Free Blurred Lines by KD Williamson by K.D. Williamson Page B

frozen in a grimace.
    “The injection should ease the pain as well.”
    Kelli didn’t offer any kind of acknowledgement that she’d heard what Nora said. As the silence stretched, Nora began to feel ill at ease. She backed away, intending to leave.
    “Nora.”
    Her name was a whispered husk, but it stopped her progress toward the door. Nora turned back toward the bed, and swallowed her momentary discomfort. “I’m here.”
    Kelli gazed at her from under lowered lashes. “Stay…until I fall asleep?”
    Nora nodded slowly and lowered herself into the chair near the bed. She cringed. Her clothing was damp. Their entire exchange…this entire situation was strange, but she felt compelled to see it through to completion. There would be time for analysis later.
     

 
    CHAPTER 6
    Nora’s kitchen was a staged and sterile environment. She used it regularly but cleaned it even more. The stainless steel gleamed and granite countertops glinted in the muted rays of sunshine that filtered in through the windows. Remnants from her meager breakfast remained on the counter, marring the otherwise pristine surface. It was an easy fix, however, to rid the counter of a coffee cup and a bowl that still had yogurt swirled around the edges. Yet, Nora stood immobile, staring blankly into something that only she could see. The latest incident with Kelli left her decidedly off kilter. She waited just like she had all week for unidentified emotions to either disappear or to make themselves known. It was a pointless endeavor.
    Nora didn’t regret helping Kelli. That, in itself, was a ridiculous notion. She was a doctor, after all. It was the disintegration of formality that she disliked. Her response was necessary in the moment, but Nora had the distinct impression that she had seen more of Kelli that night than a stranger—or even her friends—were normally allowed to see. That’s what had shaken Nora. Before that night, she didn’t know she even possessed the level of gentleness she’d offered Kelli. And she did it without thought or hesitation. That disturbed her to the very core.
    Nora blinked and checked the slim Rolex on her right wrist. It was 7:27 a.m.—twelve minutes off her normal routine. Nora was going to be even later than she was yesterday. Still, she stood with her hands on the counter, as if to brace herself against the onslaught of alien emotions. She heard her front door close. Her latest sexual liaison, which lasted well into the night, had been serviceable but offered only an ounce of respite. This situation obviously required more than a sexual release to return her to a more balanced state of mind.
    The sound of a light trot caught her attention. Phineas was making his way toward his food dish, which teemed with fresh vegetables and grass pellets. The visitors who learned of his existence often expressed shock and disgust that she had a pig as a companion.
    It was true that Phineas was different from the average pet, but he was loyal and more intelligent. Nora was sure he understood her, while no one else took the time to try. Affection snared her and, for a moment, so did envy. He was an affable creature and often kept to himself. Then, there were the times when he actually sought her out. He’d nudge her to garner attention. He led an uncomplicated existence.
    Nora longed for something similar. At times, she even worked toward it, but there were hurdles in her path that slowed her progress. Rumors were one such obstacle. Perpetuated by residents who had their own messy lives to contend with, but that didn’t stop them from trying to pull Nora down with them. They never succeeded, and Nora wasn’t going to let them. It was almost easy. The whole thing had become utterly predictable.
    However, Nora could not use that word to describe Kelli or her reaction to the woman. In fact, she spent too much time pondering the situation, and too many emotions still swirled inside her. All of this had to stop. Nora had