by S.E. Akers
Just as any other normal day, my alarm beeped very early. Oddly, I awoke feeling well rested and peaceful. Katie popped into my mind as I started to get out of bed. I knew she’d passed last night, but I was confused as to why I wasn’t overwrought with sorrow and gloom.
That’s weird. I feel…
My thoughts were interrupted by a startling revelation. Blissful, I pondered suspiciously. Then suddenly I thought I’d sensed something lying around my neck. I started to reach for my oval pendant, only to remind myself that I didn’t have it on (nor would I ever wear it again), but I felt like something was circling it. I looked under my pajama top (that I didn’t remember putting on). Low and behold, there was a tumbled amethyst fastened to a silver chain hanging a few inches above my breasts.
I knew it! Tanner must’ve slipped in here and put it on me last night. I didn’t even want to think about the damn pajamas. Though I couldn’t be too upset with him. He obviously didn’t want me to be in any pain over Katie — or even Ty. I’m sure he heard my, “I want to feel these emotions and not hide from them” speech loud and clear before I stormed out of the hospital.
I spotted my brown leather purse sitting on my nightstand. I hadn’t brought it home with me. I’d left it in the cave when the fight broke out. Tanner must’ve gone back there to get it. I tugged on the zipper and placed the amethyst in my bag as I hopped out of bed. With my fuzzy white robe now securely tied, I headed out my bedroom door and straight for the stairs.
A cup of coffee might be nice… But with cream and sugar, definitely.
While the coffee brewed, I strolled back down the hall to retrieve the morning paper. Who knows what “exciting” story from yesterday made the top headline? There were several to choose from.
The cold fall air greeted me as soon as I opened the door. I shivered as I bent over to grab the Bluefield Daily Telegraph. Something caught my attention as I rose. My Charger was parked in our gravel driveway. Good. That saves me the trouble of picking it up from the Drive-In.
I ripped off its plastic wrapper and unfolded the paper as I moseyed back to the kitchen. Stunned by the bold black headline, I became engrossed in the morning edition. I scooted a chair out from under the table and slipped down into my seat as I read,
