Sanctity Read Online Free PDF Page B

important papers.
    Once we were safely inside my mom fixed me a
snack and I asked if I could watch TV while I ate.  “You can
watch one show,” she said, “but when you're done you should put
your dishes away and find something to do in your room.”  She
paused and added with a touch of sympathy, “I’m sorry it’s still
raining, honey,” she ruffled my hair, “I know you’d rather be
outside.  I’m sure tomorrow will be better.”  She
gathered up all the bags and left me to myself while she
transferred all my new clothes to my closet.
    After my show I spent most of the afternoon
using my building blocks and wondering about Michael; who he was,
how I had heard his voice and whether or not I would ever see him
again.  My father came home around dinner time and I was so
engrossed by my thoughts that I didn't notice him in my doorway.
 I jumped when I caught him standing there smiling and
watching me. “Daddy, you’re home!  You surprised me!”
    He gave a little chuckle, “I’m sorry. 
Whatcha working on?” he stepped into my room.
    I held up my project for him to see, “Can
you help me?”
     “Oh, no, I would but it’s just about
time to eat,” he apologized.  “Why don’t I help you clean-up
instead.”
    We put all the building blocks back in their
special box and my dad tucked it onto its shelf in the
closet.  We left what I’d managed to put together so far on
the play table.  Afterwards he told me to wash up so I scooted
across the hall to my bathroom while he turned and went to his
bedroom.  My mom was laying the dinner things out when I got
to the dining room but she stopped to help me slide my chair closer
to the table as my dad joined us. 
    While we ate my parents each talked about
their day.  Eventually they got around to the topic of
shopping and my dad asked whether or not we had gotten everything
we needed.
    “I think so,” my mother said and gave my dad
a rundown of where we shopped and what we bought.
    “Well, I’m glad that you went today, it
wouldn’t have been good for much else,” he sighed, “and it sounds
like you got quite a bit done.” 
    I was surprised that my mom never mentioned
Michael but somewhat relieved as well.  I really didn't want
my dad to know that I had walked away from my mother while we were
out.  I knew he would be disappointed in me and I always felt
so badly whenever he found out that I had done something wrong.
 
    My father cleared the dishes away after
dinner and my mother helped get my shower ready.  “Try not to
play too long and make sure you do a good job washing up.”
    “I will,” I promised. 
    After my shower I ran across the hall into
my bedroom and scrambled into the pajamas that my mother had laid
out for me. I was pretty tired by the time I was finished so after
we read a story together and my parents tucked me in I fell right
to sleep.  Several hours later I woke up; anxious and a little
afraid.  The apartment was still and dark so I knew my parents
had gone to bed.  I felt like I heard a strange noise and
wondered if that was why I had woken up.  As I strained my
eyes and ears I noticed that the blinds hanging over my slider were
being shuffled by a light breeze and that it must have been
open.  I started to get up to go and close it.
    “Elayna?” Michael’s voice was in my head
again.
    “Oh,” I said out loud, “it’s you.”
    He stepped into my bedroom.
    “Ssh,” he whispered and put his finger to
his lips to signal me to not be so loud.
    My heart began to race and I couldn’t decide
if I was excited or afraid as I cautiously hopped from the
covers.  My mother always left a shoe in the doorway instead
of closing it all the way so it wouldn’t be so dark if I needed to
get up at night.  I took the shoe from the door and pulled it
closed then flipped the light switch.  As my eyes adjusted to
the brightness I stood wondering what to do. 
    Michael slowly moved about my room,
examining things as he