Free Grasping at Eternity (The Kindrily) by Karen Amanda Hooper Page A

Nathaniel’s favorite movies tonight.”
    Poor Louise. She had a severe case of Nathan withdrawal. “You miss him, don’t you?”
    “Do I miss him?”
    “You talk about him a lot. I figured it’s because you miss him.”
    “Oh.” She paused. “You’re right. Maybe I miss him more than I realized.”
    I sat in the chair across the desk from her, and glanced around at the towering shelves of books. “Such a big house for only a few people.”
    “Well, it used to be much more crowded, but things change.”
    Sweat dripped down my back. Two of her own kids had just moved out. Why would she want a runt like me hanging around?
    She took off her glasses and cleaned them with her sleeve. “You’d have a lot of privacy if you lived here.”
    My heart pounded so hard I thought the desk between us was shaking. “I wouldn’t want to disrupt your life.”
    “You are the furthest thing from a disruption. You are eternally welcome in this home and in our hearts.”
    Louise was probably trying to be polite. She didn’t want to make me feel unwanted, so she gave politically correct responses. She folded her hands on top of the desk. “However, I won’t force you to live with us. You must decide which path is right for you.”
    I nodded and pressed my fingers into the arms of my chair. They were clammy and squeaked across the polished wood.
    Louise leaned closer. “I spoke to the local high school and classes start next week. If you stay, you could start the year on time.”
    My head spun trying to process it all. She’d made preparations for my arrival? Maybe she really did want me to live with her.
    “Maryah, I understand the emotional torment you’re going through, but please know that I love you more than you can imagine. We want nothing more than for you to stay with us.”
    That settled it. Krista was pushing me away, and Louise was inviting me in. Decision made. I choked on my words. “If you’re sure you want me…I’d like to live with you.”
    She squealed, springing up and running around the desk to hug me. “You have no idea how happy this makes me—how happy this will make everyone!”
    Not every one. My happiness died on our boat dock that night when a monster told me my family was gone.
    I fake-smiled at Louise and motioned toward the living room. “Mind if I watch TV?”
    “Go right ahead. I’ll be in here working if you need anything.”
    I wasn’t ready to talk to Krista yet, so I watched reruns of old sitcoms by myself for a while. Around midnight, Louise passed through the living room.
    “Still up?” she asked.
    “I’m not tired yet.” I also wasn’t in the mood to share a bed with Krista.
    “Well, I’m turning in for the night. Herbal teas are in the pantry if you need help relaxing.”  
    “Thanks. Goodnight, Louise.”
    “Sweet dreams, dear. I’m so glad you decided to stay with us.”
    Even as I watched TV, I stressed about telling my aunt and uncle that I wasn’t going back to Maryland. Relaxation sounded good, so I raided the pantry and found a glass jar of tea with “Tranquil Sleep” written on the label. I brewed myself a cup and curled up on the couch. The tea worked better than expected.
    In my dream I was still on the Lunas’ sofa. My movie-star angel of death was walking away from me. I’d know his strong, broad back anywhere. Could he take me to wherever my parents and Mikey were?
    I called out to him, but my voice came out weak. “Take me—” with you . Only the first half of my groggy thought surfaced.
    He turned, his lean muscles bulging underneath of his t-shirt. They looked effortless, which made sense because angels didn’t seem like the gym-obsessed type. His eyes were cold and guarded, but he stepped closer then handed me my tea. Would an angel of death poison my tea? Brutal attack, raging fire, tea: one of these didn’t belong.
      I took a few sips while we stared at each other. I wanted to ask him what death was like, and if he knew where my