Another Dawn by Kathryn Cushman Read Free Book Online

“Hello?”
    “Check your email.” The voice on the other end of the phone sounded excited.
    “Huh? Who is this?”
    “Well, who do you think it is? Grace, are you okay?”
    Reality was slowly returning, and with it came recognition. “Jasmine?”
    “Yeah.”
    “What’s the matter? What time is it?” Even as the questions slid off my tongue, I realized I knew what was the matter. She’d found out.
    I’d spent the last couple of days trying to decide how I would handle this moment. Finally, I’d come to the conclusion that I should say as little as possible, and in the little bit that I did say, try to say nothing that would give away the fact that I knew this was coming.
    “Nothing’s the matter and it’s nine thirty.”
    I reached for the lamp on the bedside table and flipped it on. “Jasmine, you do realize that nine thirty in California is eleven thirty here in Tennessee, right? I spent the day at the hospital with my father.”
    There was a bit of a pause. “Oops.”
    “What were you saying about my email?”
    “My real estate agent has been talking to an agent near Houston. He sent me a dozen pictures of some of the prettiest houses you’ve ever seen. You were right about the housing prices. These places are perfect.”
    I rubbed my forehead, the truth of the situation here in full force now. “Don’t you think it’s better not to get your hopes up? What if your house doesn’t sell for a while?”
    “My agent says houses like mine are in the only price range moving. He expects it to sell. Especially now that I’m having the guest bathroom redone.”
    “You’re what?”
    “Well, not completely redone, but you remember how out-of-date it is, right?”
    “Jasmine, can you afford this right now?” I knew the answer was no.
    “He told me that a $10,000 investment now could mean a $20,000 increase in sales price. Seems like a good deal to me.”
    And it seemed like a disaster to me. “Jasmine, have you talked . . .” I couldn’t finish the sentence. I didn’t want to be the one to tell her that her dream was ruined. Not now, as groggy as I still felt. “I’m just saying you should use caution, you know, until things move a little more forward with the Blue Pacific deal.”
    “This is my one chance, Grace. And you’re sounding like I usually sound, so lighten up.”
    “Well, you usually sound pretty smart.”
    “What has gotten into you? I think I’ll let you get back to sleep and we’ll talk again in the next day or two, when you’re back to yourself.” She hung up before I could reply.
    I immediately dialed Steve’s number. We hadn’t talked since the breakup, and I wasn’t quite sure even how to begin this conversation. It rang once, twice, three times, and I realized it was about to go to voice mail. Was he avoiding me? Or was he out somewhere on a work night? Having dinner with someone—Daria, perhaps? I shook my head to knock the same questions out of it that were always there and waited for the beep after his message.
    “Hey, it’s me. Listen, I ran into Martin a few days ago and he told me that the Blue Pacific deal is off. I’m in Tennessee right now, but I just talked to Jasmine. She has no idea. She has hired someone to remodel her bathroom to make her house sell for a better price. Could someone please let her know? Soon?” There was so much more I could have said. “I miss you. I’m sorry.” But what was I sorry for? For doubting his intentions? Well, considering the fact that he wasn’t answering his phone at nine thirty on a Monday night, those doubts seemed entirely justified. No, there was nothing more to be said between us, because nothing had changed.

    The next morning Dylan seemed to feel a little worse. His cough grew more persistent; his temperature edged a bit higher. “Mama, can we please go over and play with Hannah Rose after we visit Grandpa in the hospital? I won’t make her sick, I promise.”
    Dylan’s eyes were enormous in normal