The Darkness Inside

Three

Tom waited long enough to get back to work.  There was enough room in the cellar to make part of it his office.  Originally Izzy's room was to be his office but now that was out and since the other spare room was Bryn's to use as her art studio, (which was fine with him; she needed the sunlight, he didn't), the cellar would have to do.  Plus, there'd be no distractions and he could focus on his writing.

His desk was pushed against the stone wall and Bryn had set up a picture frame of his favorite photo of her.  She was on a bridge overlooking the babbling brook they'd come across hiking one fall day.  He had readied his camera and softly said, "I love you, B."  She'd turned her head and gave him that smile, the soft and pure one that melted his heart every damn time.  She had him wrapped around her finger.

He cracked his knuckles as he waited for his laptop to start up.  He shuffled through his notes, refreshing his memory.  He had a book to finish by the end of the summer or they might be moving back to a studio apartment in the city before Christmas. 

Bryn had a few art classes to teach this afternoon and he'd promised her he'd take Izzy around to pick up job applications in town.  Bryn didn't enjoy being home by herself, so he needed to be back before she returned.  He wanted to get her a new dog so she'd have company, but she'd begged him not to.  There'd never be another dog to replace her beloved Freddy.  Maybe someday soon she'd agree, but for now he didn't push her; she was still healing, mentally.  It was still too soon to bring up such a sore subject, and that was putting it lightly. 

Tom pushed the unpleasant memory of her attack from his mind and opened up his current Word document, re-reading the last sentence he wrote, over and over.  He carefully and thoughtfully crafted a new paragraph and stared at it until the screen became blurry before him.  He stretched out his arms and placed his hands behind his head, leaning back into his chair.  He clicked his tongue, thinking.

Checking the watch around his left wrist, he found he'd only been working for a total of five minutes.  This was going to be a long day.  Coffee was needed.  Coffee or a nap.  Maybe both.

In the kitchen, Tom poured himself a cup of coffee.  It was only 10:30 in the morning and Bryn was already gone, heading into town to the school.  Izzy had yet to make an appearance.  When he'd passed her room earlier this morning, the door was closed.  He'd pressed an ear to it, but heard nothing.

Tom took his mug and grabbed an apple and went back down to his makeshift office.  He decided he'd get as much written as he could by noon and then check on Izzy to see if she felt like heading to town.

Halfway down the stairs, he stopped in his tracks.  Izzy was in his chair, staring at the screen.  How she got past him since the cellar door is connected to the kitchen, he'll never know.  He chuckled nervously and reached across her from behind, gently closing his laptop.

"That's private, Iz.  Sleep well?"  She'd been sleeping in everyday since she'd arrived.  He could only assume the grief she was dealing with played a big part in her sleeping habits.  Or maybe it was just a teenager thing, he didn't know.

Izzy leaned back into the chair and spun it around, facing him.  She was wearing a long floral sleeping gown and as she sat, it ended mid-thigh.  Her knees touched his legs and he stepped back, taking a bite of his apple. 

"Did you?" She asked with a quick smile.

"I did, thank you," he nodded once after swallowing his bite.

Izzy licked her lips and stood.  "I'm famished.  Make me breakfast?  Please?"

Tom stepped around her, placing his mug on the desk.  "Sorry, sweetie, I've really got to get to work.  There's bagels, different cereals, oatmeal, eggs... I mean, make yourself at home."