Chim - Double Walker

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

'Kimberley!' I shout urgently pound my fist against the door after her not answering the first two times I've knocked.

I wait a few more seconds, anxiety growing inside me. I step back from the door, finding myself nervously fidgeting. Fiddling with my hands and dragging them through my knotty hair, tapping my foot on the floor, and my eyes are darting from the kitchen window to the door, praying to see some movement from Kimberley.

As my patience runs out, I step towards the door again, but I am stopped when I hear a beautifully familiar voice on the other side.

'Who... Who is it?' I can barely hear her but she sounds a little rough.

'Kimba! It's me baby!' I exclaim, stepping closer to the door and putting my hand against the wood, like it would help me feel closer to her, 'It's Cheryl! Please let me in' I beg.

It is silent for a few seconds and I bow my head, resting my forehead against the door.

'Please baby' I whisper, though she probably won't hear me.

My head jolts up when I hear multiple door latches unlinking, followed by the turn of a key and the main bolt unlocking.

The door slowly opens, but only a crack. I hesitantly push it further open; edging into the house to find Kimberley is already walking back to the living room.

I breathe a sigh of relief when I actually see that she is okay. But then she staggers, holding onto the wall for support. Seeing this I rush forward, my hands moving to her hips, steadying her and helping her walk into the living room.

'Kim, why are you staggering?' I ask, concern evident in my voice.

I sit her down and she flops back, like she is numb. I look at her and see that her eyes are drooping, dark rings around them.

'Kim' I sit down beside her, putting some space between us and looking at her sternly, 'have you been drinking?'

Her head snaps around to look at me with a furious expression.

'Of course I've not!' she snaps.

'Then why are you stumbling?'

'I stumbled once Cheryl! I'm just a little unbalanced. I've not been sleeping very well.' She shrugs, looking at me with a hard expression. 'Unlike you Cheryl, I actually care about this baby'

Well that hurt. Though, I completely deserve it. She tenderly strokes her massive six month baby bump.

'Sorry' I whisper, bowing my head in shame at the fact I accused her of drinking when pregnant, adding to my list of false accusations.

An awkward silence falls, Kimberley looking down at her bump, while I think about what she said.

'Why haven't you been sleeping?' I ask curiously.

She sighs and pushes herself up a little, so she is more upright rather than slouched.

'Why are you here Cheryl? It has been three months' she grumbles, looking me in the eye.

'Well-' I start to explain, only to be interrupted.

'Let me guess. You saw...' she stops talking.

She leans across the couch and moves a pillow out of the way. She sits back up and unfolds a paper, holding it up.

'You saw this didn't you?' she says knowingly, showing me the front cover.

'Yeah' I admit, 'Nic text me'