In Seconds by Brenda Novak Read Free Book Online Page A

she’d had no idea they’d planned an activity so out of the ordinary. “What do you mean, you’re going fishing?”
    “Nana Vera said I could do anything I want. Today is my half birthday.” He grinned at the idea of having a second birthday in one year. “So I picked fishing. I’ve never been fishing before.”
    A twinge of guilt added yet another element to the chaos of Vivian’s emotions. Myles had invited her and the kids to go out on the lake a few weeks ago, had specifically mentioned how much her son would enjoy it, and she’d refused.
    She didn’t feel comfortable with Jake being near the water today, either. She wasn’t as afraid of letting him grow attached to Vera as she was Myles. Vera seemed far safer in that regard. She needed Vera’s help too badly to avoid letting her have contact with the children, anyway. But she wasn’t sure their “nana” was completely reliable when it came to keeping Jake safe so close to the lake. Would she have the physical strength and agility to save him if he fell in?
    Or was she being overprotective? He’d be wearing a life jacket, he knew how to swim and no doubt he’d be fishing from the wharf, where so many young men liked to go.
    Because of everything that had happened—the release of her brother from prison, his and Rex’s attempt to leave The Crew and The Crew’s determination to stop them or make them pay—Vivian had a tendency to shield her children too much. That only made her son more determined to escape the strictures of her concern. She could sense him pulling away from her as he grew older, preferring to spend time with Myles and other men, to embrace life without fear or reservation.
    But there was so much Jake didn’t know, so much she wouldn’t tell him for fear he’d have to carry the same burden she did…?.
    “What about your sister?” she asked, stalling while she decided whether or not she’d go along with this.
    He selected a box of cereal from the pantry. “It’s not her half birthday, so she doesn’t get to go.”
    “Why not?” This came from Mia, who’d entered the kitchen behind him. Still in her nightgown, she lookedas tired as Jake. But, in true Mia fashion, she wasn’t about to miss out on anything. She seemed to feel as if she should be able to trail after her brother 24/7.
    “Because it’s not your half birthday,” he said with sufficient exasperation to tell them both that he was tired of repeating it. “You’ll get your turn. I was born first, so I get to go first. You heard Nana.”
    Her bottom lip jutted out. “I want to catch a fish.”
    Vivian handed Jake a bowl and a spoon, which he carried, together with his cereal, to the table. “Then ask Nana to take you fishing when it’s your turn,” he said.
    “I’m calling her!” Mia started for the phone on the wall, but Vivian intercepted her by sweeping her into both arms for a hug. She was getting too big to carry, but Vivian couldn’t resist. Besides, this day meant a lot to Jake. Vivian felt she had to agree to it or risk driving an even bigger wedge between them.
    “We’ll let Jake have his half birthday and plan yours, okay?” she said.
    Mia opened her mouth to complain, but Vivian spoke before she could. “What are you going to do for yours?”
    The furrows on her forehead disappeared. “Make a cake,” she announced. “And have a party!”
    “That sounds like fun,” Vivian said. “Will I be invited?”
    Her daughter gave her an impish grin. “Will you bring a present?”
    Vivian laughed. “Of course.”
    “What kind of present?”
    “Aren’t presents supposed to be a surprise?”
    As Mia tried to weasel an answer out of her, Jake wolfed down his cereal, set his bowl in the sink and went up to brush his hair and teeth.
    Just as Vivian heard the faucet go off, a car horn sounded outside.
    “Nana’s here!” she called up to him.
    Rapid footsteps pounded the old wooden floor in the hallway above as he dashed for the stairs and