If She Only Knew by Lisa Jackson Read Free Book Online Page A

Always before Marla had sensed a hardness underlying his words, but not this time, not while dealing with his daughter. “Nana was just using an analogy. Now, come on, isn’t there a soda machine down the hall? Here’s some change, run down there and get yourself a Coke or something.”
    Marla felt a stab of tenderness for this man she couldn’t remember, but Cissy was having none of his platitudes.
    â€œI think you’re keeping something from me. It’s because that woman was killed, right? That Pam woman died in the crash and Mom . . . Mom might be charged with murder or something, right? That’s . . . that’s why all the police are hanging around.”
    Murder? What were they talking about? In a spurt of adrenalin, her mind cleared.
    â€œManslaughter. Not murder.”
    What?
    â€œDetective Paterno is only trying to figure out what happened. It was an accident, honey. No one was murdered. Your mom’s going to be fine. She’ll get better and come home, the police will ask her to tell them what happened and, I suspect, that will be the end of it.”
    â€œThen why did you go and get Uncle Nick if it’s not a big deal?”
    â€œIt’s time Nick returned, okay?” he snapped, then caught himself. “Now, here . . .” There was the sound of jangling metal, keys or coins chinking softly. “Why don’t you run down to the machine in the cafeteria and bring Nana and me each a soda. Slice or Sprite, or whatever they’ve got. Get something for yourself, too.”
    A clink of change.
    Marla expected another argument, but there wasn’t much of one.
    Cissy, grumbling under her breath, made her way to the door, her footsteps disappearing as the pain in Marla’s head began to return with a vengeance.
    The temperature in the room had dropped twenty degrees. What was this talk of murder and manslaughter? Who was Pam? Oh, God, did I kill her? Marla’s heart raced, she felt sweat break out on the back of her neck. If only she could remember. If only she could ask questions and get some answers. If only she knew something!
    â€œI hate to admit it,” Eugenia said, “after all he is my son, but I’m starting to doubt if it was a good idea to insist that Nick come home.”
    â€œWait a minute. This was your idea.”
    â€œI know, I know,” she said as if shaking her head at her own folly. “I was upset with the accident and everything else . . . but there was that business between him and Marla.”
    What? What business? Marla tried to open her mouth but couldn’t and though she was fighting the pull of unconsciousness, she felt herself being dragged under the weight to slip into the soft void of unawareness so overpowering she had to strain to hear the conversation.
    â€œThat was fifteen years ago.”
    â€œHe never got over it.”
    â€œOf course he did, there were lots of women since.” Alex sounded impatient. Edgy. As if the subject cut too close to the bone.
    â€œNone of those others lasted more than a few months. He and Marla—”
    â€œI remember.” Alex’s voice was ice and Marla knew she should be concerned, but was sinking too quickly. “However we don’t have much choice, now, do we? I told him she spoke his name and he agreed to come.”
    Did I speak? How? She didn’t remember being able to say anything and she ached to communicate in any way possible. Marla had thousands of questions to ask her family, questions about the baby, her daughter, her life. She tried to say something, to cough, to get their attention . . . Why couldn’t she speak? Her fingers curled in frustration.
    â€œDid you see that?” Alex said quickly.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œShe moved. Look at her hand.”
    Yes! Yes! I can hear you! Do you understand?
    â€œGet the doctor,” Alex ordered. “Finally. Maybe she’s finally waking up!” There was an edge of