Season of Blessing Read Online Free Page A

degree, people will forget about it and think that maybe you were irresponsible as a kid, but you grew up. But if you don’t even finish high school and you get your GED and then try to get a job just a few months after getting out of jail, the chances are that you’ll have to take some crummy job that you hate just to make a living.”
    â€œWell, it’s not like you guys are going to throw me out in the street, is it? I can stay here for a while, can’t I?”
    Cathy took Mark’s hand. “Of course you can, honey.”
    Steve crossed his arms. “You can stay here, Mark, as long as you’re working toward something. If you’re going to school…if you have a plan…”
    Cathy turned to her husband, her eyes lashing him. “Steve, he’s only been out a week.”
    â€œYeah,” Mark said. “It’s not like I’ve been sitting around doing nothing.”
    â€œHoney, I think he’s entitled to a few days of rest,” Cathy said.
    Steve looked as aggravated as she. “Of course he is, but now he’s telling us he doesn’t want to go to school, and if he doesn’t, then we need to know what the plan is. There has to be a plan, Cathy.”
    Cathy turned back to her son. “Honey, he’s right. You do need a plan.”
    Mark scowled. “I will have a plan, Mom. It doesn’t have to be his plan.”
    Cathy winced and stole a look at Steve. His face had that hard, tight look it got when he was angry. “He didn’t mean that the way it sounded,” she said weakly.
    â€œYes, I did.” Mark got up from the table and shoved his chair back. “I’ve already talked to my dad about this. He’s all for it. He thinks the GED is a good idea.”
    Cathy bit her tongue. It wouldn’t do to remind him that his father’s ideas were usually bad. His involvement in Mark’s life had left way too much to be desired. It didn’t surprise her that the one time he advised his son on anything, he’d encourage him to drop out of school. Not certain how to proceed from here, she moved her gaze back to her simmering husband. He stared down at the table, the little muscle of his jaw popping rhythmically in and out.
    Rick bottomed his can of coke. “Hey, Mark can come stay with me on campus.”
    Mark’s face lit up. “Can I, Mom?”
    â€œOf course not.” Cathy pinned Rick with a look. “You’re not helping matters.”
    Rick looked as if she’d slapped him. “Excuse me for trying to help. Excuse me for coming home for a nice family meal. Excuse me for daring to open my mouth.”
    Steve’s teeth came together. “Don’t talk to your mother that way, Rick.”
    Rick threw up his hands. “What way?”
    Steve heaved a loud sigh.
    Rick got up. “I’m finished eating. Can I go?”
    Cathy wondered how long it would be before she could get him back again. “I guess so.”
    Rick got up and left the house, and Mark took off up the stairs. She heard his door close hard.
    Annie and Tracy sat watching their faces, as if anxious for the next round.
    â€œWe need to talk about that door slamming,” Steve bit out.
    â€œHe wasn’t slamming it.” Cathy rubbed her face. “He just closed it too hard. Boys do that. They walk harder, open cabinets harder, close doors harder.”
    â€œI used to be a boy.” Steve grabbed Tracy’s plate and dropped it hard in the sink. “I don’t do that.”
    â€œWell, he’s still learning.” She gathered the rest of the plates and followed him to the sink. “You’re used to raising Tracy, and she doesn’t slam and make a lot of noise.”
    â€œOne time I slammed my door,” Tracy said, “and Daddy took it off the hinges for two weeks.”
    â€œYou didn’t slam it again, did you?” Steve pointed out.
    Tracy grinned and shook her