Revenge of Cornelius by Tanya R. Taylor Read Free Book Online

Mama," the boy replied
softly.
    "Are you tired?" She sat next to him
and felt his fore-head.
    "A little."
    Andrea looked at Rosie. "Rosie, would
you like to help me downstairs? We can let Alex rest for a while,
then a little later, you two can play some more."
    Rosie glanced at Alex. "Yes,
Ma'am."
    "Mama, I don't want Rosie to leave.
Please, can she stay with me?"
    Andrea stared at him for a few
moments. "She would have only been gone for a little while,
honey."
    "No, Mama. I want her to stay!" he
pleaded.
    "Okay." Andrea sighed. "I'll turn on
the TV for you guys. You can just watch TV for a while."
    "Don't worry, Mrs. Benjamin. I'll take
good care of Alex," Rosie stated—the sincerity in her voice brought
about an unexpected smile to the woman's face.
    Andrea patted Rosie's arm. "Thanks,
dear. You're so nice." She went over and switched on the television
before leaving the room.
     
    * * *
     
    Mira looked at her reflection in the
mirror. The blue, fish-shaped, dangling earrings complimented the
light-blue pants outfit she was wearing. She was ready to go and
expected Bobby to show up at any minute. Her mother was elated when
she heard they were actually going on a date, although Mira made it
clear to her that it wasn't a real date - just lunch.
    "What are you
doing?" She shook her head slowly, still
staring back at herself. " You know you
don't want to give him any false hope." With that, Mira heard a vehicle pull up in front of the yard.
She snatched her purse from the bed and headed out front. The car
door slammed shut and she arrived at the kitchen door just before
Bobby had a chance to knock.
    "Hi. Wow!" Bobby said with a surprised
look smothering his face. "You look…very nice."
    "Thanks," Mira answered squarely. "We
ought to get going."
     
    As she went to lock the door behind
them, they heard a car pull up on the driveway.
    "It's your folks," Bobby
said.
     
    He and Mira watched as Sara got out
from the driver's side and went over to help Michael out of the
car. She placed his arm across her shoulder and started to walk
with him. Bobby rushed over to help. He took the other
side.
    "What's wrong?" Mira asked, quickly
re-opening the door of the house.
    Michael looked extremely lethargic and
his eyes had a slightly pink hue that Mira hadn’t seen
before.
    "Your father is just a little tired
right now, honey," Sara replied. "We're going to get him inside and
tucked into bed."
    "But it's so early in the day. Dad,
are you all right?"
    Michael nodded, but didn't say a word.
Mira followed as they helped him to his bedroom. Bobby returned to
the living room, moments later, and sat down on the
couch.
    "Honey, could you give me a few
minutes alone with your father please?" Sara asked Mira. "I'll be
right out as soon as I'm done."
    Mira's silence served as an
affirmative answer and Sara gently closed the door behind her. Mira
heard the deadbolt click. Massaging the nape of her neck, she
sauntered out to where Bobby was. "I wonder what's the matter," she
said. "Dad looked so weak and out of it."
    "He probably didn't get much sleep
last night and just feels exhausted," Bobby submitted.
    "I don't know." She sat next to him in
contemplation. "He hasn't looked like himself lately and all the
weight he's lost since the last time I saw him… I just don't
know."
    They sat quietly until they heard the
bedroom door open, then shut softly again.
    Sara joined them in the living room.
It suddenly seemed like she bore the weight of the world on her
shoulders.
    "So, you two were on your way out I
see?" She tried unsuccessfully to sound upbeat.
    "Mom, what's wrong with Dad?" Mira cut
to the chase.
    "Is Rosie still at the Benjamins'
house?"
    "Yes," Mira quickly answered the
question she knew her mother had posed to somehow avoid the
previous question.
    "You two are dressed up so nicely. Why
don't you go on your way and we can talk when you get back, sweet
pea? Your father just needs some rest and he'll be fine in a few
hours. Trust me."
    Mira