Page 5 of The Fallen

?“Um, honestly, I don't remember,” she lied again. “All I know is, I went to school. The end.”

?Marie laughed trying to disguise her cracking voice. Destiny was a bloodhound when it came to things like this.

?“Well, he's into you and I think you should snatch him up before someone else does. Hint hint,” Destiny said playfully.

?“Yeah, okay,” Marie said and faked a yawn. “I'm getting tired, so I'll talk to you later. I just wanted to call and let you know I was okay.”

?“I'm glad you did, I was so worried. I'll talk to you later.”

?They hung up and Marie leaned back on her pillow and smiled. Brenton was asking about her. He was genuinely concerned for her. Amused by the thought, she wrapped her arms around her chest. She had to see him.

?She closed her eyes and tried to picture him. His face filled her mind and he was staring back at her with a look of longing.

?“I wish I could see you Brenton. I need to talk to you,” she said out loud.

?His face lit up once more, as if he heard what she said. She had chills and her heart began to race.

?“Just say the word and I'll be there quick, fast and in a hurry,” she heard him say, almost like he was standing right next to her. She quickly opened her eyes and scanned the room. She was alone.

?His aura still remained, lingering like an apparition, making the room feel warm. The pain was gone and was now replaced with something different, something gentle and safe. She couldn't explain it if she tried.

?She went to sleep with hazy thoughts and an urge to talk to the one person she probably didn't need to. Brenton.

Chapter Four

Marie woke up the next morning feeling exhausted. She had a dreamless sleep and she wanted to bury her head in the pillow and lie there for the rest of the day.

?She peered at the clock from underneath her blanket and realized she had actually been in bed for most of it. It was already three in the evening. Whatever it was that made her like this, she wished it would pass quickly. Her body ached and her head throbbed nonstop.

?Her mom came in the room with a tray full of food and put it down on the dresser. “Good evening sleepyhead. How are you feeling?” she asked.

?Marie sat up in her bed and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. “Okay, I guess. I feel like I was hit by a bus,” she joked.

?She saw concern in her mom's eyes and instantly panicked.

?“Please tell me I wasn't eating pillow for another three days,” Marie asked.

?Her mom smiled and shook her head. “No, just an overnight coma.”

?Marie relaxed and got out of the bed to see what was on the tray. Her mom made her favorite; scrambled eggs with cheese, bacon and oatmeal. She was so starved, she stood at the dresser and scarfed the meal down. Her mom was quiet.

?“What's wrong?” Marie asked before sipping on the orange juice.

?“Well... no, it's nothing,” she stumbled over her words. “I just want to make sure you're okay and there is nothing you want to talk about.”

?Marie sat back down on her bed in front of her mom. The air in the room changed and her mom looked around as if she felt it, too.

?Marie watched as her mom took a deep breath in and back out. It was written all over her face, Marie could feel her mom wanting to say something, but holding back. Somehow she could sense her mom's pain. She was confused, hurt and scared all at once. Marie didn't know how she knew that, but it was all she could think about when she looked at her mom.

?She leaned forward and pulled a strand of hair out of her mom's face. She jolted, coming back from the stupor she was in and focused on Marie.

?They sat there, silently gazing at each other; knowing something was happening, but not quite wanting to admit it. It was strange; this was never a problem for them before. When something out of the ordinary happened to her, Marie couldn't wait to get home to share it with her mom. Now, every urge she had to spill her guts was pushed all the way down.

?“Mom, I...” Marie began, but she didn't finish. How could she explain what she was feeling?

?“Please tell me baby. Whatever it is, we can work through it,” she said crying.

?“I know, but I don't know how. I don't know what to say.”

---