Boswell, LaVenia by THE DAWNING (The Dawning Trilogy) Read Free Book Online Page A

after her shower and shampoo to get the curls just right again, which did require a talent she would have to learn.  Her own long hair was strictly wash and wear
                When she came home with the Alice wig, knowing it was all the rage again, she was happy she could now have her long hair and enjoy her Alice look too.  She thought it was a safe and easy way to express herself.
                Her wig freaked out her Dad.  He didn’t like her new hairstyle one bit and growled, “Your hair had been beautiful before you chopped it all off.”  Seeing the angry look on her face he’d added more softly, “But since you’re such a beautiful young lady anyhow, I guess I can learn to live with it.  But I liked the long hair better!”
                Like, well, yeah.  Then she showed him it was just a wig.  Was he ever relieved!
                She waited to hear a car horn when the door bell chimed.  She was in the kitchen emptying the dishwasher while Thomas was in the foyer tossing down his duffle bag for his return to the Gainesville hospital. 
                Thomas bellowed out, “Well, hi Jason.  Been a while big guy.”  She could hear back slaps and shoulder punches.  Guys were so gladiator physical with one another, she just didn’t get it.
                “So, you and sis are going to a beach bash, huh?”  She’d heard this clearly but now they were talking too low for her to pick up on the conversation from the kitchen.  Hum, what now?  Grabbing the small purse she’d made of layers of cream ruffled lace sewn over pink velvet she decided she better get to them before they had cooked up something, knowing her brother.  She was sure and certain she wouldn’t like whatever it was, since she simply didn’t trust men of late.  They seemed determined to undermine the very best of her intentions.
                When she saw Thomas had his arm around Jason’s shoulders and they had walked into the great room, head to head talking low, she was stumped.  Jason shook his head no several times and from his side view he looked upset, which was a rarity for Mister Cool and always Calm.  Neither had seen her coming down the hall or where she’d stopped in the doorway.  Thomas apparently asked Jason something and after a long pause Jason pulled out his cell phone, punched it a few times and turned to show Thomas something on the phone.
                Jennifer carefully stepped back further into the hall and peeked around the corner at them.  When she heard them both gasping and sporadically giving out low curses, and Jason never cursed, she watched with increasing fear as both men clenched and unclenched their fists.  She was afraid, but didn’t know why.  It was bad, whatever it was.
                Tom began talking rapidly and even quieter to Jason, as odd as it was, her brother seemed to be calming Jason down about something.  Whatever for?  Jenny went to her room, trembling slightly, and called out, “I’ll be there in just a minute, I’m trying to find something.” 
                Tip-toeing through the hall she peeked around the door again.  They were sitting chair pulled up to chair and Jason was patting Tom on the shoulder, like reassurance or something.  The roles looked reversed now.  Huh?  What in the world were they up to?  Jenny was about to burst with curiosity. 
                Suddenly their voices returned to normal level and they stood up shaking hands.  Her eyes widened in complete disbelief as Tom gave Jason a big bear hug.  Both guys hugged for about half a minute.  For pities sake, Jennifer thought.  She couldn’t imagine what was going on.  But there was fear in her from seeing their reaction to whatever had been on the phone.  She wasn’t certain if she wanted to know what it was all about or not, what with the anger both showed.