Read Big Guy for Free Online

west.
    Francine tells me I’m with Aaliyah again this morning. As I walk up the stairs, I realize I’m glad. She’s prickly as hell, but there’s something about her.
    She’s waiting in the living room, her hair lank and dark gray shadows ringing her eyes.
    â€œI need a shower,” she says.
    â€œOkay.” I look at her. “I thought you didn’t like male care workers.”
    She shrugs. “You’re okay. Besides, that girl Paula makes me crazy. Talks to me like I’m retarded, or six years old. Like this place is a daycare for toddlers.”
    I grin. “That’s what Mrs. Buckley says too.”
    â€œThe old lady down the hall?” Aaliyah looks surprised.
    â€œYeah. She’s all right. You should talk to her sometime. I think she gets lonely.”
    â€œWell, aren’t you just Mr. Sensitive,” Aaliyah says, wheeling herself into the bathroom.
    I follow her in. “Ready to go?”
    She nods and I start unbuttoning hershirt. “So,” I say, “what happened with your ex? Did you tell him you wanted to end it?”
    â€œI did.” She meets my eyes for a second. Then she drops her gaze.
    â€œUmm...how did you tell him? What did he say?” I picture Ethan sitting in front of his computer, reading my words.
    She shrugs, helping me slide the shirt off. “Just said I didn’t want to see him anymore and asked him to stop calling.”
    â€œYou don’t seem...well, it’s none of my business, but you don’t look so good.”
    â€œYou’re right. It’s none of your business.”
    I turn on the taps and hold my hand under the water, testing the temperature.
    Aaliyah stares at me. “You don’t look so hot yourself.”
    â€œThat’s hardly news,” I say.
    â€œHa ha.” She studies my face. “Are you seeing anyone?”
    I ignore the question. I help her up and out of her pants.
    When she is sitting under the runningwater, she asks me again. “Well? Do you have a girlfriend?”
    I shake my head, but to my surprise I find myself telling her anyway. “I was seeing someone,” I say. “Online. You know. A long-distance thing.”
    She raises her eyebrows. “And?”
    â€œAnd nothing. We broke up. I...I actually just broke it off last night.”
    It sounds so strange, hearing myself say it out loud. Right this minute, I’d give anything to reach out into cyberspace and snatch back that e-mail. Just as well I can’t, I guess. I look at myself in the bathroom mirror. E-mail is one thing, but I can’t imagine Ethan loving this body in person. And it’s not like I can lose eighty pounds in a few months.
    Aaliyah is watching me, water streaming down her back and shoulders. Her dark eyes are thoughtful. “Why did you end it?”
    I shrug and look away. “Just wasn’t working out.” I reach for the shampoo and start washing her hair.
    When I get home, Dad is waiting for me. In his hand is Ethan’s picture.
    â€œUh, hi?” I say tentatively.
    He doesn’t waste any time. “Who is this? I found it on your pillow.”
    â€œWhat were you doing in my room? Snooping around?”
    He stares at me, jaw tight. “Just answer the question.”
    For the second time today, I find myself saying more than I intended to. “His name’s Ethan.”
    â€œAnd? What the hell is this...Ethan’s... picture doing on your pillow?”
    To tell the truth, I’m pretty taken aback. I know Dad snoops—that’s nothing new. He likes to control every little thing, which means he has to know every little thing. It was one of the things that made Mom crazy. He used to go through her purse and her date-book, stuff like that. But his reaction to this photograph? It makes me wonder if he’s been suspecting something for a while.
    I’m just staring at him, trying to decide what to say. His face is getting