Shaken

Chapter 3

     When they arrived at Traci’s house, the aroma of homemade pizza wafted through the open doorway, as they stepped inside. Abby felt at home here. Traci’s house was Abby’s second home. Since her dad was often away on business trips, Abby would spend the night, or week, on Traci’s trundle bed. They would sit up all night talking about boys, school, who they hated, who they didn’t. That is, until Traci became a Christian. Ever since then, whenever Abby brought up the word ‘hate’ Traci would give her a look and say “Hate is a strong word”.

     As Abby helped set the dinner table for the pizza, the awkward silence set in. Abby didn’t know what to say, because she knew the only reason she was here was because her dad was practically lifeless in a cold hospital room. Abby shook her head, trying to keep her mind off of her dad. They all sat down at the dinner table.

     “Shall we bless it?” Traci’s dad said.

     “Sure!” Traci said.

     The family bowed their heads and prayed. Abby sat there, not wanting to be disrespectful, but not wanting to pretend either. Finally, the pizza was dished out. Abby was starving. She hadn't eaten anything since breakfast. Four pieces of pizza and 2 helpings of broccoli filled her stomach. Then the chocolate crème cake was brought out. By the time they were cleaning the kitchen and putting the dishes, Abby felt pleasantly plump.

     After all the dishes were put away, Abby and Traci went upstairs to get situated. Traci pulled out the well-known trundle bed out from under her own bed, and Abby grabbed the clean sheets from the top shelf in the closet. As they worked to get set up, Abby remembered when they were little, doing the same thing. Abby jumped up on Traci’s bed and splayed her body across the warm top cover.

     “Abs, you okay?” Traci jumped up next to her.

     Abby moved her head so she was looking at Traci.

     “I’m just remembering the old times.” Abby said.

     “You mean when we would have pillow fights, and you’d always fall of the edge of the bed because you were jumping around so much?” Traci smiled. “Yeah, those were the good times.”

     Abby almost laughed, poking Traci in the arm.

     “You know what I mean. I mean before all this.” Abby gestured to herself.

     “Abs, you’ve gotta believe when I say that things will turn out for the better. Even if-“     

     Traci stopped. But Abby knew what she was going to say. Even if her dad died. Died. Died. Abby sat up, and leaned against the wall.

     “I’m sorry Abby. I shouldn’t have started.” Traci said apologetically. “Let’s just forget about that for now.”

     Traci picked up her pillow and lightly hit her on the head. Abby sprang up, and tried to run to the closet where the extra pillows were.

     “Not a chance!” Traci laughed.

     She grabbed Abby by the waste and tackled her. They wrestled on the ground for a while. Then Abby broke lose and grabbed Traci’s pillow, which she had dropped.

     “HA!” She yelled as she pummeled Traci.

    “Truce! Truce!” Came Traci muffled voice from under the pillow.

     “Defeated, yet again!” Abby said gleefully.

     They sat on the bedroom floor, breathless. Traci ran downstairs and brought up a movie. She stuck it in her TV by the window. Traci and Abby sat on the trundle bed and watched ‘My Little Pony’ shows until 10:00. Then Traci’s mom came up, reminded them that it was a school day and turned the lights off. Traci and Abby changed into their PJ’s and jumped into bed. Abby closed her eyes, feeling happy for the first time in what seemed like years.