Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
After we ate, I handed AJ a cup of cocoa and a plate of cookies I had made last week and sat beside him. The lights in the apartment flickered, the TV died, and suddenly we were thrust into darkness.
“Momma?” AJ asked, sounding scared.
“It’s okay, baby. We lost power for a few minutes. It’ll be back on soon,” I assured him. “I’ll light a couple of candles.”
Once they were lit, I set them on the coffee table and added another blanket over us. I checked my cell, not surprised to find I had no service. I had a cheap pay-as-you-go, and at times, it was unreliable. This was such an instance. I pulled AJ close and kissed his head.
“We’ll just wait for the power to come back on, baby.”
“Okay.”
As time passed, I longed for Asher. If he were here, I would feel so much better, but I couldn’t get hold of him. This storm had caught us all by surprise. I imagined him in a small motel in Kingston, pissed off he couldn’t reach me, upset that he wasn’t with us. He would know what to do.
I wondered if the whole city was without power, and I stood and peered out the window. I could see lights in the distance, so I knew it was probably the street or maybe only this building.
The power would be back soon, I told myself, cuddling beside AJ again. Using the candlelight, I picked up a book, and read to him, not surprised when he fell asleep, a heavy weight pressed against me.
Alone, the worries filled my head. No heat. No power. Nowhere to go. I had little cash on me, and I had no idea if ATMs were working or how badly the storm was affecting the city. I carefully eased away from AJ and searched the cupboard, finding the small, battery-operated radio I had. The temperature in the apartment was dropping quickly, and I fretted, wondering how long we could stay here, but unsure where to go.
I wondered if I took AJ and went to Asher’s building if the doorman would let me in. We always entered with him through his private entrance, although the doorman had seen us leave together to go to the park. I thought of calling Asher’s sister to see if she could help me by contacting the manager there, then I recalled my phone wasn’t working.
I was stuck.
I rubbed my head, willing myself to stay calm. I had to make it through the night and hope by morning things were better. The news on the radio was bleak, the announcer saying more snow and ice were expected. Temperatures were still dropping. They advised people to stay off the roads, stating traffic lights were down all over town and electrical outages were affecting some areas.
I shut my eyes, my fear taking hold.
Then I heard it. Heavy footsteps coming down the hall. A knock at my door and a voice I was desperate to hear calling my name.
“Rosie! Open the door—it’s Asher.”
I raced to the door, stumbling around furniture, flinging it open.
Asher filled the doorway. “How…?” I gasped.
“Thank God you’re safe,” he said, pulling me into his arms.
I didn’t care that his overcoat was cold. All I felt was the safety of his embrace. His scent surrounded me, calming me.
“How are you even here?” I asked.
He shook his head. “I’ll tell you later. I’m overstepping right now, and you’re going to let me. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“Then get our boy and your things.” He shook me slightly. “I’m taking you home.”
Asher
I cursed as I stumbled up the stairs to Rosie’s apartment. When I pulled onto the street, I wasn’t shocked to see her building in darkness. A lot of streets were that way, the storm affecting the power. Knowing she and AJ were upstairs sitting in the cold and dark, alone and no doubt worried, was what kept my eyes on the road and my speed even as I drove back from Kingston, ignoring the warnings not to be on the road. The Hummer Suzy had teased me mercilessly for buying was perfect for this weather. The heavy body and the wide tires ate through the snow. My attempts to reach Rosie on the phone failed, and I knew the cell systems were faltering as well as power in many places. I couldn’t get through to Suzy either, so I concentrated on my driving, my only goal getting to Rosie and AJ.
The streets were deserted, abandoned cars littering the roads. I parked in front of her building, leaving the vehicle locked and running. The door lock to her building wasn’t engaged, and I was grateful the stairwells weren’t secured since the elevator wasn’t working. When she opened the door, the look on her face told me I’d made the right call in getting here. I could feel the cool air of her apartment and felt the tension in her body as I held her.