Page 33 of The Awakening
The crushing sound of the gravel on the road alerted me to my approaching sisters-in-law.
“Okay, that’s it. I’m gone.”
“Wait. I heard you the first time,” Gavin said, jogging down the stairs.
“And it was too much effort for you to say anything?” Shaking my head, I grabbed my purse off the bottom step.
“Have a good time. Maybe we’ll catch up with you ladies along the way.” His smile was annoying. He could charm the pants off anyone, but right now I was ticked off at him.
“We’ll see.” I walked out the door and hopped in Kate’s SUV.
“Let’s get girls’ night started,” Jessica said as we pulled away from the house.
“Please. I need this more than you realize.” Sighing, I relaxed back into the seat and watched the Morton family “compound” whiz past.
Had I only traded one “community” for another? I wasn’t shuttered away here and could come and go as I pleased, but it felt like someone was always watching my every move.
The only time I felt truly free was when I was alone in the house.
“Things not going well, Ellie?” Kate asked, looking at me over her shoulder from the passenger seat. Her brow was furrowed, and a genuine look of concern was clear on her face.
I had to come up with something. “Oh, you know, newlywed kinks to iron out. I don’t know if either of you realize, but Gavin is a stubborn man.”
All four women laughed as if I had made a hilarious joke. “Ellie, the Morton men are the definition of stubborn, and they learned it at a young age.”
I could see that streak in each of them, but somehow, I was sure Gavin had been given an extra dose.
“Enough about the guys. Are we ready to have some fun?” Delaney asked as she pushed the gas pedal harder, and we sped down the highway.
“Yes,” Jessica and I replied in unison.
The neon sign for the bowling alley glowed brightly in the evening light. I’d never been much for bowling, but in a small town you take what you can get. And what I was getting was a night out with the girls away from Gavin. We had been getting to know each other since we had moved into our own home and that meant many interludes during the day. I wasn’t complaining. Gavin was a great lover, but a night with the girls would be a reprieve.
“All right, ladies, let’s get this party started,” Kate cheered as she turned the vehicle off.
“Clearly we need to get out more.” Jessica replied dryly.
The place was packed, but one lane remained open because Kate had reserved it. With shoes in hand, we strutted over to our lane and started our evening.
I was happy to see none of us were going to be the next champion bowler. Every gutter ball resulted in hysterics and high fives. We were the life of the alley.
“We’d heard Gavin had gone and gotten married. But I never imagined a girl as pleasant as you would put up with the likes of him.” An older woman with blueish hair laughed and patted my arm from the opposite end of the bench we were seated on.
I wasn’t sure if I should be flattered or offended. But it was giving me a little insight into the man that had suddenly become my husband.
“Looks like Ellie won this game, and let me tell you, it is still a pathetic score.” Jessica pointed at the big screen above our lane.
“I’m sure it has something to do with the fact I’m the sober one.” Shrugging, I giggled. “Hand over the keys, Kate.” I extended my arm and held open my hand.
She willingly handed over the keys, and we returned our shoes and headed for the truck.
“Time to hit the bar. We’ve got a DD and babysitters, so let’s take advantage of it,” Jessica said as she hopped into the back seat.
“Drive,” Kate demanded, so I did just that.
I hadn’t been to the bar since arriving here. To be honest, I hadn’t been to a bar at home either. It was against the rules of the community. I could hear my father’s commanding voice saying nothing good ever happened after eight. The community shut down at seven thirty. People stayed home. Very rarely did families get together in the evening.
The place was packed tonight. A nervous energy filled me as I listened to the music blaring from inside the building.
