January and the Single Heart by Vi Zetterwall Read Free Book Online

just gotta get there soon.” Jan explained needlessly.
    “I know. You are wound as tight as a drum.  What happened tonight?  I mean before the car issue.”
    Jan started crying.  She wiped her face with a Kleenex and then unloaded.  She needed someone, anyone, even Glen, to understand what had happened.  She told him everything.  From her teenage years taking care of the younger kids to the moment when Eddie let her down. She explained how she had prepared for tonight for so long and then had it all decimated by Eddie’s lame excuse and the untimely demise of her aged Chevy.  When she was done, she stifled another cry and slumped back into her seat.
    As she talked she had pointed to Exit 15 and guided him deeper into the Sammamish Plateau. They were almost there.
    “So that’s it.  Now you know what a pathetic dating disaster I am and how desperate I have become.  Just to please my Mother.  I can’t believe I told you all that stuff.  I imagine everyone in the office will know this too now by Monday.  That will be a nice bit of revenge for you won’t it.”
    Glen glanced at her.  “Did you say something?  Sorry, I wasn’t really listening.”
    Jan gazed over at him.  “You know, just when I start thinking that you are a pretty nice guy sometimes, then I remember you like to cheat on your girlfriend.”
    “You know, about that, I really should tell you …”
    Jan butted in, “Oh slow down, take this right turn here.   It’s that big blue house at the end of the cul-de-sac.”
    Glen eased off the pedal now as he approached.  “Oh, you mean the one with absolutely no parking anywhere nearby.”
    “Doesn’t matter, this is a big deal tonight so my Dad brought in valet service to help with parking.  Just pull into the circular drive and you can drop me off up front.  I have to get the gift out of the back too.  Thanks for giving me the lift.  I guess … I guess I owe you one now.”
    Glen pulled up, stopped the car and got out along with Jan.  He unlocked the trunk so she could get her gift out.  At that point a swirl of people erupted out the front door and Jan was surrounded by family and friends welcoming her.  Her mother was there leading the pack and she embraced Jan like a long-lost daughter and then turned to Glen.  “And this must be Ed!  I am so happy to meet you.”  She reached out and put her arms around Glen and hugged him almost as hard as she had hugged her daughter.  Jan tried to stop her and mumbled something that sounded like “Mom, no …” but it got lost in the crowd’s noise.
    Glen smiled back at Mrs. Falkenberg.  “You know, actually I think you misheard Jan when she said my name.  It’s not Ed, its Red.”  Glen made a silly gesture with his fingers tapping the part of his hair where the reddish tone showed through.  “She always calls me that.  It’s just a nickname.  My real name is Glen, but regardless of that, I am very happy to be here.  Now, it’s cold out here.  Let me walk you back in.”  And with that, he put her arm in his and escorted her into the house with Jan trailing carrying her gift.
    Dina Falkenberg paraded proudly about the room introducing everyone she bumped into to Red, her daughter’s boyfriend.  A few times she mentioned the word, fiancé, and Glen simply went along with it all.  Jan continued fighting her way through the crowd, trying in vain to catch up and stop this farce.  By the time she caught up with them, Glen had met four of her siblings, her father and virtually every one of her Mom’s best friends. 
    When she arrived, almost out of breath at the wine bar, she snagged Glen by his arm and whined, “Mom, don’t monopolize him.  I need a minute alone with my guy.”  She smiled pleasantly and Dina was only too happy to let go of Red and let him be displayed around the room on Jan’s arm for a change.  Jan continued smiling at everyone, nodding a few times to folks and leading Glen into the hallway and