Just a Little Sincerity Read Online Free PDF Page B

said, loving the idea that new love could blossom at any given age. I assumed Lonnie and Grace were both well into their sixties.
    “We were married five summers ago,” she said. “We didn’t have a big ceremony, just something small and comfortable. It was a second marriage for each of us, so we didn’t find the point in all the frills and thrills.”
    “I think that’s sweet,” I said, stepping in the room as she opened the door.
    “You can sleep here for the night. I know it’s not a five star hotel, but the bed’s comfortable and the sheets are clean.”
    “It’s perfect,” I said. “Thank you.”
    She set an extra candle on the dresser and turned out, leaving me alone in the dark, cold bedroom. I made my way over to the window and looked outside, hoping to get a better idea about where I was, but nothing was easily discernible in the dark.
    “Knock, knock,” Lonnie said, sticking his head in the room. “Brought you some clothes.”
    “Thanks,” I said, coming over to take the folded men’s pajamas from him.
    “I took a wild guess that Grace’s clothes would probably swallow you whole,” he said. “These are just some old things that used to belong to my… well, anyway, I hope you can get some use out of them.”
    “Thanks again,” I said. “For everything…. You didn’t have to take me in like this. I can imagine it’s unnerving having a stranger sleep in your home.”
    “Any friend of Bruno’s is a friend of ours,” Lonnie said. “Besides, I can’t remember the last time someone slept in that bed. It’s a comforting thought to know there’s a grateful soul down the hall.”
    I nodded and smiled.
    “I’ll let you get dressed,” he said. “Sleep well.”
    After Lonnie left, closing the door behind him, I slipped out of my damp, dirty clothes and into the long, flannel pajama pants and tee-shirt.
    I pulled back the blankets on the bed and climbed in, remembering nothing before I fell into a dreamless sleep.
    Saturday November 03, 8:00am
    The morning sunlight shined through the curtains. I turned over, my back to the window, hoping to fall back asleep. When the light continued to pierce my eyes, becoming too unbearable to ignore, I opened my eyes and shot up at the sight of the other person in the room.
    “What are you doing here?”
    Luke was sitting in a corner chair, just on the other side of the room. He didn’t smile; he didn’t wear anything that even closely resembled a happy expression. He sat still, his lips pursed, his eyes glaring, and his stare unwavering.
    “Luke, what are you doing here?”
    “What part of I’ll be right there to get you got lost in translation?” he asked. “What the hell is wrong with you, Julie? Grace said they found you pinned between the sidewalk and a tree branch—”
    “I don’t remember that part—”
    “Do you remember the message I sent you?”
    “Yes, but—”
    “Do you remember leaving the school when I specifically told you not to?”
    “Yes, but Luke—”
    “But nothing, Julie.” His words were sharp and cold. “I’m sick of this. I’m sick of you blatantly ignoring me when I give you an order. I know you don’t like to think so, but I do know what’s best for you—”
    “I know you like to think that,” I mumbled, pulling the blankets up. “But look. I’m alive. I’m safe, sound, and well rested. In the end, it all worked out—”
    “Well, isn’t that just peachy?” he said, his voice laced with sarcasm. “Sweet little Julie spent her night in a stranger’s house, sleeping in a stranger’s bed, wearing a stranger’s clothes, and ignoring the advice of everyone who wanted to help her. God only knows what could’ve happened to you—”
    “Detective Bruno said I could trust them—”
    “So you can listen to him but you can’t listen to me?”
    “He cares about me—”
    “Dammit Julie,” he said. “Was this just part of one of your sick plans? You nearly got yourself killed, and for what?