What She Wanted Read Online Free PDF Page B

plans to research on WebMD later. “When’s the surgery?”
    “They’re scheduling it for seven in the morning. Why don’t you go home and get some sleep? There’s nothing you can do here, and we’ll call if there’s any change in his condition.”
    “Okay.”
    “Do you need a ride home?”
    Heidi’s mom slung a giant hobo bag over her shoulder. “Nope. I’ve got her. Thank you so much, Evelyn.” She hugged Mrs. Wells. “Call me if you can think of a way for me to be useful.”
    “I will.”
    Heidi stood, and I followed them into the night, away from Mark. I had no idea if I’d ever see him again, and I didn’t even ask if I could say good-bye.
    * * * *
    The house was dark and silent. I turned the porch light on and waved good-bye to Heidi and her mom. I’d spent plenty of time alone, but this was different. I hoisted my bag over my head and set it on the steps to take upstairs then went to look for evidence of what had happened here today. Surely, there was something I could clean with all my pent-up adrenaline.
    The kitchen was spotless, exactly as I’d left it. When had Joshua gotten here? What did he want? I pinched the note on our counter between my thumb and first finger. Had Mark even read it? I opened the refrigerator. The leftover burgers were still wrapped in cellophane. Memories of the rear gate flashed into mind.
    I shuffled to the back door and peered out. The light in Mark’s shed was still on. He’d never come inside after I left.
    The backyard motion light snapped into action as I left the porch. The shed was as old as our house and always locked. I dashed across the grass, alive with new purpose. I stopped at the shed and swept a silver padlock off the ground. Whoever had knocked it loose didn’t know how much the piece of metal meant to Mark. It was how he kept me out. It was a precious treasure.
    I pulled the doors wide and marveled at the dingy interior. I’d spent countless hours speculating about what he did out here. I’d dreamed of ways to sneak inside and unearth his deep, dark secrets. Now I had as much time as I wanted, and I stepped inside with trepidation.
    A bare bulb swung from a chain overhead, rocked gently by the relentless breeze. I peeled windblown hair off my cheeks and turned in a slow circle. Wooden shelves lined the walls. An ancient radio with a broken antenna wrapped in aluminum foil buzzed softly beside an apple crate of tools and shop rags. Scents of dirt and worms added to the ambience.
    Anger welled in me as I examined the pitiful retreat. I could see why he’d chosen to spend his time out here when a deplorable monster such as myself tainted his clean, warm, pleasant-smelling home. I snapped the radio off and tugged open the mini fridge. Beer and cheese. What else could he need? This was a regular Ritz Carlton. I groaned into my fist. I hated this shed and this house and my crappy, stupid life. My limbs trembled from a desperate need to scream, and I kicked over his stepstool.
    My phone buzzed with a text from Heidi. “Get some sleep. I know you’re dwelling. I’ll come over tomorrow and we’ll hang.”
    I collapsed onto my backside in the dirt. Somewhere in our yard, crickets and bullfrogs argued over their importance. Fireflies blinked their way skyward. The entire world was oblivious to my pain, as always.
    I flopped onto my back and stared at the black velvet sky outside Mark’s shed. Tears of panic and fear welled into my eyes and throat before pouring over my temples onto the filthy floor. What happened next? What if he wasn’t okay? What if I lost the only family I knew? Who was I without him? What did I do if he didn’t pull through? Why did everyone die? The tears became sobs. The sobs became desperate prayers. The prayers became a mindless jumble of incoherent thoughts. Maybe he would be happier with Grandma and Mom.
    * * * *
    “Shit.” I squinted into blinding light. Aches wracked my body as I rolled onto my side and wrenched upright.