A Deadly Fall Read Online Free

more shifts at the assisted living center. I can do four long days a week and still work less than him!”
     
    “But after the first year of marriage, you’re happy right?” I asked, thinking I shouldn’t even have to ask it, but I couldn’t tell as she talked about Jack’s obsession with working.
     
    “Of course! I couldn’t imagine my life without him! We’re only 23. We’re still figuring this whole thing out. Not, being together, but making a life together. We talked about having kids the other day and I think we’re both ready. We’re going to take this trip to play hard and then see if we still feel that way. We’re so happy together, and bringing another person into the world to share that happiness with just makes the most sense.”
     
    “That’s great!” I said, not knowing what else to add. The more she talked, the less I felt I knew about my little sister.
     
    ***
     
    “OK, fine, I’ll meet you in a half hour,” I conceded over the phone. Lynn had always been the outgoing friend who kept me involved in the social crowd. I loved her, but our paths had diverged a long time ago. I don’t know how she’d found out I was even in town. I didn’t use Facebook, I didn’t have her number.
     
    She was dating Judy’s older brother. I couldn’t remember his name, just that he existed. He was a couple years younger than I was and his family had moved to town in my senior year of high school. I got to know Judy, but not her family. Sarah must have let Judy know I was in town, even though she wasn’t, and to let Lynn know to reach out to catch up.
     
    I raided Sarah’s closet. I hadn’t brought anything that would even remotely pass for getting dressed up and going out to a bar. I’d packed jeans, sweats and hiking clothes for my two weeks. And it’d only taken three days to get invited to something I didn’t really want to go to.
     
    Her closet was full of a huge variety of clothes. What did she have with her? This closet looked packed and she’d taken so much with her. I was sure I could find something reasonable that fit.
     
    I settled on my jeans and a tight fitted black tank under a maroon scoop neck sweater. It was a surprisingly warm night for April in the White Mountains. The winter could last into May sometimes. This year happened to have an early thaw. Or a temporary early thaw—there was no guarantee the warm stretch would last.
     
    “Marissa! It’s so good to see you!” Lynn shouted as soon as she saw me enter The Lazy River. The evening crowd hadn’t started yet so Lynn’s small group of friends was easy to spot.
     
    “You too, it’s been ages!” I agreed as we embraced.
     
    “You’re never around anymore. Come meet everyone. You remember my boyfriend, Sam,” she said, starting introductions. Sam, that’s his name, Judy’s older brother , I thought to myself. “And Ryan, Stephanie, Joey and Helen. Everyone, this is Marissa. We go way back.”
     
    “Hi,” I said with false enthusiasm. I was happy to catch up with Lynn but I had no interest in attempting to make any new friendships during my short stay at Sarah and Jack’s. I sat down next to Lynn and she jumped right back into where we’d left off the last time we’d seen each other—I don’t even remember how long ago.
     
    “Sarah and Jack must be so excited to be going on this trip!” Lynn bubbled with enthusiasm.
     
    “It seems so,” I agreed. “It sounds like he works quite a bit so this will be a good chance for them to have uninterrupted time together.”
     
    “Winter backpacking will be great for spending that time together! Sam mentioned they’re even booking a helicopter to get to some of the more remote areas. Sam, do you know if they were able to book the helicopter before they left?” she asked, turning to her boyfriend.
     
    “I think they could. It sounds incredible, the itinerary they have planned.”
     
    “That’s great! Jack must be good at convincing Sarah to try new