Somewhere Between Black and White Read Free

Green
Valley?”
    “Pretty strange.” Sophie became
painfully aware of her tattered denim shorts and the bruises on her shins. From
the time she was a child, her nickname was Grace because she was forever
running into things. She was certain furniture legs lay in wait for her, just
so they could catch her pinkie toe. “Anyway, thanks again,” she said, pointing
to the tomatoes. “I hate tomatoes. They must have sensed it and assaulted me.”
    He chuckled. “You’re welcome. I’m Sam,
by the way,” he said and offered his hand.
    “Sophie,” she replied as they shook. Her
hand in his was the most comfortable thing in the world.
    “Sophie,” he repeated. “I like that—it
suits you.”
    How would he know what suits me? He
doesn’t even know me. She simply smiled without responding,
then withdrew her hand. They lingered in silence a few more moments.
    Unaware that their carts were blocking
the aisle, they were interrupted by a middle-aged woman wearing way too much
make-up. She sighed dramatically. “Do ya mind ? ”
    With apologies, the two retreated. Sam’s
eyes followed the intruder as she passed between them. “Pleasant woman,” he
joked once she was out of earshot.
    “Isn’t she, though?” They both shared a
laugh.
    Sophie picked up a tomato and turned it
in her hands a few times, before setting it down and reluctantly turning back
to her cart. “Well, it was nice meeting you. I guess I’ll see ya,” she added,
thinking that was an odd thing to say.
    “I hope so, Sophie.”
    She smiled to herself as she went on her
way, pushing her noisy sidekick.

Four
    “Abby,
you look absolutely gorgeous!” Edward gushed to Sophie’s mother as he arrived
at her birthday celebration. One of Abby’s best friends, he dipped her in his
arms and planted a smooch on her lips. “And I’m not even going to say for
being sixty . You’re just flat out gorgeous, honey.”
    “Ah, flattery will get you everywhere,
my friend.”
    Abby was the personification of one word—class.
Even when wearing jeans and a T-shirt, there was elegance about her. She was a
person whose smile and laugh came readily, and could make the most neurotic
person in the world feel at ease.
    “Where are those two beautiful daughters
of yours, anyway?” Edward asked as he scanned Evelyn’s small but charming
backyard, which was decorated with little white lights draping the pine trees.
    “They’re right over here. Girls! Come
say hello to Edward.”
    Evelyn and Sophie walked over and welcomed
him with hugs. With an arm around each of them, he proclaimed, “Abby, your
girls are so lovely, they make me wanna switch teams!” At that, Evelyn blushed,
while Sophie let out something close to a cackle.
    “Edward, you are too much!” Sophie
replied. “What can I get you to drink?”
    “You know what I like, honey,” he said
with a wink.
    “Coming right up.” Sophie wandered into
the kitchen where Christian was standing, clearly tortured in his own home.  
    “What’s up?” Sophie asked, slapping him
on the back.
    “Hey, Soph.”
    She did sort of feel sorry for the guy,
pitiful thing that he was, but she often wondered if much of his manner was for
show. She supposed only Evie knew for sure, and maybe his mother as well.
Christian had conventional good looks—thick, wavy brown hair, nice skin. In
Sophie’s opinion, he had no personality whatsoever. Evie must have seen
something in him that Sophie didn’t. He never drank, which was probably a good
thing due to whatever mood issues he had. But at the same time, Sophie thought
he could use something to loosen him up.
    “So whatcha been up to, Christian?”
    “Not much,” he answered. “Been helping
Mom around the house, doing some yard work.”
    “Really?” How
nice. You can help your mom with yard work, but you can’t help your wife
with your own damn house!
Making an effort to
have a positive conversation with him wasn’t going to happen here. Now she was
just pissed off.