Read Online The Long Journey to Jake Palmer by James L. Rubart - Free Book Online Page A

you took me?”
    “No.”
    “You took me into the field across the street from our houses and up into that tree fort of yours that should have been condemned—I can’t believe our parents let us hang out in that thing, but given the kind of parents we had, it probably shouldn’t surprise me.”
    Susie leaned her elbows on the railing and gazed out over the lake. “You told me something as we sat on those half-rotted boards that I’ll never forget. Maybe because it seemed so secret at the time, or maybe it was because it was pretty mature for a kid to say, but it’s always stuck with me.”
    “Yeah?” Jake had no idea what she was going to say. “And you think I need to hear it again now.”
    “I know you need to hear it again now.”
    Susie narrowed her eyes in that way that said he’d better listen, and more than listen, take whatever she was about to say to heart.
    “Okay.”
    “Little ten-year-old Jake Palmer stares at me sitting in that tree house and says, ‘I don’t think we’re really ourselves until who we are on the inside is the same as who we are on the outside.’ ”
    “I said that?”
    “Yes.” Susie poked him in the chest again. “It’s time to start acting like it.”
    “I’m trying.”
    “Good. Oh, oh!” Susie shook his arms. “I forgot to tell you, I wrote a song for you. You’re going to love it. Andrew even helped me with the lyrics.”
    “Can’t wait.” Jake folded his arms and grinned. Just being with Susie lifted his spirits.
    “Yeah, it’ll make you cry, but that’s good for the soul.”
    “No doubt.” He strolled with Susie toward the barbecue. “How’s the summer concert series going?”
    “The audiences haven’t been huge, but it’s been sooooo fun. I’m doing the classic get-someone-from-the-audience-to-get-up-and-dance, and for the most part it’s been a show highlight.”
    “Most part?”
    Susie laughed. “So I get this guy up there who’s so nervous—”
    “Why’d you pick someone who would be nervous?”
    “I didn’t pick him, my team did. And they claim the guy begged to get up there.”
    “Bad?”
    “Couldn’t dance. At all. I don’t mean he was terrible. He literally could not take a step without stumbling or falling over. And you know how I get when I’m nervous for someone.”
    “You didn’t.”
    “Yes! Couldn’t stop laughing. Loudly!” Susie groaned. “Felt sooooo bad. But I ended up taking him and his daughters out to dinner afterward, gave them a bunch of CDs, so it worked out in the end.”
    “He must have felt like an idiot.” Jake smiled.
    “Yeah, Jake, maybe he did.” Susie paused till he looked directly at her. Serious face again. “But at least he had the courage to step into his fear.”
    “That wasn’t subtle.”
    “Time for you to get up onstage and dance again, Jake.”

8
    A fter promising Susie they’d talk more about her music and his stage fright, Jake strolled into the kitchen and glanced at the counter, full of bowls of pasta. Peter stood at the stove stirring a fattening-looking cream sauce. Another of Peter’s masterpiece meals looked to be well on its way to completion.
    “Looks like you’re whipping up a simple concoction for our first dinner.”
    “Chicken Alfredo with artichoke hearts, pine nuts, mushrooms, and of course, garlic.” Peter pointed to his right. “Kalamata olive bread, olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping, roasted tomatoes with basil, and tiramisu for dessert. Nothing special.”
    “You are going to let me do one night of hot dogs and hamburgers, aren’t you?”
    “Sure. Absolutely.” Peter turned and winked. “As long as I don’t have to eat them.”
    Jake snatched a spoon out of the silverware drawer to dip in the sauce for a quick taste.
    “Don’t even think about it. There’s just the right amount for everyone.”
    Jake frowned at the almost overflowing pot of Alfredo sauce. “I think you’ve got more than enough. Or are you planning on a few surprise