Forbidden Entry Read Online Free Page A

against escalating the argument inside the terminal. “I’ll be back in a few minutes,” I said, unable to miss the look of weary forbearance shadowing my dad’s face.
    As we weaved our way through the throngs of travelers crowding the terminal, Sean was furiously texting someone on his phone. “Everything okay?” I asked after he jammed the phone into his jeans pocket.
    A simultaneous scowl and shrug. “Not really. My girlfriend’s turned into a real bitch.”
    I frowned. “You mean Robin? I heard she’s really sweet.”
    â€œUsed to be. But, I’m tired of her bullshit and I’m gonna dump her when I get back home.”
    His pronouncement puzzled me. According to my mother, the young woman was pleasant, attractive and serious about her college career. I waited a few seconds to see if he’d elaborate, but he didn’t. “Oh. Well, I’m sorry to hear that.”
    â€œI’m not.”
    He fell silent and several minutes passed before I caught his eye. “Let me guess. It’s not so much that you wanted to visit with me as you wanted to get away from Mom, right?”
    His faint smile looked a tad sheepish. “That obvious, huh?”
    â€œYeah.” I said nothing else until we reached the elevators. I punched the button and then turned to meet my brother’s hazel eyes. “So, do you want to tell me what’s going on between you two? You could have cut the tension with a really dull butter knife.”
    He looked away for a few seconds and then stared at the floor, fidgeting. “Oh, you know how she is. Always on my ass about something.”
    â€œSomething? Like what?” Considering their hostile behavior towards one another, his vague answer didn’t fly with me.
    The elevator chimed its arrival and when several other people crowded in with us, our conversation ended. Everyone rode in the usual strained elevator silence, but when we stepped into the parking garage, I put a restraining hand on his arm. “Sean, level with me. What’s going on?”
    He hesitated for extended seconds, his gaze guarded. “Okay, well…I guess I messed up a little.”
    â€œWhat do you mean, ‘messed up a little’?”
    He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “I kind of got busted last week for selling pot to an undercover cop. No biggie.” A defensive grin accompanied his protracted shrug.
    â€œNo biggie?” I gawked at him. “What the hell were you thinking? You should know better than to pull a stupid stunt like that!”
    A dramatic eye roll. “Oh, man! You sound just like Mom and Dad. I know what you’re thinking. Here he goes again. Sean is always a disappointment, such a loser. It really pisses me off to hear them constantly comparing me to you and Pat.” His voice dripped with resentment. “Patrick’s got a great-paying job, Patrick’s got a big, honkin’ house, Patrick’s married with two perfect kids, look how smart, ambitious and successful Kendall is, blah, blah, blah. Why can’t you be more like them? Why can’t you make something of yourself? I’m sick of hearing it!”
    I drew back, stunned by his bitter sarcasm. “Sean, you’re twenty-five years old, not sixteen. You do understand what you did was wrong?” When he didn’t answer, I continued with, “Last time I checked, dealing drugs was against the law, so don’t try to lay this off on me and Pat.” I wanted to add that he should also be ashamed of himself for what had to be hugely embarrassing to our parents. I was quite familiar with how lightning-quick news travels in small towns.
    He scrunched his face unattractively. “Well, it’s a dumb law. And I don’t need a third lecture from you. Just chill out, okay?”
    â€œChill out? Seriously? You knowingly commit a felony and I’m supposed to be fine with it? Well, I’m