When I woke in the morning, the sound of clinking dishes and the muffled sing song sound of my mother's voice radiated up from downstairs. A deeper, equally as muffled, voice answered her which caused my eyes to fly open.
Still in my pajamas, my hair sticking up in all directions, I raced down the stairs and into the living room where my father was sitting with a cup of coffee in his hand and his luggage strewn about the room.
"Dad!" I exclaimed and ran over to him giving him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"Hey there, munchkin." He greeted me with a smile and pulled me into his side like a small child. "How are you doin'?" He placed a small peck on my cheek, his dark mustache tickling my face.
"I'm alright." I answered. "Glad you're home." Carefully, I reached for his mug and took a sip.
"Hey!" He pulled the cup away and chuckled. "Get your own!" He playfully pushed me away.
Dramatically, I rolled off the couch and onto the floor. "Oh father," I placed a hand on my forehead. "Why must you deny me a simple need. I am so famished. So in need of... Coffee." I let my body go limp to further emphasize my performance.
"Linda, what kind of child are we raising?" My father gingerly stepped over me as he walked into the kitchen.
Bitter that neither of my parents took notice of my show, I followed them into the kitchen and took a seat at the breakfast bar.
"I'm not sure," my mother answered, a freshly brewed cup of tea in her hand. "Her siblings turned out fine."
I made a face and rolled my eyes. Both my parents laughed but soon turned their attention toward each other. My father leaned down and my mother straightened up so they could meet together in a kiss.
"Ew!" I shouted. "Get a room!"
My father smiled and looked at me. "Last time we did, we ended up with you."
"God, dad." I made a disgusted face, which caused both my parents to laugh.
"I think Reginald is outside, Tessa. Could you let him in?" My mother asked and gestured to the wooden backdoor just to left of where I was sitting.
Upon opening the door, a large fluffy grey cat sauntered in and rubbed his body up against my legs. "Hey, Reginald." I leaned down and gave him a pat.
"When do you have to leave again, Richard?" My mother asked my father as they both took a seat at the table.
My father winced as if he was in pain. "Two days." He answered.
"Two days!" I exclaimed. "But you just got back!"
"I know, honey, I know, but I have another big sale in Chicago I need to be there for."
"Okay." I muttered sadly. "At least you're home for a little bit."
***
Three days had passed. My father left for Chicago the day before, and my mother was stuck working at the hospital as I sat in the dark, occasionally looking at my phone to check the progress on the tropical storm that was currently tormenting our area.
As I was lighting candles to provide some light until the storm passed, there was a loud scratching and banging at the backdoor. I froze in my spot, usually I wasn't scared of storms, but I was scared of muderers breaking into my home.
I pulled out my phone and frantically called anyone I thought could help me and after calling nearly everyone on my contact list and getting no answer, there was still one person I didn't try. Out of desperation, I called him anyway.
"Tessa?" Luke answered.
"Luke. I'm so sorry if I bothered you but I'm pretty sure there's someone or something trying to break into my house and I'm freaking out."
