Thinking Straight by Robin Reardon

Author:Robin Reardon
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2009-03-21T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

One who trusts in himself is a fool; but one who walks in wisdom, he is kept safe.

—Proverbs 28:26

That stupid shrieking bell wakes me up. I hate it, but in a way it’s good, because as soon as my brain is in gear I remember what happened last night. Will got through to me because of Nate, who wants me in the circle. This place has an underground. Who knew? And I’m in it.

Suddenly I sit bolt upright: I’d nearly forgotten I have to see Harnett at ten o’clock! I’ll have to keep my euphoria in check.

Charles hasn’t gotten out of bed yet, which surprises me considering his past behavior. So I call over to him, “Charles? You awake?”

“Yes.” But he doesn’t move. Just lies there, face to the wall.

Fine. I get up and grab my shower kit and towel, and then I remember what’s in my pillowcase. And what I have to do with it. I stand there a good thirty seconds or so, trying desperately to think of a way I can keep it and not jeopardize the circle. But I can’t. Not really. Not in this place. So I go back and get it, fold it smaller, and tuck it into my pajama top pocket. Charles is still lying there; hasn’t moved. I’m wondering if he’s sick. He hasn’t eaten since Tuesday.

“Hey, are you okay? Do you want me to get someone?”

“No. I’ll be up. Don’t worry about me. See you in the bathroom.”

In the shower stall it occurs to me that this would be the best place to shred the paper. If I get it wet, it won’t make any noise. Standing against the closed door so no one on the other side can see, I take it out of my pocket and unfold it, and just once more I read the green ink. “I’ll be here.” Funny thing about love notes. You can lose the note and still keep the love.

I kiss it once, fold it up again, and as I’m showering I get it just wet enough to make it quietly and easily shreddable. Somehow I manage to keep it in my hand as I make my way, wrapped in my towel, to a toilet booth, nearly giggling when it occurs to me I could have hidden it up my ass for this part of the journey. I sit on the toilet long enough to do what I have to do, which also gives me time to shred the note. The first tear rips part of me as well, but it’s necessary. And then it’s gone.

But it isn’t. Because I remember it. And because Will is there.

Charles is just getting to the bathroom as I’m leaving. We nod. And he doesn’t get back to the room until it’s time to leave for breakfast.

“I’ll wait for you while you dress,” I tell him.

“No, don’t do that. I’ll see you in there.”

“I don’t trust you.”

“What?”

“I don’t trust you not to fast again. I’m waiting.”

He gives me a look that’s got something frantic in it, but I’m sitting at my desk by then.

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.