Iron Mike Read Free

closet for her puffy blue UK coat. Mike looked at his mother, an eyebrow raised suspiciously.
    “Mike, I need you to take Jennifer to Sammy’s to get her hair done,” Mom instructed. “Tia called. She’s had a cancellation, so she can work Jenn in today.”
    Mike frowned. “That’s not gonna work,” he said urgently. “We have a raid in twenty minutes, and I’m the only healer the guild has. Mom, I promised!”
    Karen Sanderlin turned away, unconcerned. “Then you’re going to have to un-promise, Mike. Getting her hair done was one of your sister’s Christmas presents, and Tia has the opening now. Get moving.”
    “Mom!” Mike flared, knowing it was probably a futile effort but not willing to give up without a fight. “That isn’t fair! I told you I’d take her, but you said the appointment was on the fourth.”
    “Well, Tia moved it up, creepazoid,” Jennifer said smugly. “So, come on, let’s go. Chop, chop!” She left the coats on the edge of the sofa and moved over to sit on the bottom stair behind Mike and Mom, wanting a better view of the fight she knew was coming.
    “Shut up, Jenn,” Mike snapped heatedly. “Mom, can’t you just ask Tia to keep the appointment for Thursday? Please? The guys have been planning this raid for days.”
    His mother shook her head, her mouth set in that firm line he knew too well. “Mike, do as I ask, please,” she said, her voice unyielding. “I have things I need to take care of today.”
    Mike glared, glancing into the living room at the television. “What, a Judge Judy marathon?” he asked sarcastically.
    “Ryan Michael, don’t you dare!” his mother exclaimed, genuine anger reaching her eyes. “And for that disrespect, young man, your computer privileges are suspended until you go back to school!”
    “Jesus Christ!” Mike snapped, his voice rising in his own anger, as he ran his hand through his shoulder-length black hair. “That is so bogus, Mom, and you know it!”
    His mother studied him for a moment, saying nothing. Mike quickly wiped the anger off his face, going for the mature, reasonable expression that generally got better results from both parents. His mother seemed to be considering, and he waited hopefully.
    Karen Sanderlin dropped to the floor. Her body crumpled, falling into a graceless heap at the bottom of the staircase. Mike stared at her for a moment, wondering what kind of new parenting technique this was … and several seconds later, he heard the sonic booms, and the sound of Jennifer screaming.
    It took another second for reality to hit, and he raced to his mother’s side, turning her gently onto her back. “Call 911!” he shouted at Jennifer. “Now! And call Dad at work – go, go!” Mike bent over his mother, already sensing an awful stillness in her. Carefully, he tipped her head back, tears running freely down his face as he pressed his mouth to hers and breathed twice, feeling a flare of hope as her chest rose and fell with each breath. He placed his hands as he had learned in CPR class and began the chest compressions, knowing he had to move fast and not be as gentle as his instincts urged.
    Jennifer hadn’t moved. She already knew, even as Mike desperately continued the chest compressions, stopping periodically to breathe for his mother. When he wasn’t puffing breath into her lungs, he was sobbing quietly, telling her over and over he would be happy to take Jenn to the hairstylist, if mom would please just wake up. The minutes stretched into eternity. Judge Judy was replaced by a message from the emergency broadcast system, and it was not a drill.

Kari
     
    Kari didn’t wake up so much as rise from the dead. Her head was pounding again, and her tongue was thick. The memory of the peaceful, easy feeling from the night before ran through her head like an old Eagles tune. Malik was as good as his word – the ecstasy had been exquisitely pure.
    Kari shifted slightly, her arm feeling the warmth of Malik’s stomach