What a Girl Needs by Kristin Billerbeck Read Free Book Online

can handle your mess now.” Admittedly, I’m feeling a little beggarly. My two favorite people in the entire world have rejected me today. That’s not exactly cause for celebration.
    “Kay will have everything set up for you from the luggage rack in your room to a few emptied drawers for your convenience. She lives for visitors. I thought Kevin would have told you. This is best for your high-maintenance self.”
    “People deciding what’s best for me has become my norm. Is this some kind of mental breakdown intervention?” I try to conceal my disappointment. “I want to spend time with you, Brea. I don’t care what your house looks like. Mine probably looks worse, and I don’t have two kids as an excuse.”
    “It’s not a good time, Ash. Really. You don’t want to see it in its present state. We’ll get time together when John gets home from Korea.”
    “Auntie, we want our presents!” Miles says.
    “Boys, that’s rude,” Brea says.
    She should talk.
    “It’s not rude.” I kiss each boy on his cheek. “Buckle them into their carseats, I’ll get the gifts. You’ve been so patient! The last time I saw you, you could never wait this long!”
    “You’re spoiling them worse than their grandmother!”
    “Brea, your mother never spoiled a thing in her life—except maybe a good time.”
    “True.”
    I unzip my bag as I listen to Brea with her boys. She was always such a calm mother before I left—the kind who did everything so naturally—and now, she’s like me as a mother—well, how I imagine myself anyway. Nervous. Second-guessing everything she does, worrying herself into a frenzy. The fact is, the world doesn’t need two Ashley Stockingdale Novaks. Some might argue that it doesn’t even need one.
    I grab the presents from my bag and hand the boys their wrapped packages. I zip up my luggage and toss it in the back of the minivan. Miles and Jonathan don’t waste a second before tearing into their packages.
    “Legos!” Miles shouts.
    “Trains!” Jonathan shouts.
    I grin at Brea. “My work is done here.”
    Brea sits in the driver’s seat and stares at me. “Good job, Auntie. That ought to give me some quiet time after their appointments, but I’ll never get them down for a nap now.”
    “Brea, seriously. Let them have some joy. You’re wound tighter than a drum and I don’t even know how to say this, but you’re acting like your mother.”
    Brea gasps. “Take that back!”
    How can I take it back? We used to call Brea’s mom “the fun sucker” because she could take any given situation and drain the fun out of it like an inflatable pool toy with a giant hole in it. I know for certain that the world only needs one Mrs. Browning.
    Brea’s lower lip begins to tremble, but she says nothing and starts up the car. I’ve never known my best friend to keep anything from me, and now the distance between us feels like it is far more than simple geography.
    “Something is wrong, Brea. Since when did you become the stoic type and suck it all up? Let it out before you explode! You’re making me feel like I’m in an alternative universe!”
    A small whimper escapes and I sense the first sign of true emotion. “I don’t want to talk about it in front of the boys. I’m fine. John is fine. Our family is fine, that’s all that matters. You’re here for a good time, not to worry about me.” She smiles brightly, though falsely.
    This offends me. I’m a fixer. Granted, I may screw things up while trying to fix them, but I want a shot. “Brea, you’re ticking me off. You’re treating me like I’m some random stranger. What’s wrong?”
    “Quit being such a drama queen.” She clicks her seatbelt into place. “I’m not ready to talk about it just yet. We’ll connect later. I promise.”
    As we emerge from the parking garage into the dazzling San Jose sunlight, the boys are quiet except for the boy “noises” they’re emanating. Miles has his teeth tight as he spits out Star