Whispers Read Online Free PDF

But—”
    â€œNo.” She tried to wiggle away, to hide from the truth, but Claire decided that there was no time like the present, especially if Samantha’s friends were giving her a bad time.
    â€œBut it’s also true that Jessica says she and Daddy were . . . well, were intimate.”
    Samantha’s body began to tremble violently. “Intimate?”
    â€œMeaning that he fucked her,” Sean clarified.
    â€œNo!”
    â€œSean, hush!” Claire clung to her daughter. “Don’t use that kind of language around this house—”
    Samantha’s eyes were wild. “But he didn’t, did he? Daddy would never, ever—”
    â€œWhatever happened, you have to have faith in your father,” Claire heard herself saying, though the words rang like the hollow sound of a lonely bell. She’d lost faith in Paul a long time ago; she’d given up on him and their sham of a marriage years before. She’d only stuck it out for the kids. Now that seemed like a cruel, disgusting joke. Her children would forever bear these scars. “Daddy and I were already separated when . . . well, when Jessica said that it happened.”
    â€œYou’re saying that Jessica lied?” Samantha asked, hope in her tiny voice.
    â€œNo way!” Sean sneered. “I walked in on them. They were humping like dogs in heat!”
    â€œStop it, Sean!”
    â€œNo!” Samantha shook her head violently. “No! No! No!”
    â€œHoney, I’m just telling you what Jessica is saying.” Claire’s throat was suddenly raw with the pain her daughter felt.
    â€œBut why?” Samantha’s voice was an octave higher than normal.
    â€œBecause she’s a slut, and he’s a pervert.”
    â€œI don’t know,” Claire said. “Sean, I don’t want to hear another word—”
    â€œNo! It’s not true!” Samantha’s body stiffened, and she pushed Claire away. “I don’t believe you!” She ran to the door. “You’re a liar, Sean, a creepy, lowlife liar!”
    The door banged shut behind her, and Claire whirled on her son. “That was uncalled for.”
    â€œThat was the truth.”
    â€œThere are kinder ways—”
    â€œYeah, like letting Candi Suck-Up Whittaker rub Sam’s nose in it! Face it, Mom, Dad’s a sex fiend who likes young girls. Samantha’s better off knowing the truth. That way she won’t get hurt anymore.”
    â€œWon’t she?” Claire whispered under her breath as she ran after Samantha through the house, out the front door, and down the street. A hot breeze turned the leaves of the aspen trees, causing them to shimmer in the sunlight, and somewhere behind the neighbor’s house a dog was barking fiercely. Claire dashed down the sidewalk, dodging a tricycle and a bump in the walk where the roots of a tree had buckled the cement, all the while chasing after her daughter. Samantha was sobbing, her golden hair streaming behind her, her long legs running fast, as if she could leave the horrid words and accusations back in the house.
    Running away. Just like you, Claire. But you can’t run. Sooner or later the past catches up to you.
    At Center Street, Samantha ran against the light and a pickup squealed to a stop, narrowly missing her. Claire’s heart stopped and she screamed. “Watch out!” No. No. No.
    â€œHey, kid, watch where you’re goin’,” the driver barked, a cigarette wobbling in the corner of his mouth.
    Heart pumping with fear, Claire held out her hand and ran in front of his rig.
    â€œWhat the hell—”
    â€œSamantha, wait, please,” Claire yelled, but Samantha didn’t even glance over her shoulder.
    â€œFriggin’ idiots!” The truck roared off.
    Breathing hard, Claire caught up with her daughter a block away from the park. The sun was blistering, blinding as it reflected off the