The Memory Child by Steena Holmes Read Free Book Online

eye—regret? Pity? I wa sn’t sure.
    “Let her know we are here if she ever needs us. With Brian’s…” Chad’s voice faltered when Nina coughed. “Right, well, um, well, we’re here. I’ll keep the grass trimmed, and all that…stuff.”
    “And I’d be more than happy to give you a break if you wanted one,” Natasha added. “You know, to sit with Diane and have a cup of coffee or something. I’d been meaning to bake a cake lately. What’s her favorite kind? Do you think she’d li ke that?”
    I sank back down on the step and hugged my knees. From the way they talked, I sounded like a char ity case.
    Was I?

    Shadows grew along the floor as I wandered aimlessly through the silent house with Grace in my arms.
    I wasn’t one for silence. There was something about it that un nerved me.
    If Brian were there, he’d have teased me that I don’t like to be alone with my own thoughts. He’d be partial ly right.
    I preferred to be surrounded by sound, whether it was music, the television, or the hum of the dishwasher. It really didn’t matter, as long as I wasn’t left alone i n silence.
    When I was growing up, our house was always quiet. Too quiet. My dad would sit in front of the muted television while he drank endless bottles of beer. I never understood how he could make it into work the next day until I realized he was a functioning alcoholic. It took me years to figure that out. I never knew, in that silence, what he would do if I were to turn my music up or ask him a question.
    I knew Nina didn’t like it, but I needed noise. I had a feeling she went throughout the day with the radio on low, whereas I always ended turning the volume up when I was home. I even left the television on upstairs in the loft.
    I knew Grace liked the noise. She seemed to sleep better, and smiled when I san g to her.
    I was restless, but not sure what it was I wanted or even need ed to do.
    “We’re housebound with nothing to do.” I kissed the top of Grace’s head as I made my way into m y office.
    It felt like forever since I’d last been in here. I’d told Nina to make use of it if she needed it. When I was on bed rest, I just stayed in my room. And since Grace…well, until recently, work had been the last thing o n my mind.
    I will admit, though, as hard as it was, going into the office had f elt good.
    Instead of going back full-time, I took Nina’s suggestion and started with two days a week. I’ll work my way up little by little, until I was more comfortable with leaving Grace for that long.
    I sat down in my big office chair and turned it so the sun was on my face.
    It beckoned me, calling to me to go back outside. I enjoyed it this morning. I almost felt normal, like all was right in my world.
    Sad how one small event could make me feel that way.
    I held Grace in front of me and had her stand on my legs. She was wobbly, but she seemed to enjoy bobbing up and down.
    From the corner of my eye I noticed a vehicle turn into my driveway, one I didn’t recognize. But the moment the car door opened, I knew w ho it was.
    I pushed myself up from the chair with excitement and rushed to the front door with Grace i n my arms.
    My baby sister was here.
    “Charlie!” I stood a few feet away from the screen door and waited for her to come in. Except she just st ood there.
    “Come in, come in.” I danced on the spot as I waited for her to open the door.
    It felt like years since I’d last seen her. But in reality, it had been only months. I couldn’t believe how much I m issed her.
    “Dee, you look…Oh my God, I’ve missed you.” She hesitated a few moments once inside before she dropped her bags on the floor and h ugged me.
    I wrapped my free arm around her as I snuggled Grace in tight to my body.
    Both of us had tears in our eyes as we looked at ea ch other.
    “It’s been too long,” we both said in unison before we laughed.
    We used to do that all the time, share the same thought and speak it at the s ame