Free What We Found by Kris Bock Page A

cream.”
    We settled in chairs by the window. Nascha finished her sorbet and watched me plow through my caramel sundae. When I finally leaned back, she said, “Feeling better?”
    “Yeah, I needed that. Well, I needed food. I wanted ice cream. And I want to never have another day like today or yesterday.”
    “At least those officers were pleasant to look at.”
    I nodded absently.
    “I’m not sure which I prefer,” she added. “The one was so tall and had very nice green eyes. But the other had more of a sense of humor, I think. I liked the way he smiled.” Nascha looked at me, clearly waiting.
    “Oh … no, really, you can’t think … I couldn’t….” I shook my head emphatically, even if I couldn’t explain what I was so emphatic about. “They’ve been very nice. Nicer than I deserve. But I wouldn’t know what to do with men like that.”
    She grinned, suddenly much less serious—and more wicked—than I’d ever seen her. “I have a few ideas.”
    I smiled reluctantly. “I just mean they’re so, well, competent. And older. Intimidating. I’d feel like a shy, awkward teenager with a crush on a teacher or something.”
    “You wouldn’t feel equal.”
    I nodded. “It’s hard, isn’t it? I don’t want to be like my mother, how she is now. Maybe she was different with my father; she was only sixteen. He was here for the winter, teaching skiing, and left before he found out she was pregnant. Or maybe when he found out. But I’ve seen Mom with other boyfriends, and she dominates. Everything has to be her way.”
    Nascha leaned her elbows on the table. “Has she ever married?”
    “Yes, she married Ricky’s—my brother’s—father. It lasted less than three years. He left when Ricky was a baby.” I sighed and poked my spoon at the melted swirls of vanilla and caramel in the bottom of the bowl. “And I can’t really blame him. He was a nice guy, but Mom made his life miserable.”
    “You were fond of him?”
    “Yes. I was ten when they started dating, and I very much wanted a father. I tried to be the perfect daughter. He was always kind to me, but….” Memories I’d tried to forget lurked in the shadows of my mind. My stomach churned.
    “Audra.” Nascha touched my arm. “Are you all right? Did he try something?”
    “No! Oh no, he didn’t do anything wrong. It was my mother.” I rubbed my hands over my face. Tears pricked my eyes and I couldn’t believe how easily the pain came back. But it was better to acknowledge it and move on. “I matured early. Physically, that is. I realize now I was incredibly naïve in high school. Anyway, by thirteen I’d shot up to five foot ten and gotten a figure, such as it is. I think my mother was jealous.”
    “I don’t think I like your mother very much.”
    I gave a watery chuckle. “When I’m feeling generous, I can feel sorry for her.” I straightened. “But she started picking at Richard for everything. And me, too. Making snide innuendos. I guess she finally found his breaking point. He walked out. I haven’t seen him since. She won’t even let him see Ricky.”
    “If he really wanted to, he could fight for that right.”
    I sighed. “Yes. And that hurts, too. He was nice, but weak. Mom is strong, but such a perfectionist she’s often cruel. I don’t want to be like either of them.”
    She patted my arm again. “You aren’t. From what I’ve seen, you’re already better than either of them.”
    “Thank you.” The ache started to recede.
    “But I can understand why you don’t want a handsome, dominant police officer.” She gave her wicked grin. “So then you won’t mind if I take both of them.”
    I laughed. “You’re just trying to cheer me up.”
    “Is it working?”
    “It is, thanks.” Tears wanted to well up again, but I blinked them back. I wasn’t usually this weepy. “And thanks for, well, putting up with me. You and Eslinda. You didn’t have to…” I broke off.
    She scowled at me. “Am I going to