Gillian's Do-Over Read Online Free Page B

places that were local and easily reached by car, but at least she’d started it. Maybe telling Lauren that she’d begun her list would make her neighbor ease up with her suggestions about being adventurous. Adventure was so not her style. Lauren had called it her “do-over” list.
    She walked upstairs to shower and dress, and then wandered through the house, mentally checking off what she should do in each room. Another list she needed to make. She went downstairs. No need to wait until Saturday to do the laundry.
    After starting the washing machine, she wandered into the basement game room, so rarely used now that Quinn no longer lived at home. She opened one closet, so full of discarded games and toys, the door no longer shut completely. In the corner, in need of additional air, leaned the blow-up clown her child had often pummeled, with her encouragement, when he was angry about something. It had come in handy before the divorce, when Quinn had taken out his anger on his friends at the all-day preschool. With the teacher’s encouragement, Gillian had bought the toy and encouraged her son to use it. One day, when he finally stopped pummeling the clown, Quinn told her he was beating up Dad for being mean to her. At least he hadn’t tried to hit Owen.
    Something else to do—clean out the closet, straighten it enough to be able to close the door.
    Gillian hauled out the blow-up clown and added air to the big toy. The old clown looked a lot perkier all plumped up. Entirely too cheerful. She pushed at it and its head bounced away from her, the weighted feet remaining where they were. She pushed it again then slapped it. “Take that, Nick Talmadge,” she growled, slapping it a second time. Before long, she was yelling at the clown and hitting it with both hands. Her anger at Nick blossomed into rage as she used hands and feet to punish the blow-up toy.
    Her breath was coming in short spurts when she heard someone banging on the back door. Gillian turned, caught her breath, and trotted upstairs.
    Lauren smiled at her through the screen door. “I saw lights on and decided to check on you. Why are you out of breath? Exercising on Quinn’s old equipment?”
    “Actually, I was beating up Nick, aka that blow-up clown of Quinn’s.”
    Lauren snorted. “I’ll bet that felt good.”
    Gillian nodded and brushed her hair off her forehead. “Want some coffee?”
    “Sure.” Lauren took a seat in the kitchen. “What are you going to do today?”
    “Your guess is as good as mine. I put clothes in the washer. The dryer’s almost done with the first load. I suppose I could tackle the ironing.” She made a face. “I know I should do something . Just haven’t figured out what.”
    “You said you might do some sketching when we talked last night.”
    “I did, didn’t I? Maybe I will.” But she didn’t move from her seat across from Lauren. “To tell you the truth, I don’t have much energy to do anything at the moment, now that I’ve beaten Nick to a pulp.” A little chuckle escaped. Lauren snorted, and then they both burst out laughing.
    “That’s a good start, if you ask me.”
    “Quinn’s coming home this weekend.”
    “Good. Have you told him what Nick did?”
    “I never quite got around to it. Maybe over dinner. He said something about needing to talk.”
    Lauren patted her hand. “I’m glad you have that clown toy. Put ol’ Nick’s face on it and give him a few whacks for me, too. You deserve better.”
    “ I went on a singles website.”
    Lauren chuckled. “ Good for you. It’s about time you met some men. How long has it been?”
    “Quinn asked me the same question.” Gillian’s foot bounced nervously against the table leg. “Do you think it’s possible I migh t actually find a friend online? A male friend?”
    “ Not if you don’t put yourself out there.” Lauren grinned mischievously. “Maybe even a friend with benefits, although you’d have to meet him in person for