Savage Lane Read Online Free Page A

toward the sliding screen doors. She let him out and then, watching the happy dog sprint toward the backyard to do his business, she thought, Dog, hair of the dog, that’s it , and she got a glass, went to the liquor cabinet in the dining room, and poured some vodka—not much, just a half a glass, enough to get back .
    As she was putting the vodka away she heard, “Hi, Mom.”
    Justin’s voice startled her, and she nearly dropped the bottle.
    “I didn’t know you were up, you scared me,” Deb said.
    “I don’t feel good,” he said, holding his stomach.
    Thinking, Join the club , she said, “You’re probably just hungry. Why don’t you go into the kitchen and watch some TV, and I’ll make you breakfast?”
    When he was gone she drank the vodka in one gulp. At first, it made her feel even worse, and she thought she might throw up, but after a few moments she felt better. Well, less sick anyway.
    In the kitchen, Justin was at the table, already gripped by Pokémon on TV.
    “How about some pancakes for that hungry stomach of yours?” Deb asked.
    “Okay,” Justin said, staring at the screen.
    As Deb got busy making the pancake batter and greasing up the pan, she felt great—not only because the hair of the dog had had its full effect, but because she was back in her mommy role. This was what she had been risking for a fling with a teenager. She was so glad she was ending it, that she’d woken up from this nightmare.
    She served Justin the pancakes and after a couple of bites he said his stomach felt better.
    Later, when she was clearing the table, Mark came down to the kitchen in boxers and an old T-shirt, grunted, “Morning,” and went right to the Keurig.
    “Good morning,” she said.
    He remained with his back to her, waiting for the coffee. Although Mark’s behavior wasn’t so unusual—they never said much to each other in the morning—today it obviously had to do with the fight in the car and all the tension last night. Deb knew she’d made a mistake, making a big deal about him and Karen. While it was incredibly obvious that they were at least contemplating an affair, Deb knew that confronting him about it and threatening to tell Karen was a bad idea while she was still involved with Owen. The only reason Mark hadn’t found out about Owen yet was because he was so preoccupied with Karen and, besides, what right did Deb have to be upset about anything that Mark did?
    “Can we talk about last night?” Deb asked.
    The coffee was spurting into the mug.
    “What’s there to talk about?”
    Typical Mark, preferring to let things stew than deal with an issue head-on.
    “About yesterday in the car.” She lowered her voice to make sure Justin couldn’t overhear. “I still feel bad for attacking you. That was wrong of me.”
    “Whatever,” Mark said, still staring at the coffeemaker. “It was no big deal.”
    Deb noticed Mark was holding his iPhone. This was normal too—well, normal lately. He seemed to carry his cell around with him all the time and sometimes he’d say he needed to “get some air” or make excuses to drive to get gas or milk or whatever else he could think of.
    “Also about what happened in bed,” Deb said. “I don’t know why I freaked out like that. I guess it’s just been a while since we—”
    “Do I have to go?”
    Justin had just entered the kitchen, still in his pajamas.
    “Yes,” Deb said, “the coach said this practice is mandatory.”
    “No, do I have to go to Andrew’s sleepover tonight?”
    “Yes, and please get dressed.”
    “Okay.” Justin left.
    “What was I saying?” Deb asked Mark.
    Adding milk to the cup of coffee, Mark said, “I don’t know.”
    “Oh, last night,” Deb said. “I was a little drunk, and I’m not sure what happened, but I meant what I said about us going on a trip. I think it would be good for us to get away from all of this, escape. I really think we need this right now.”
    Walking by her with the coffee in one hand,