Don't Believe a Word Read Online Free Page A

leave them to marry Flynn Darby. ‘All I can tell you is that I can’t imagine life without him. He’s my soulmate,’ Tara had said. Furious, Eden had gotten out of the car and slammed the door shut, trying to drown out her mother’s explanation. What am I? she had wondered then as she turned her back and walked away. What is Dad?
    ‘Yes,’ said Eden sullenly. ‘Yes, I’m sure you’re right.’
    Eden felt guilty for missing work, but that evening, when she called her editorial director, Rob Newsome, he told her not to worry. She needed time to make arrangements, and time to process the shock of it all. Take the rest of the week, he said. Eden did not need much convincing.
    The next day she was too numb to get dressed. She stayed in her pajamas and surfed the net addictively for any additional information, even though the reports inevitably upset her. In one account the neighbors said that they never saw Jeremy out playing like the other children. He had been seen shrieking and flailing his fists at his mother, though she never raised her voice to him. Neighbors described Flynn Darby as someone who kept to himself, and Tara as an attentive mother. Everyone insisted that there was no other sign of trouble in that house. Day turned into night as Eden searched for explanations. Finally, that evening, on the
Cleveland Plain Dealer
website, an elderly couple who lived next door to the Darbys answered at least one of Eden’s nagging questions.
    ‘I heard the boy screaming bloody murder one time, and his mother came over and asked to borrow a stepladder,’ said the old man. ‘She told me, “The carbon monoxide alarm is too sensitive. It’s always going off without warning. My son can’t bear the sound of it.”
    ‘Her husband wasn’t home, so I said I’d help her. I brought over the ladder and took the batteries out.’ The old man sighed. ‘I told her she should replace it with a new alarm and she said she would. But I guess they didn’t.’
    Eden’s fitful sleep that night was filled with nightmares, and the next morning she was groggy when she was awakened by her father shaking her gently.
    ‘You have a phone call,’ he said, indicating the landline extension in her room.
    Eden blinked away sleep and felt a pounding in her head as she peered at him. ‘Who is it?’ she asked.
    ‘Your mother’s husband. You need to speak to him.’
    Eden was dumbstruck for a moment. Then she sat up, holding the covers around her, and picked up the phone. ‘This is Eden,’ she said.
    ‘Eden,’ said a thick, unfamiliar voice, ‘this is Flynn Darby.’
    ‘Oh. Hello,’ she said.
    ‘I’m sure you know why I’m calling.’
    For a moment, Eden did not reply.
    ‘I’m making funeral arrangements for Friday,’ he said. ‘Is that convenient for you?’
    ‘Uh yes, I suppose,’ she said.
    ‘Yes or no?’ he said brusquely.
    ‘Yes,’ said Eden.
    ‘Is there anything you want included?’
    ‘I don’t know what you mean. Like what?’ Eden asked.
    ‘Music. A poem?’
    ‘Offhand, I can’t think of anything. All I keep thinking is that I wish it wasn’t happening.’
    There was a silence from Flynn’s end of the line.
    Eden forced herself to concentrate. ‘I have to say … I’m sorry for your loss. Of my mother. And your son.’
    ‘Thanks,’ said Flynn brusquely. ‘They are having a joint service – Tara and Jeremy. I’ll email you all the details.’
    ‘Okay,’ said Eden quickly.
    ‘Can you call Tara’s sister, Jodie? That would be helpful.’
    Eden felt numb. ‘Yes. I’ll take care of it. I’ll call her,’ she said. ‘Are your … um … grandparents coming?’ she asked. She knew from her mother that the elderly couple lived in Robbin’s Ferry where they had raised Flynn after his mother’s death. ‘I mean, if they … you know … need a ride to the airport or something …’
    ‘That’s very nice of you,’ said Flynn. ‘But my grandmother’s in bad health. They’re pretty frail,