Broken Read Online Free Page A

“You look amazing, how was your summer?” Blushing at the amazing part of his statement, Gabby held her head slightly down and looking up with her big eyes cordially replied, “Busy, I spent most of it babysitting. It went by way too fast. How was yours, John?”
    “Good, went to this soccer camp at Wake Forest with Ian and then spent the rest of the time surfing at the beach.”
    John and Ian were best friends. They were both on the soccer team and John had dark brown hair, thick dark eyebrows, and big brown eyes. He was not just cute, but he was such a sweet guy. He was always polite and charming. John had formed a very protective bond over Gabby, much like the brother she didn’t have. Despite this, Gabby had tried to avoid John for the last year. He was a reminder of heartache for her. Nonetheless, John was always polite, kind, and even gracious to her. He was a true friend in every sense of the word.
    “Anyway, where are my manners? Gabby. Lindsey. Come in. Please help yourself to the food in the kitchen. I’m sure my mom would love to see you both, especially you Gabby,” John said warmly holding his arm out and backed up to open the entryway.
    The girls walked around into the foyer, which had high fifteen-foot ceilings and balconies from the second floor overlooking the area. The kitchen was just around the corner to the right and it held spectacular views of the ocean. There were dark granite countertops, all stainless steel appliances with a chef’s range and hood. Located in the center of the kitchen was a spacious eat-in island with five bar stools lined up in a row. The kitchen opened up to the living room, which was decorated in a sophisticated tropical theme décor. Most of the people in the living room were watching television or playing games. Since Gabby kept more to herself, most of them knew Lindsey better than her, but they all knew and loved Gabby. They all greeted the girls, some getting up to embrace them, asking how their summer was spent.
    “Gabriella Gerhart! Is that you,” John’s mom Stella smiled a large smile and immediately opened her arms wide to embrace Gabby. Stella had long, black straight hair. She had an olive complexion, was naturally tanned, and her skin was flawless. She was in her mid-forties, but she carried her age well. It was clear that John got his good looks directly from Stella. It was no secret she ran a mile every morning on the beach, she was tall, toned, and very lean. As Gabby approached Stella, both couldn’t help but smile, even though seeing Stella was hard for Gabby because she reminded her of her mother.
    When Gabby and her mother, Grace, had joined the same small church as the Martins, Stella and Grace had become best friends almost immediately and loved sewing together. They would hang out by the pool reading the same book, and then they would spend hours talking about their different interpretations. Stella invited Grace over to her weekly Bible studies before Grace was diagnosed with breast cancer and had introduced her to so many people who had been so good to Grace, Gabby and Sam. When Stella had learned Grace was sick, Stella had promised to help Grace’s sister, Emma, take care of her. Emma was a young widow with no children of her own. She moved in with Gabby and Grace in Charleston from Augusta, Georgia, when she got the news that Stella had stage-four cancer. Stella and Emma took turns taking Grace to treatments and being her caregiver. They both tried to make sure Gabby’s life continued as normal as possible. High school was hard enough without a father, but the thought of Gabby now losing her mother was difficult for those who knew Grace, Sam and Gabby and all they had been through, and all they had overcome.
    “Gabby, my dear, you look lovely. I sure have missed seeing you at church. How have you been, sweety?” Stella released their embrace and holding Gabby out at arm’s length to look her over to make sure she looked well, she beamed