Secret Keepers and Skinny Shadows: Lee and Miranda Read Online Free
Author: Mary A Russell
the perfect empty box, and slipped out the storeroom door undetected.
Back at his desk tossing the few belongings he had into the box, he sighed while thinking, how pathetic he must look, after twenty-five years he could pack all his stuff into a small cardboard crate. Picking up Joan’s picture he placed it on top of the pile so it wouldn’t get broken. Sally strolled into his office with a look of concern.
“Lee, I’m surprised and shocked to hear the news. It’s hard to believe they would do this to you. Is there anything I can do to help? Do you need anything? Will you be all right?”
“No, thank you Sally you’ve already done more than enough. I’ll be fine.” He kept his eyes glued to the box.
“Well, if you’re sure I can’t help. I’ll keep in touch and I’m going to miss you.”
“Yeah. Thanks. Same here Sally, I think.” He couldn’t look at her. When she turned around and walked back to her desk, Lee looked up in time to see her break into a smile as she sat in her chair and went back to work on her computer. He could hear her humming a tune to herself.
With a gentle pat on Joan’s picture, he picked up the box, took one last look around the office then walked out of Wentworth Publishing for the last time.
On the drive home, he replayed the morning in his mind like a movie, recounting every detail.
Hoping it might be a bad dream and he would wake up soon. He couldn’t believe what they had done to him in a matter of minutes. Twenty-five years of dedicated service, wiped out, in a heartbeat. He lived and breathed editing and research for the company. Every six months he received offers from other publishing houses wanting him to come to work for them. Of course, when he stopped to think about it, there hadn’t been any of those offers in the last couple of years. He wasted so much of his life with Wentworth Publishing. He ignored Joan, his beautiful, compassionate wife, leaving her alone for weeks or months at a time. She was so understanding and loving. She told him many times, do what makes you happy, Lee. And like the selfish jerk he was, he did. He was glad Joan had Miranda as a friend. They grew up together and stayed friends through the years.
In looking back, Lee realized because Joan had Miranda it made it easy for him to cut her out of his life. After all, his career was what was important. Joan would have to find her own happiness. He knew when he returned home after a long road trip, she would be waiting for him with open arms to welcome him back. What foolish regrets he now had and he could never make it up to Joan, not now.
He ignored his family and friends, devoting his heart and soul to being the best in the business, and getting fired was his thanks.
CHAPTER 4
Bridgetown, New York, February 1962
W hen Joanie’s car was out of sight, Bert ambled across the room to the bed, sat on the edge of the mattress to finish lacing his other boot. He debated if he should put on his long underwear to keep him warm on the long walk to the bus, but he decided against it. It was too much work; he was anxious to get to town.
The house with all the furniture once belonged to his mother and father, now it was his to share with his sister. He was born in the log cabin still standing across the dirt driveway. The family moved into the new house when Bert was twelve years old.
At the dresser he was combing his hair, making sure he looked respectable. As he turned away, he did a double take, at the reflection looking back at him, he jumped, grabbing the dresser to steady his large frame. He gazed at the apparition perched on his shoulder staring back at him, rubbing his eyes in disbelief at the old goblin. He was scared because he only saw this ugly creature when he was drunk, and here it was looking back at him in the mirror. Bert raised his voice. Go away, Cadaverous, I haven’t
Back at his desk tossing the few belongings he had into the box, he sighed while thinking, how pathetic he must look, after twenty-five years he could pack all his stuff into a small cardboard crate. Picking up Joan’s picture he placed it on top of the pile so it wouldn’t get broken. Sally strolled into his office with a look of concern.
“Lee, I’m surprised and shocked to hear the news. It’s hard to believe they would do this to you. Is there anything I can do to help? Do you need anything? Will you be all right?”
“No, thank you Sally you’ve already done more than enough. I’ll be fine.” He kept his eyes glued to the box.
“Well, if you’re sure I can’t help. I’ll keep in touch and I’m going to miss you.”
“Yeah. Thanks. Same here Sally, I think.” He couldn’t look at her. When she turned around and walked back to her desk, Lee looked up in time to see her break into a smile as she sat in her chair and went back to work on her computer. He could hear her humming a tune to herself.
With a gentle pat on Joan’s picture, he picked up the box, took one last look around the office then walked out of Wentworth Publishing for the last time.
On the drive home, he replayed the morning in his mind like a movie, recounting every detail.
Hoping it might be a bad dream and he would wake up soon. He couldn’t believe what they had done to him in a matter of minutes. Twenty-five years of dedicated service, wiped out, in a heartbeat. He lived and breathed editing and research for the company. Every six months he received offers from other publishing houses wanting him to come to work for them. Of course, when he stopped to think about it, there hadn’t been any of those offers in the last couple of years. He wasted so much of his life with Wentworth Publishing. He ignored Joan, his beautiful, compassionate wife, leaving her alone for weeks or months at a time. She was so understanding and loving. She told him many times, do what makes you happy, Lee. And like the selfish jerk he was, he did. He was glad Joan had Miranda as a friend. They grew up together and stayed friends through the years.
In looking back, Lee realized because Joan had Miranda it made it easy for him to cut her out of his life. After all, his career was what was important. Joan would have to find her own happiness. He knew when he returned home after a long road trip, she would be waiting for him with open arms to welcome him back. What foolish regrets he now had and he could never make it up to Joan, not now.
He ignored his family and friends, devoting his heart and soul to being the best in the business, and getting fired was his thanks.
CHAPTER 4
Bridgetown, New York, February 1962
W hen Joanie’s car was out of sight, Bert ambled across the room to the bed, sat on the edge of the mattress to finish lacing his other boot. He debated if he should put on his long underwear to keep him warm on the long walk to the bus, but he decided against it. It was too much work; he was anxious to get to town.
The house with all the furniture once belonged to his mother and father, now it was his to share with his sister. He was born in the log cabin still standing across the dirt driveway. The family moved into the new house when Bert was twelve years old.
At the dresser he was combing his hair, making sure he looked respectable. As he turned away, he did a double take, at the reflection looking back at him, he jumped, grabbing the dresser to steady his large frame. He gazed at the apparition perched on his shoulder staring back at him, rubbing his eyes in disbelief at the old goblin. He was scared because he only saw this ugly creature when he was drunk, and here it was looking back at him in the mirror. Bert raised his voice. Go away, Cadaverous, I haven’t
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