Free A Whisper in Time by Elizabeth Langston Page B

a curious bird. “Certainly. It’s your case. We can involve the lawyer later if you like.”
    They stood. I did too, greatly relieved that this interview had reached its end.

C HAPTER T WELVE
    T ALKING A ROUND THE T RUTH
    The sky had cleared like magic while I was at the grill. It had been dark and threatening an hour ago. Now there were blue skies, thin clouds, and a milder temperature.
    When I got home, both of my parents’ cars were in the garage. I entered the house and hesitated in the doorway to the kitchen. Even though I couldn’t see them, I could hear their voices clearly through a window overlooking the deck.
    I probably would’ve continued onto my destination—the refrigerator—except one word stopped me.
    “… Susanna …”
    I froze, eavesdropping without shame. Okay, without much shame.
    My father was speaking. “We told her she was welcome to stay here as long as she needed.”
    “She is,” Mom said, “but I didn’t expect it would be indefinite.”
    “It’s barely been a month.”
    “Is there an end in sight?”
    Ice tinkled in a glass. A deck chair squeaked.
    “You’re over-thinking this, Sherri. Susanna won’t be here forever, and she’s trying hard to be unobtrusive.”
    “I know.” Mom sounded tired. “It’s not her. She’s a sweet girl, and I feel sorry about what a horrible life she’s had, but I want my house back. It’s never just us anymore.”
    “Your parents will take her any time you ask.”
    “I know.” A noisy sigh. “Having her constantly underfoot isn’t the only thing that bothers me. I’m worried about my son.”
    I leaned closer as if that would help me hear better, which was stupid since I could hear perfectly fine already.
    “What about our son?”
    “He’s too serious about her.”
    Dad heaved a loud sigh. “Sherri, please.”
    “This is his senior year. He needs to enjoy everything it has to offer.”
    “He’s having fun.”
    “I’m not sure that he is. He’s too focused on her, and she’s too traumatized to function. You have to admit—he sticks around the house way more than he used to.”
    I’d heard enough. I spun around to go out there and tackle them.
    Susanna stood on the bottom step of the back stairs.
    Damn. “How much of that did you hear?”
    “I left the apartment when you came inside.”
    I crossed to her, but when I reached to pull her into my arms, she held up a hand to stop me.
    “There is no need to comfort me, Mark. I admire honesty.”
    The back door opened, and my father stepped into the laundry room. He halted, his gaze widening on Susanna. My mom bumped into him and muttered a swear word.
    Dad’s voice was pained. “How long have you two been standing there?”
    “Long enough,” I said.
    Mom peeked over his shoulder.
    Susanna looked at them neutrally. “If you wish me to find another place to live, I shall.”
    “Not necessary,” Dad said.
    My mom shook her head, cheeks flushed.
    They had not done a good enough job reassuring Susanna. “You’re not leaving.”
    “Perhaps it would be best.”
    “It wouldn’t be best for you. It wouldn’t be best for me.”
    My mom leaned her butt against the washing machine and stared at the wall straight ahead of her, not saying anything.
    “Susanna,” Dad said into the awkward silence, “you have a home with us for as long as you need. That hasn’t changed.” He laid a hand gently on her shoulder. “Sherri and I have some issues we ought to discuss with Mark. May we excuse ourselves?”
    “Of course.” She ran lightly up the stairs.
    “I’m sorry she overhead that,” my mom said.
    I was too. “Don’t apologize to me. Apologize to her.”
    Dad pushed past me. “Let’s finish this in the family room.”
    For the next fifteen minutes, they dragged through the same conversation again, only it took longer this time. Talking around the truth required a lot of words.
    I waited until Mom paused for a breath and said, “Let me ask you this. Are you sorry I