get out of my hair.” Gordon had retired from the day-to-day work at Wilhem & Sons, but he couldn’t stay home all the time. He needed to stay busy. Otherwise he became a grumpy old bear, which in turn made her miserable. The golden life of retirement quickly lost its appeal with the husband underfoot.
    Ida and Gordon sat at the table in silence, when Tricia walked back in and called up to Keera to tell her that her mom had arrived.
    “I’m going to go have coffee with Myah for a bit. Do you mind?” Tricia asked her. “I shouldn’t be gone longer than an hour.”
    Ida shook her head. “Go. Enjoy the coffee. The kids and I will make cookies while you’re gone.”
    “Thanks, Mom. I should be back before Aly comes to pick up Lyla. There’s a dance practice today, just to go over last night, so I won’t be long.”
    “Katy’s not going though, right?”
    Tricia nodded. “Right. She’s done, for now. We’ll see how long that lasts though. I thought she was really enjoying something for once.”
    The girls all came down the stairs, a bit somber.
    “I hear you girls are going to make cookies with Grandma. Have fun.” Tricia gave Katy a kiss on the top of her head and then hugged Lyla. “Thanks for coming over last night, sweetie. I’m glad you had a fun time.”
    Ida caught the glances between the girls and knew something was up. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe it was just whispered secrets that had nothing to do with anything other than being a girl at a sleepover.
    “Thanks, Mom, for staying.” She took a step toward Ida. “Please, let me handle things, okay?” She said quietly.
    Ida sighed. “Whatever.” She threw up her hands and then followed the crowd out to the front door.
    “I hear you’re having breakfast with Eddie,” Tricia said as Keera put on her shoes and coat. “That must be why you didn’t eat a lot of pancakes this morning.”
    “Just not hungry.” Keera grabbed her bag and headed out the door.
    “Okay then,” Tricia mumbled before she followed her. She waved good-bye to Katy and Lyla, smiled at her mom, and closed the door.
    “All right,” Ida clapped her hands together. “Who’s in the mood to make cookies?” She led the girls back into the kitchen muttering beneath her