Escape

Chapter 17

I took a cigarette out of the box and placed it between my lips and lit it. I pulled in hard and watched the length of the bud decrease. I slowly let the smoke slip through the crack between my lips. It's funny don't you think...I'm giving money to a company that aids in the increase of cancer worldwide. I sickened myself. I took one last pull and flicked the bud out the window. I tilted my head back a bit and allowed the smoke to exit through my nostrils. Riley treasured our friendship more than I thought. Her valuables were things that some people would think to be minor but they meant so much to her. I sighed and picked up the car keys off the dashboard and started the car. I allowed the engine to run for a while then I headed home.

I pulled into my driveway and fumbled for my house key in my bag. I opened the door and took my shoes off and called out for my husband but I got no response. I dragged my feet up the stairs to my bedroom and dropped the box and my bag on the ground and sprawled off on my bed and fell asleep. I didn't know for how long I slept but when I woke up I felt better. I really needed it. I hadn't slept like that since Riley's death. My hair was a mess and I was still wearing the clothes I came home in/ I forgot I didn't change them. I heard noises coming from downstairs so I went to see what it was about. When I entered the kitchen I saw my husband busy flipping pancakes and little Riley sitting in her chair at the breakfast table coloring in a book that I bought her a few weeks prior to keep her busy cause she loved colors and coloring was her favorite thing to do. I smiled. He turned around and saw me and greeted me with a hug and a kiss and told me what he and little Riley did when I was gone and he also told me that I was out cold when they returned and he didn't want to wake me so he spent the night on the couch. I loved him for being so caring and understanding but at the same time I hated the fact that I made him have to sleep outside in the couch all by himself but he didn't mind. Riley was right, I am lucky to have him. I gave him a big hug and helped him to finish breakfast.