Sheet Music - A Rock 'n' Roll Love Story by Ann Lister

Author:Ann Lister
Language: nld
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Lulu.com
Published: 2011-10-28T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Over the next several days, Annie became distant and despondent. Michael sensed something was building within her, but all his attempts to bring it out in the open had failed.

On the fourth morning, Michael woke to an empty bed. He quickly checked every room in the cottage before he allowed a wave of panic to wash over him, then he rushed to the outside deck to scan the beach. His eyes stopped when they reached the boat pier. Still dressed in her nightshirt, she sat at the end of the wooden structure, leaning up against a pylon. Relief flooded his body, but the questions about her behavior remained.

As he walked out to greet her, many fears crowded his brain. Was she so unhappy living with him that she was preparing to leave again? He shook off the thought and crouched down to sit beside her. She made no acknowledgment of his arrival. Her face was ashen and frozen, as she stared blankly into the depths of the water below. Her eyes appeared swollen from crying.

“What’s going on, babe?” he asked. The fear of her leaving made his head ache.

Annie drew a deep, exhausted breath into her lungs, while he waited to hear an explanation.

“Talk to me, Annie. Don’t shut me out.”

She turned to face him. She studied his eyes. Then she shook her head in disgust and looked away. “You don’t know, do you?”

“Know what?”

“What today is.”

His head began to swirl with possibilities. Then it hit him like an atom bomb exploding in his lap. “Oh, my God, Annie. This is the anniversary of your accident,” he answered, feeling like a jerk he hadn’t been more attuned to her emotions.

“It wasn't just my accident, Michael. Sammy was in that car, too, and he died. Remember?”

He squeezed his eyes shut tight, clenched his teeth and sighed. “Jesus, Annie. I’m sorry.” He slid an arm around her shoulder and attempted to pull her close to his body. Her skin was cold to the touch. “Do you want to talk about it?”

She sat frozen, unyielding to his embrace. “Not really. It’s something I have to work through myself.”

He pushed the wind swept-hair off her face. “You don’t have to deal with this alone, you know. I’ll listen as long as you want to talk.”

“I know, and I thank you for that. But I really just want to be alone for a while.”

He nodded in acknowledgment; hurt but understanding. “Are you cold?” he asked, rubbing her arms in an attempt to warm her skin.

“No, I’m fine,” she replied, her shoulders beginning to heave in giant sobs and then she turned to him and crumbled before his eyes.

He quickly enveloped her with his arms and massaged her back with his fingers. “It’s okay, babe. Let it go. I’m right here,” he kept repeating, kissing her forehead.

Her tears came in torrents, lasting for what seemed like forever. Throughout it all, he held on tightly. Finally, she was quiet; peaceful except for the occasional quake of her body.

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