Body of Ash Read Online Free Page B

back just enough to meet his eyes. “You don’t want me to have to leave, right?” Her tone grew higher, along with her confidence.
     
    Jason smiled, encouraging her to continue.
     
    “You’re parents have a big place. I can work for them after school and on weekends to cover room and board. I’ll get a lawyer and file for emancipation or something like that.” Her words c ame out in a rush, sounding desp erate, but it was all she had.
     
    “I don’t know,” he offered, surprised with her suggestion.  “I c an ask them.” 
     
    “Don’t ask, ” she said, shaking her head, “ insist. Tel l them that I’m being sent away and it’s unfair.” Rachel stared at her boyfriend. He was nodding, but there was something beneath the surface of his expression.
     
    Doubt? He doesn’t think it will work?
     
    “What is it?”
     
    Jason’s arms dropped to his side.  He dragged his hand through his dark hair . “I want to help you, but I don’t want my paren ts to get in trouble, either.”
     
    “How would they get into trouble?” She was confused. His parents were wonderful; she knew they would help her .
     
    All he has to do is ask.
     
    “I don’t know, harboring a runaway or something,” he said looking down at his feet. His body had grown stiff and for the f irst time, there was a hint of worry in his eyes.
     
    Rachel grew colder.  As she studied the one person she felt closest to, she realized the boarding school wasn’t the only thing about to put dis tance between them. 
     
    “I’ll come visit you,” he stated, before kissing the top of her head. “We’ll Skype before bed and, who knows, maybe you’ll get a dirty little school girl’s uniform you can wear for me .”  Offering her the same crooked grin she once found so endearing, he traced his fingertips across her cheek.  “It won’t be so bad and it’s only until the end of the school year and we go away to college. Maybe we can even look into off campus housing so you don’t have to come back here at all.”
     
    Rachel stepped into his arms, her tears wetting the front of his coat. “I don’t want to go.”
     
    “I don’t want you to either,” he whispered. “We’ll find a way to make them change their minds.”
     
    “I know them. They won’t.”
     
    “Keep wearing your ring. Never take it off. When you’re scared, look at it and know that I’m thinking of you.” Pulling her tight to him, he kissed her forehead, then her lips.
     
    “I will,” she said, gripping her first tightly. “I promise.”
     
    “Good. In the meanwhile, I’ll think of something. We’ll change their minds.”
     
    After one last caress, Jason turned his back and jogged down the sidewalk to where his bike was parked beneath the street light.
     
    As she watched the Yamaha ’s engine roar to life, the sting of her paper cut was all she could feel.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    7
     
    ANGELA
    Thursday 8:30 PM
     
    Peering through the matchstick blinds, Angela stood just inside the foyer. The street lamp allowed her to observe her daughter, sitting alone on the steps. The sky was clear, but it was cold out. Still her daughter made no attempt to come in. With her chin tucked to her knees, Rachel’s shoulders quaked. Through the lightweight aluminum door, the low pitch of her weeping filtered in.
     
    The news came as a blow.
     
    Her daughter’s grief was painful to witness . As a parent, she wanted to comfort her child, but Angela couldn’t allow a crack in her resolve. She had to believe this was for her daughter’s own good, but the pain in her stomach revealed otherwise.
     
    Turning slightly, she watched as Brian poured another glass of pinot noir. Dressed in outdated corduroy, his bloated body disgusted her. Greedily, his thick tongue licked the side of the glass. One of his favorite sermons was the importance of abstaining from alcohol. What he didn’t share was that he seldom resisted any temptation.
     
    The man was