Twisted Justice by Patricia Gussin Read Free Book Online Page A

kidding.”
    â€œBut he’s gotta come home,” murmured Natalie.
    â€œWho cares?” Nicole said again, shrugging. “Mom doesn’t want him anymore. He did something mean to her.”
    Laura stood silent, listening.
    â€œOh, just forget it,” Kevin slammed shut the book on his lap. “C’mon Mike, let’s go outside and have a catch.” Jumping up, he grabbed his catcher’s mitt, and slammed the door on the way out to the backyard.
    Laura slipped back into the kitchen as the kids filed out the door behind Kevin.
    â€œWhat can I tell them that will make them understand?” Laura’s shoulders slumped against the refrigerator.
    â€œI’d start with Mike,” Marcy said, nudging Laura aside so she could open the refrigerator. She pulled out a gallon of milk. “He needs to know what’s going on. Adolescence is tricky. You have to face up to the facts.”
    â€œI know, but how do I explain about Steve, you know, what he did — what this is all about?”
    Marcy shook her head sadly. “Now that you’re sure you want a permanent separation, it’s better to tell the kids.”
    â€œWhat if I’m not doing the right thing?”
    Marcy left Laura alone as she left to pour the kids’s milk in the dining room.
    â€œKevin seems fine, doesn’t he?” Laura asked when Marcy returned.
    â€œThat’s Kevin.”
    Laura always marveled at this child’s ability to avoid anything unpleasant or controversial. “But Nicole sounded so — I don’t know — tough — that worries me.”
    â€œI’d be lying if I didn’t say me too, Laura. I don’t know if that’s better or worse than Natalie, who cries at the drop of a hat and refuses to even go out to play with her friends.”
    â€œDamn Steve anyway.” Laura wrung her hands. “How am I going to deal with this?”
    â€œI’ve cooked a great roast with mashed potatoes, fresh string beans, and peach cobbler for dessert. After that, at least tell them that you and Steve are separating, but that they’ll still have a father.”
    â€œYou’re right, Marcy. What would I do without you?” Laura gave the older woman a hug.
    â€œOh, now. You all sit down to dinner and straighten things out.”
    â€œCome on, kids, let’s eat while we talk about this,” Laura began. “About me and Dad. First of all, you’re always going to have a mom and a dad. You know that, don’t you?”
    Each child reacted differently as she struggled to find the rightwords to tell them that nothing would be exactly the same, but that everything would still be okay. Mike was studied and solemn and seemed especially protective of her. If he did not reject her outright, the others would follow. After the others went to bed, she’d need to spend time alone with him and try to make him understand.
    Kevin said practically nothing, trying to blink away his tears. The twins reacted according to their distinctly polarized personalities, Nicole seeming actually pleased, and Natalie distraught and weepy. But it was Patrick that most worried Laura. So different from the others with his chestnut brown hair and hazel-flecked eyes. The baby of the family, born with a heart murmur, Patrick was used to getting his own way. Everybody said that he was Steve’s favorite. And now he stubbornly refused to accept her explanation that Daddy would live somewhere else and see them on weekends.
    â€œThat’s not true, Mom,” he yelled, pushing his untouched food aside. “My dad is going to live right here with all of us! I mean it.” There were no tears, but the animosity in the little boy’s flushed face was blatant. He shoved his chair back and bolted for the door.
    â€œCome on, honey,” Laura rose to go after him, “Dad will be here tomorrow for you —”
    Mike jumped up. “I’ll go make