Sacrifice (Absent Shadows Trilogy Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

planned to do? Sure it was easier to go with Claire at Christmas, but wasn’t that just procrastinating, and feeding my insecurities? Wasn’t I best to just bite the bullet and tell Mom all about Sam … well, maybe not everything about Sam … but enough that she’d understand? If I sold my car, I’d have enough money for the ticket. Why did I agree to wait until Christmas anyway?
    And then I’d think about David, and feel grateful that at least there was one thing that was clear to me—David was history, and would remain that way. There was no question of us getting back together; not now and not ever.
    And I was also grateful that, for whatever reason, David didn’t bother me again.
    ~~***~~
    The weeks did eventually pass, even if slowly, and although I still questioned the wisdom of waiting until Christmas to go back to Australia, I didn’t do anything about going sooner. Claire kept in contact, reminding me on a regular basis how much she was looking forward to the trip. Then, in early October, she rang to tell me some exciting news. I was just about to go to bed, and I welcomed the distraction.
    ‘Lili, you’re not going to believe this, but I’ve met someone,’ she said, all breathless.
    ‘You met someone? When? Where? Spill it … I want all the gory details.’
    ‘In the library on campus, of all places. Did you know there are actually some things that you can’t read about on the internet? Who’d of thought, eh?’ she giggled and it made me realise how much I missed her company.
    ‘Go on … really?’ I laughed.
    ‘Look, he’s no Tom. I mean, he isn’t anywhere near as good looking, or funny … and his body, well how can I say this nicely … he’s a professor, not an athlete. His name is Gerald. And he’s really nice. And he’s kinda cute. Mum would love him. Not that she doesn’t like Tom; but she likes Tom as Tom, not as someone for me, if you know what I mean.’
    ‘Yeah, I know what you mean. So, will I get to meet him? Will you bring him to the Halloween party?’
    ‘Well, that’s the thing actually. That’s why I rang. I don’t think it would be his scene. He’s a bit older than me. I think he’d find the whole thing, you know, rather … childish. I mentioned it to him, and he didn’t say no, but he got his faraway look, like he was wondering why he was even with me.’
    ‘Uh, Claire, when you say he’s a bit older, just how much older are we talking about?’
    ‘Thirty-three.’
    ‘Oh … My … God. Claire, are you nuts? What are you doing with a thirty-three year old professor? Oh, never mind. I can see what this is. This is just a fling to take your mind off Tom. So, I guess you’re saying you won’t make it up for the party after all?’
    ‘Yeah, no, I mean, I probably won’t.’
    ‘That’s okay. Although you know, you could just come on your own and leave him at home, with his dog. He has a dog, doesn’t he? I’m picturing this old hound dog. And does he wear one of those jackets with the leather elbow patches?’ I asked, starting to laugh. Then, when I caught my breath, ‘Oh, oh … and let me guess, he smokes a pipe, right?’
    I had totally lost it now, and Claire laughed just as hard on the other end of the phone. Man, I missed her.
    ‘Come on, he’s not that old. You’re describing, like, my great-grandfather or somebody.’
    ‘Okay, so stay at home with your old professor. Raye will understand. I may never forgive you, but she will.’
    ‘Really? Is it that bad?’
    ‘I’m kidding of course. Come if you can, but if not, we’ll just talk about you all night.’
    ‘Argh—okay, look, maybe I will come on my own.’
    ‘That’s the Claire I know. Besides, if you don’t come who am I going to dance with all night?’
    ~~***~~
    About two weeks later I noticed I’d had a call from a blocked number. I had just gotten home from my classes in the late afternoon. I was pretty sure it wouldn’t be Sam, but I got excited anyway—he could have used