CHAPTER 6: Ronda

A Chapter by preposterous

Sipping my coffee, I feel light. But weighted down by work. I was a home mom, had a little craft store on the internet, but my husband Kent was the manager at a big industry, earning money. Christopher, still lazying around with Andrew all the time. And their friend Dusty adds an extra plate to dinner.

Still, it is fun to have another female in the house to bring manners to the table. Speaking of table, "Christopher!" I yelled.

"Coming, mom!"

Christopher was a sweet boy, had a job at a McDonalds too, and he came bouncing down the stairs in his uniform.

He set the table and filled each cup with juice while cramming pancakes into his mouth and squirting maple syrup in it too.

"Chris! Ever heard of manners?"

"Sorry, Mom, gotta get to work, gonna be late." he said, his mouth stuffed.

3:22 Afternoon

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: Hi!

Hey Patty, it's been awhile since I've been in touch with you. It's been real busy with Chris and Andrew, plus, their friend Dusty Laboe came to stay over because her mom was out of town. Well enough about me, how is Malinda doing? She's already 6 and going to kindergarten, it's like just yesterday she was out of the hospital after 36 hours of labor, lol.

From, Ronda

I clicked send then checked some other emails, just chain messages about if you don't sent this to 10 other people you'll see some ghost and die. Fake stuff.

I checked my watch and it read "3:28".

Andrew was downstairs on his laptop and Chris was at work. Who else? Oh yes, Dusty. Poor girl, left alone in a house full of strangers she's only known for 2 days. I scooted out of my chair and up the staircase. I reached the long hallway. On the left was Christopher's room, on the right, mine and Kent's. I walked further. Left, bathroom, right, guestroom.

I turned right and knocked twice on the room.

"Dusty, are you awake?"

No answer.

"Dusty, I'm coming in."

I turned the doorknob and entered the room. It was small, just a bed, desk, and small closet in there, but now extremely neat. I suspect Dusty cleaned it out last night. Clothes were neatly hung in the open closet, and three books were stacked on the desk near the lamp. On the bed was the pillow and blanket which were kicked aside to the corner. Dusty was sitting on the bed in criss-cross. She wore a short grey sundress with sleeves and her hands combing her hair to get out all the knots.

"Dusty! You haven't gone downstairs at all. Breakfast, or brunch, is ready."

She looked up, didn't notice me at first and then snapped awake.

"Oh! Yeah, just woke up 30 minutes ago, really tired yesterday. Couldn't get used to the bed."

I walked in a bit more and picked up the top book on desk.

"Jane Eyre, I remember reading this, took me a long though."

I took her hands out of the hair and picked the book from my hands.

"Yeah, I'm re-reading this."

She took the book in between her fingers and brushed the binding with her other fingers. Then placed it back.

"Well, Dusty" I shrugged "you must be a really smart girl."

She pushed her hair behind her shoulders and sighed.

"Yeah, not really."

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