Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 60676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 303(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 303(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
“Whoa,” he steadies me, “what’s the rush?”
“I’m so sorry. I’m having the worst day. I didn’t mean to run into you.”
I step back, lowering down to get all my things. He squats down and helps me, his eyes on mine, concerned. “Are you okay?”
“Just troubles ... at home. It’s nothing. I just need to slow down today.”
He studies me. “You know, I could use a hand gathering some things before class, and considering you’re early, you could help? It might take your mind off things.”
Nodding, I push to my feet. “I’d like that.”
Placing my things down, I follow him out of the class and down the halls.
“Is it going too far if I ask what’s happening at home?”
Rounding a corner, we move past students heading to their next classes.
“It’s nothing major,” I tell him. “I’m just having problems with my partner. He’s stubborn and sometimes we just don’t see eye to eye.”
Gerard laughs. “Relationships, am I right?”
I can’t help but smile. “Exactly. Anyway, I brought my kids with me this time and they are at my parents’, so it’s just another thing for me to think about.”
“You don’t like your parents?”
I shake my head quickly. “It’s not that. I mean, we didn’t have the best relationship, but I just don’t like taking them from Danny.”
“That makes sense,” he says, unlocking the storage room door, “but it’s also important for them to see their grandparents. Don’t you think?”
He’s right. It is.
“I’m overreacting, aren’t I?”
He chuckles. “You’re a mother, it’s your job. I’m sure your parents are glad to have them around.”
“Well, I mean, it does slightly inconvenience them, but they deal.”
He takes a heap of notebooks off a shelf and turns, handing me some. “They don’t like being grandparents?”
I shrug. “Sure they do, but I’m not their favorite child so I guess it’s not me who they wanted grandkids from.”
He pauses. “How do you mean?”
“My sister died a while ago, and she was without a doubt the favorite. They were bitter and angry at me for a long time.”
“Did you have something to do with it?”
I shake my head.
“Then why are they bitter and angry at you?”
I bite my lip, then exhale. “Because I’m with the man who was with her when she died. They were ... married.”
His brows shoot up. “Well, that is complicated.”
I snort. “That’s an understatement. Anyway, the past is the past. I just need to relax.”
“Well, if it helps, I promise it is a good lesson today.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
Chuckling, we leave the storage room and go back to the classroom. He’s right, it did help me. I feel a lot better and focus a lot more on class. By the time the day is over, I’m a lot less stressed out. Spike still hasn’t called, and even though it’s bugging me, I don’t let it show. Instead, I head over and have dinner with my parents, put the kids to bed, and head back to my dorm for my much-needed shower.
I have figured out if I leave it until late, I always have the place to myself.
Tonight, it’s later than usual, but I’m not missing the chance, so I gather my things and head into the shower area. The door creaks when I open it, and as I stand for a minute, I realize it’s silent and I’m alone. Exhaling with relief, I find a shower cubicle and begin getting undressed.
When I lean down to take my underwear off, I see something unusual.
It looks like ... blood.
Splattered against the wall and trickling in from the cubicle beside me.
Heart racing, I lean down and peer underneath.
What I see has a scream ripping from my throat.
“YOU SAW NOBODY HERE?”
With a blanket wrapped around me, I shake my head at the bald officer standing in front of me. His name is Harry and he’s stern but kind with me. Of course, I don’t think he has much choice, the area is swarming, and people are desperately trying to figure out what went on in here.
I’d like to know, too.
When I leaned down to peek under, I was faced with the open eyes of a girl with blood coming out of her head. I knew the second I laid eyes on her that she was dead, there is something about the blank expression on someone’s face when they pass. I knew it, and as I screamed, I was desperate to get the hell out of there, but I couldn’t do that. I had to call for help, and within minutes, the police were here.
“No,” I say, softly. “I came in for a shower and when I stepped in, I saw blood. I just looked under and ...”
“Why were you here so late?”
I shoot him a stern look. “Because it’s quiet at this time of the night, and I’m not fond of showering with other people.”