The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks | Page 8

sell.”
“So what’s it like living back home? I mean, your parents used to live, what? Three blocks
from here?” Seven, actually. Close. “It’ s all right.” He shrugged.
“It’s so crowded now. The place has really changed since the last time I was here.”
“Everything changes,” he said. He leaned against the counter, crossing one leg over the
other. “So when’s the big day?” he asked, changing the subject. “For you and Brian?”
“Steve… about that.”
“It’s okay,” he said, raising a hand. “I’m glad you found someone.”
Kim stared at him, clearly wondering whethe r to accept his words at face value or plunge
into sensitive territory. “In January,” she finally said. “And I want you to know that with the kids… Brian doesn’t
pretend to be someone he isn’t. You’d like him.”
“I’m sure I would,” he said, taking a sip of hi s tea. He set the glass back down. “How do the
kids feel about him?” “Jonah seems to like him, but Jonah likes everyone.”
“And Ronnie?”
“She gets along with him about as well as she gets along with you.”
He laughed before noting her worried e xpression. “How’s she really doing?”
“I don’t know.” She sighed. “And I don’t think sh e does, either. She’s in this dark, moody
phase. She ignores her curfew, and half the time I can’t get more than a ‘Whatever’ when I try to
talk to her. I try to write it o ff as typical teenage stuff, because I remember what it was like…
but…” She shook her head. “You saw the way she was dressed, right? And her hair and that god-
awful mascara?” “Mmm.”
“And?”
“It could be worse.”
Kim opened her mouth to say something, but when nothing came out, Steve knew he was
right. Whatever stage she was going through, whatev er Kim’s fears, Ronnie was still Ronnie.
“I guess,” she conceded, before shaking her head. “No, I know you’re right. It’s just been so
difficult with her lately. There are times she’s s till as sweet as ever. Like with Jonah. Even
though they fight like cats and dogs, she still bri ngs him to the park every weekend. And when
he was having trouble in math, she tutored him every night. Which is strange, because she’s
barely passing any of her classes. And I haven’t told you this, but I made her take the SATs in
February. She missed every single question. Do you know how smart you have to be to miss
every single question?” When Steve laughed, Kim frowned. “It’s not funny.”
“It’s kind of funny.”

“You haven’t had to deal with her these last three years.”
He paused, chastened. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” He reached for his glass again. “What did
the judge say about her shoplifting?” “Just what I told you on the phone,” she said wi th a resigned expression. “If she doesn’t get
into any more trouble, it’ll be expunged from her record. If she does it again, though…” She
trailed off. “You’re worried about this,” he started.
Kim turned away. “It’s not the first time, which is the problem,” she confessed. “She
admitted to stealing the bracelet last year, but this time, she said she was buying a bunch of stuff
at the drugstore and couldn’t hold it all, so she tucked the lipstick in her pocket. She paid for
everything else, and when you see the video, it seems to be an honest mistake, but…”
“But you’re not sure.”
When Kim didn’t answer, Steve shook his head. “She’s not on her way to being profiled on
America’s Most Wanted . She made a mistake. And she’s always had a good heart.”
“That doesn’t mean she’s telling the truth now.”
“And it doesn’t mean she lied, either.”
“So you believe her?” Her expression was a mixture of hope and skepticism.
He sifted through his feelings about the inci dent, as he had a dozen times since Kim had
first told him. “Yeah,” he said. “I believe her.” “Why?”
“Because she’s a good kid.”
“How do you know?” she demanded. For the first time, she sounded angry. “The last time
you spent any time with her, she was finishing middle school.” She turned away from him then,
crossing her arms as she gazed out the window . Her voice was bitter when she went on. “You
could have come back, you know. You could have taught in New York again. You didn’t have to
travel around the country, you didn’t have to move here… you