Certainly Sensible Read Free

had talent. A few years later, Susan arranged for private piano lessons, and Allie showed signs of being a musical prodigy. And now what will happen to my daughter’s career ambitions?
    Susan fought back tears. She wished Emily would hurry and call her back. Her friend might be able to help solve the housing problem at least.
    Where are we going to live? Can I even afford a house? Will we have to move to an apartment?
    She shuddered at that thought, and as if in response to the chill, ran more hot water into the bath. The immediate future looked bleak, and Susan needed the help and advice that her best friend would certainly give her.
    If I find a house, will all four of us be able to fit? And where will Megan and Allie attend school? Why didn’t I listen to my attorney when she tried to warn me?
    Susan collapsed back into the bubbles, but just as she was about to relax, her phone buzzed. She sat up and grabbed for it.
    “Susan, for heaven’s sake, what’s the big emergency?”
    “Oh, Emily, thank God. I’m in a panic!”
    “So I gathered,” Emily said. “Do you mind telling me why?”
    Susan took a deep breath. “Daniel was here.”
    “That doesn’t sound good.”
    “It’s the worst, Em. He and Sharlene got married.”
    There was a pause on Emily’s end. “And that’s what you’re upset about? He’s been carrying on with her for years.”
    “No, it’s not about that. Well, a little, but it gets worse.”
    “With Sharlene involved, I can only imagine.”
    ****
    Caroline threw her handbag and car keys on the breakfast table, set the pizza on the kitchen cabinet, and ran up the stairs to Megan’s room. She didn’t even bother knocking, but Megan didn’t notice anyway because she had her eyes closed, listening to music on her iPad.
    “Megan!” Caroline pulled the ear-buds out of her sister’s ears.
    Megan sat up. “Hey! Why’d you do that? And where’s the pizza?”
    Caroline took her jacket off and tossed it on her sister’s bed. “Megan, please. What’s wrong with Mom?”
    Megan shrugged. “I don’t know, but Dad was here earlier, and Mom was crying when I got home from school.”
    Caroline took a deep breath to ease the queasiness in her stomach. Despite her dread, she piloted Megan down the hall to their mother’s bedroom and gently knocked on the door. “Mom?” Poking her head in the door, she saw her mom lying in the middle of the king-sized bed, down comforter askew, wearing old jeans and a t-shirt, her hair still wet and uncombed from the bath. The TV was on and blaring. Susan lay on her back pretending to watch, but she was really just staring at the ceiling. Caroline grabbed the remote and turned the set off.
    “Mom,” she tried again, “what did Dad say to get you so upset?” No answer. “Was it because he got married?”
    Susan sat up and looked at Caroline, eyes wide with surprise.
    “Yes, I know about it. Dad texted me.” Silence. “Mom, really, Sharlene’s a social-climbing snob, but she’s not worth all this drama.”
    Susan grabbed a pillow and hugged it to her chest. “I couldn’t care less about Sharlene. I care about you girls.”
    Caroline sat down on the edge of the bed and patted her mother’s arm. “We know that, Mom. But what exactly did Dad say that’s got you so upset?”
    Susan slowly stood to face her daughters and sighed, her shoulders slumped, “Your dad wants this house back.”
    “Well, I guess that’s no surprise,” Caroline muttered.
    Susan shook her head. “In one month.”
    Caroline sucked in her breath, and Megan’s mouth dropped open. “One month?” Caroline’s head was swimming. “How is that even possible?”
    “There’s more.”
    “More?” Caroline looked over at Megan and winced.
    Susan took a deep breath before blurting out the rest of it. “Your dad will no longer pay Megan’s private school tuition or Allie’s. And Caroline, your dad says it’s time you were on your own financially, so he’s cutting off your