Page 2 of Unpermitted Love

When she first came on the scene, and was involved with my dad, I was just a young boy and struggled to understand their relationship. My biological mom had died and it felt like she was being replaced by this much younger version. She’s 20 years younger than my dad, and only 10 years older than me. That was a tough pill to swallow.

Now that I’m older, and hopefully a little wiser, I can see how she makes my dad happy. And that’s good enough for me. But over the years, so much damage has been done. I wish things were better as I miss my dad and would like to see him more often. The older I get, the more I realize just how precious life is and how important the people closest to you are and shouldn’t be taken for granted.

A taxi pulls up in front of the building, pulling me from my thoughts. A young brunette stumbles out with a lot of luggage. She’s probably the owner of the condo on the same floor as mine, I think to myself. She looks oddly familiar but I couldn't quite see her face.

Harrison Wellman, my accountant, recently told me that a young woman from Connecticut was purchasing a condo a few weeks ago, but I hadn't thought about it until now. What did he say her name was again?

I take one last hard look at her before swilling the last of my scotch around in its glass, finishing it, then I head back to the kitchen. But my mind is still on the young woman currently entering my building.

What was her name again?

What did Harrison say it was? Annabel Windom? For some reason, I can’t get it out of my mind so I pick up the phone.

"Hey, Harry! What's up?"

"Hello, Mr. Torres. What can I do for you, Sir?"

"Remember that young lady you told me purchased the condo next to mine? What's her name again?"

"Oh yes. Miss Annalise Wilson. Lovely young woman."

"Thanks, Harry. Have a great weekend."

Annalise Wilson. I turn the name over and over in my head. It sounds so familiar. Surely she couldn't be related to ... No. No, it can't be.

Chapter Two

Annalise

I'm so glad that I left Connecticut. It's not that I hate the city but I was in desperate need of a new environment, and I was super excited about starting my clinical psychology career. Everyone else thinks I'm nuts for choosing to "become a shrink", like my sister Tasha said, but nothing has ever given me more pleasure than helping people with their mental health and understanding how the mind works.

The taxi I board at the airport drives me to South Bay Boulevard, where I’d purchased a condo. Tasha couldn't stop gushing about how beautiful the neighborhood was and I don't blame her. The scenery is almost idyllic. Beautiful houses with perfect lawns sprawled on both sides of the road. The driver takes a right turn that leads to a gorgeous park. This must be where some of the neighborhood folks come to enjoy some air. But the air here is already so sweet.

I pull down the window completely and take in a deep breath. The air is perfect. It’s freedom. South Bay Boulevard smells of opportunities. It’s as though it’s saying, "Welcome Annalise. An amazing life starts now."

We get to the apartment building and I marvel at the sheer beauty of the complex. My apartment is the one next to the penthouse on the top floor.

I get out of the car and look up at the building in wonder. The architect must have gotten his inspiration from the hanging gardens of Babylon. All the apartments have beautiful balconies decorated with flowers. Beautiful palms are dotted around the large compound.

"Is this all Ma'am?" The driver asks almost out of breath as he drops the last of my luggage.

"Yes, Jerry. Thank you so much."

"Would you like me to take them in for you? They're pretty heavy."

"Thanks a lot, Jerry but I'm sure I can manage. Um ... here."

Jerry's eyes grow wide and he profusely thanks me for the tip. As he drives off, I look at my luggage and realize I may have slightly overestimated my physical strength.

"Alright, Annalise. No need to stand here like a lost damsel. You can do this."

I pick up the huge boxes and walk them towards the lobby. I successfully get them all into the elevator and press the button to go to the last floor. Unfortunately, the smaller bags don't seem to be cooperating as I try to balance them on the two large boxes. I wish everything I wanted to bring had fit into the large boxes. But the smaller boxes held my books and laptops. I couldn't have left them in Connecticut no matter how much Tasha had insisted on it.

"You can always come back for them, Anna. You don't have to take everything right now. Besides, they're just books. What's the big fuss over them?" Tasha had said the day she came over to help me pack for the move to California.

"First of all, they're not just books. Secondly, I would feel a lot better if I had everything with me. Lastly, just tell me that you're already missing me so much and that's why you want me to come back for the books."

Tasha playfully shoved me onto the bed and continued with the packing.

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