Page 236 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

“Anna?”

Anna jumped and spun around. Tom stood in her kitchen wearing pajama pants and nothing else.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“I’ve been here for a week watching over you. You’ve been... sleeping.”

Anna blinked and stared at him for a long moment, trying to remember... something. Anything. But all she remembered were her dreams. “I think I’m better.” She chewed her lip, silently assessing her body. “I mean, I remember how I felt before, and I feel much better now. Normal. Actually, better than I have in a while.”

Tom chuckled. “Maybe your body finally figured out how to fight whatever bug you caught.”

“I didn’t think I could get sick, though. How did it happen?”

Tom shrugged and shook his head. “I don’t know. You do tend to be more human than Immortal, though.”

“I’ve been sick for a week?”

“Three weeks. But once you fell asleep, you remained pretty steady. Low-grade fever was really all.”

“Oh.” She looked at the counter. “Was Vincent terribly angry?”

“Vincent? No, he was very concerned. As were all your friends. Aaron left only after I promised I’d stay with you.”

Anna scratched at some dried jelly on the counter. “Did Kurt call at all?”

“I spoke with Wilhelm several times, but no, Kurt didn’t call.”

The knife in her heart she had begun calling Kurt twisted again. Though she hadn’t felt it since she’d been sick, it was obviously still there. “I think I’ll shower and go out for a while.”

“Are you sure? You’ve been sick for quite a while.”

“I want to go outside. I want to walk.” She glanced up. “I bet you’ve missed quite a lot of work because of me. And your family.”

“I could work from here. Kelsey understands why I’m with you.”

Anna nodded. “I appreciate you watching over me. It couldn’t have been very interesting.”

He shrugged. “It’s alright. I kept busy.” He chuckled. “I think I might have gotten more done here rather than at the office. Fewer distractions.”

Anna laughed.

“Well, if you’re going out, I think I might head into the office for a while.” He raised his eyebrows. “If you start feeling sick again, call me and I will come get you. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Tom,” she said softly, astonished at the concern in his eyes.

“Where are you thinking about going?”

Anna thought for a minute and then smiled. “The library.”

Tom stared for a moment, and then threw his head back and laughed. “You are a strange girl.”

Anna flushed.

“Do you want to call Wilhelm, or do you want me to?”

“You can.” She turned and returned to her bedroom. Since Kurt had visited, she had felt disconnected from the family. She didn’t want to open herself up to more hurt than she already had.

“Alright. You should call Aaron and let him know you’re awake.”

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