Waiting and Watching by Darcy Darvill Read Free Book Online

little Miami River. They parked the car and for several minutes listened to the music and talking from inside the old weathered building. Connie put her arm through Julio’s, her heart beating so hard she thought she would hyperventilate.
    As they entered the building, a woman named Jody walked out and said, “Wait a minute. I know you, but who are….oh…my…gosh, I can’t believe it. Connie Harriman!” She threw her arms around Connie and hugged her as if she were her long lost sister.
    â€œJody, it’s wonderful to see you. You haven’t changed a bit.”
    â€œWell, it’s the same old me, plus thirty pounds and a face full of wrinkles. Hi. She gazed up at Julio. “Are you Connie’s husband?”
    â€œNo, Jody. Remember my little brother Julio?”
    Her mouth rounded in surprise. “I can’t believe it. This handsome stud is the little pest we used to kick out of your room all the time. You hit me in the butt with your slingshot once and then ran away, laughing your butt off.”
    â€œSorry about that, Jody. I’ve learned some manners since then.”
    â€œCome on in, you two. Everyone will be so excited to see you.”
    â€œJody, lead us to the bar first. I’m losing my courage.”
    â€œHow about you two go find a table for us and I’ll get the drinks, okay?”
    â€œSounds good to me,” Connie said. “Make mine a gin fizz.”
    â€œThat takes me back. I’ll have the same,” said Jody.
    Laughing, they found a table and sat down, while Julio left them to fill their drink orders. Connie immediately recognized Martin sitting at the bar. He hadn’t changed a lot; still slight, blonde and uninspiring. Martin always looked like he could use a good meal and a gym membership. She waved him over and gave him a big hug. “We missed you the other day at your mom’s house.”
    â€œYeah, I felt bad about that,” he said, taking a seat. “I was out. It’s tough living at home with your mother. That woman wants to know my every move. I’m living above the garage, but it might as well be in the same bedroom. She shows up in my room every other minute with some excuse to see what I’m doing.”
    â€œHey, man, that’s got to be tough,” Julio said.
    â€œYou have no idea.”
    Within minutes, people gathered around their table hugging, crying, laughing and squealing. Connie realized she was actually having fun and enjoyed seeing everyone. People were gracious and didn’t say much about what had happened to her family. When they did, she quickly steered them onto another subject. Her closest friends talked lovingly about her parents. The reminiscing, although heartwarming, made her sad and teary.
    There were a few people brave or inebriated enough to ask if the police ever solved the murder case or if she knew anything about her old boyfriend. Connie told them the case had never been solved, and that she had never heard from Andrew once she left Cincinnati.
    As the night went on and she and Julio separated, she found herself looking around for him. Always gregarious and popular, she finally spotted him chatting in the corner with several girls. He looked so self-assured and relaxed, a real social animal.
    Throughout the night, she thought she heard a few whispers about the girl whose parents were murdered. ‘Remember her?’ Then she decided she was probably just being paranoid, as everyone she talked to made her feel welcome.
    The DJ played music from the sixties. Martin asked Connie to slow dance and put his arms around her, pulling her close. They’d always had a platonic relationship and this romantic gesture made her uncomfortable. Connie tried joking with him and pulling away, but he just kept pulling her tighter to him.
    She was relieved when the music ended and she walked them both over to a large group of people. He made no attempt at conversation. When