Taking Chances by Erin McKenzie

Author:Erin McKenzie [McKenzie, Erin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781635552102
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2018-11-25T05:00:00+00:00

* * *

After four episodes, Val and Sasha decided that there were only so many hours of Game of Thrones a person could tolerate in one sitting. Val turned off the TV, stood up, and went to the kitchen. She felt restless and off-kilter without the kids. She kept wanting to peek in on them, except they weren’t there. Their nighttime routine had become such a pleasant way to end her days that she didn’t know what to do with herself now.

“Need anything?” she asked.

“Nah, I’m good,” Sasha replied. “I’m still full from dinner.”

“So, Connie stopped by today,” Val said, opening her third bottle of the Mike’s Hard Lemonade Sasha had brought and plopping back down on the couch. “Checking up on me.”

“Let me guess—her freaky sixth sense told her you were upset.”

“You’re dead-on, woman. Talking to her helped, though.” Val sipped her drink. “She suggested I go back to the therapist I used to see in high school.”

“Oh, yeah? Why?”

“I’ve been having nightmares again, like, a lot.”

“Oh, man, that bites. You used to seriously scare the hell out of me when you’d wake up screaming. Are they bad like that?”

“Yeah. I had one the first night the kids were here, and they’ve been happening ever since.”

Sasha whistled. “I’m sorry. Do you remember them?”

“Kind of,” Val replied. “There’s one where someone’s chasing me through a house, and they find me hiding in a closet. Sometimes it’s someone holding me down so I can’t move. I always wake up right before…well, before something happens to me.”

“Are they memories? I mean, did that stuff actually happen?” Sasha asked.

“I think maybe. Dr. Brown, the therapist, was starting to go there with me, but I quit going to see her. She was freaking me out. I mean, if my mind doesn’t want to remember stuff, there must be a reason.”

“Or maybe your dreams are trying to tell you something,” Sasha said. “Maybe if you figured them out, they’d stop.”

“I don’t know, but I’m so tired. Maybe this stuff will help me sleep tonight,” Val said, holding up her bottle.

“Temporary fix. Maybe you should give the therapy thing another try,” Sasha said.

“Maybe.”

“What time are the kids supposed to be back?”

“By noon,” Val replied, yawning.

“That’s in ten hours. Better get some sleep.”

“You want to crash in Lily’s bed?” Val asked.

“Actually, I really like this couch. All I need is a blanket.”

Val retrieved a fleece stadium blanket from her closet and brought it to Sasha. “Here you go. I put a new toothbrush on the bathroom sink for you.”

“Thanks, chica.”

“Thank you for keeping me company tonight, Sash. I really appreciate it.”

Sasha stood and gave Val a hug. “How many times have you been there when I’ve needed you? I’m happy to return the favor.” Sasha held Val at arm’s length. “You’re probably the strongest person I know, and I love you. Now go get some sleep.”

Val wiped her eyes. “Why’d you have to go and get all sappy on me? Love you, too. G’night.” Val went to her room and dropped into bed.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.