Aftermath

Chapter 9- Alone...all alone.

Author Note: I'm so in love with my own story--obsessed really, I know it sounds pretentious, so please forgive me. But one of the problems with being in love with your own story is that you can't see the flaws, the defects, much like being in love for the first time...so I put it to you, the reader, let me know what needs work, what needs cutting down ( I know a lot needs cutting down, I've tried but I may need a 12 step program or something). 

Hope you all have a great summer weekend. 

All the best, Sandra

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Chapter 9

For the first time in months, Lou was all alone.

After the hockey game on Friday, the rambunctious, noisy crew of boys had spent the night at her place, and after hanging out with an action movie star, ransacking a high-end suite filled with junk food, the kids were cranked—but at least happily cranked. She didn't want to be a party pooper, so she begrudgingly let them go that morning home with Max to continue the sleepover fun. The Mitchells were a great family and and she and Linda Mitchell had known each other since they organized the first grade corn roast fundraiser at Bo's school.

Lou knew they would be safe and going for a sleepover was one of the first normal things they had done in a while, but still, she was terrified of being alone and it was hard to let them out of her sight...using her kids as security blankets wasn't a mentally healthy path, she kept reminding herself.

The silent house was unsettling. Normally, her life was noisy, fast paced, at times a chaotic mess, constantly filled with Carter's demands and expectations, her boys schedules, working in the family business while still taking care of their home, keeping in touch with Eloise and her friends back home in Pine Hallow. Now here it was a beautiful spring afternoon and she was hiding in her bedroom from the world, almost afraid to leave the protection of her four walls.

The new cell Eloise had gotten for Lou, rang. She just stared at it as it bounced, vibrating on her nightstand.

"Hello."

"Hi, Lou. It's Voss," he said. She felt like saying, 'No-dah, it's Voss, one of the only three people that had her new number. "How's your ankle?"

"Fine, good, lot better, why you asking'?" she said and then promptly smacked herself in the forehead. Why was she so defensive and unsettled talking to him? He was just being nice...and trying to be helpful. "Sorry, I—the swelling is gone...it's just a little sore today. Thanks for asking."

"Good, that's good cause I was hoping you guys would still like to join us here at our hotel this afternoon. There's a sick pool and hot tub on the roof. It overlooks the Old Port. I think the boys would love it. Tell them to bring their friends. We can barely get Ivor out of it--It's our last day in town and we--we're wondering." He surprisingly sounded about as awkward and nervous talking to her as she did talking to him. "Would you prefer us to come out and pick you guys up?" Voss said, sounding even more excited. "I think I finally figured out the maze it takes to get into your neighbourhood, I'll come get you guys so you don't have to drive with a sore foot."

"Oh, ah...I hadn't really thought about going out today...The boys ended up going to Max's for a sleepover, and I--ah...I'm not sure if I should. I mean, it's just me and I...hadn't thought..." She had no idea what to say or even if she was up to seeing Voss and his brother's again. They were perfect gentlemen and great fun for the boys; but she didn't trust herself around Voss, that was the embarrassing and sinful truth. He had almost kissed her good-night last night and she had almost let him and that fact was totally freaking her out.

"Are you feeling ok?" Voss sounded so sweet. He really did seemed genuinely concerned. They must have a great mother she thought, because all the sons were such gentlemen and clearly were doing their best to send the message that they were grateful to her, even though it was completely unnecessary and a short thank you card would have been enough.