Cast & Fall Read Online Free PDF Page B

of everything. I’m not one to always
care about how other people thought of me, especially a stranger. I
consider myself a likeable person, but his obvious aggression toward
me made me question that. But it couldn’t be. He hardly knew
me. Whatever it was seemed to be personal. But why? The accident
earlier seemed too shallow to be the reason.
    The
curiosity lingered on my mind throughout the hour. Coming out empty
handed, I decided to fix my thoughts on the objects across the room,
my mind consciously blocking the echoes of warning in the air. I
focused on my breathing for a very long time.
    Finally,
everything was over. Hurrying to get away from the heated eyes
radiating from him, I ordered my feet and darted out in a sprint. I
was only too glad to pass the exit sign—finally feeling
relieved to be able to come out for air. I was still baffled by the
questions in my head—but I already made up my mind that this
gorgeous stranger hated me, but for what reason…was still a
mystery that I probably would never find out. I sighed—whether
it was relief or something else…I couldn‘t really be
sure.
    C oming
home, I had picked up some groceries from the local supermarket. I
wasn’t a good cook, but I started practicing when I stumbled
upon my mother’s cookbook a couple of years back. I remembered her cooking—the
aroma of olive oil and garlic when she used to make my favorite
dish—crusted chicken pasta, and for dessert—home made
apple pie. I could never quite make it as good as her .
I don’t think anyone could. But making the dish made me a bit
closer to the time when I had a mother.
    I
peeled and sliced the apples and along with my mom’s secret
recipe, piled them on top of the apple crust that I pre- made and
cooled the night before. Finally, I carefully placed the lattice on
top, securing the ends. I opened and placed the pie in the pre-heated
oven.
    I
cleaned up some of the mess that had cluttered the counter top. I set
the table. Steve and I usually didn’t eat at the same time. It
wasn’t because I didn’t want to. It’s usually
because I like to eat several small meals throughout the day and by
the time Steve had gotten home, I’d already eaten an hour
before. But once in a while I would make an exception. I would cook
or bake something so that we can spend more time together. I guess in
my mind, I think it helps both of us get closer to the time when
there were the three of us.
    I
heard the door open and then shut as I was draining the pasta and the
garlicky sauce was simmering.
    “ Hmm,
smells really good…hi Sweetie,” Steve said in a husky,
famished voice. He usually got home around six thirty.
    “ How
was your day? How was the seminar?” he asked pleasantly.
    “ It
was fine, just a bit crowded today, but I found my way around. It‘s
really nice.” I didn’t want to talk about the stranger. I
decided that there was no point In bringing up
the subject since I probably won’t be seeing him again. Steve
quickly sat down after he took off his shoes and washed his hands.
    Placing
the cooled pasta with a drizzle of olive oil in a bowl, I brought it
to the table along with the piping hot creamy sauce and the slightly
chilled salad that was a left over from the night before.
    “ I’m
really glad you decided to stay and go to Andrews. I like having you
around. It would be so quiet around here without you and your
friends. I’m not sure if I can get used
to that.”
    “ Well,
I’d miss you too, Dad.” The rest of our conversations
were about my future classes, College applications and Steve‘s
promotion.
    After
we both had two generous slices of apple pie, I cleared the table,
washed the dishes and placed them on the rack to dry. I quickly ran
upstairs and drew a bath.
    As
I was soaking in the warmth of lavender, the stranger entered my
thoughts again. I quickly tried to dismiss my curiosity, not wanting
to give any more thought into it. Instead, I reeled back into memory
how different my