A Beautiful New Life Read Online Free PDF Page A

her long wavy blonde hair and beach ready body. Louise was jealous from the moment he had hired her, as she should have been. Arlin was not proud but he had a sexual attraction to her and on more than one occasion, working late at night, took advantage of her naivety. Besides, he did not need anyone asking questions as to why he could not pick them up. He turned off his computer, grabbed his keys, wished Shelley a goodnight and left. He made it to the daycare in record time and rushed in to collect the kids.
    “Penny, I’m so sorry. The day got away from me and, well quite frankly, I expected Louise to be home by now.”
    “I understand Arlin, but I need the kids picked up on time tomorrow. “Have you heard from Louise?”
    “No, there’s been nothing. You know I thought that I had mistaken when she was supposed to be home but I’m really worried now. I’m calling the police if she isn’t at the house when I get home with the kids tonight.”
    “Can you call the place she went? You know to make sure she left.”
    “I don’t have the number. In fact, now that I think about it she never called saying she made it.” He staggered and leaned against the wall for support. “Oh my god, do you think something may have happened on her drive up?” He choked up. “What would I tell the kids?”
    Penny reached out to him, rubbing his arm. “Go home Arlin. See if she is there. If not, then call the police. Do you have someone who can help you with the kids if you need it?”
    “Yes, my parents. Thanks Penny.” He stood at the door with his head hanging low while Penny helped the kids collect their things.
    “You have some great kids you know. When Charlie realized they hadn’t been picked up at five, he got Drake and they both sat down and did their homework. You should be proud.”
    “Thanks, I am.” He shuffled the boys out the door. He was proud of them but the credit he did not deserve; he had taken no part in the development of their character . T hat credit went to Louise. He headed home, stopped at the local fast food place, and picked the boys up something for dinner. They arrived home to a dark, empty house. The boys did not ask about their mom , afraid they would be yelled at again . They instead sat down and picked at their burger and fries before tossing them in the trash. Charlie got Drake and Kenny ready and tucked into bed and after turning out the light, he got in his bed. Arlin was grateful to Louise for the care she had taken in raising the boys . However, despite that care he knew he would never be able to take care of the kids and work without her here. As his anxiety came back, he fought hard before finally succumbing to his mixture of pills and alcohol to put him out to what he hoped was a dreamless sleep.

Chapter Three
     
    W here was she? It was cold. She tried to pull up her blankets only to find they must have slipped off the bed. She did not have enough energy to move to pick them up, though she was freezing. She tried to open her eyes but they were so heavy. Her throat was so dry. It hurt to swallow. Her head was pounding or was that someone pounding? It hurt her ears . Where was she? She tried to open her eyes again. She could not. She gave into the darkness.
     
     
    She woke again sti ll confused. She felt doped up as you would feel after surgery. She had once, when she had her second child. She remembered coming to in the recovery room. She had tried to sit up and it hurt to do so. The pain reminded her of what she was doing there but the drugs would not let her comprehend it. Even though she could not open her eyes fully she still knew where she was. This was different; she did not know where she was or what was going on. She remembered some weird dreams about deserted and abandoned secret passageways.
    She opened her eyes, lying still trying to remember where she was. Something did not feel right. She closed her eyes and visualized where she thought she should be. She was home in