It's Complicated a Novel by Robin Allen

Author:Robin Allen [ALLEN, ROBIN]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fiction
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2023-03-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

That Unforgettable, Ugly Incident

Sage was in her room on the third floor, packing her suitcases for a two-week visit to her paternal grandmother’s house. She was ironing a pair of blue jeans when she heard footsteps on the stairs. She remembered locking the front and back doors, and it was too early for her mother and the twins to be home from the Kingdom Hall. She looked at her watch. Her stepfather wasn’t scheduled to be home from work for three more hours. She turned down the radio, listening for the creaking noise on the stairs, and eased closer to the closet door to hide. When she heard the noise again, this time much closer, she knew someone was in the hallway. She opened the closet door, shutting it softly behind her. She moved to the back of the closet and crouched behind boxes of clothes and junk, hoping the intruder didn’t hear her movements.

“Sage,” a familiar voice called out.

It sounds like Aaron, Sage thought.

“Sage,” the voice called again.

“Aaron,” she said, relieved that it wasn’t a burglar. She opened the closet door and came out of hiding. “I was scared. I thought you were a burglar. You know some guys broke into Mrs. Murphy’s house.”

“I know,” he said, lumbering over to the bed. His red-rimmed eyes roamed Sage’s body, from her long, lean legs to her curly black hair that flowed to the middle of her back.

Embarrassed by the way he was staring at her, Sage was suddenly self-conscious about the white shorts and sleeveless white midriff shirt she wore. She couldn’t meet his leering gaze and turned away. Fear resonated in the pit of her stomach.

“Mama and the twins will be home any minute now, and I want to finish packing,” Sage said, standing in front of the ironing board, her hand curled around the handle of the iron.

“Oh, they won’t be back for at least an hour,” Aaron said, as he hobbled over to Sage. “Anyway, there’s something I’ve been meaning to say to you. You’re the prettiest young thing I’ve ever seen. Prettier even than your mama.”

Sage was immediately sickened by the smell of alcohol on his breath. Aaron didn’t drink often, but when he did, he was meaner and nastier. Sage stepped around him. “You shouldn’t talk to me like that.”

“I’m just speaking the truth.”

“Mama doesn’t like it when you drink.” She stood by the bed and resumed packing her suitcases, hoping Aaron would leave. She didn’t want him in her room. “The elders say you should drink in moderation.”

“I just had a few beers with some of my buddies.”

“Aaron, I need to pack,” Sage said with urgency. Hearing “Little Red Corvette” playing on the radio, she turned up the volume, hoping the music would drive him out. He always complained that they shouldn’t listen to the music played on the radio because the music was wicked and evil. When he didn’t move, she said, “Please, Aaron, would you go downstairs?”

He was standing so close behind her she could feel his hot, foul breath on her neck.

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