Waiting and Watching Read Online Free PDF Page B

herself.
    â€œIs Martin planning to go to the reunion on Friday or Saturday?” Connie asked Nola. “Julio and I are planning to attend both nights, even though it’s going to be difficult for me to work up the nerve to face everyone.”
    â€œBut dear, you were always such a popular girl. If you had stayed and graduated, I am sure you would have been Homecoming Queen. Now our little queen has finally returned home. Everyone will be delighted to see you and discreet enough not to inquire about your parents. I am sure of it. Don’t worry; you’ll have a wonderful time.”
    Nola wanted to know all about her life since leaving Tilden Park. Connie talked about her final two years of high school in Salt Lake City and how she grew to love the mountains—skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. “After four years of college in Arizona, I decided Utah was home and got a job with an event planning business. I loved the whole industry, found it both exciting and challenging. I worked my way up to General Manager.”
    Connie was proud of her success, but she didn’t blow her horn by mentioning how the company had thrived under her innovative leadership. She did however fill in all the blanks regarding her life and as much of Julio’s as she could, although it was embarrassingly obvious that Nola did not want to hear about Julio, much less his legal successes.
    Determined not to let Nola’s rude behavior upset him, Julio asked about Martin, mainly in hopes of needling her. He knew things had not gone well for her son, and it would be interesting to see how she would spin his life story. He and Connie listened to her brag about his achievements, which seemed far too plentiful for someone now living above his mother’s garage. Her overzealous comments came across more disingenuous than realistic.
    After listing all Martin’s academic successes, she droned on about his achievements as a psychologist and his partnership in a prestigious clinic. In the end, when his goals clashed with those of his partners, he switched his career to photography, a hobby from high school.
    â€œIt doesn’t pay well, so I insisted he take the apartment above the garage. And now that he’s here, I’m thankful for his company even though I don’t see much of him. I have few friends left in the neighborhood and still miss your parents a great deal. The people who bought your old home are gone so much, and I’m not friendly with the neighbors on the other side. You know I’m sure you’ve noticed how much the neighborhood has changed. Many of the people moving in would never have had the nerve to do so years ago.”
    Shocked by that comment, Connie managed to control herself. “Do Earl and Sue Lookey still live across the street?”
    â€œSue was lovely but God rest her soul, she died several years before Martin moved back. Sadly, Earl is nothing but a disgusting, crotchety old man. He never gave me the time of day, even when your parents were alive. I tried to talk to him once when I saw him at the post office. He was so offensive—I was telling him about the folks who moved into your house, asking him if he ever saw them and what his impression was—you’ll never believe what he said to me. He looked me in the eye and said, “Mrs. Perkins, do I look like someone who gives a shit?”
    Julio stifled his laughter with a severe coughing fit.
    Nola gave him a nasty look and continued. “He’s a sick old man with a disgusting dog named Sniff. He’s had three ugly dogs—Bassett Hounds I believe—and all of them creatively named Sniff. Once one of his wretched dogs tried to dig up my tulips, and I threatened to call the pound. I can’t even repeat what he said to me then. I felt so sorry for Sue. How could she live with such an unpleasant, obnoxious man?”
    â€œHow difficult for you having such a nasty neighbor,”