Searching for Yesterday by Valerie Sherrard Read Free Book Online Page A

out on so many of the foods he loves.”
    I could have told her a few stories about some of the foods he
wasn’t
missing out on when she wasn’t home,but I didn’t. It wasn’t that often, and after all, he’d been taking medication for his cholesterol. How much harm could the occasional bowl of ice cream with crushed Oreo cookies do?
    â€œAnyway, you said something about dinner ...?”
    â€œYeah. I won’t be here.”
    â€œPlans with Greg?”
    â€œNo. Annie’s foster mother invited me to eat at their place tonight.”
    â€œThat’s the Norton place, right? Pearl and Lou?”
    â€œI think it’s Lucas, actually.”
    â€œOh, yes, you’re right. I haven’t seen Pearl in ages. We went to school together — she was always such a sweet, friendly girl.”
    â€œShe seems very nice,” I agreed, glancing at my watch. “Anyway, I’d better get going. I told Annie I’d be there early.”
    â€œYou girls having any luck with your search for her mother?” Mom stopped kneading while she waited for my answer.
    â€œNot yet. But we’re still looking, and there’s always a chance we could find out something about her father, too.”
    â€œI wonder if he even knows he has a daughter.” Mom shook her head. “Anyway, be sure to invite Annie here for dinner some night soon, too. And tell Pearl I said “hello.’”
    I said I would and headed out. There’d been a lightsnowfall the night before and the ground glistened as though it was covered with a million tiny white diamonds. The air smelled clean and fresh and I breathed it in with pleasure as I walked along.
    When I got to the Nortons’ house, Annie was ready and waiting. She had on a deep chestnut sweater that really complemented her fair complexion. I told her so, but she didn’t answer.
    â€œWhat will we do today?” she asked instead.
    â€œI thought we’d check at the other place your mom worked.” I tried to look hopeful, but it seemed highly doubtful that we’d learn anything.
    â€œBut it’s not even there now.”
    â€œThat’s true, but I got thinking about that this morning and I realized whoever runs the flower store will almost certainly know something about the former occupants of the place. Even if we get the owner’s name, it would give us somewhere to start.”
    â€œHey, that’s a great idea!” Annie’s enthusiasm almost made me feel guilty, but I reminded myself that I’ve come across information in less likely places. It couldn’t hurt, and I was quickly running out of ideas. At least this would give us something to do.
    Mrs. Norton was going to the grocery store, so she dropped us off, reminding us as we got out of the car to be home by five-thirty for dinner.
    The flower shop’s windows were crowded with plants and different flower arrangements. Beyond thatwe could see a couple of women chatting near a counter. I pushed the heavy wooden door open and we went in while a bell tinkled overhead.
    At the sound of the bell, both women looked over at Annie and I. One looked to be in her early thirties, short and slight with short, dirty-blond hair. The other was probably closer to forty, a good deal taller and a little heavier, with her brown hair tied loosely in a ponytail.
    As quickly as they registered the fact that it was just a couple of teenagers who’d come in, they went back to talking to each other, though both kept a sharp eye out in our direction. I don’t know if they thought we might try to stuff a cactus under our jackets or what, but I found it insulting to be watched that way. I had to remind myself that we were there for Annie’s sake. Otherwise, I’d just have walked out.
    The tall woman turned toward us as we neared the counter and said, “Can I help you?” in a flat voice.
    â€œYes, good morning,” I answered, forcing