Karl “Get that final draft to me today, Karl. We’re running out of time.” Sarah’s voice comes through the phone, a little sharper than usual. I don’t blame her, though. With the press conference to announce the election in just two days, we’re on a bit of a time crunch; and it’s partially my f
Abby The mansion feels so much bigger and emptier now that my friends are gone. For the few days that they were here, everything felt so lively and maybe even a little chaotic. Now, though, it’s as if my own heartbeat is echoing off of these walls. Normally, I wouldn’t mind; I did live here for
“I’m afraid,” I blurt out. “Plain and simple. Afraid of opening myself up, of potentially getting hurt again. Afraid that, even if he seems like he’s changed as of right now, that he hasn’t really changed all that much.” There’s a long silence as Elsie processes my words. Finally, when she answers
Abby Before I can even open my mouth to respond to Karl’s sudden request, he’s gone. I watch with a furrowed brow as he rushes out of the room, his footsteps receding down the hallway. It’s barely even seven o’clock in the morning, and he’s already demanding that I wake up and meet him downstair
I take a deep breath. “Alright, it’s not a big deal. Let’s go.” We approach the door, which swings open after a few knocks. A short-statured, portly older man greets us from the doorway. He’s got a warm, albeit somewhat eccentric and toothy smile. “Welcome, welcome!” Dr. Armitage exclaims, holdi
Abby The bedroom door slammed shut with a resounding thud, echoing off the walls and reverberating through the silence. I sank down onto the floor, my back against the door, as sobs wracked my body. I buried my head in my knees, the fabric of my jeans rough against my cheeks, damp with tears. I
Moments later, Karl bursts out of Dr. Armitage’s house, a look of concern etched into his features. He opens the driver’s side door and gets in. “What happened back there?” he asks. “Talk to me.” I turn to him, my vision blurred by tears. “This is ridiculous, Karl!” I exclaim, my voice shaky. “T
Abby “Another surprise. No more appointments this time. I promise.” Karl’s proposition takes me by surprise. I just finished crying in the car over a failed visit to some quack ‘doctor’ who wants to give me strange potions to cure my fertility issues, and all I want to do is go home and climb ba