Second Chance for Love by Leona Jackson Read Free Book Online Page B

that seemed sad. I've heard from a lot of non-pet owners that dogs don't have emotions, but that's bullshit. Bosco knew I was upset and it was causing him anxiety as well.
    “Come on, boy,” I said with a sigh. “Let's go home.”
    Bosco and I walked back to my mother's house. Just like old times, she’d left the porch light on for me. I didn't allow myself to get sentimental about leaving my childhood home again. I just loaded my stuff back into the car and got the hell out of there without a word to anybody. As I pulled onto the highway, sorrow and relief mingled in my gut. By the time I made it to the first rest stop sign, tears were rolling down my face.
    I pulled into the rest stop just as the first rays of the morning sun chased away the darkness of the night. I allowed myself to cry until no more tears could fall and then I moved on. In the back of my mind, I knew leaving was just another band-aid though I hoped it would numb the pain for a little while.
     
     
    Chapter 14: Chase
     
    Jetta was gone when I woke up. At first I thought she might have taken her dog outside, but I knew it was a pipe dream before I even got out of bed. The other side of the bed was cold, letting me know she hadn't slept next to me. I made my way downstairs and into the kitchen hoping and praying I was wrong. A glance out the kitchen window confirmed what I had feared.
    Jetta was gone again. I had failed this time too.
    My mind raced as I started the coffee pot and went out to collect the morning newspaper. I sat at the table listening to the coffee brewing and stared blankly at the paper. My eyes couldn't focus on the words and even if they could have, my mind was busy trying to wrap itself around how I fucked up again.
    When the coffee pot beeped, I poured myself a cup of coffee and added creamer. My hands were shaking so bad, I dropped the tiny creamer container into the cup, splashing hot coffee onto my arms and stomach.
    After retrieving a pack of cigarettes from my truck, I sat on the front porch and chain smoked as the sun came up. The silence of the early morning pounded against my ear drums making me want to scream. I could hear my phone ringing inside, but I didn't care. It was most likely my mother asking why I wasn't there to take Abby to school. In the mood I was in, I didn’t think I should be around Abby.
    The ringing phone motivated me to get dressed and get the hell out of dodge before my mother showed up. I didn't need one of her parental pep talks. I needed a shot of something strong to help me get through the day.
    I got dressed and drove downtown. My stomach was growling, but I didn't stop by the diner. I couldn't stand the thought of facing Henry and his probing questions. What the hell was I supposed to tell him anyway?
    “Yeah, man, I had another chance, but I fucked up and blew it again.”
    Yep, he'd really like hearing that, wouldn't he? I already knew what he'd say and it was better for both of us if I didn't have to hear it. Instead, I drove past the diner and headed towards the highway. I wasn't sure where I was going. Anywhere had to be better than where I was.
    I ended up stopping for breakfast at a pancake house in the next town over. I didn't much like their food, but my growling stomach wasn't willing to wait any longer. I inhaled my food without tasting it and then sipped my coffee. The waitress tried to make small talk. I tried to let her know I wasn't in the mood.
    “Today's not a good day for small talk, okay?” I said, not looking at her.
    “It just looked like you could use a friendly ear son,” she replied.
    I shook my head. “No, ma'am. Today I think I need something a lot stronger than a friendly ear.” I let out a humorless laugh. “Unless your ear is really a whiskey tap.”
    She narrowed her eyes at me and left without another word. I felt bad for being such a jackass when all I wanted was to be left alone.
    I drove around town until I found a bar open at noon. It was blissfully