26

Amidst having breakfast and settling down during the morning hours with her family, Zee spent most of her time thinking about what to do to calm her jitters but no idea was forthcoming.

Inside her bedroom, she stared at a couple of canned beer on her table, wondering if she should just consume it to gain some confidence a few minutes before his arrival. Alcohol had a way of giving one confidence. Didn’t shy people use it to face crowds?

She went for one canned beer, her finger pausing on the opener. Then she changed her mind and put it back on the table. She was already in trouble. There was no need aggravating or escalating issues.

To take her mind off her anxiety, she joined her family in the living room to watch TV with Israel on her lap.

After what seemed like ages but only a couple of hours, Michael’s call came in. She passed Israel to her father’s waiting arms and excused herself in time to take the call on her way to her bedroom.

“Hello