When To Let Go Read Online Free Page A

how,” she admitted, hating that she didn't know how to do anything.
    “That's okay. We can teach you. We have a pool in our backyard.”
    Ava liked that so much she perked up in her seat, thinking that Mrs. Turner had to be her fairy godmother for finding her a couple who had a pool.
    The bag crinkled from the movement, reminding her it was still clutched in both hands, resting on her lap.
    She leaned over the table, placing the bag in the middle, “I made you cupcakes.”
    “You did?” Naomi happily asked, grabbing the bag and looking inside. “Chocolate. My favorite.”
    “The frosting has peanut butter mixed into it,” Ava informed her. She had just started experimenting with mixing flavors. So far this one was her favorite.
    “Did you make them all by yourself?”
    Ava nodded proudly.
    “Wow, that's impressive.”
    Ava beamed at the compliment.
    Naomi pointed inside the bag, “Can I eat it now?”
    She nodded that it was okay, even though she didn't want her to. She held her breath while Naomi bit into it, afraid she wouldn't like it and realize what a waste of time this was.
    Ava wanted these women to like her so badly it made her tummy and throat hurt.
    “This is amazing,” Naomi raved. “You seriously made this all by yourself?”
    “Yes, I memorized the recipe when I was four,” Ava explained, wishing she hadn't, not wanting them to know she’d only memorized it because she couldn't understand the recipe book (not realizing that no four-year-old could have). It also didn't help that numbers and letters still looked jumbled on paper to Ava, making her truly believe every nasty word her mother had ever said.
    Naomi's chocolate-cake-filled mouth dropped open, pieces stuck between her teeth. It made Ava want to giggle. “This is from scratch?”
    Ava didn't know what that meant and was relieved she didn't have to respond. Naomi was shoving the bag towards Stevie, declaring that she had to try the best cupcake she'd ever had.
    Stevie's eyes bugged out after the first bite, “Holy shit, this is really good!” She covered her mouth, embarrassed, darting a fearful glance at Mrs. Turner.
    Ava wondered if she was worried about getting into trouble for saying the s-word. She liked to believe that it was. It made her more comfortable to know Mrs. Turner made others uneasy too.
    Ava noticed Stevie had tattoos. They had been hidden under the table until she brought them up to eat. They covered both her arms in an array of colors. She tried not to stare, knowing that was impolite, but she was fascinated by them. Luckily the two women didn’t notice, too absorbed in their treats.
    Her favorite one was a tree with violet-colored flowers. It had a sword carved into its trunk, taking up the length of it.
    “I'm a tattoo artist,” Stevie explained, noticing the way Ava stared.
    Ava flushed with embarrassment at being caught.
    “It's okay. I don't mind.” She extended her arms out and laid them on the table so Ava could get a better view, “It's a way to express myself.”
    Ava kept her hands on her lap, even though she wanted to reach out and touch them, “They're very pretty.”
    “Thank you. Every one of them means something to me. They represent parts of myself.” She pointed to the one Ava had liked the most, “This one is my favorite.”
    Ave agreed, “Mine too.”
    “I got it to represent my best friend's kids. I think you'd really like them. They're around your age.”
    Ava got excited at the idea. She'd never had any friends.
    “Can I get one?”
    Naomi's laugh startled her, “When you're eighteen.”
    “I'm going to get one to represent my brother, Parker.”
    The two women exchanged a look that had Ava cowering back in her seat, thinking she had done something wrong.
    Frowning, Naomi looked to Mrs. Turner, “She has a brother?”
    “Er, well, yes, but–”
    Ava didn't mean to cut Mrs. Turner off, but the mention of her brother had the words tumbling out, “Yes, the best brother in the