A New Hope (The Second Chance Series Book 2) by Christina Escue Read Free Book Online Page A

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    “Sure, I’ll help. I used to set the table every Sunday for supper.”
    As they pulled out everything needed to set the table Elliot escaped into his thoughts again. He remembered the last time he sat at this table with his dad and Nana. It was at breakfast the morning his dad was killed. They ate omelets and talked about what they had planned for that day. He couldn’t remember the words they said, but he remembered the love that surrounded him.
    He was pulled from his thoughts by a knock on the front door. Leslie pulled the oven mitt from her hand and went to answer it. A moment later Hank walked in, followed by his mom and dad.
    Karla looked up from setting the last of the forks on the table and smiled. “Hello everyone.”
    “Hello Karla.” Hank said with a smile of his own.
    Just then Andrew walked in from the office and greeted the new arrivals. As they sat down Karla and Leslie put all the dishes on the table. When they were seated too, Andrew started passing the dishes around and everyone loaded their plates.  
    During dinner the conversation centered around Elliot and Hank. They talked about how long they had been friends and all the mischief they had gotten into throughout the years. They remembered the time the boys decided to stay in the hay field one night, but got scared by all the sounds and ran for Elliot’s house. By the end of the meal Karla was feeling a little envious of Elliot’s childhood.
    “May I be excused?” Karla asked Leslie quietly.
    “Sure honey. Is everything alright?” Concern laced Leslie’s voice.
    “Yeah, I just need a minute.”
    “Okay honey. If you need to talk you know I’m here.”
    Karla nodded, got up from the table and walked out the front door. She sat on the porch swing and closed her eyes.
    After she was gone Elliot looked at Leslie and asked, “Is Karla okay?”
    “Yes, she just needed a couple minutes to herself. I think being in Texas is bringing up memories she had buried long ago. Memories of her life before Diane.”
    “Maybe I should go talk to her.” He said worriedly. Karla always seemed so strong, but when she left the table he saw a sadness in her eyes that he had never seen before.
    “If she doesn’t come back in by the time we finish dessert you can go out to her. How does that sound?” Andrew told him.
    “I guess that’s okay.” He answered, sounding slightly defeated.
    “I know you’re worried about her, but Karla sometimes just needs a few minutes alone to pull herself together. It doesn’t mean she doesn’t need us.”
    “It seems like it’s my fault somehow. She looked sad when she left.”
    “It isn’t your fault, Elliot.” Karla said from behind him, making him jump. “I was just feeling a bit envious of your childhood and needed to process why. I’m alright now. I promise.”
    “Will you tell me about your life with our mom someday? Elliot asked with more confidence than he felt.
    “I will, someday.” She answered. That’s one conversation she did not want to have, but she knew that he needed to know.
    He smiled shyly at her, but didn’t say anything else. The rest of the meal passed quickly and when they were finished they cleared the table and Elliot pulled down the Monopoly game. “I want to finish the game we started before dad died. Andrew can step in and play Dad’s, if he wants, and Karla can play Nana’s.”
    “Are you sure, Elliot?” Karla asked tentatively. “I know you mentioned it the other day, but before we start you need to be sure.”
    “I’m sure. I think Dad and Nana would want us to finish it.”
    “Then I’m in.” She said with a smile. Elliot had more strength than any of them realized.
    For the next couple of hours they played and laughed together. When the game ended, and Karla had won, Elliot and Hank said a sad goodbye and the Robertson’s left.
    After they cleaned the kitchen and put everything away they loaded into the car and went to the hotel. They had an early flight in