Undone by Francette Phal Read Free Book Online Page B

was the one who needed the most care, to be handled with kid gloves, because there was so much hidden behind those dark eyes.
    "Where is your …friend?" Like her parents and most certainly every adult in the house, the subject of the thirty year old man Sophie had brought home was something Dina was uncomfortable with, but chose to tolerate him for Sophie’s sake.
    Peeling her gaze from the window, Sophie gave her grandmother her attention with a wry smile. "He's settling into his new room. He'll be out soon enough . I told him to find me in the living room when he's done. Why aren't you out there with everyone else?"
    "The cold, dear, I can't abide it. How about yourself, I'm sure your parents want you outside with them."
    She shrugged and brought her own mug to her lips. "Maybe later." She remained quiet after that, pensive, her dark brow puckered in an unbecoming frown. She tucked plaid covered legs beneath her while sipping her tea, her mind, seemingly miles away.
    "Something troubling you, dear?"
    She did not immediately respond and Sonya wondered if she'd heard her at all, but Sophie turned to her before too long and the look Sonya saw on her face broke her heart. But just as quick as it came, it flitted away, hidden beneath a veneer of plastic cheer. "Of course not, I'm just still a little tired from our trip."
    "I hope you know that you can talk to me, Sophie .” Dina carefully settled her hand on her arm and smiled. "I'm not as stuffy as I look."
    She laughed. "I know, Nan."
    "All right, so tell me about school, have you decided on a major yet?"
    She shrugged. "Maybe biology, or premed, I'm not too sure yet. I was thinking of staying around this summer to intern at Cedar Falls General just to get my feet wet."
    "That's a great idea . I'm sure your parents would love having you home for the summer." And so the conversation went, skimming on school, professors and the small circle of friends she'd made, until Sophie fell quiet again.
    "Sophie?"
    "Do you think it was stupid of me to bring Andrew with me, Nan?" If she'd been shaken by the abruptness of the question, Dina gave no indication. She did, however, take a moment to consider exactly how to approach such a sensitive subject. If she said the wrong things, she was sure both Ellie or her son-in-law would say something and, of course, there was always Sophie’s feelings to consider. She needed to tread carefully.
    "May I be frank, darling?"
    "Of course, Nan.”
    "Well, for starters , I think you could've exercised a little more tact as far as Andrew was concerned. Springing such a surprise on your parents, it was only natural for them to react the way they did. You cannot blame them for being upset and certainly most men would admire your father's restraint. Had it been your Uncle Gabe or even your grandfather, I'm sure Mr. Hunter would've been long gone by now." Her tone was firm, terse, but still held all the warmth of a saint. Sophie didn't know how she did it, but oddly enough she didn't feel as though she was being cruel. The wisdom of her words rang true and in a way, she'd known that bringing Andrew with her would've resulted in a family tiff. At the time, alone in her dorm room, it had seemed like a good idea.
    "It seemed like a good idea at the time ,” she feebly voiced her thoughts.
    "I'm sure it did, and I know you just wanted to share your special relationship with your family. But maybe all your parents wanted was to have just you for the holidays?"
    Sophie flopped back on the couch and with eyes closed, she sighed. "I didn't even think about that. I'm away ten months out the year and rarely get to see them. I do miss them, Nan. Noah, Bella and Dylan, I feel like they're growing up without me." She fell quiet and released a resigned breath, before continuing, "I love it at Buxom, I'm so glad Nicholas convinced me to go. And meeting Andrew…I feel like he really understands me, you know, Nan?"
    Sonya smiled . "Yes, I do."
    "I know he's older than me