The Thirteen by Susie Moloney Read Free Book Online Page B

hard to tell in the dimmed lights how her mother really looked. Her hair was lank and flat to her head, and her eyes had an odd—something—look to them. She was thinner than the last time Paula had seen her, but that could be for any reason at all.
    “I’m … just, I’m fine, Paula. Really. You didn’t have to come.”
    “Mom—” Her mother’s hands were warm in hers. As if she had a fever. “I just wish I’d been here when you got sick. What does the doctor say?”
    “Izzy called you?”
    Paula nodded.
    Audra brightened a little. “Have you brought my beautiful granddaughter?”
    Paula smiled. “Yes. She’s in the lounge—”
    “With Izzy?”
    “Mom, don’t talk so much, your throat sounds so … raw.”
    Audra’s eyes darted around the room, to the door, to the far corner. She shifted stiffly, as if she hurt everywhere. She looked into Paula’s eyes, then tugged at her hands, pulling her closer. Paula leaned in.
    “I’ll whisper,” she said, very low.
    “Yes, good,” Paula answered, in a whisper herself.
    “It’s not safe for you to be here.”
    “What?”
    “You shouldn’t stay—”
    “Mom? What do you mean?”
    Audra flashed a look at the closed door.
    Paula did not get the hint. “We’ll stay as long as you need us to—”
    Audra shook her head. “No,” she croaked.
    In the lounge, Mrs. Riley stood up suddenly, startling Rowan. She headed in the direction of her grandmother’s room.
    Bye, Weirdo .
    Izzy stuck her head inside Audra’s room. “How are things in here?” The two had their heads together, scheming. She let the door snuff shut behind her.
    Audra’s eyes narrowed when she saw her, but Paula’s were questioning. She wasn’t too late, then.
    “Paula, dear, you don’t want to tire your mother out.”
    “Of course not. Mrs. Riley, did you find the doctor?”
    Izzy smiled sympathetically as she lied. “He’s gone for the day. We’ll find him tomorrow. Are you going to stay at your mother’s?” She bustled to the bed and smoothed Audra’s blanket. “I think the key’s still where it always is, isn’t it, Aud?”
    Audra didn’t answer, just glared at her old friend.
    “I used it myself the day I found your poor mom,” Izzy said to Paula. “How’re you feeling, Aud? I think I should hustle these girls home.”
    Audra protested. “No. I want to see Rowan.”
    “Of course,” Paula said.
    “Absolutely,” Izzy said. “You haven’t seen that grandbaby for such a long time. Paula, why don’t you go get her?” She leaned in closer to Audra. “We’ve been chatting out there.”
    “Izzy—” Audra hadn’t let go of Paula’s hand.
    “What is it, Aud? Can I get you something? Some water?” Izzy took the pitcher from the side table and poured water into a fresh glass, then held it out to her.
    Warily Audra took the glass. She drank noisily and Izzy grimaced. It was a little disgusting.
    “I’ll get Ro,” Paula said. She touched her mother’s hair briefly and left the room.
    Audra held the empty glass out for Izzy to take. She mouthed the words leave them be .
    Izzy smiled. “It’s about numbers, Audra. And bloodlines.”
    The door opened. Rowan stood there shyly, framed by the light from the hall, her mother behind her.
    “And here’s your little granddaughter!”
    When Rowan’s eyes had adjusted to the room’s dimness, she saw two faces staring at her, Grandma and Mrs.
    (weirdo)
    Riley.
    Something about the way they looked at her kept her rooted to the floor.
    “Rowan,” her grandmother said, in a terrible raspy voice.
    “Hi,” she said.
    “Come over here, hon. I can’t quite jump out of bed right now—” Her grandma smiled, and though her voice was raw, she didn’t look very sick, she looked … the same.
    When she got to the bedside, her grandmother put her hand on Rowan’s arm. She was hot. “Oh, it’s good to see you, Rowan. You’re getting so big—”
    “We’re going to stay at your house, I think.”
    Her