The Great Bedroom War by Laurie Kellogg Read Free Book Online Page A

on the shoulder. “It’s good to see you, buddy. Are you just visiting, or are you back to stay?”
    “I’m hoping to stay.”
    “When I saw the SUV in your driveway, I thought someone might be breaking in.”
    “Thanks for keeping an eye on the place.” Nick looked at him sideways. “Hey, you used to have a spare key to our house. Did Samantha give you or Jenny a replacement that fits the new locks?”
    “Sorry, I don’t think so.” Keith stroked Chewie’s back. “I see you got yourself a dog.”
    “Something Sam isn’t going to be happy about”. In fact, she would probably have a meltdown that would make Chernobyl seem like a big weenie roast.
    Keith chuckled, leaning against the railing. “He’s an interesting looking specimen.”
    “Go ahead, say it. He’s butt-ugly. I adopted him because I figured no one else would. Anyway, what’re you doing home during the day?”
    “I guess Sam didn’t tell you. I was laid off four months ago.” Keith sighed. “Rick DeLuca and Bill Sutton are out of work, too. The economy is killing us. And with the unemployment rate what it is, finding a job is practically impossible.”
    It wasn’t just the economy. The lightening-speed advancement in digital technology and the Internet’s explosion had rendered a multitude of traditional occupations nearly obsolete. His three friends, with whom he’d shared duty in Redemption’s volunteer fire department, all had families to support, which made their unemployment especially difficult. More likely than not, his neighbors, who had all be cut from middle management positions at large companies, would have to think about major career changes.
    “I’m sorry to hear that,” Nick said. “How’s Bill handling it?” Their mutual friend and his wife had lost their oldest daughter, Leah, to a tragic automobile accident only a year and a half ago. “Are he and Ginny doing better?”
    “Yeah. Jake talked Bill into going for marital counseling, but I don’t think they can afford it now.”
    “I’ll let you know if I hear of any openings you’re qualified for.” He glanced across the road toward Jake Manion’s sprawling ranch-style house. “So what else has been happening in the neighborhood?”
    Keith’s gaze followed his. “Did Samantha tell you Jake’s son, Alex, knocked up his girlfriend and married her this past summer?”
    “ No way .” And his almost-a-shrink neighbor had the nerve to give Sam advice about raising their daughter? “That must be tough for Alex,” Nick said, recalling how terrified he’d been when Sam had told him she was pregnant, and how his career plans had changed almost overnight. “What about his football scholarship? Jake must’ve blown a fuse.”
    “Oh, Alex is still starting at Penn State. Jake isn’t making it too easy for them, but the kids are managing.”
    “Good.” He sighed, wishing he and Sam had had that kind of support system.
    “That’s not the juiciest part of the story, though,” Keith continued. “Jake just married Alex’s mother-in-law. There was a huge scandal this past summer with the school board. But that’s a long story best told over a cold six-pack.”
    “Right.” They sounded like a couple of old women gossiping. “How’re Jen and the boys?”
    His friend’s mouth stretched into a tight smile. “Good.”
    “Don’t bullshit me, mi amigo . Your expression says it’s anything but good.”
    “Jenny’s flipping out that we might be forced to move. We’re fighting constantly.”
    Keith’s dental hygienist wife was over a decade younger than him, and their twins, Austin and Aiden were only five—or, at least, they had been when Nick moved to California. He supposed they would be about six now.
    “She’s still working though, right?” he asked, stepping down off the porch.
    “Yes, thank God.” Keith followed him onto the front lawn. “She was able to switch to full-time since I’m here for the boys after school. I’m going