Chapter Three

Chapter Three
I reach over and click the lamp on my bedside table on. Slowly, I sit up, squinting as I adjust to the light.

 I  stand up and bury my hands in my hand as a sob leaves my mouth. I had that dream again. And he was there. Holding his hand out for me to grab. But the second I reached up, he pulled away and laughed, letting me fall, fall, fall.

 

"It's just a dream." I remind myself, drying my eyes with my sleeve. "Maybe his phone broke, or maybe he misread the number, or maybe he-" maybe he blames you and never wants to see you again. "Stop!" I whisper furiously to myself. I look up at the window and smile. Through the frost on the window, I can see snow.

 

It falls gently and slowly as it gracefully flutters to the ground, coating the city in white. I turn around and walk down the stairs and into the kitchen. I flip the light switch on and wait for the lights to flicker on. I take the milk and the cereal out of the cabinets and pour a bowl of cereal. I do my boring, morning routine. After dropping my bowl off in the sink, I look through the sliding glass doors into the yard. It's stopped snowing, but there's an inch that's already accumulated. I slide the door open slowly so it doesn't make any noise. Before stepping out, I look behind to make sure no one's watching, and step out. I wince as my barefoot hits the snow, gritting my teeth as I step outside. It's so cold. Even colder then I thought. I bring my hands together and breath into them, trying to warm up.

 

The city looks so peaceful. I guess Bridgeport does sleep, sometimes. There's only one or two yellow taxis winding their way between the buildings. It must be a snow day. As if on cue, I hear a high pitched squeal and the sound of feet pounding against the carpeted staircase as Eliza yells; 'snow day! Snow day! Snow day!' I step inside before she comes around the corner. 

     "It's a snow day!" she cries, smiling from ear to ear as she bounces past me. I shake my head as I walk down the hall and into the living room. Someone's turned on the fireplace, most likely Sammi, while I was outside. I stand in front of it, putting my palms out to warm up. The fire casts an orange glow, making the room feel a lot more cozy than it actually is.

 

I can hear Eliza telling Sammi that it's a snow day, but the rest of her excited babble goes right over my head. She bounds back in the living room, acting like a ten-year-old for once in her life. 

     "Want to watch reruns of mom's old tv shows?" She asks me, making herself comfortable on the couch. 

     "Sure," I say thickly, sitting down next her.

 

"Mom looks so young there." Eliza says, as she points at the screen half an hour later.

     "She does."

     "How old was she?"

     "I don't know."

     She's silent for another mintue before she asks another question, "what's that noise?" 

     "Shhh," I say gently. There's the sound of the front gates openning and closing and a key being put in the door. 

     "Do you think it's mom and dad?" Eliza asks excitedly, jumping up and down in her seat. "Do you think-"

     "Eliza, please be quiet." I say as I watch the door open. 

     "Eliza?" Dad says. "Lucy?" he says, almost as an afterthought. 

     "In the living room, dad." I say.

They come around the corner, dad looking smug and mom hiding something in her hand.

     "Mom, whats that?!?" Eliza asks, from her excitement I can tell she already knows. 

     "Well, sweetheart," mom says slowly, smiling at her. "I know you've been wanting something for a while, and you've been so cooperative through all of this." I hide my face as it burns with guilt. "And you've been very responsible lately, and you do all your homework, so we decided that you were finally ready for a puppy." Mom leans down and puts the puppy down. Eliza jumps up and sprints over.

     "Ohmygawd, mommy! You got me a puppy! Thank you mommy and daddy!"

 She bends down, "whose the cutest puppy in the whole wide world, who? You! That's who!"

 

"Aww! Mommy, she licked my hand!" Eliza reaches down and carefully picks up the puppy, making sure it's comfortable. "Mommy?"

 

"Mommy?"

 

"Give mommy a minute, Eliza." Mom says. "Mommy has a call."

 

"What is it Ted? Yes, I can talk. Really?" Mom says, turning her back on Eliza.

     "Mom?" Eliza says, tapping her back. "Mom?"

     "Eliza! Shhh! Mommy is on the phone with Ted. Why don't you go show Lucy your new puppy."

 

"Look, Lucy," Eliza says, her bottom lip quivering. 

     "Bring that puppy over here." I say, smiling at her.  She comes over slowly and stands in front of me. 

 

"What are you going to name her?" I ask.

     "I don't know yet." She says. "Maybe after a flower. Hey, puppy!" She laughs as she untangles her from her hair.

 

"Lets go meet Pie!" Eliza cries, rubbing her nose against the puppies.

 

"Eliza," I say warningly, "maybe that's not the best idea. You should let her get used to us first."

     "It's okay, Lucy, see, they're friends. Don't worry about it." She puts the puppy down and turns around to smile at me. I shut my mouth as the puppy wonders over to Pie and starts sniffing her. Pie hisses at the puppy, making the puppy fly backwards.

 

"Pie hurt her!" Eliza screams, reaching down and scooping the pup up. "Your cat hurt her."

 

"Pie didn't hurt her!" I say, in Pie's defense. "I told you not to let the puppy do that, and you didn't listen. Pie doesn't like dogs, and she doesn't like animals in her face. You should know that!"

     "Take your cat upstairs." Eliza says, putting her hands on her hips. 

     "Fine." I scoop Pie up, petting her head as I do and take her up the stairs. "You stay here," I say, putting her down on my bed as I reach for my coat and hat. "I'll be back." 

     And I do what I do best. 

     Putting one foot in front of the other.

 

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