Rest in Pieces by Katie Graykowski Read Free Book Online

beef and a pound of bacon. That was okay because I had a couple of frozen pizzas we could eat after he left. “How’s the homework situation?”
    “Finished in extended care. Except we have to do this stupid genealogy project. It’s due in two weeks. I’m supposed to ask you and dad all these questions.” He tried to sound like he didn’t care, but I caught the sadness in his voice. “Have you heard from him?”
    Max no longer cried for his father. It was a terrible thing to watch grief turn into resignation. I never bad–mouthed David in front of Max, but it took lots of restraint.
    “Nope, sorry buddy.” I sat beside him. “Let me see those questions. We can always call grandma and see if she knows the answers to them.”
    David’s mom thought the sun rose and set in David’s eyes, which of course meant she absolutely hated me. That was fine because the feeling was mutual. If I didn’t love Max with every fiber of my being, I wouldn’t have volunteered to call the old dragon.
    “We’ll figure this out together.” I ruffled his hair. “So let’s get serious now. What have you built on Minecraft today?”
    “A new house with an underground bunker. Wanna see?” His eyes lit up. If my son was any indication, Minecraft brought more happiness to elementary school households than Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy combined.
    “Absolutely. Let me just change and I’ll be right out.” I smoothed his hair down where I’d ruffled it.
    “Wear the jeans and the red shirt. Emma’s dad said you look hot in that shirt.” He edged off the bed, walked out the door, and closed it behind him.
    So kids these days discussed the hotness of their parents? Wow, things really had changed.
    He was growing up way too fast. I shrugged out of my work clothes, slipped on the jeans and the red shirt Max had pointed to, and pulled on some fluffy socks. At least the socks were part of my normal after work wardrobe.
    “Okay, Maximus Cuticus, I can’t wait to see my new Minecraft house.” I padded down the hall and headed toward my small living room. Astrid’s guesthouse has two tiny bedrooms, a small living room, and a surprisingly huge kitchen with what are probably state of the art appliances, but they’re completely lost on me. The year–around heated pool, sauna, tennis court and workout room were burdens I forced myself to live with every single day. We all have our crosses to bear.
    My socks barely made any sound on the chocolate travertine floors.
    As I walked into the living room, I pulled my now–thick hair up into a ponytail and secured it with an elastic band, then came up short. Ben and Max were head–to–head in front of our home laptop. One blonde head melted into the other.
    I shook my head. “Show me whatcha got.”
    “Hey.” Ben turned around and smiled, his gaze starting at my head and slowly moving down. The look should have been lascivious, but was just plain sexy. Smolder alert. My lady parts yawned awake, stood at attention, and said, “yes please.” Guess Max was right about the red shirt.
    “Your hair is different. I meant to tell you earlier that it looks good…fuller or fluffier or something.” He’d changed out of his uniform and into pressed khakis and a blue–green button down that matched his eyes. And he’d noticed my hair. David wouldn’t have noticed my hair if I’d colored it purple and set it on fire.
    “Thanks.” I slid my hands into my back pockets and spied the enormous paper sack from It’s All Good Barbecue sitting on the kitchen island. Probably I should offer to make a salad to go with dinner, but anyone who knows me knows that I hate salad and rarely have anything green—well, unless it’s turned green—in my fridge.
    “Max, please set the table.” I glanced at Ben. “Wanna beer?”
    “Okay Mom, just let me finish this.” Max banged away on the keyboard building something on Minecraft.
    “Wait…sorry. I forgot that you’re low carb.” I