The Memory Child by Steena Holmes Read Free Book Online Page B

to dismiss the concern in her eyes.
    “I wish Brian were here. He’d love to see you. You should have called him when you landed in London. I’m sure he would have come to see you. He was quite jealous about this latest trip of yours, you know. It’s always been a dream of his to go to Africa.”
    “About that.” She stirred her coffee and wouldn’t look me in the eyes. “How are yo u doing?”
    “Fine.” I shrugged. “It’s hard not having him here, raising Grace alone. But…” Charlie put her hand on mine and I glanced over at my little girl. Yes, it was hard being a single parent, but I wouldn’t trade having Grace for the world. Besides, it wouldn’t be for long. Brian would come home soon. Putting my hand over Charlie’s, I asked, “Does Walter know you’re back? You know he’d love to see you.”
    “I called him when I landed.” She stared down at the floor.
    I tried not to let that bother me, bu t it did.
    “I should invite him over for dinner. It’s been a while since he’s been by.”
    Charlie winced. “I think he mentioned plans tonight. I told him I’d drop by for coffee one d ay soon.”
    “Or”—I smiled—“he could come here. You know, I don’t think he’s ever met Grace. Oh wait…he stopped by once and left a gift. A doll, a ctually.”
    “A doll.” Charlie turned her head slightly away from me and glanced over tow ard Grace.
    “It’s so cute. It almost looks exactly like Grace too. You’ll have to see it.” I kept the doll in Grace’s crib. I couldn’t wait till she was older and played with it.
    I picked up my coffee cup and smiled. “Do you remember how Mags used to love holding a hot cup of water between her hands? She swore it was the fastest way to warm up a body.”
    “I do.” Charlie nodded. “What’s with the avoidance?” She reached for my hand. “How are y ou doing?”
    “I’m fine. Is that what you want to hear? I’m fine.” I knew what she was hinting at, but I wasn’t about to go there. All discussions of our mother were strictly pr ohibited.
    “Diane.” Charlie sighed. “Don’t shut me out, okay? I’m worried about you. For you. I came back as soon as I could. This isn’t a time for you to b e alone.”
    “Have you looked at yourself lately? Maybe I should be the one worrying.” I tried to keep my mouth shut, but she honestly looked horrible. Dark circles beneath her eyes, hair pulled back in a tattered ponytail, a shirt that looked like it needed to be thrown out. “When was the last time you had a shower?”
    “I was in the Congo, Diane. Not a spa. And you know I never sleep well on th e plane.”
    “Then go upstairs, take a shower, and have a nap. I need to put Grace to bed anyway. You’ll need to sleep in the loft, though; is that okay? Nina sleeps in the spare bedroom.” I made a mental note to talk to Nina about setting up a bed in Grace’s room for Charlie. It wasn’t like we used her room a lo t anyway.
    “Nina?”
    “Our nanny. You’ll like her; she’s also a nurse.”
    Charlie gripped the edge of the table to stand but hesitated.
    “Listen, Diane. There’s another reason why I’m here.” She glanced over at the playpen where Grace slept with a sad smile on her face.
    I knew right away what she was goin g to say.
    “Charlie! I’m so happy for you!” I rushed over and enveloped her in a large hug and was shocked when she pushe d me away.
    “What?” Her brows knitted in confusion.
    “Oh…I…I just thought.” I stumbled over my words, embarrassed that I’d read her so wrong.
    Charlie twirled the end of her long ponytail in her fingers.
    “You thought I was pregnant?” She blew a puff of air out of her mouth and stared at the ceiling. “No, but that’s what I wanted us to ta lk about.”
    Grace started to whine and I knew it was only a matter of time before she’d start to cry. That was one sound I hated more than anything else in the world, her cries. It broke my heart e ach time.
    “Listen, go have