Thirty Days: Part One Read Online Free PDF Page A

doing it now, stay put. Meet me in the food court,” I ordered.
    “It’s fine. I’m leaving anyway.”
    “Don’t leave, give me fifteen.”
    Ending the call, I turned the car around and headed back towards Maroochydore. I was nervous. Was she pregnant? I shook my head. No way would Sammy be pregnant. Not Ms. Responsible. Anyway, why would that be on the news? I couldn’t think of another reason.
    The car park was empty, which was weird for a Thursday afternoon. I pulled up not far from the doors and hurried to the food court just inside the entrance. Sammy was there. She looked sad, sitting at a table by herself. Puffing, I closed the gap swiftly and pulled the chair from the table opposite hers. She looked up. A half smile greeted me. Her expression was miserable.
    “What’s eating you?” I asked immediately. She closed her eyes tightly. Whatever it was, it seemed to be causing her a lot of distress. I watched her take breath after breath without saying a word. My worry increased. This was bad. Finally, her lips moved.
    “Fuck,” came out of her mouth.
    “Okay…” The atmosphere was intense.
    She gnawed on her lip, then released it, leaning forward. “Why is it that I always have to do this shit?” she queried.
    “I don’t know.” I shrugged.
    “Suck it up and say it, Sammy,” she huffed, egging herself on.
    Whatever the problem was, I knew it would change my life in some way.
    “Sammy, just say whatever it is.” I was fearful, but she needed me or did I need her? It wasn’t clear.
    She moaned before rolling her eyes, and then she said it. I wish she didn’t because it started the cyclone that would continue to tear my life apart.
    “Mike is engaged. Her name is Monique, and she’s a dance instructor. That dipshit ex-fiancé of yours is walking down the aisle, that’s if he doesn’t freak out again. Oh, and he’s running for mayor this upcoming election. Tipped to win apparently. There, I said it.”
    She seemed relieved for a moment and then heartbroken. I guessed that was for me.
    “I…shit, I’ve got to go.” I stood. My heart broke all over again. I couldn’t think, so I ran.
    The smell of rubber filled my nose as I screeched the tyres on the exit. Home was my only destination. No tears fell. There was only anger.
    ***
    The door unlocked even though my hands trembled. Mum was not home yet, and Bella had not met me on entry like she always would. I needed her right now.
    “Bella,” I called out. She never barked. She never came. The search commenced. “Bella, sweet girl, where are you?” There was no sound. My entire body began to shake, and I tried to walk faster even though my legs felt like jelly. I knew something was wrong. Finally, I found her in one of the guest rooms by a single bed, her chest barely rising. Running towards her, I could see her eyes, which looked almost lifeless. “Bella baby, no!” I screamed as tears gushed. “Help, please help me, my baby is dying.” Nobody heard my plea.
    Scooping her into my arms, she went limp. I didn’t know what was wrong. But she was sick. As we rushed through the front door, Mum was walking down the path.
    “Abigail, sweetie, what’s happened?”
    “She’s dying, Mum. Help me.”
    She did.
    We arrived at the veterinarian clinic where Bella was taken from my arms on entry.
    “Please wait here,” our veterinarian said, sporting the same look the surgeon gave us when Dad died. My baby wasn’t coming home.
    “Abigail, Pamela.” Her voice was filled with sympathy.
    “Please, no,” I cried.
    “I’m so sorry. Would you like to say goodbye?”
    I knew the vet had been crying because her eyes were still glistening. Nodding, we followed her into the room. Bella’s smooth black coat was stroked by hands that never wanted to let her go, my hands. Her paw hung limply in my grasp as she was given the injection to put her to sleep.
    “It’s okay, Bella Bonanza, Mummy’s here. Close your eyes, baby. I love you, sweet girl,” I