Wednesday by Clare James Read Free Book Online Page B

handle. Don’t put your finger along the spine of the knife, because it
removes all control.”
    It does work better, and I’m flying
through the chopping. Too bad the technique isn’t going to stick. My hands have
their own way of doing things and I can’t change now.  I finish up my last
carrot when Serena comes in with Cade and the boys. I’m so excited to see him, the
knife slips from my hand.
     So, I reach out for it and Jimmy
lunges for me.
    “Aria, you never, never grab a
falling knife,” he says.  “Especially these knives. You’d get a nasty injury
and your mom would kill me.”
    “Sorry, sorry,” I tell him. “I know
better. I promise I will get back into the swing of this place soon.”
    “It’s okay,” Jimmy says. “We all
have a natural instinct to grab for anything that’s falling. You just need to
overcome it.”
    Jimmy the chef and philosopher.  
    “You okay, Mommy?” Cade asks.
    “I am now that you’re here.” I
tackle him for a hug. “How’s it going?”
    “I’m sorry,” Serena says. “We
shouldn’t have snuck up on you, but Cade really wanted to see his mama.”
    I give her a squeeze next, and by
her doe-eyed expression I can tell I’ve taken her by surprise. Serena takes
such good care of Cade while I work at the restaurant. She signed up for
playtimes, music classes, and tennis of all things. She may not think the most
of me, but Cade? She’s in love and will make sure he has the best.
    Things between the two of us are
getting better though. We actually laugh and have meals together sometimes.
It’s like we’re getting to be real sisters again, and the dreaded competition
between us seems to have faded. Maybe because she finally realizes that I’m not
perfect. She was so mad when I left with Alex. Then again, she’s always hated
competing for attention.
    Serena and I have always been so
different – she’s all about sports and the outdoors with a no apologies approach to life. I was always more girly; particular and fussy; never quite
feeling understood, which made me defensive at times. Serena was always the
stronger one, she just never knew it. Since I’ve been back though, I see a big
change. She’s settling into her own and it’s satisfying to see her in action –
her work as a nanny, her education, the way she helps Mom manage the business
side of the diner. Right now, Serena’s kicked off a social media plan to
improve business.
    “How’s he doing?” I ask when Jimmy
distracts the boys with an enormous bowl of whipping cream he made for the
pies. 
    “It’s going great,” she says. “No
need to worry. He’s doing just fine. We’re having grilled cheese at Jack and
Philly’s after this and then going down to the beach to gather rocks for our
art project.”
    “Art project? Sounds impressive.”
    “You just wait until you see our
daily –” Serena stops talking mid-sentence, staring over my shoulder with pure
delight.
    I turn around and follow the path
of her gaze.
    “What are you looking at?” I ask.
    “Shhh,” she says, watching as Mom
comes into the kitchen.
    Mom and Jimmy take turns feeding
the kids. It’s so endearing, I almost tear up. But then, for the briefest
moment, Jimmy slides his hand on the small of Mom’s back. It’s there and gone
before I can blink. 
    Serena grins. “He’s getting bolder.
Won’t be long now.”
    “Long for what?” I ask. “What have
I missed?”
    “Jimmy sports a hard one for Mom.”
She giggles.
    “Eww.” I shake off the disturbing
image.
    Serena does a little dance, clearly
proud of herself.
     “What’s that now?” I ask once I
regain my composure. “Jimmy wants Mom? Are you sure?”
    “You saw it yourself.”
    “Does Mom know?”
    “The lady’s clueless.” Serena
shakes her head.
    “Do you think she’d be interested?”
I ask.
    “Definitely. It’s Jimmy. He’s
great, plus I’m pretty sure he’s packing.” She wiggles her brows.
    “You’re gross,” I tell her.
    “Just