Free The Weight of Small Things by Sherri Wood Emmons Page A

when he gets home. He won’t mind.”
    Bryn grinned, then looked down at her suitcases. Her smile faded.
    “Well, hell,” she said. “Where am I gonna stay then?”
    “You can still stay at the house,” Corrie suggested.
    “I don’t think so. I can’t see rooming with Mark while you’re out of town.” She leaned forward and giggled. “People might talk, you know.”
    “That could be fun.” Corrie smiled. “How many people would tell me about it when I got back, do you think? Or maybe call me in California? We could start some very fine rumors.”
    Bryn shook her head ruefully. “No, I’m afraid I’ve started too many of those just on my own.” She stared at the floor, thinking, And I definitely could start a few more right about now.
    “What about staying with Sarah and Kevin?” Corrie asked.
    “No.” Bryn shook her head again. “They’ve got two kids, and Sarah’s pregnant. They don’t need a houseguest.”
    Suddenly, Bryn’s face brightened and she stood, picked up her suitcases, and walked to the door.
    “Where are you going?” Corrie asked.
    “To Bob’s,” Bryn said. “Daniel is leaving tomorrow. I figure we can stand each other for one night. Then he’ll be gone, and I can room with Bob for a while.”
    “I don’t know, Bryn. Do you suppose that will upset Wendy?” Corrie’s brow wrinkled in worry.
    “That’s the plan.” Bryn grinned. “I hope it upsets her big-time.”
    “Bryn, you’re wicked.” Corrie smiled. “Still, I’m not sure it’s a good idea, right in the middle of their divorce mess. And his kids will be coming and going. Are you sure you want to do that?”
    “Sure, why not? I like kids,” Bryn said, raising her chin slightly. “I happen to be very good with kids.”
    “Okay,” Corrie said doubtfully. “But do me a favor. Don’t mention to Daniel that I’m planning to come to Los Angeles, all right? I want to just show up at the center next week, and I don’t want him to have the time to arrange anything.”
    “You mean to stage anything?”
    Corrie smiled wryly. “Yeah, that’s what I mean. Daniel is a good, bleeding-heart liberal. And if he thought it’d make people send money, I wouldn’t put it past him to stage some stupid stunt. Anyway, don’t tell him. Okay?”
    “Sure,” Bryn called over her shoulder as she left. “Whatever.”
    Corrie stared at the door for a long minute after her friend had left.
    Now what is she up to?
    Then she shook her head and smiled. She would never understand Bryn.

10
    B ob arrived home after work to find Bryn and Daniel eyeing each other warily across the living room. Bryn’s bags were piled in one corner, and she was curled up on the couch, her face pale, her eyes huge and dark, her mouth set in a tight line.
    “Hey,” Bob said softly, bending down to kiss her forehead. “What gives?”
    “I’ve left Paul,” she answered, staring up at him defiantly.
    Bob smiled and rubbed her shoulders, then looked up at Daniel, who was pretending to read the newspaper.
    “How ’bout you? What did you do today?”
    “Well.” Daniel folded the paper and laid it on the coffee table. “I was going to head down to the Boys Club and talk with the agency director. I hear they’ve expanded their program in the last couple years, and I’d like to ask him about his funding. But”—he nodded toward Bryn—“I decided I’d better hang out here, make sure the silverware didn’t disappear while you were at work.”
    “Jerk,” Bryn said, smiling weakly.
    Bob laughed as he headed for the kitchen. “Well, let’s see what we’ve got to eat in here.”
    Bryn groaned softly and laid her head down on the arm of the couch, closing her eyes. Daniel followed Bob into the kitchen. As soon as the door closed behind him, he whispered, “What’s wrong with Bryn? She looks like hell. I was afraid to leave her alone. Do you think she’s going through detox or something?”
    Bob’s back was to him, so Daniel couldn’t see