Since You've Been Gone Read Online Free Page B

do I always have to be so hurtful? “What are you doing?” I ask, hoping to change the conversation.
    Mom pauses for a moment before answering.
    â€œJust sorting though some bills to be sure I paid everything off in Toronto. In case we ever have to go back.”
    I nod. We can’t have our mail forwarded from Canada. It’s too dangerous to put a change of address file in with the post office; that would make it too easy to trace our steps here.
    â€œI know this is a big challenge, Edie. But I still think it was the right decision to move here. Once we’ve been here without any incidents for a year, I’ll put things into motion and get a real job with a decent salary.”
    â€œWe’ve hardly lasted a year anywhere.”
    Her eyes darken. She presses her lips together so that they look like two bloodless worms.
    â€œThen we’ll be able to rent a flat on our own,” she continues, though her voice is now strained. “And move out of here. I have a really good feeling this time.”
    I try to smile, but my face feels frozen, like the last time I went to see the dentist and he stuck a needle into my gums. I want to believe Mom, but there have just been too many times when things seemed good, even better than good. And then everything would all fall apart again. He’d find us. We’d run.
    â€œI should start my homework,” I say. I really don’t want to discuss the future. After all, the future doesn’t include my friends in Toronto or Peaches or anything that really matters to me.
    â€œWe’re survivors,” she says, placing her arm around my shoulder and giving me a squeeze.
    This time I don’t resist. I can’t stand to see that look of hurt in her eyes again.
    â€œIn fact, I’ll have you know that your old mom has already landed herself a job. What do you think of that?”
    I glance up. “It’s good … I suppose. What’s the job?”
    â€œWell,” Mom begins, settling back against the couch. She pulls me back with her. “Sit and relax for a minute, silly!”
    A spring from the couch pokes at my back like an anorexic finger.
    â€œI’m going to be cleaning swank office buildings in the heart of London.”
    I listen as my mother tries to make the new job sound decent. But I’m not buying it. She has two university degrees. Cleaning offices is a far cry from what she’s qualified to do.
    â€œThere’s only one little drawback to the job. Since I need to get paid under the table, I have to work the night shift for the first while.”
    I open my mouth to protest, but shut it again.
    â€œIt means you’ll be on your own a bit more. Are you okay with that?”
    Like I have a choice.
    â€œI guess you have to find some way to get us food and stuff,” I mumble.
    â€œRemember, it’s only going to be for a short while. And speaking of food,” she says, standing up and putting her hands on her hips. “I bought us a lovely roast chicken for dinner to celebrate.”
    My stomach does a hungry somersault. I haven’t eaten since lunch.
    â€œI think that homework can wait, don’t you?” Mom asks, giving me a hug.
    I want so badly to believe that she’s right; that everything is going to be okay. But I just can’t.

CHAPTER 6

    I wrinkle my nose. The smell of damp fills my nostrils. I roll over and bury my face deep into my pillow.
    My bedroom door opens.
    â€œWake up, sleepyhead!” Mom calls from the doorway.
    I force my head up from the pillow.
    â€œWe’ll get you some blinds with my first pay.” Mom says. She walks in and sits on the edge of the bed. “I’ll be gone to work before you get in from school this afternoon, but I’ll leave food in the fridge for dinner. Just be sure to turn the cooker off when you’re done using it.”
    Cooker? It’s a stove! I want to scream. Instead, I swing out of bed and stumble