I Wish... Read Online Free Page B

me of my mother; all coiled grace. She gave me a tiny smile as she said hello.

    "Hi there. I'm This- I mean, Jane." Introducing myself that way would take some getting used to. What a normal name. Boring even.

    "Jane?" Her pretty nose crinkled and the resemblance to a bunny was strong. "As in Jane Madison? Vanna's bastard daughter?"

    "Whoa, manners!" I didn't have an earthly clue how to respond to such a frank statement that defied all rules of tact and social nicety.

    She smirked. I couldn't believe that anyone would act so rude outside of cheesy movies about mean high school girls. I mean, seriously?

    "Surely you didn't think that you were going to be able to show up here and ruin everything and everyone would adore you for it?"

    "I'm a little scared to stick my hand into the crazy, but I'll bite. What exactly am I ruining? You'll have to forgive me for being a little slow to pick up on it because until half an hour ago I didn't even know I had a bitchy cousin."

    Darcy stopped smirking, but I didn't really prefer the death stare that replaced it. She looked like a girl who would cut a bitch. "Quit playing dumb. You know what showing up here right now means to my family."

    "Joke's on you. I'm not playing. I have no friggin' clue what you're going on about."

    She rolled her eyes. "If that's true then I can almost feel bad for you because you won't have a prayer in this town."

    Darcy got up from the couch and I had a chance to admire her long legs in the tiny shorts she was wearing as she dismissively turned her back to me and took her time gathering her things.

    Now I felt like the creeper for even noticing. I decided that I wanted some air and now wouldn't be too soon. I went outside and considered my options. I didn't feel like I would be able to concentrate on reading after that little exchange. As awful as Darcy had been, at least she gave me another valuable clue. Jane Madison. I said the name out loud under my breath a few times.

    I decided on the spur of the moment that I'd like to find out of this town actually did have a soda shop. I had a few bucks in my pocket and an appetite. The town wasn't very big, maybe four miles from one end to the other. Which meant that the town square was probably around two miles from here. I could walk that in no time. I routinely jogged twice that and then some.

    It was a gorgeous autumn day. Although it was a little warmer than this in California, the air only had a hint of chill today. I noticed again how the flowers here were still in bloom. For a minute I just enjoyed the sun on my skin and the beauty that surrounded me. I tried to imagine what it would be like to live here.

    Settling into one place had always been a dream of mine. I loved books and movies about people who became lifelong friends with the people in their neighborhoods. I hadn't discussed it with anyone, but I planned to get a degree in education and become a teacher in a tiny town. I could guess what Ramona would say, but I just wasn't motivated by money and fame the way she was. I hoped that I'd meet a boy in college who wouldn't think my upbringing was too weird and we could get married and have a couple of kids. It was all pretty much the polar opposite of the life I'd lead so far, but I wanted it so bad I could taste it.

     I made it to the shops before I'd even had a chance to speculate on the weirdness back at the house. That was fine with me. The vibes there were confusing and today was just too pretty to waste on negative things I didn't even understand.

    I walked past the shops closest to the house. A florist, a hardware store, and ah there it was, a diner. The booths that lined the windows were full and I felt a lot of eyes on me before I even opened the door. As I entered I saw all the remaining heads swivel my direction.

    A smiling woman behind the counter didn't even spare me a second glance, she just hollered, "Sit anywhere you'd like, Hon."

    I chose a seat at the counter. I know it