Discovering Normal by Cynthia Henry Read Free Book Online Page B

time. Don’t push. He’s very close to Chris and he’s only ten. He’s missing his dad. Just allow him that.”
    George glanced at Noah who had hiked Audrey to an ancient drinking fountain. “He looks just like him.”
    “Acts like him too,” Beth whispered and gave George a gentle pat .
    George sighed and adjusted his tie. Beth felt for him too--for all of the men in her life. They were all hurting in one way or another and she was probably to blame. “It’ll all work out, George. In time.”
    He was a handsome man, though Beth had always been more attracted to roguish danger than upscale polish , but he was kind and understanding and he’d always loved her. She wouldn’t have been strong enough to move on had he not been there to cushion her fall.
    “We’re still having dinner tonight, right?”
    Beth nodded. “Of course.”
    George turned to her children. “Who would like to go to Papa Joe’s House of Pizza?”
    Audrey hopped, spun, teetered and then hopped again.
    Noah shrugged, but followed in line after giving Miss Hilton’s fifth grade room a final once over.
     
     
    Chapter 6
     
     
    The Most Masterful was annoyed.
    He ignored the knock, concentrating instead on Chanta-Clara. Lovely, young, raw material. Just eighteen, she was a true find; one of the few who had taken little coercing when she’d realized she’d been chosen. She arrived a few days ago and quicker than usual, The Most Masterful was informed last night that Chanta-Clara was ready.
    The knock persisted and with each rap, Chanta-Clara grew more distant.
    “Enter!” he snarled and lifted from the bed, grabbing his silken shirt in the process.
    Dara-Dawn stood hovering. Her child was evident. Soon The Most Masterful’s first offspring would be born.
    But not his last.
    He hastily buttoned. “I trust you have a good reason to disturb me.”
    Dara-Dawn curtsied as she attempted not to look at Chanta-Clara who had drawn a sheet to her chin. “I do, Your Most Masterful.”
    He rolled his hand in impatience. “Very well…”
    Dara-Dawn evidently chose not to take in the sight of his newest conquest. She turned so her back was to the girl. “We’ve just received word.”
    Tired of the game now, he sucked in a breath. “Divulge your knowledge, Dara-Dawn or prepare to be sorry that you hesitated.”
    “The Master Courier sent me. He believed I’d have an easier time gaining access to your quarters.”
              “What is it already? You’re disturbing me!”
    Chanta-Clara had shimmied down beneath the sheets, only the tip of her long nose and the points above it were visible.
    Dara-Dawn shifted and fidgeted, folding and unfolding her fingers. Such a human reaction.
    “Enough!” he screamed. And the day had seemed so promising. The first shipment of the powder had departed from a Swedish dock just that morning. Chanta-Clara had come to his bed without any difficulty.
    And Christopher Stoddard was poised for payback.
    But Dara-Dawn was getting on the very mortal part of The Most Masterful’s nerves.
    She trembled and shook and wrapped her arms around her torso. “We have it on good authority that The Evil Stoddard and his wife, The Divine Farley- Fauna, are no longer living together.”
    And to quote the simple boys he’d heard on the streets of Wales when something so wonderful and surprising had occurred, “Fucking A.”
    Dara-Dawn curtsied and at last looked to the girl in the bed. “What would you have us do, your Excellency?”
              He tapped his long fingers against his lips, once, twice, three times. Could there be a more perfect sign? The Most Masterful could hear his father in the divine heaven above muttering, “As it should be. As it always should’ve been.”
    “Proceed. I will send specific directions to those in need.”
    Dara-Dawn looked genuinely confused. The long thick braid that she’d fashioned her hair in swung behind her. “But, your excellency--”
    He tilted