Page 37 of Cloud Storm

Past and present contending for my future.

Fantasy and reality fighting for my sanity.

Two different men, confusing me, infuriating me. Making me feel all those things I should forget.

And a promise I made years ago urging me to go ahead.

Next time I should try something else: yoga, crafts. Electroshock therapy. I’ve already tried alcohol and found no answers there. Just a few terrible hangovers.

Fortunately, I sleep better than I expected, waking up when Roselynn’s voice calls me from my living room.

“Are you ready?” It can’t be, she’s already at my door and I’m barely able to open my eyes to see her.

“You can see that I’m not,” I say, turning over to cuddle my pillows again.

“I’m here to remind you that we have an appointment and it’s a beautiful day, perfect for shopping.”

She entertains herself making a racket, opening the blinds of the small window right in front of me, trying to wake me up.

“I want to keep sleeping, I’ll need to go to the bakery later. I had an idea last night.” Shut up, inner voice. I know that’s a lie, but I would do anything to get rid of her.

“Cheer up, all you need is a positive attitude.”

Clearly she’s not going to leave me to wallow, as she drags away my sheets, suddenly pulling me out of my comfortable cocoon.

“And a weapon,” I groan. “You’re a nightmare, Roselynn Holland.”

“That’s what Chase says and look, he’s still married to me,” she teases, damn her.

“Who knows what potion you’ve given that poor man. It’s that or he’s run out of a better option.”

That hits home, her face says it all, and I confess that the good part of my heart shrinks for her. However, I rejoice in the fact that it’s a mortal sin to wake someone who was sleeping peacefully and it’s even more aggravating when the reason is to go shopping.

“I don’t want to go to the mall, I don’t need to,” I protest as I set foot on the cold hard floor. “I already ordered some stuff online, do you know how wonderful the internet is?”

“Yes, I know,” she agrees, and I almost want to shout for joy, she will leave me alone. At last. “But you still need more, so get up, let’s go.”

“How lucky am I, yay me!” I mutter like a brat, walking to the bathroom.

“I heard that,” she says as I slam the door.

???

“I’m tired,” I tell Roselynn and it’s the truth.

It’s after five in the afternoon, and we’ve not eaten a single bite. I’m tired and I just want to go home and sit in front of the television, and not think about anything. Surely a documentary about the secrets of the production of Chinese tea will achieve that and make me sleep like a log.

“Don’t be so whiny,” she says as she passes me another couple of skirts. “Go, try these.”

I reluctantly do what she orders and go to the fitting room to try what I hope are the last outfits of the day. According to Roselynn, we are on budget. I trust the way she manages the money, however, whenever I spend this way, I can’t help but feel guilty.

I shouldn’t be doing it, not with so many people in the world who can’t even afford a pair of shoes.

Fifteen minutes later, we leave the store and head to a chain restaurant.

Thank goodness they serve some great food here, I’m ravenous.

When the waiter comes, we both order burgers and fries.

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