Read Unwanted Company - Barbara Seranella for Free Online Page A

head and laughed.
    Why couldn't he run the world? Great men had that
choice. Why couldn't he have that same chance? God, it would feel
fantastic to have so much power. Money was the key, and soon he would
have plenty.
    He pulled a bus schedule from his pocket, finding the
number of the line that serviced the many cities of Los Angeles's
west side. Then he drew a deep breath and pounded a fist on his chest
The bus ride could wait a bit. It was a beautiful night for a walk.
 
 
    CHAPTER 4
    The following morning, Asia woke first and pulled on
her light pink tights and rose-colored leotard. Munch was vaguely
aware of the sounds of dresser drawers opening and water running in
the bathroom. The phone rang only a half tone, then was quiet. No
doubt some aborted wrong number where the caller realized his error
just as the last digit was pressed but not before a connection had
already been made. She pulled the pillow over her head and then heard
Asia talking to someone.
    "Six and a half," Asia said. A pause, then,
"I'll check. I think she's asleep." Munch lifted her head
in time to hear Asia yell, "Mom! Telephone."
    " All right." Munch reached over to her
bedside table, picked up the receiver, and croaked a hello.
    " How do you manage to have a kid who is almost
seven?"
    Ellen asked. "I do not remember you being
pregnant. "
    Munch was fully awake now, her heart thumping and
wondering if Asia was still on the line. Asia had a general idea
about where babies came from. Munch had told her the part about
living in the mommy's stomach first. She hadn't told her that
sometimes birth mommies die and other lucky mommies find their babies
already born.
    "Just hold on a minute." She cupped her
hand over the phone. "Asia? What are you doing?"
    "Eating," came back the muffled reply. "Did
you hang up the phone?"
    " A1l right," Asia yelled back, clearly
exasperated. Munch pulled the receiver away from her ear as she heard
the extension in the other room ricochet back into its cradle. She
spoke back into the phone. "What time is it?"
    " Seven. Would you like me to call back at a time
that is more convenient?"
    " No, that's all right. I needed to get up. Asia
has dance class this morning. What's up?"
    "I have run into a situation."
    "Can you talk?"
    " I don't know why not I am standing on the
intersection of Washington and Main with all my worldly possessions
scattered at my feet. I will damn well speak until my dimes run out,
which should not be happening for another twelve minutes."
    "What happened?"
    " Russell decided that I was not fulfilling my
obligations to him. You want the details?"
    Munch lay back in bed, picturing the "personal
time" she had spent with Russ and all the guys like him in her
other life before she learned she had options. Another point high on
her gratitude list: No more having to coax the shriveled white worm
of manhood between Russ's spindly legs to brief life. She remembered
how when Russ unzipped his  tar-encrusted jeans or pulled off
his boots, there was always the pervasive undertone of mildew and
dried urine. The smell grew nastier as your nose got closer to it.
"Couldn't do it anymore, huh?"
    " Not sober. "
    " Welcome to the narrowing road."
    " Does this clean-living thing get easier as you
go along?"
    " Yeah, it just takes a little while to figure
out the rules." She didn't say that she herself was still
struggling after seven years. Ellen didn't need to hear that right
now. What Ellen needed was a safe place to put her next step. "Tell
you what, why don't you crash with us for a couple of days? I've got
a couch that folds out into a bed. It's not much, but you won't have
to share it."
    " You are too good."
    " You need me to pick you up?"
    " No, that won't be necessary. I have your
address. I still believe I know how to use my thumb."
    " Everything is going to work out," Munch
said. "You'll see. Sobriety is easy. You just don't drink or
use, and change everything about yourself."
    " Is that supposed to be some