Categotry Archives: Suzie’s House
Suzie’s House 28: Hey Babe
“Hey, Babe. Why don’t you come on over here and sit down?” Vin patted the seat next to him on the couch. He had the remote in his off hand, the one set gingerly on the armrest. “Shouldn’t you keep your arm in the sling?” Miranda approached cautiously. Knowing Vin, he would crack a joke about her cooking now. She shouldn’t feel so shaky, as if the least little thing might break her. Not with Vin. Vin was just a […]
Suzie’s House 27: The Taste of Defeat
“Cloves?” Suzie tried not to sound strangled, but her throat closed down over the taste of spaghetti sauce with enough cloves to coat a ham roast. A large one. The flavor of cloves, tomato, and hamburger shouldn’t have been so devastating, but every part of her from tongue to toe revolted against the sweet, numbing peculiarity of it. “Couldn’t you find the garlic?” Vin’s jaw closed with an audible clack. He looked like he couldn’t decide if he should laugh, […]
Suzie’s House 26: The New Chef
Miranda had a cast iron skillet on the stove with hamburger and tomato sauce bubbling away when Suzie walked in the door. Miranda could have swooned with relief. She’d been on the brink of giving up on her attempt at dinner, but she really, really did not want to order pizza again. She wanted to surprise Vin with her ability to produce an edible meal. . “It smells, um… interesting. What are you making?” Suzie set her purse down with […]
Suzie’s House 25: The Times, They Are A Changing
The beatific smile on Vin’s face took Miranda’s breath away. He was always charming in his boyish way, but the triumphant joy on his face as he sat on the edge of the bed made her painfully aware of how appealing he could be. Stupid man. “I’m ready. Let’s go home.” He stood, drawing Miranda’s gaze from head to toe. “There’s blood on your shirt. Is that a hole?!” “If I wait for one of you to get around to […]
Suzie’s House 24: A Mother’s Love
Suzie thrust her arm out from under the covers, feeling for the snooze button on the alarm clock. Eyes still closed, she touched the hard plastic, pressing on the button on top, but the ringing kept coming and going. Not until she lifted her head from the pillow, eyes blurry, did the ringing stop, and it was followed immediately with “Hello?” in a deep, masculine voice. . Someone had answered the phone. As Vin was still in the hospital, and […]
Suzie’s House 23: The Forgotten One
Ben waited by the front door for as long as he dared, but neither his mother nor Andrew came down to send him off to school. If he waited any longer he’d miss his bus. . Yesterday his mom had slept in because she’d been up so late waiting for Andrew. Andrew had been at the hospital watching Vin, but he got up early to make sure Ben was all set for school. Not that Ben needed anyone’s help. But […]
Suzie’s House 22: Should Something Arise
Vin kept his eyes closed, though he wasn’t completely out of his mind on whatever drugs came through the I.V. His hospital bed tipped up enough to be comfortable. He was quite happy to lie there and eves drop on his visitors. . “Did you at least get the license number?” Miranda sounded annoyed, and maybe a little bit desperate. . “Um… FF8- a couple of numbers I didn’t get, and then either a 7 or a 1, but I’m […]
Suzie’s House 21: Well? What Did You Decide, Drew?
The world returned to normal as Miranda looked up from her Jimmy Choo shoes. She stood in Drew’s bedroom watching Drew and Suzie stare at one another with their hearts in their eyes. Left to their own devices they would give each other up and destroy Miranda’s happy home out of noble self-sacrifice. . “Oh come on, Drew,” Miranda said with as much bravado as she could muster. “You don’t really think the guy who tried to kill Vin followed […]
Suzie’s House 20: Miranda’s Decision
Miranda tried not to take it personally when Drew looked mortified, spun on his heel, and marched up the stairs like the condemned, but it was a challenge after having him shrug her hand off then comfort Suzie. Such comforting; so tender and thoughtful and concerned, as if nothing was more important to Drew than Suzie’s feelings. Miranda had gone to close the door so she wouldn’t have to look at them. She hadn’t intended to accuse him of anything […]
Suzie’s House 19: Drew’s Decision
“Good Lord!” Drew watched Suzie run from the kitchen with a butcher’s knife in her hand. “What are you doing?” “Stop him! He’s getting away,” Suzie shouted over her shoulder. Drew had no idea who she was talking about, but raced across the kitchen to the long, central hall in her wake. She was acting like someone demented. Suzie whipped open the front door, then stopped. She looked so dejected backlit by sunshine and the spring-green of the trees with […]
Suzie’s House 18: For Want of a Band Aid
A tall, red-headed man wearing jeans and a polo shirt stood on Suzie’s porch. He faced the street where Drew’s car was parked. Drew had come home from some unspecified errand looking harried and distracted. He grabbed his computer and went right back out the front door only to return a moment later when his car wouldn’t start. He’d gone off with Miranda, rather than deal with the car immediately. The man turned toward her. He smiled in a […]
Suzie’s House 17: Visitors
“Ben tells me you are making a fair amount of money from your renters.” Rob tried to sound casual, but after twelve years of marriage and nearly a year of divorce Suzie knew better. He was fishing for something. He looked remarkably unappealing to her today. As his hairline receded it revealed a sloping forehead she’d never noticed before she married him. Some of the weight he’d put on over the last couple of years had gone to round out his […]
Suzie’s House 16: Crying Over Nothing
Drew marched down the hospital hall, as angry with himself as he was with Miranda. Of course Miranda would make a play for him. She hadn’t been facing the length of the hall, so wouldn’t know Suzie could see her kiss him. More to the point, she probably didn’t realize it would hurt Suzie. Miranda struck him as the kind of girl who didn’t see much beyond the end of her nose. He felt a mild twinge of conscience for […]
Suzie’s House 15: Resusitation
Miranda staggered back a step or two when Drew pushed her away from him. She caught herself on the frame of the doorway into Vin’s hospital room. He looked so angry. Could she have read him wrong? “Don’t ever kiss me again.” He glared daggers at her. For several of the most uncomfortable moments in her memory they remained locked in a staring war. Then he spun on his heel and stalked down the hard, linoleum floor, each step a […]
Suzie’s House 14: Mouth to Mouth
Guilt wracked Drew as he sat in the hospital waiting room. Vin wouldn’t be in the operating room now if Drew had been better at his job. He should never have let Vin work for him. He should have parked in a different place. He should at least have gotten the license number of the man who shot Vin. He had a Styrofoam cup of tepid coffee in front of him. It was too bitter to drink. . The sound […]
