Flamingo Diner by Sherryl Woods Read Free Book Online

Mama. You’re not yourself right now. None of us are.”
    “It is not okay. I just…” She shook her head, as if to clear it. “I can’t think straight. I don’t want to think at all. Could you get me another one of the pills the doctor left? They’re in the bathroom.”
    Emma retrieved the bottle and read the label. She had no idea what sort of medicine it was. “What are these?” she asked as she brought them into the bedroom.
    “Sleeping pills,” her mother said. “They’re good. They keep me from remembering.”
    “I thought you hated taking pills,” Emma said, worried by the eagerness with which her mother was reaching for the plastic bottle.
    Her mother frowned at her. “I’ve never been in this situation before. The doctor prescribed them. It won’t hurt to take them for a few days, just to get through this.” She swallowed two and drank some water.
    “You mean the funeral?” Emma asked.
    “All of it,” her mother replied. “I want to sleepthrough all of it. I don’t want to wake up until the nightmare ends.”
    Alarmed, Emma reached for the bottle, but her mother held fast. “You can’t hide from this, Mama. None of us can. There are decisions to be made.”
    “Then you make them,” her mother told her, sliding beneath the covers and turning her back. It was like watching a turtle slowly retreat into its protective shell.
    “What about Jeff and Andy? They’re going to need you. I need you.”
    “You’re strong, Emma. You’ll do just fine. Maybe Kim can fly down and help you.”
    “Kim has to work, Mama.”
    “Then you’ll manage. I know you will.”
    This was the second time someone had told Emma she was going to have to handle things. She wasn’t ready for that kind of responsibility. Panicked by the prospect, she said urgently, “No, Mama. You’re the strong one. We’re counting on you.”
    “Don’t,” her mother said flatly.
    Emma stood where she was and stared at her mother’s back, feeling more shut out and alone than she ever had in her life. Her mother was overcome with grief, totally in shock. That’s what it was. It had to be. Rosa Killian wasn’t the kind of woman to turn her back on her family, on her responsibilities. All her life she had taught her children to be caring and generous with their support for friends in need. This retreat from reality wasn’t like her at all.
    Was it possible that her mother had guessed it hadn’t been an accident? Was that what she really couldn’t face? Sooner or later, they would have to talk about it, all of it, but obviously not tonight.
    Leaning down, she pressed a kiss to her mother’s damp cheek. “I love you, Mama.”
    She waited for her mother to say, as she always did, “I love you back,” but there was only silence.
    Outside the door to her mother’s room, Emma leaned against the wall and let the tears flow un-checked down her cheeks. She was beginning to fear that when her father’s car had gone into the lake, she’d lost not only him, but both of her parents.
     
    Matt couldn’t make up his mind whether to go or stay. After Andy had charged past him, he’d considered leaving, but something told him that Emma was going to need him after she saw her mother. Rosa wasn’t herself. Not that anyone could blame her, but she was deliberately shutting everyone out, her kids included. Jeff and Andy had never needed her more, but she hadn’t reached out for them after Matt had delivered the news about Don. When Matt had refused to deny the news of Don’s death, she’d simply gone into her room and closed the door behind her. He doubted it would be any different with Emma. His heart ached for her, for all of them.
    He’d been ready for the tears when he’d met Emma at the airport, but not the underlying vulnerability. The Emma he remembered had been strong, resilient, like her mother. She’d had a biting wit and a confidence that came from knowing that she was well loved. He’d figured the years would only