Collide: A Riverbend Novel by Sara Daniell Read Free Book Online

to the
truck mom said, "No smoking."
     
    "Yes ma'am," I mumbled as
we got into my truck.
     
    "Why didn't you have dad
drive you?" I asked as I drove.
     
    She laughed. "He wouldn't
have brought me."
     
    I pulled up to the pharmacy
and noticed them flipping the sign to closed. They closed early on
Saturdays, but I knew that little sign wasn't stopping her. Mom got
out of the truck before I could cut the engine off. Alrighty then . I knew I
should probably go with her.
     
    I got out and followed her.
She banged her fist against the glass door so hard I could hear the
bells on the door inside.
     
    The pharmacist opened the
door and managed to smile. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Satterly. Can I
help you?"
     
    Mom reared back her purse
the size of a boulder and probably as heavy as one too and knocked
him upside his head. "You almost killed her you moron!!" That
caused a few cars to slow down as they passed the drug
store.
     
    The pharmacist rubbed his
head. "What are you talking about?!"
     
    Mom's hands shook as she
pulled the paper for a refill out of her purse. She slammed it
against his chest. "You gave her the wrong insulin!"
     
    He took the prescription in
his hands. "I'm so sorry."
     
    I knew he truly was and so
did mom. It was a mistake. A bad one. But by the look on his face I
knew he wouldn't make it again.
     
    "I'll go fill this. Why
don't you two come inside where it's warm?" He held the door as we
stepped inside.
     
    I sat next to mom in the
waiting area. She wiped her eyes as more tears fell. "It's my
responsibility to keep her safe. I can't believe this
happened."
     
    Mom needed Garrett or dad
here to comfort her. I was never good at sympathy. I was the suck
it up and move on type of guy. There was no doubt she had scared
the hell out of me, but she was fine. Everyone needed to calm
down.
     
    I stood and walked outside,
reached in my truck and got out my cigarettes. Just as I lit one I
heard a horn honk. I nodded at Ruth Ann in her lime green Camaro.
She winked and sped up. She was the slut of Riverbend. If it had a
dick she'd sleep with it. I wasn't that desperate. If I wanted sex,
I could get it. That was never a problem for me.
     
    Mom walked out. "Put that
thing out!" she said grabbing the cigarette from me and stomping on
it. She pulled hand sanitizer out of her purse and rubbed it into
her skin.
     
    We got in the truck. "What
did I tell you about doing that in public?! Ha?! The lip ring and
tattoo is enough to ruin my rep as a social worker! If I can't
control my own kids what will make people think I can help with
others?!"
     
    "Sorry," I
grumbled.
     
    "No you're not. Just take
me home."
     
    She was right. I wasn't.
And I knew I was wrong for that, but it didn't bother me enough to
change. I drove us home.
     
    We walked in the house not
speaking. I had to admit, what she said kind of hurt a little. I
normally didn't mind the truth even if it hurt. But today, knowing
she was already upset, it shook me up a little.
     
    Dad met mom at the door as
she took off her jacket. "She's resting upstairs. She's fine,
honey."
     
    Mom nodded. "I'm going to
start lunch."
     
    Mom walked off and dad
stopped me before I could go upstairs.
     
    "How'd it go at the
pharmacy?"
     
    I smirked. "Before or after
she hit the guy with her purse?"
     
    Dad pinched the bridge of
his nose and sighed. "I'll go talk to her. I'm sure she's
embarrassed."
     
    I nodded. "Good idea. Is it
alright if I go out?"
     
    "Sure. But please stick to
your curfew. Your mother has dealt with enough today."
     
    "Yes, sir."
     
    I put my jacket back on and
walked back out to my truck.

 
     

     
    REESE
     
    I looked down at my
painting of the Satterly family and smiled. The art teacher stared
at it over my shoulder. "Very nice. Johanna will love
it."
     
    Art was my favorite class
and the place I hid out. I'd just put up my work when Havock walked
in. "Hey," I said as I covered the paintings I had done. I'd made
one for him and Garret as