Zigzag by Ellen Wittlinger Read Free Book Online

you didn’t know what love was,” I said.
    â€œI’ve observed some so-called love,” she said. “You should be glad he’s leaving now so you can start getting over him as soon as possible.”
    â€œMaybe I’ll never get over him.”
    â€œThat’s just what I mean. You’re way too attached to him. Roll with the punches a little, Robin. Chris is not actually necessary to your long-term survival.”
    I was pretty sure he was, but I didn’t argue. After all, Franny knew more about long-term survival than I did.
    Since I’d decided not to accompany Chris and his parents to the airport in Cedar Rapids the next day—I did not intend to descend into hell with the Melvilles watching —we were having dinner at our favorite place, the Fish Shack down by the lake. I kept thinking about how it was the last time I’d see him until August 20, and the catfish bones kept getting caught in my throat. Neither of us was able to look the other in the eye or come up with anything more to say than, “Good fish.”
    Then, when I did look up, who should be headed for our table but my mother and her giant boyfriend.
    â€œI didn’t know you two were coming here,” she said. Then she got a good look at our faces and probably wished she hadn’t come.
    â€œYour mother says the catfish from Thunder Lake is the best I’ll ever eat,” Michael Evans said, beaming at her as if picking a restaurant showcased her brilliance.
    â€œHi, Mom. Um, Michael, this is Chris,” I said, keeping the presentations brief. Chris stood up immediately and shook hands with Michael.
    â€œNice to meet you, sir.”
    â€œSo, you’re Chris,” Michael said as though he’d been hearing about him for years.
    â€œI’m afraid so,” Chris said, smiling weakly.
    â€œWe didn’t come over to interrupt you,” Mom said quickly. “Our table is on the other side. We just wanted to say hello.” She took Michael Evans’s arm and he steered her across the room to “their” table.
    Since Sunday she’d seen him every day. At the hospital on Monday, then last night they’d gone to a movie, and now they were having dinner together again. Was this getting to be a thing or what? And what was this “we” business? A few nights ago she was laughing at his seat covers.
    â€œThat’s the guy, huh? He’s twice the size of your Mom. She seems to like him though.”
    I shivered. “I guess. It’s weird.”
    â€œIs it?”
    â€œYeah. I mean, she’s never dated anybody before. Not since my dad, anyway.”
    â€œLong time to be alone.”
    â€œShe isn’t alone—I’m with her.”
    â€œYou know what I mean. Most people want to get married again. Your dad did.”
    I shrugged. “I guess. You know, I might go see him this summer.” The more I thought about the trip, the more I liked the idea. After all, if Chris was going away, why shouldn’t I? It couldn’t be any worse than staying here alone, squirting mushy ice cream into cones and feeling sorry for myself.
    â€œReally?” Chris sat back in his chair and looked at me skeptically. “When did this happen?”
    â€œMonday. My aunt Dory wants me to help her drive across the country—her and my two cousins. To California.”
    Chris looked surprised. “That’s great! Why didn’t you tell me right away?”
    â€œI don’t know. You were so excited about your trip . . .”
    â€œWow, I’ve never even been to California.”
    â€œWell, I’ve never been to Italy, so now we’re even.”
    He ignored my little sting. “Are these your cousins from Chicago? Whose dad died recently? I thought you weren’t too crazy about them.”
    â€œOh, they’re older now. We get along. It’ll be fun!” That was highly unlikely, but it seemed like a good idea