Riverside has finally closed in on me. The silence and solitude I came here to find has slipped through my fingers. This is yet another surprise I didn't expect and while I am yet trying to process the shock the stranger brought to my home earlier.
"How long? "I ask, the pain in my side has returned due to the speed at which mu heart is beating.
"Three weeks now. "
"Why didn't you let me know? "
"I didn't know until very recently. "She said.
This is the last thing I want.
"What are you going to do about it? "I ask, dumbly
"What do you mean Daniel? "Josie asks, drying the tears from her eyes.
"Wake up, you bag of lazy bones! " Stacey is in my room, loud voice as always screaming in my ears."Ew, this place smells like death. "She says, wrinkling her nose at the obvious stench in my room."Leave me to die, Stace! "I say, burrowing deeper underneath my covers. This is the third day since I last stepped out of my room. After my face off with Dad, I am too ashamed of myself to look him in the face, so I don't go out, besides, the sicknesses that come with early pregnancy has begun to beset me."At least you can die when you are clean. Get you up, c'mon! " She's pulling me out of bed before I get a chance to protest."How long have you been cooped up in here? ""Three days"
DANIELI am sitting in a plane bound for Florida. Kansas was threatening my sanity, I couldn't take it anymore and I know I can't hold on for much longer. Even as I sit in this plane, I try to convince myself that I haven't been a coward for running away the way I am doing like a scared kitten with tails between my legs.My mind keeps telling me I am making a mistake but I don't care. Years of living with OCD has transformed me into a being capable of shutting his own mind out."Hey Mister, can you please help me hold my kid for a second, I need to use the bathroom. "The not so pretty lady sitting next to me on the flight says to me, thrusting a red squalling baby at me. My first instinct tells me to withdraw from the terrifying sight of the crying baby but I can't do that.
JOSIEGoing back to work for Patty had been a huge courageous step from me. People expected me to hide my face in shame, they talk behind my back but I pretend not to hear them as they talk about me carrying the seed of a killer within me.My pregnancy has steadily progressed in months and good health too. My baby is due in a month. Still no word from Daniel Winchester, at least I act like I don't care."Hey, easy there... I won't let you slip with my god child. "Stacey says and rushes to relieve me of the stack of platters on my arm. She had taken to hanging out more often than ever around my work place."Let off girl, I am not a crate of eggs. I am a person. "I protest playfully, still I let her fuss over me. Left to Patty and dad, I shouldn't b
"Here comes the chicken who ran away. "The familiar voice says with as much disdain as its owner can muster. "Stan? "I ask surprised "what are you doing here? " "What am I doing here? "Stan fires back "dear lord he seeks to know what my business here is" Stan says throwing his hands up in genuine exasperation. "I am here to cart you back home, Chicken! " "Daniel, "Uncle Jeremy intervenes since Stan is in no frame of mind for calm conversation. "Stan Devin, clearly your friend brings news from home for us. I can't believe that you knocked up a woman and came here to hide. " My uncle glares at me. I am cornered and I know it. I have to fess up.
"He said he doesn't want me anymore...""But why?""I wouldn't know his reason behind that! He said nothing to me, but 'I'm tired'!""Oh no girl...""I think I'll go over to meet him again to find out his reason""No girl, you shouldn't do that!""But I need to know.. I really need to know!!!""I understand... but--...""No, you don't understand. I just can't live without him. He's my life!""Of course not girl, he'
Shocked at his expressions. His hair tickled my face, making me chuckle. I cringely avoided his gaze. I wanted to act cool, mature and slightly pissed off for a while, but a chill ran through me when I thought of the tiny, sexy smile he gave me. I simply glanced up at him, his eyes gleaming in amusement as he stood, looming over me. But he wasn't smiling anymore. I gasped in shock."Of course baby... I'm doing great! Am I not looking good to you..?""Really..? If you were, would I be asking..?His statement didn't sit well with me. I wanted to slap the grin off of his face, but instead I closed my eyes, pretending to be upset."Hey baby! Please don't start now, okay. I'm doing just fine..." He said
"I wish our friendship is for real. I wish I could meet him in person. He seemed so nice each time I saw him.""That's just a product of your illusion Cilia! He's not really existing.""Oh no Melinda, I don't think so.""Of course he doesn't. He w-....""Oh please... Don't even go there! He seemed so real." I paused, glancing around as I felt a sudden air passed me. "Well, you won't understand.""Come on girl, go get dressed, let's go grab some..... Well, It's almost lunch time already, let's grab a quick bite." She paused. "Do you remember Sanny?""Which if the Sanny's?"
The brightness of the weather was cool and foggy; the sky had a greyish turquoise tint, like the silt in the buckwheat straw of a wagon. Snow had fallen during the night, and its warm damp was now sticking to the seams of the sea. Not a breath of wind stirred the quiet air. It was very still, but a draft would blow across the street and make a little flurry of feet on the sidewalk.Completely forgetting about the people who brought me to the beach, I slowly walked around the dense pine trees on the western side of the street, taking stock of the quiet street, my gaze still fixed on him, until I saw him sitting alone, across the narrow gap of a building, with a newspaper spread on his laps. Walking closer to him, I made sure my gaze was planted on his face, hoping not to miss a single moment of him.As I walked closer, he