Even Now Read Online Free

Even Now
Book: Even Now Read Online Free
Author: Karen Kingsbury
Pages:
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families to the suburbs. But they never seriously considered the idea.
    Not until after Lauren and Shane’s announcement.
    When an offer on the bank came in late January, the four of them decided to sell and move on. Though they talked about heading to the Chicago suburbs, by March the Galanters had a different plan.
    “We’re moving to Los Angeles.”
    Angela stared from her friend to Samuel, speechless. They’d stopped by unexpectedly, saying they had something to tell Angela and Bill. Just Angela and Bill.
    Not the kids.
    “We have other investments there. I know it’s a long ways away, but we’ll still see each other.” Sheila’s smile looked forced. “And this way the kids can have a break from each other.”
    Angela and Bill agonized long hours about telling Lauren, but in the end they kept the news to themselves. The move was still months off, and there was no point fueling the intensity of the kids’ feelings for each other. As the Galanters’ secret plans quickly came together, Sheila continued her phone calls to Angela. “She’s your daughter. Talk some sense into her. These kids don’t need that sort of responsibility. Not yet.” On another phone call she pushed it further. “Maybe you should tell Lauren we’re thinking of moving. Maybe that would change her mind.”
    Angela was appalled. “You mean blackmail her? Tell her you’ll stay if she gives up the baby?”
    “I’m just saying it might make a difference. We need an answer, Angela. Tell us what she’s going to do.”
    The entire situation felt like it was attached to one of those odd-shaped bouncy balls, ricocheting out of control. Twice more Angela talked with Lauren about her intentions, but her daughter never wavered.
    She and Shane wanted to keep their baby. As soon as they were out of high school, they would marry and start their lives together.
    Finally Angela couldn’t put Sheila off another day. On March 12, Angela asked her friend over so she could break the news. She served coffee and cream, and they took their places in the Andersons’ familiar sunroom.
    Angela wasted no time getting to the point. “Lauren wants to keep the baby.” She folded her hands in her lap. They were sitting on white wicker furniture, the sun streaming through the window. Bill was at the new bank in Wheaton, an hour out of Chicago, getting things set up. Lauren was at school.
    “That’s ridiculous.” Sheila brushed her hand through the air, erasing Angela’s statement. “She’s too young to know what she wants.”
    “Sheila, listen — ” Angela searched her friend’s eyes — “I can’t change her mind. I won’t.”
    At that, Sheila’s expression hardened, and her cheeks grew red. “Of course you can, Angela. You’re her mother. She’s a minor. She’ll do whatever you tell her to do.”
    “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
    “Dead serious.” Sheila’s voice raised a notch.
    “You think I can force my daughter to give away her baby?” Angela squinted at the woman sitting next to her. When had Sheila become so heartless? “She may be a minor, but the baby is hers. I can’t make this decision for her.”
    “Of course you can.” Sheila set her coffee cup down and slid to the edge of the sofa. Even as her voice fell, her sharp tone sliced through the growing tension. “ My son has a future. He isn’t going to stay here while his pregnant girlfriend has a baby.” A fine layer of perspiration broke out across her brow. “Absolutely not.”
    “His pregnant girlfriend?” Angela laughed, but without a trace of humor. “Is that all Lauren is now? Shane’s pregnant girlfriend? Shane had a little something to do with it too.”
    “Shane’s a teenage boy.” Sheila spat the words. “If a girl makes herself available, what teenage boy wouldn’t take advantage of her?”
    A chill passed over Angela. “Listen to you.” She stood and looked down at the woman she’d considered her friend. Had she ever really known her?
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