Afterthoughts Read Online Free Page B

tried to remember
the fun the two of them had getting to know each other growing up.
She remembered when they skipped school shopped in the malls all
day. They came home later with the beer they managed to convince a
local store owner to sell them. How stupid they must have looked
snickering as they walked up and down the halls of their childhood
home, trying not to look drunk. As she smiled to herself, she fell
sound asleep.
    A half hour later, she woke shivering.
Most of the water had drained out of the tub leaving her cold and
damp. After considering running more hot water, she decided to get
out instead. Before she could dry off there was a frantic knock on
the door and she could hear her boyfriend, David, scream, “Paige,
you alright?”
    “ I’m fine … I’m coming,”
she yelled trying to outdo Harry’s barks. She threw on her robe and
ran for the door.
    When the door opened, David pulled her
into his arms. “When I couldn’t reach you, I got really worried. I
had to come and check on you,” he kissed her wet hair.
    “ I’m sorry. I just needed
some time,” Paige said as she automatically slid into his arms. She
had to admit, it felt good to be held.
    Harry must have felt the same way as
he jumped up on them and tried to squeeze his way into the
middle.
    “ I understand, baby,”
David whispered in her ear. He loosened his grip on her so he could
pet the dog. “Come here you big goof!” He wrestled him around for a
bit before grabbing Paige’s hand and leading her into the living
room to sit on the couch. “How are you holding up?”
    Paige raised her head to look at him.
“I’m okay. It’s Sarah I’m worried about. She’s lost both Anthony
and Richie in less than a week, then to deal with the possibility
that Richie murdered his own father. I just can’t even begin to
imagine!” Beyond her control, the tears finally fell down her
cheeks. “I need to go put on some clothes. I’ll be right back.”
Paige walked quickly from the room leaving David to sit on the
couch. Harry nudged his hand and David rubbed his ears
softly.
    “ She’s not doing very
well,” he whispered to Harry as he scratched behind one of his
ears. “We’re going to have to keep an eye on her.”
    She returned wearing a pink sweat
suit. David picked up the conversation that Paige had hoped to
avoid just a little bit longer.
    “ You’ve been dealing with
it too, Paige. You were the one that put the pieces together
leading to Richie murdering his father. Killing himself only proves
his guilt.” David hugged her again allowing Paige’s tears to soak
his shoulder. He then took a tissue from a box on the coffee table
and handed it to her.
    “ I still don’t think
Richie killed Anthony,” she paused. “How do you go on after
something like this? I’m not sure I could!” She pulled back and
looked at him. His dark blonde hair looked as if he had just jumped
out of the bed. “I’m glad you’re here. I thought I wanted to be
alone. I was wrong.” She tried to smile at him but ended up burying
her face in the tissue.
    “ Where else in the world
would I be?” He smiled at her, kissed her on the forehead, and
touched her cheek. “You’ve faced your fair share and look at you
now. Have you eaten?” He took her hand in his and caressed her
fingers.
    “ No. I had a cup coffee
but it’s cold now. There’s more in the pot. Do you want some?” She
started for the kitchen.
    He pulled her back toward the sofa.
“You just sit here and try to relax. I’ll take care of the coffee.
Breakfast too.” He held both of her hands briefly before he turned
and walked to the kitchen.
    Paige wanted to resist, but gave up.
She leaned back in the sofa, grabbed her throw pillow, and hugged
it tightly. She pulled her feet up under her and stared out of the
living room window at the trees in her front yard.
    David watched her from the
door and noticed how her long brown hair fell over her shoulder and
across the pillow she had pulled