The Thirteen by Susie Moloney Read Free Book Online

just see it through some trees. The trees were taller.
    The parking lot snuck up on the right and Paula had to turn suddenly to catch it. It was fine—there was no traffic. She parked and looked up at the building.
    Lights were coming on inside hospital rooms, most of them dim, and she imagined the long fluorescent at the head of each bed, doors ajar, panic buttons pinned to pillows. She tried to imagine her mother in one of those beds.
    What she remembered instead was the day she was leaving for good, her bags in the hallway by the front door. Her mother pacing.
    Why do I have to go away?
    The cryptic answer: I hope you never have to understand .
    And the other memory, at St. Mary’s. The two of them setting up her room, putting out photos of the three of them, Dad, Mom and Paula. Happier days. Her mother chattering away. A very good school … best education … make something wonderful of your life .
    Going to supper that last night. Order anything you want, darling .
    Worse things too. Knowing the sisters knew she was pregnant, and maybe the other students too. Paula wouldn’t forget those first few lonely days at St. Mary’s, avoiding the stares, the tentative welcome. The nuns were kind. You’ll be taken care of here. You’ll be safe. It’s a very good school .
    Worst of all? Her mother’s palpable relief when she left Paula in the dormitory to go home.
    I love you very much, Paula. That’s why you’re here .
    (but Mom)
    “Is she going to be gross?” Rowan asked when they got to the doors.
    Paula smiled. “I hope not.” She slid an arm around her daughter and they went inside.
    A large woman at the front desk looked up when the doors opened. She stared, blinking behind a pair of glasses that magnified her eyes, then brightened and clapped her hands.
    “Paula Wittmore,” she said. “I’ve been expecting you. You remember me, don’t you? I’m your mother’s friend Tula. Remember?” She lurched out from the behind the desk. “I’m going to take you right up. Your mother is on the second floor, poor thing.” She smiled when she said poor thing , and didn’t stop talking long enough for Paula to respond. “This is your little girl. I forget her name. She looks a little bit like you, but not much.” She waved them to the elevator and pressed the button. “You remember me?”
    Paula answered, “Yes. Nice to see you again. How are you?”
    “Well, you know, if it’s not one thing it’s another thing.” The elevator door opened. “Same old shit.” Rowan snorted as they followed Tula into the elevator. Once the doors had closed behind them, Tula went silent as the grave.
    Paula held Rowan’s hand. At first she thought the girl was going to protest, but she didn’t.
    The elevator doors opened and Tula ushered them out. “You go ahead. Room 210.” She pointed and waited until they were off. The elevator doors closed on her and they were alone.
    There was no one in the waiting area and no one in the hall. There were no patients roaming the halls dragging IV poles, and no other visitors. Paula supposed that such a small hospital could be mostly empty sometimes.
    A woman came out of a room ahead of them and quietly pulled the door closed behind her. She turned and made eye contact. Paula’s mouth opened in surprise, but she didn’t speak. Izzy. Tall and still as attractive as Paula remembered. She smiled happily and came towards them, hands outstretched.
    “Paula. Paula, darling, it’s so wonderful to see you.” Izzy took Paula’s hands in hers. Paula felt a tiny zap, like static, a reaction from so many years of trying not to think about Izzy Riley, or Haven Woods, or especially Izzy’s long-dead son, David.
    “Mrs. Riley, it’s nice to see you again …” Everything else had gone out of her head—what she was supposed to do, why she was there.
    “Oh, you’re a grown woman, Paula. Call me Izzy.” Izzy looked down at Rowan, standing close to Paula. She was a pretty girl, with