Our Sick Inheritance (editing)

Chapter 26 - To Catch A King, Trick A God

Without turning around Anna could tell that Jake had just driven out of the driveway from the moving glow of his headlights. She quietly unlocked the door which sounded like a rubber ball hitting a second story window from a great throw. Anna cringed. She didn't want to wake anyone because she couldn't hide the feelings that clung to her face like clown makeup. Privately she wanted to bask in the glow of possibilities of her life with Jake a few hours longer. She opened the well-oiled but heavy door and crept inside as quiet as a thief.

Anna knew her father was home because it was after midnight. She figured Chef Caesar was home because he still had packing to finish for their move to the Diamond Island. Inside the house was dark which meant her father was already in bed. Her only lighting was a row of lights that illuminated the stairs up to her room which she knew her father kept on for her.

She turned off the porch light which shown into Christine's room from the outside. Sometimes Anna didn't think Christine slept until she got home. She waited and listed silently. Christine must have been exhausted from all the packing and keeping of secrets she had been doing.

Like a ballerina Anna lightly sprinted up the stairs as if the Devil were trying to find her. She heard the usual whispers as she moved which at one time had bothered her but now she was used to. Quickly she slipped through her bedroom door and locked it behind her before flicking on the lights so that she could rush to turn on her lamp next to her bed. She tiptoed in a rush back to the door to flicked off the main bedroom light. She didn't want a glow to escape through the bottom of her door encouraging anyone who might get up to knock.

Anna lied on her bed going over every detail of the last few hours of her night.

Right after Stacy had burst outside to catch Anna and Jake kissing, Anna had looked down at the light blinking on her phone while Stacy was trying to talk to Jake. Harmony had sent her a message which told her to find a ride home because she was taking Skyler home with her in his car, so he could drive himself home afterwards. She hadn't even bothered to give Anna the keys to her Dad's truck to take herself home.

Anna was furious! Had she in any way, shape, or form thought that she would have to find her own way home on New Year's there is no way in hell she would have gone to the party. Her Daddy would have backed her up. But then she wouldn't have met Jake.

Anna was shocked by her actions of pulling Jake to her to kiss her but it felt right. His full lips were so warm and soft against hers. She felt their gentle strength. His hands on her shoulders were gripping but she didn't mind as he loosened his grip once he caught his balance. He didn't pull away but enjoyed the kiss as much as she did. Anna touched her lips at the memory.

Anna smiled. She remembered the look in Stacy's eyes as Jake made the introductions between them. Stacy's look of surprise of who her brother was kissing couldn't have been hidden if she had tried. Anna had been a bit stunned also when she saw Stacy up close. At first Anna felt her breath had been punched out of her chest silently thinking she had betrayed someone. Her heart felt like it slipped into the bottom of her stomach with no rubber bands to snatch it into place until she remembered it was Harmony that left her without a safe way home.

Anna had never really spent any time with Stacy since Harmony hated her. They didn't even travel in the same circles even though they did the same type of job. Anna had only ever seen her in stage makeup when Harmony had to work with her.

They were polite to each other and shook hands. Stacy looked extremely angry and Anna knew it had to do with Harmony taking Skyler away in his car. Oh Stacy, I know exactly how you feel, Anna thought.