Where There's Smoke Read Online Free PDF Page A

she was leaving Mitch, her tone and expression cool, practiced, damn near smug. When had her mother grown so cold?
    "It's not meant to be funny,” Valerie said, a tad impatiently.
    Of course it wasn't. Lauren knew that. God knew her mother hadn't had a sense of humor in at least a decade, and had been a drain on her father's as well. But really, what was the proper response to the news that one's parents were divorcing?
    Speaking of protocol. “Where is Dad, anyway? Isn't this something you're supposed to do together? Isn't that like ... in the parent handbook? Or has it gotten so bad you can't bear to be in the same room together?"
    "I know you're upset.” Valerie folded her hands between her knees. She couldn't even reach a hand out to comfort her daughter.
    "Don't try to placate me.” Bitterness swelling, Lauren gathered the crutches then realized it would make for an awkward dramatic exit. Besides, this was her house. Where would she go? Instead she shifted her weight, sitting as tall as she could. “You hit me with this like a bolt from the blue—I think I'm entitled to a little anger here."
    Valerie's face was a mask. “Certainly."
    "Are you up for questions, or is this a guerilla tactic? Tell me and run?"
    "I'll answer what I can."
    "Why now?"
    "It's been building for awhile. Surely you've noticed we don't spend much time together, even when he has time off. When he is off, when we are together, we're miserable."
    And they had been for a long time. Lauren always assumed it was her fault. Valerie never approved of anything she did, and Mitch always stood up for her, against his own wife. “I always thought it would be better once I got out of the house, that you guys would have more time together. You'd only have to worry about him, not me anymore."
    Something like pain flickered across Valerie's face. “You thought I wanted you to leave so I could have him to myself."
    Well, yes, but Lauren wouldn't say it. She'd always been Daddy's girl, and hadn't been too old when she realized her mother resented her for it. She'd never quite figured out if Valerie was jealous of the time Mitch took to be with Lauren, or of Lauren's adoration and emulation of Mitch. She and Lauren had certainly never had a connection. Looking back, she wondered if her lack of femininity came from being too close to her father, or rebelling against her mother.
    "I thought you stressed too much worrying about both of us. I thought if I moved out and you could just focus on him, you'd be happier."
    She tried to remember the last time her mother had been happy. The fact she couldn't remember panicked her. How had it come to this? If she'd made sure her mother was happy, would her parents be divorcing? God. Lauren almost doubled over in grief. She stopped herself by digging her fingers into her scalp and pushing her hair back to look at her mom.
    "And Dad? Is he okay?"
    Valerie glanced at her watch and Lauren wondered where she wanted to be so damned bad. Anywhere but here? Well, that made two of them. Why schedule a talk, a talk of this magnitude, if one had a pressing engagement?
    "Is there someone else?” She hated the sound of her voice, all tremulous and childlike. She snapped her mouth shut, trying not to cry.
    Valerie wouldn't look at her and Lauren's stomach squeezed. The phone rang and both women jumped. Lauren grasped it. Out there somewhere was a world that hadn't been turned upside down and she wanted desperately to go there.
    "Lauren."
    Seth. She closed her eyes. Seth, who could bring everything back to normal.
    "Lauren, are you there?” His voice was different, almost soft. Concerned.
    "I'm here. Hi."
    "Look, Dad just came by with some news."
    "What kind of news?” Please let it be good.
    "I was hoping you'd tell me. I was hoping you're all right."
    She frowned. “Look, Seth, thanks for calling, but Mom's here."
    "Ah. She's there."
    More confusion, then realization. Seth knew her parents were splitting before she did. Did he