Repeat(22)

“I think I better make you a list of required reading as well, Frances,” says Iris.

“I’m not into romance, neither the genre nor the state of being.”

“Have you ever read one?”

“Well, no, but I’ve tried a few real-life romances and I have to say—”

“Of course you have to find the right one. The story that speaks to you.” Iris sips her coffee, somehow appearing both serene and stern. It’s quite a trick. “At the heart, romance is about hope, and that’s what keeps us going, dear. The eternal quest to improve ourselves, our lives, our world.” Suddenly, she snaps her fingers in front of her face. “Ah, I have it. Just the one.”

Now Frances looks vaguely worried. “It’s fine, really. Don’t trouble yourself.”

In a flash, the coffee is back on the little table and Iris is off to the bookshelves, moving like a woman on a mission. “No trouble at all. Romance isn’t all kissing and bedroom action, you know. Though there’s often some of that too. Don’t be a mindless slave to misogynistic prejudices. That’s never a good look. Think for yourself, form your own opinions. These are stories about women standing up for themselves and what they believe in. Women working to be whole and demanding what they deserve. Here we go!”

I’m pretty sure Frances would climb under the chair if there was a chance she’d fit.

In a moment, Iris is striding back and handing Frances her prize. “I get the feeling you’ve suffered some hurts, but it wouldn’t do to grow bitter and closed-minded. I think you deserve better than that, don’t you?”

“I guess it wouldn’t hurt to try just one.” Frances closes her mouth, her brow furrowed as she takes the book. I peek at the title: Sweet Dreams by Kristen Ashley.

“Excellent.” Iris’s smile is beatific. She sits back down, picks up her coffee, and turns her attention to me. “Now, what are we going to do about you, Clementine?”

“Me? I’ll read the books you tell me to.” After her impassioned spiel to my sister, I wouldn’t dare do otherwise. “Promise.”

“I meant about your situation, but I’m delighted to hear that you continue to love reading.”

“Oh, there’s not much we can do on that score. The bank let me go since I can’t remember what my job is and that’s not going to change anytime soon,” I report. “And I’m supposed to be taking it easy, though I’ve been doing that for weeks, and it’s boring as all hell. It just means I have more time to spend alone, fixating on everything I don’t know and getting stressed out.”

“You’re lost.” Iris sighs. “I don’t like seeing you like this.”

“She’ll figure things out eventually,” says Frances. “There’s no rush.”

I set my mug back on the tray. “I need something to do with myself before I drive what’s left of my mind insane. Maybe I should volunteer somewhere.”

Iris tips her head. “Well, I could certainly do with some help here. I can’t afford to pay much, but you’d be very welcome and the work wouldn’t be overly cumbersome. No need to take on more than you’re ready for.”

“Really? That would be great!”

“You’re supposed to be resting,” says my sister, face tight. Definitely not pleased with the plan at all. “Doctors don’t give out orders just for shits and giggles. It freaks me out enough that you wander the streets on your own, going out for coffee.”

“Come on, Frances. I need to start rebuilding. Look around you. This is as soft a start in as safe an environment as I’m going to get.”

“I’d be able to keep an eye on her if she was here, make sure she’s not overdoing things. Surely that’s better than her being on her own?” Iris sounds so calm and reasonable, making it hard to disagree. “Why, there’s even the sofa if she needs to rest. She wouldn’t be in anybody’s way.”

Frances looks between the older woman and me, her mouth little more than a thin worried line. “I don’t know; it’s so soon.”

“This is an awesome opportunity, and I’ll be fine.” I meet her scowl with one of my own. She won’t win this fight. She has to know that. I needed my own space, my own life. And I want to do this.

“It’s not like I can stop you,” she mutters. “I guess.”

That’s about as good as it’s going to get.

Iris and I grin. Look out world, I am gainfully employed.





Chapter Five


Noise startles me awake. The glowing green digits of the alarm clock indicate it’s around three in the morning. The crash of glass breaking. A thump and groan followed by metallic screeching. It’s all jarringly loud in the dark. I almost fall off the mattress, frantically searching for my cell on the bedside table.

Close by, a dog starts barking. A man yells from somewhere across the street. Frances isn’t due home for another hour or two so I’m on my own. My head’s so fuzzy from sleep, it doesn’t occur to me to be scared. Not yet.

I stumble out into the quiet of the house, pulling back the curtains on one of the front living room windows.

Huh. Everything outside seems to be as it should be. With the exception of the dude across the road standing on his front porch in his robe. So I’m not the only person who heard something. At least that means it wasn’t just a dream.