Where Yesterday Lives Read Online Free Page A

afternoon.” She leaned up and away from him. “That’s when Jane’s coming in. The funeral will be later that week, Saturday morning.”
    “A week from now?” He sounded incredulous.
    Ellen blinked twice. “Yes. That’s the soonest Aunt Betsy can get there. Is that a problem?”
    She saw Mike’s hesitation, watched his eyes look away from her, as though he were trying to think of the right way to say something he knew she wasn’t going to like.
    “Honey,” he started, shaking his head, “I’ve got a baseball game to cover that Saturday. I don’t know how I can find a replacement on such short notice.”
    There was more to it than that, Ellen was sure. She knew Mike wasn’t comfortable at funerals, knew he wouldn’t be looking forward to spending a week at her parents’ house in Petoskey. She loved her family, but she was aware that they had their problems…that there would be bickering even as everyone pretended to get along….
    Still, the least he could do was be there for her. “A baseball game?”
    “Honey, maybe it’d be better if you went by yourself.” He searched her face for a reaction. “I could always join you later when I can get away.”
    She burned with anger and she didn’t even try to hide it. Drawing herself up onto her knees, she stared at him. “No, that
wouldn’t
be better, Mike.” Her voice was even and measured, a study in controlled fury.
    “I have a game Saturday Come on, Ellen, you know how the producers are about last-minute changes.”
    “Wait a minute. I don’t believe what I’m hearing.” Ellen’s temper blazed. “This isn’t some friend’s wedding or a class reunion where you can back out and blame it on your work. My father is
dead
. My mother wants us both to come out for the week. Can’t you understand that?”
    “I’m not married to your mother.” Mike looked like he regretted the words as soon as he said them, but it was too late.
    Ellen’s mouth dropped open. “Fine. I want us both there. Okay?”
    “Ellen, you know I can’t take a week off without any notice. Work is a fact of life.” He paused. “Besides, I don’t like funerals. I never know how to act.”
    Ellen’s eyes grew wide, full of disbelief and accusation.
    He cleared his throat before she could speak. “You’ll have your family there,” he insisted. “It’s not like you’ll be all by yourself.” Mike shook his head. “Oh, forget it! You don’t understand.”
    “You don’t like funerals!” Ellen stood up and paced the floor. “No kidding, Mike—” She stopped and stared at him. “Me, neither. I don’t like
death
, for that matter. But my dad is dead, and I need you there. So don’t tell me I don’t understand!”
    “Don’t yell at me. I don’t deserve that.”
    “
What?
I deserve a husband who has complained about attending social events with me since we got married? A husband who doesn’t want to go with me to my own father’s funeral?”
    “It’s not that I don’t want to go, Ellen. I told you I can’t get away. Not on such short notice.”
    “What if it was
you
who died, Mike? I bet the station could get by somehow without folding.”
    She went to slam the cordless phone back onto the receiver.She was so furious she was shaking. She turned to face him, and when she spoke, even she heard the hatred in her voice. “What is it, Mike? Some ditzy little news anchor have your attention?”
    He stood up, recoiling as if he’d been slapped.
    “That’s unfair.”
    “Is it?” Her voice was still angry, but softer now “Is it really, Mike? My dad dies and you won’t take one lousy week off work for me? What am I supposed to think?”
    Mike looked past her then and reached toward the fireplace mantel for his car keys.
    “I don’t know what you’re supposed to think,” he said, pausing by the front door.
    Ellen was speechless.
    “Listen,” Mike’s voice was calmer as he continued. “I’m sorry about your dad. I loved him, too.”
    “Oh, don’t