Page 289 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

The penthouse phone buzzed where it hung on the wall across the room, and Seth stood to answer it. Who would be coming here in the middle of the night? Maybe Anna changed her mind? Everyone knew where he lived.

He watched as Seth spoke in low tones into the phone. “Someone’s here, Vati.”

His friend’s expression wasn’t encouraging when he hung up.

Alex raised his brows.

Seth pursed his lips. “It’s Aaron.”

“Aaron?” Alex blinked. “Vati, Aaron’s here. Maybe he’ll be able to get through to Anna.”

“Call me in the morning and let me know.”

Alex tossed his phone on the wooden coffee table in front of him and looked at Seth. “Is he coming up?”

Seth nodded. “Ken said he didn’t look very happy and was hesitant to let him up, but I said it was alright.”

Alex nodded and shook his head. Another friend was angry that he was alive. No, that wasn’t fair. It was unlikely that Aaron was upset that Alex was alive. Neither was Anna. Oh, what a mess! But at least he could be assured that Anna got home alright.

“When’s your dad coming in?” Seth asked.

“Monday. Funeral’s tomorrow—er, today.”

“It’s too bad they can’t let on that they know what’s going to happen already. What a waste of time, having to hang around Chicago until the real funeral.”

A knock a few minutes later announced Aaron’s arrival. Alex’s stomach churned as he watched Seth go answer the door. What would Aaron say?

Aaron’s fists clenched as he waited for the ornate white painted door to open. He had no idea what he would say to Alex. Right now, he just kinda wanted to hit him like Anna had. How could Alex have not told them he was in New York? That he was alive?

The door opened and Aaron sucked in a sharp breath, staring at the broad man with long dark hair, trying to place the face covered in facial hair. “Seth?”

Seth smiled nervously. “Hey, Aaron.”

“You’re alive too?” What the hell had happened?

“And Greg and Tony. And Erich.” His face darkened. “Not all of us made it out.”

Aaron’s anger vaporized at Seth’s words. He didn’t know the other guys as well, but he did know them. “Jason, Michael, and Jesse?”

“Yeah.” He cleared his throat. “C’mon in.” He stepped aside and Aaron walked inside.

The entry foyer was round, with dark wood floors and white paneled walls and ceiling. He followed Seth—who walked with a slight limp, making Aaron wonder what had happened—around a corner into a large living room with a very high ceiling and two long white couches. At the end of one couch stood Alex.

Aaron stared at the man for a long moment. His friend was older, with messy blond hair that brushed his shoulders and a neatly trimmed golden beard, but it was definitely him. He was just as tall as he had been when he’d left, though not quite as broad. The cobalt-blue eyes that watched him were the same, albeit filled with apprehension.

A myriad of emotions flitted through Aaron’s mind. He wanted to hug and punch Alex at the same time.

“Hello, Aaron,” Alex said in a quiet voice. His accent was very strong and different from before.

“Alex.” Aaron blinked, still having a hard time believing Alex was standing in front of him. “I don’t know whether to punch you or hug you.”

“Please don’t hit me. Anna already did.”

Aaron nodded. “She told me.”

Alex winced. “I’m sorry.” His eyes filled with pain and his shoulders slumped. He shook his head sadly. “I am so sorry. This is not how it was supposed to go.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Aaron asked, his voice hoarse. “Why didn’t you come and see us as soon as you got here?”

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