The Summer the World Ended by Matthew S. Cox Read Free Book Online Page A

her, and waved at the workers. “Don’t mind us.”
    For an hour after the last shovelful of dirt fell, Riley sprawled in the grass, unable to find the strength to stand. Mina waited a few steps back, saintly in her patience. Her father and the woman exchanged a look.
    “Come on, Riley.”
    She didn’t move.
    “Wouldn’t you rather sleep in your own room than out here?”
    Riley crawled to the edge where grass gave way to dirt. “I don’t want to leave her here.”
    Dad stooped next to her. “Your mother’s at peace now.”
    She collected a few tears in her hands and poured them over the grave. “I love you, Mom.”



he sun forced its way through the heavy curtains over Mom’s bedroom window. Riley lay at the center of the queen-sized bed, curled up like a cat who lost her human. Blue flannel pajamas―selected because they lacked smiling bears―stopped an inch above her ankles, leaving her feet cold. She had hated spending three nights at the shelter, the whole time wanting to be in her own room again. After only an hour of staring at a square of moonlight on her bedroom ceiling, she migrated here. Mom’s presence lingered in the air. The bedspread still smelled of perfume and shampoo. Mother always showered at night―there was never enough time in the morning.
    She looked from the limp hand a few inches in front of her face to the flaking blue glitter-infused polish on her toenails.
Mom was still alive when I painted them.
The door creaked open as her father walked in, trailed by the fragrance of coffee―coffee Mom bought.
    He scuffed up to the edge of the mattress. “Are you hungry?”
    “Mmm.”
    “We could hit Denny’s or something.”
    Mom has food downstairs.
“Mmf.”
    “I’m sorry… we need to figure out what we’re keeping and what we can’t take with us.”
    “Mmm.” She hugged her knees to her chest, curling her toes.
    “About a week. Maybe two. There’s a lawyer coming by soon to help with everything.”
    Riley grunted.
    “I know you want to stay here, but it’s just not possible.”
    She sniffled.
    Dad sat on the edge of the mattress. “I miss her too.”
    No, you don’t. You’re just saying that.
She stared at her feet, daydreaming about the trip to the mall with her Mom and Amber. Some little Chinese woman sold the nail polish from a fake pushcart. Mom had a cheeseburger at Friday’s afterward, and gave the waiter a hard time over not getting sweet potato fries like she’d asked for.
    “Mmm.”
    “I was going to sell this bed since I don’t have room for it, but I suppose we can keep it in storage so you can go visit it.”
    We’re going to New Mexico. I won’t be able to visit Mom.
She sniffled again and wiped her nose.
    He sipped his coffee. “You know the Sentra is paid off. You can get a permit at fifteen. We could keep it.”
    Riley sat up, twisting to face him. “Really? I thought you wanted to sell everything and forget her.”
    “I couldn’t forget her if I wanted to.” He offered a weak smile, as if discussing something as blasé as his favorite sandwich. “It’s just a matter of practicality. I’ve only got so much room and… keeping the car, I’m going to have to pay someone to ship it.”
    “I wanna keep it ‘cause it was hers.” She scooted to the edge and let her legs hang. “I could get a summer job or something to help. Mom wanted me to get a job this year anyway.”
    “I think you should take the summer to come to terms with things. I know I haven’t been part of your life for a long time, but this is a lot for a kid your age to handle.”
    “Why did you leave?” She frowned at the carpet.
Mom liked powder blue.
    Dad sucked in a breath and stiffened. “Sometimes things just happen and… I had a job that was taking up all my time and we got to arguing and―”
    “I don’t remember you guys fighting.”
    He stood. “Well, we didn’t want you to see it. I, uh… Look, Riley, it’s complicated. It wasn’t about you.”
    She slid