Wait for Me Read Online Free

forgive him and drive me home. After a few tears and gifts, everything would go back to normal – at least for a few days.
    I arrived on time at my brother’s house and was greeted by a fifty-pound fur ball.
    â€œThis is Scrappy,” said Fred, holding him by the collar.
    â€œScrappy because he never leaves a scrap?” I mocked, stroking the manic dog, which had started to pee with excitement.
    Miranda appeared in the doorway with a kitchen towel.
    â€œHey, I’m Miranda,” she said, leaning over the puddle.
    â€œSophie, the headache of a sister.”
    â€œOh my god you’re a drag!” my brother croaked. “Get in here you moron.”
    The house was completely different from what I remembered. For one thing it was much tidier, and it had a woman’s touch now.
    Miranda really was beautiful. She had long, flowing dark hair and voluptuous breasts. Yet, she was also slender, with a certain delicacy.
    She worked in her family’s grocery store. My brother had been looking for a bottle of Italian wine and asked her to help him choose. She recommended a 2008 Chianti. For fifteen days in a row, he went back to the store to buy another bottle of the same wine, at which point he declared his love. I sighed. There was something sweet about these hopelessly romantic stories. I always had the impression that couples like this would remember these moments, and in those memories their love for each other would be renewed again and again. The serenity of the evening was shattered when my brother asked the million-dollar question.
    â€œSophie, did he beat you?”
    I looked at him, astonished. “What are you talking about Fred?”
    â€œSophie, you’re not so good at hiding bruises.”
    I bit my lip and stared down at the empty plate, holding my breath.
    â€œFor how long?” he asked.
    Miranda stood up and went to occupy herself with the coffee machine, leaving me alone with him. I could feel his eyes but I couldn’t bring myself to look up.
    â€œFor how long?” he demanded.
    â€œA year”, I said, quietly.
    â€œAnd why the hell didn’t you tell me?”
    I managed to look him in the eye. “Why do you think?”
    He clenched his shaking hand into a fist.
    â€œYou need to make an appointment with Dr Richardson! You need to go back to therapy,” he demanded.
    â€œFred, no, I don’t need it.”
    â€œYou do need it – you need to talk to someone. Don’t keep it all inside like you always do.”
    I looked at the ceiling and took another deep breath.
    â€œJust give me time… I’m here now… and, I came back two days ago and—” I tried to speak but I was choking on my feelings. Eventually I told him:
    â€œI’m not too well Fred… I’m never too well… I don’t know what’s wrong with me, and this whole thing has caught me off guard, and you can imagine what it’s been like.”
    A moment later the floodgates opened.
    â€œCome over to the couch.” He lifted me up.
    â€œSorry, Miranda,” I sobbed.
    â€œDon’t worry Sophie,” she said, with a mixture of concern and embarrassment.
    â€œWhat’s wrong with me?” I croaked between sobs. “Why can’t I find a normal one?”
    â€œThere’s nothing wrong with you Sophie, you’re just a magnet for assholes.”
    â€œFred!” Miranda shrieked.
    â€œSorry Sophie, I don’t know how to fix it.” He put his hands on my cheeks. “But I promise you this – you’re normal, and you’re the sweetest person that I know.”
    I sniffed and let out another cry.
    â€œYou can sleep here tonight, if you like,” Miranda said. “I’ll prepare the couch for you.”
    â€œYes,” Fred said pre-emptively. “Sleep here and we’ll call Dr Richardson first thing tomorrow morning.”
    I nodded and inhaled deeply, trying to harness the