To Protect and Serve Read Online Free

Tess’ mentor.
                  “I think you’re right, Tess.  Thanks.  I’ll go.”  Nancy picked up her purse, made sure she had her cell phone, and left.  She got outside before she remembered that she didn’t have her car.
                  Oh, for crying out loud!  What next?  She stood on the school sidewalk feeling the heat beat down on her shoulders while she debated her options.  She didn’t want to call Jonathon.  She just couldn’t face him yet.  The girls were busy.  They were home packing an overnight case to take with them to their grandparent’s home.  Dad! 
                  That was just about Nancy’s final undoing.  Tomorrow was her dad’s angiogram, and she had agreed to take him and Mom to the hospital.  Nancy wavered on the emotional precipice of what could easily become an avalanche of self-pity.
                  From somewhere deep inside, Nancy shored up her reserves of strength and decided that she’d just have to wait until later to fall apart. The divorce wasn’t tomorrow.  She didn’t HAVE to move out just yet.  Dad and the rest of her family came first right now.   Okay, she was a drama teacher.  Bring on Scarlett O’Hara.  I’ll think about it tomorrow.
                  Nancy took a deep breath, went back into the classroom and asked Tess if she’d mind terribly driving her home, because of her ‘headache.’
                  Nancy felt bad about lying, but was determined to do whatever she had to do to get through the next few days.  Not only for her parents’ sake, but for her girls, too.  The girls.  How was she going to tell the girls? 
                  Wait a minute.  Hold on.  It didn’t have to happen now.  No one needed to know right now.  There was enough stress already with Dad’s procedure.  This could wait.
                  And wait it did while Nancy took care of her family.
                  Tess dropped her off in front of the house and Nancy thanked her for the umpteenth time. 
                  “Give me a call!”  Tess waved as she drove off.
                  Nancy took another deep breath.  Well at least she was getting oxygenated today.  A little giddy with overwhelm, Nancy mumbled under her breath, “ and, scene .”  A small giggle erupted and Nancy clamped it down hard.  It would be so easy to crumble here on the front porch and have a complete set of hysterics.  Instead, she again pulled herself together, pasted a smile on her face and opened the front door.
                  “Girls!  I’m home!”  Nancy called out and instantly heard feet running upstairs.
                  Kate leaned over the upstairs banister and called down, “Hey, Mom!  When did you want to leave?”
                  “Oh, we’ve got a couple of hours, honey.  I haven’t packed yet either.  If we wait until after 5:00 we’ll be able to miss the rush on the 91 freeway.”  Nancy was pleased with just how normal she sounded.
                  “Hey, Mom!”  Christy’s head appeared next to Kate’s.  “Is there room in the car for my skateboard and blades?”
                  “Of course, sweetie!  If you want, we can even put the bike on the roof rack.”
                  “Nah.  We won’t be there that long.  Thanks anyways.”  Both Kate and Christy disappeared back into their rooms to finish packing.
                  Nancy wandered into the kitchen, the pristine white kitchen, and opened the refrigerator door.  The chilled air felt good on her face.  She removed a bottle of filtered water, found a glass and put ice cubes in it, then poured the water over the ice.
                  Taking the glass with her, Nancy moved into the pristine white living room and sat on the white leather