Just Perfect

Chapter 3

I tightly closed my eyes as, willing myself not to listen to Paul as he spoke, trying to explain why he had volunteered me to do charity work.
I'm all for helping others, but how could he be so selfish as to give away my time without my permission, to a stranger non the less.

Everything in me was beginning to shut down because of the overwhelming feelings that were running through, the levels of anxiety sky rocketing.

"Calm down sis!" the humor in his voice was evident as he spoke. How could he be enjoying this while I was finding it hard to breathe?

"How? ...just how did you honestly think that volunteering me to do this was a good idea?" All the information received caused me to shake with panic and annoyance at that point, knowing the sofa was right by me, my knees decided it was a good time to take a seat.

From my whole demeanor, Paul knew that he needed to tread carefully.  Looking at me with calculating eyes, and knowing very well that he wouldn't get anything from me if he were to continue to agitate me. "Let me at least explain, before you shoot it down." He spoke as he tried to sit up.

I made a face, letting him know it was okay for him to continue, even though at the back of my mind it was decided that the idea would be shot down, he smiled boyishly.

"Okay," He began, "I was going to tell you about this later but now I don't seem to have a choice. That man who was here is the one leading the youth organization I've been working with to get credits for my scholarship. My last job was to help with the youth center, you know, the one just at the corner of the church. They lost their funding for the renovations and the organization I work with has decided to take it on. "

I stared at him blankly, wondering when the part about why I was involved would come in.

Sighing he continued "Mr Jesse came here to tell me that if the project is not completed in time then non of us volunteering would be able to get a signature for proof of work, so I asked if I could have someone work on my behalf and he agreed. You were the only person I thought of to help. "

"No! "

"Hellen, please I-,"

"I said no! It's unfortunate that the youth center lost it's funding but that's not my fault, besides I have my own work to do. Hope you didn't forget about my job Paul. We're having spaghetti for dinner." With that, the conversation was over. I stood up and made my way to the kitchen of our baronial apartment.

I loved the apartment we lived in. It was on the third floor of a large building, built and decorated in an old fashioned style, almost Victorian. It was a single floor apartment that had three bedrooms, all containing one king size wooden bed. The largest room, my room, with an ensuite bathroom and the other two bedrooms having to share a bathroom between them. The living room and dining were one carpeted room, very cozy to be in and separated only by a double sided book case.

And my favorite room in the house, the room I feel most at ease is the kitchen. It was a room on its own, making it a good hiding spot.

Dinner was ready shortly after the uncomfortable encounter. My body was in no mood to stay awake any longer, the tense muscles on my shoulders and neck telling me to sleep away my feelings.

Normally, we would sit at the dinner table and eat together but that would not be the case tonight.
It made me feel horrible to know that Stella had just arrived and had to be part of the drama, but at this point there was nothing to be done. We all just needed to rest.

Without wasting more time, the table was set and everyone was informed.
I marched to my room, and locked the door, unable to sleep otherwise.

Paul would be able to get to his room just fine, his physical therapist had done a very good job teaching him to use his crutches and be as independent as possible.

With that last thought as, buried in beddings, my eyes were closed and slumber consumed me.