She knew Quentin would not be home when she arrived. A check of her many voice messages explained that he would be delayed at a client meeting. Deandra hated walking into an empty condo, hated those lingering few minutes of absolute stillness ripe with potential chaos. Her mind played over and over her egress earlier that day.
Did I turn on the entry light?
Did I turn off the flat iron?
Did I lock the door?
The elevator ride to the fifth floor was uneventful - only one passenger on at third carrying what looked like a yoga mat and dressed in work out clothes. It reminded Deandra that several days had elapsed since her last visit to the rooftop gym, and she then added those thoughts to the others swirling, whispering, taunting her already.
She had played her voice messages on the bus ride north while making mental notes.
Claire's car was acting up again. Sofia wanted to spend the summer in Texas. Her mom was planning a summer gathering. Her thirty year high school reunion was pending and the planning committee wanted her input. Quentin would be late, again, another client meeting. Her application for the summer intensive in Poland had reached the final review committee and some additional information was needed.
Opening the door, she held her breath and stepped inside. Setting down her briefcase and purse, she kept her keys, phone and pepper spray in her hands. Taking a very quick look around, she listened intensively for any noise, watched for any movement.
She glanced at the digital clock on the mantel.
7:14.
I could make it up to the gym for a quick run before Q gets back.
Her mind played out the steps to her own security: wait to turn off the alarm; turn on all the lights; keep the pepper spray in your hand; do a quick walkthrough; keep your phone in your hand.
Walking up the stairs to the loft, she calculated the time needed to disarm the alarm before it started beeping. She glanced around, opened some doors and finally took a deep breath. Back down the stairs, she made a quick survey of the downstairs before heading to the front door to secure it and disarm the alarm.
7:16.
I could make it up to the gym for a quick run before.........
Quentin.
He said he should be home by 8:00, so Deandra ditched the idea of going to the gym. She would have little time to actually work out. Deciding she would handle her messages and do some surfing, she headed upstairs again to change. As she glanced at the ruffled bed, her mind drifted back to the morning full of forced passion and awkwardness. She glanced away quickly, but then decided to make the bed. She pressed the "sleep" button on her alarm clock radio, the one she'd had since college. Christian music filled the loft.
Bed made, Deandra changed into her favorite sweats then headed back downstairs.
The thought of dinner entered the melee of thoughts, and for a second, Deandra stood dazed in the middle of the room as the world seemed to move around her. She remembered that she had skipped lunch, so she decided to make an appetizer plate while she listened to messages again and waited for Quentin.
Did I turn on the entry light?
Did I turn off the flat iron?
Did I lock the door?
The elevator ride to the fifth floor was uneventful - only one passenger on at third carrying what looked like a yoga mat and dressed in work out clothes. It reminded Deandra that several days had elapsed since her last visit to the rooftop gym, and she then added those thoughts to the others swirling, whispering, taunting her already.
She had played her voice messages on the bus ride north while making mental notes.
Claire's car was acting up again. Sofia wanted to spend the summer in Texas. Her mom was planning a summer gathering. Her thirty year high school reunion was pending and the planning committee wanted her input. Quentin would be late, again, another client meeting. Her application for the summer intensive in Poland had reached the final review committee and some additional information was needed.
Opening the door, she held her breath and stepped inside. Setting down her briefcase and purse, she kept her keys, phone and pepper spray in her hands. Taking a very quick look around, she listened intensively for any noise, watched for any movement.
She glanced at the digital clock on the mantel.
7:14.
I could make it up to the gym for a quick run before Q gets back.
Her mind played out the steps to her own security: wait to turn off the alarm; turn on all the lights; keep the pepper spray in your hand; do a quick walkthrough; keep your phone in your hand.
Walking up the stairs to the loft, she calculated the time needed to disarm the alarm before it started beeping. She glanced around, opened some doors and finally took a deep breath. Back down the stairs, she made a quick survey of the downstairs before heading to the front door to secure it and disarm the alarm.
7:16.
I could make it up to the gym for a quick run before.........
Quentin.
He said he should be home by 8:00, so Deandra ditched the idea of going to the gym. She would have little time to actually work out. Deciding she would handle her messages and do some surfing, she headed upstairs again to change. As she glanced at the ruffled bed, her mind drifted back to the morning full of forced passion and awkwardness. She glanced away quickly, but then decided to make the bed. She pressed the "sleep" button on her alarm clock radio, the one she'd had since college. Christian music filled the loft.
Bed made, Deandra changed into her favorite sweats then headed back downstairs.
The thought of dinner entered the melee of thoughts, and for a second, Deandra stood dazed in the middle of the room as the world seemed to move around her. She remembered that she had skipped lunch, so she decided to make an appetizer plate while she listened to messages again and waited for Quentin.
Comments
Post a Comment