Three Wishes Read Online Free PDF Page B

distressing and frankly shocking news about Dan, last night’s drink with Cat and Gemma had gone three hours longer than scheduled. That meant today’s “to do” list was longer than usual. She’d been up since 5:30 A.M .
    Dan was a truly horrible cheating sleaze…She must remind Michael to call his mother for her birthday…Why did Dan even tell Cat? What did it achieve?…If Maddie slept for another hour or so, she could prepare for tomorrow’s meeting at the bakery…Cat could get so irrational. Would their marriage survive this?…Ten Christmas cards a night, starting from tonight…
    And beneath all those thoughts was a flicker of concern, a long-buried, knotty little worry that she was refusing to bring out and dust off, just in case it looked really bad.
    “It’s going to be my New Year’s resolution,” Kara was saying, her mouth full of apple. “To lose my virginity next year. Are you going to tell Dad?”
    “Do you want me to tell him?”
    “I don’t care.”
    “Fine. Shouldn’t you be going?”
    “So, but what do you think about me losing my virginity this year?”
    “I think it’s a very personal decision.”
    “So you think I should. Wait till I tell Dad you said I should lose my virginity next year. He’ll go ballistic.”
    “I never said that.”
    “Out of all the men you’ve slept with, where would you rate Dad? Is he like—any good?” Kara’s face contorted with delighted disgust. “Is he in your top ten? Have you got a top ten? Have you slept with more than ten men even?”
    “Kara.”
    “Oh my God, don’t answer. I just thought of you and Dad having sex. I’m going to throw up. Oh my God ! I can’t get it out of my mind! It’s revolting !”
    A miniature figure in pink pajamas toddled into the kitchen, sucking on an empty bottle like a cherubic wino. “Hi!”
    Lyn nearly dropped the plate she was holding. “Maddie!”
    “Hi!” Maddie politely acknowledged her mother and then immediately turned to Kara with worshipful eyes, offering her bottle like a gift to a goddess.
    Kara graciously accepted the bottle. “Can she get out of her cot herself now?”
    “So it seems,” said Lyn, trying to readjust to a new world where Maddie could no longer be safely incarcerated in her cot.
    The doorbell and the office phone began to ring simultaneously.
    “Could you watch her for a minute?” asked Lyn.
    “Sorry.” Kara swung herself off the bench and handed the bottle back to Maddie. “I’m really late for school.”
    Carelessly, she ruffled Maddie’s dark curly head. “Seeya, sweetie!”
    Maddie’s bottom lip quivered. She slammed the bottle down on the floor.
    Lyn picked up Kara’s half-eaten apple from the kitchen bench and threw it in the rubbish bin. She scooped up Maddie and walked toward the front door.
    “Kara, Kara,” Maddie sobbed pitifully.
    “I know just what you mean, darling,” said Lyn, holding tight to her squirming little body. “Kara, Kara.”
    To:       Michael
From:   Lyn
Subject: Please hurry home
    Shocking day. Both your daughters driving me insane.
    P.S. Who did you lose your virginity to?
    P.P.S. Please pick up milk and cockroach baits on your way home.
    To:       Lyn
From:   Michael
Subject: O.K.
    Home at 6:30 at the latest.
    Fish and chips on beach to make up for my daughters?
    Lost my virginity to Jane Brewer on the way home from watching Star Wars at the movies. The force was with me! HA!
    P.S. Why?
    It was past midnight that same day. Michael kissed her tenderly and said, “You did come, didn’t you?”
    “Yes, of course,” said Lyn. “Ages ago.”
    She moved her hips. “Heavy.”
    “Sorry.” He rolled onto his back with a sigh and reached across to the bedside table for a glass of water. “No need for me to pick up stray women in bars.”
    “Michael!”
    “Just letting you know you’re safe with me, sweetheart.”
    “Well, thanks, you big chauvinist pig.”
    He put down his glass of water and settled back down