The Time of Her Life: Sister's at Heart Book 1

Chapter Twenty-Four: Headed For A Breakdown

Annie's POV

Two weeks had come, and gone since we left the beach. Alex had returned to work, and I, back to my parents house. I would stay with Alex on the nights he had off, but that was limited to only two days out of the week now.

It was Tuesday night, and I knew Alex didn't have to work for the next two days. So I packed an over night bag, preparing myself for having absolutely nothing to do for the next two days! I had been feeling tired lately, but hadn't told Alex yet.

Maybe it was just me being depressed, I had been staying at home a lot due to having my school work on-line. I was working really hard this year to make the Dean's list, just as I had done the last three years. Let's just say, it seemed very hard to stay focused enough to do it.

I worked around Alex's schedule now, not wanting to miss a minute with him. Something good had changed in him since that last night at the beach, not that he was bad before, but his cocky exterior was chipping away faster than before.

My phone buzzed with a text, I opened it and read ' Hey babe, just wanted you to know I won't be getting off until six, so just let yourself in and relax until I get there. Key's under the mat as usual. Love you!' I smiled, and quickly replied 'OK, love you too!'

With my bag, and laptop case in hand I walked down the stairs. My mom and dad were sitting in the family room, my father was sitting in his recliner reading scriptures from the Bible. He usually did this on Tuesday nights, to be prepared for Wednesday night services.

My mother was laying on the couch, watching some romantic comedy. I stood watching them, it was nice to have such wonderful parent's. Alex had long forgiven them for the whole dehydration thing, and well I was never mad at them to begin with.

My mother looked up at me and smiled, " I didn't even hear you come down the stairs." She said turning off the T.V.

" Mom you didn't have to do that, I was just going to give you and dad a kiss. I'm heading over to Alex's for the next two days, and just didn't want to worry you." My mom's smile grew wider, in the past month she and Alex had gotten to really know each other.

" Will we be seeing you at the services tomorrow night?" Dad asked, looking up at me through his reading glasses. I nodded, giving him a small smile. My dad liked Alex, he just disagreed about me staying the night with him.

I remember him going so far as to ask me if we had been 'sleeping' together, after telling him that it was non of his business, but no he seemed to be calmer about it. " Good, tell Alex we said hello and we look forward to seeing you both at church tomorrow."

My mother was saying, as she got up to hug me tightly. She planted a kiss on my cheek, and for some reason I felt tears stinging my eyes, and my voice was thick with emotion. I had no idea why, but for some strange reason I suddenly was feeling very homesick. Which was stupid, because I hadn't even left yet!

" Love you too, mom" My voice seemed to echo in my ears, and when my dad had said ' goodbye, I love you sweetie', it had sounded like his voice was coming from somewhere deep in a tunnel. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and walked out to my car.

I willed myself to be alright, no way was I going back to that hospital unless I just had to. I couldn't explain the overwhelming emotions I'd had just then, but whatever it was, didn't leave my gut even once I got to Alex's house.

I slipped my hand under the mat to find the key, it wasn't in the usual spot. I peeled back the mat, nothing! The key wasn't there, but Alex had said he left it. I sighed, smoothed out the 'Welcome' mat, and frowned down at it.

Maybe he just misplaced it? I shook my head, that just wasn't like Alex. I put my hand on the door knob, just to see if he might have left it unlocked. To my surprise, it opened easily. My gut told me something wasn't right about this, but I ignored it and continued to walk into the dark hallway.