Read Online Unprotected by Kristin Lee Johnson - Free Book Online Page A

wrote her daughter’s address and phone number on the back and gave it to Amanda.
    “Thanks,” Amanda said, taking the paper but knowing she would never call.
    “Who’s that in your mom’s room,” Bonnie asked. “Is that her sister or something?”
    Amanda sunk back on the couch. “Long story.” She looked away and hoped Bonnie would take the hint that she didn’t want to talk about them.
    “Do you want them to go? I can ask them to leave if you want.”
    Now there was a question , Amanda thought. She wanted them to leave in a way, but only so she didn’t have to deal with them face to face. It had made a difference to have them sitting with her. She and Trix had played several hands of gin, which made the time pass faster. Jake had barely spoken, but his presence was comforting. Comfort was another new concept in her world.
    “No, they can stay,” Amanda finally said. “They’re just some people I met recently who are trying to help me out. I’m the local charity case, you know.”
    “Amanda, can I tell you something?” Bonnie leaned forward and put her hand on Amanda’s knee. “I know we don’t know each other very well, but I’ve actually seen you here a lot, especially a few years ago when your mom was first diagnosed. I’ve been through this myself with my husband who passed away last March. I have lots of family—four brothers and a sister, many nieces and nephews, cousins, and my grandma who is still alive. It’s really true that in a crisis you learn who your friends are. My brothers didn’t have a clue about what to do for me, my sister lives in Florida, and my friends brought food and ran out the door as quick as they could. My sister-in-law, the one who is married to my youngest brother, was the one who came to the funeral home with me to pick out a casket. She stood with me at the funeral, wrote thank you notes with me afterwards, and took me out for coffee every Saturday morning without fail.”
    “That’s nice,” Amanda said, beginning to feel awkward. Bonnie was right. They didn’t know each other very well, and she didn’t know why she was telling her all this now.
    “My point is that it isn’t easy to support someone through a loss like this, and my family couldn’t really handle it. My sister-in-law was the only one who understood what I needed and was truly there for me, and she only married my brother three years ago. I don’t think these people would do all this because you’re a charity case,” Bonnie said.
    “I don’t know why anyone would do all the things they’ve done for me,” Amanda said suddenly. “You wouldn’t believe what these people have done. They just give and give, and I keep waiting to hear what the catch is.”
    “Maybe they are doing this because they like you, my dear. Maybe they get as much out of being with you as you get out of being with them.”
    “I can’t imagine that,” Amanda said.
    “Amanda!” Bonnie said, grabbing her shoulders and looking her in the face. “Are you really this cynical, or do you think you’re just not worth the effort?”
    Amanda sighed and looked at the floor in reply.
    “Oh dear,” Bonnie said. “I thought so.”
     
    * * *
     
    When Bonnie went back to her shift, Amanda saw that the sun was coming up and thought she should return to her mother’s room. She found Jake dozing and Trix sitting by the window watching the sunrise.
    “Good morning, sweetheart,” Trix said quietly. “I was going to chase you down, but I realized you might need some space so I didn’t.”
    “It’s okay,” Amanda said. “Let’s just forget it.”
    Trix opened her mouth to reply, but realized that she wouldn’t be “forgetting it” if she did, so she stopped herself. “Pretty sunrise.”
    Amanda smiled absently and sat back on her chair, back in her “position.”
    “Would you like me to run out and get some bagels?” Trix asked.
    Amanda groaned. “I’m really not ready to eat yet. I’ll wait until after