Waiting and Watching Read Online Free PDF

little too loudly, causing the other diners to look over at them.
    â€œNo! It’s too early to face that bigoted busybody. What a lousy way to start my day.”
    â€œToo late. I called her yesterday while you were in the bathroom and she’s expecting us at nine sharp,” Connie said with a smug smile. “However, there is a reward for you. Afterwards, we’ll have lunch anywhere you please.”
    â€œGee thanks, Con. We can go to one of my favorite places when I was eight.”

Chapter 8
    After breakfast, Connie and Julio drove to the scheduled visit with Nola Perkins, their next door neighbor from childhood.
    Julio’s boyhood memory of Nola was negative. She was someone who definitely did not like those with dark skin. He and Andrew had both been victims of her sarcasm and rudeness.
    Connie remembered Nola’s son, Martin, as a shy nerd, never having many friends—none really—because he was so quiet and intense. She hoped he had come out of his shell after all these years.
    â€œI was pretty young at the time, but looking back now, my impression is that he was a lost soul. He liked to hang around our house as long as Andrew wasn’t there. He’d even come over when you weren’t there.”
    â€œHmm. I don’t remember that.”
    â€œOf course you don’t. You weren’t there. I remember finding him alone in your room, just sitting on your bed and staring into thin air. It sticks in my mind, because I asked him if he wanted to play and he said he couldn’t because he was busy. I kept spying on him and all he did was sit there and stare at nothing. I was scared and told Mom, but she said to just leave him alone. After that I always got the creeps when he was around.”
    â€œWhat? You never told me that. I gotta admit, it is a bit creepy. But I always knew him as kind and gentle.”
    â€œTrust me, he’s strange. He spent hours in his tree house with that big, scary, black bird, just staring into space. That’s not normal.”
    As they pulled up in front of Nola’s house, Connie couldn’t resist a glance at their old home next door. In daylight, it looked less menacing, but it still looked cold and empty. An irresistible force drew her eyes to her bedroom window. She shivered from the memory of her dream. She kept telling herself there had been no one in that window last night, but she could literally still feel a presence in the house. Shaken, she didn’t mention it to Julio as she was sure he would think she was losing it.
    When Connie opened her car door to get out, Julio grabbed her arm. “Wait. What’s our excuse for getting out of here?”
    â€œI’ll just tell her we’re going to stop by and see an old friend and her new baby today. Nola will never know I haven’t spoken to anybody in years.”
    By the time they walked up to the front door, it was wide open with Nola standing in the threshold.
    â€œOh. Constance, I’m so happy to see you. I can’t believe you’re finally here; it’s been so long.” Nola hugged Connie and then drew back to peruse her. “My heavens, let me look at you. You resemble your father so much. What a handsome man he was and what a beautiful young woman you are. But then, you were a beautiful teenager, too. I am so sorry Martin isn’t here. I tried to tell him you were coming, but he had already left.”
    Nola put her arm around Connie’s waist and walked her into the living room. Left standing at the door, Julio reluctantly followed the women inside, closing the front door behind him. The fire blazing in the stone hearth was a warm contrast to his cold reception.
    The threesome sat around a coffee table Nola had set with a silver urn of herbal tea and a plate piled high with chocolate chip cookies. She poured a cup for Connie and herself. With a roll of her eyes, Connie passed her cup to Julio and poured another for