Free Secondhand Sinners by Genevieve Lynne Page A

out forks, knives, and spoons. “A receptionist. That’s cool.”
    Emily laughed. “It was boring and not at all what I wanted to do.”
    “Then why’d you do it?”
    “I didn’t have much choice. I didn’t graduate from high school, and I was on my own so I had to do something.” Emily realized she was looking…really looking at Miller’s daughter for the first time. Now that they were closer, she could see how pretty she was. Her hair wasn’t just blonde; it had natural highlights from the sun. Her eyes weren’t just green; they were lagoons.
    “Oh. Well, what about now?”
    “Now I take care of Jack. I have to be available all the time in case he needs me. If you hand me that knife, I’ll cut this tomato.”
    Abby handed Emily a knife. “Even while he’s at school?”
    “Especially while he’s at school.”
    “You could move back here. We have a great school system. I know my dad would like it.”
    “I’m not so sure my family would be too crazy about that.” Emily was struck by how familiar she looked when she smiled. It was too vague for her to put her finger on it. It might have been an expression she’d seen on Miller when they were teenagers. She studied Abby’s face. Maybe there was a little Miller in her smile. That wasn’t it, though. There was something more. Was it Sara? Emily tried to concentrate on the tomato she was supposed to be slicing, but she kept looking at Abby, trying to figure out what was so familiar about her.
    Abby stepped closer and lowered her voice. “Can I ask you a question?”
    “Of course.”
    “Well. My birthday is coming up, and Daddy said I could have a pool party.”
    Emily tried to imagine Miller planning a girl’s birthday party. The thought made her smile. “That sounds like fun.”
    “I know, right? It’s…” Abby moved to shut the door and then came back to stand close enough to whisper. “I might have a problem. I don’t know how to use this.” She pulled a tampon out of her pocket.
    “Oh.”
    “I mean. I know where it goes and stuff. I don’t know how it works.”
    “So this is your first summer since…”
    “Yes.”
    Emily took the tampon with the words Super Plus printed on the wrapper. “Where did you get this?”
    “My dad.” Abby rolled her eyes. “He brought home two great big boxes of these things like he was stockpiling them for the apocalypse. I think he hopes that’s all I’ll ever need until I move out.”
    “You don’t want to use this.” She handed it back. “Sometime while I’m in town I’ll take you to the store and get you what you need.”
    “Thanks.” Abby sighed and put the big tampon back into her pocket. “My dad actually tried to read the instruction sheet. Talk about embarrassing.”
    Emily couldn’t stop herself from laughing a little at that. The more she thought about Miller trying to figure out the complicated teenage girl’s world, the more tender she felt toward him. He really was a good dad. “So do you have a boyfriend?” she asked.
    Abby said, “No,” through her not-quite-hidden smile.
    “What’s his name?”
    “Alex. Please don’t tell my dad. He doesn’t even like to talk about it. He gets all freaked out about boys. I think it’s because he’s afraid I’ll have sex because he and my mom had to get married. You know, like had to get married. It’s so backward, right? Getting married right after high school because you’re pregnant. Oh…” Abby’s eyes darted around for a few seconds. Then she said, “My daddy’s not really backward. He’s cool. I mean really cool. I’ll finish this salad if you want to go check on Jack.”
    Miller and Sara had to get married? Sara always did have a huge crush on Miller. They were an unofficial couple ever since their sophomore year, so when Emily heard they’d gotten married, she wasn’t too surprised. Devastated, but not surprised. Miller must’ve turned to Sara for comfort after that night Daniel killed himself and she left.