Free A Perfect Day by Richard Paul Evans Page B

fired you this never would have happened.” Allyson always had a way of putting things in perspective. She turned the book over. “That’s a nice picture of you.”
    “This is a good picture,” Nancy said. “I’d go after you.”
    “Thanks, Nance,” Allyson said.
    “They can look,” Nancy said. “Just not touch.”
    Allyson went back to consigning the books. “You need three for your brothers. I would like one for Aunt Denise and her friend Celeste. One for your father.”
    “Chuck doesn’t need one,” I replied.
    Allyson frowned but said nothing.
    Suddenly Nancy jumped up. “Omigosh, I forgot the pancakes.” She ran out of the room, chased by Carson. For a moment Allyson and I sat quietly looking at the books. Then I said, “Do you know what this is?”
    “My husband’s book.”
    “Much more than that. It’s our passport to our dreams. To a whole new world.”
    “I hope not,” she said.
    “Why do you say that?”
    “I like our world just the way it is.” She draped her arms around me, looking me in the eyes. “I’m so proud of you. I knew this would happen someday because no one deserves it more than you. You’re the best man I know.”
    I smiled and then we kissed. Nancy called us for breakfast.

Chapter 18
    “This is Mick and Angel of The Breakfast Bunch , where you get more of yesterday’s hits and less interruptions. Up next, a flash from the past, Peter, Paul and Mary, ‘Leaving on a Jet Plane.’ ”
    ONE MONTH LATER.
     
     
    T he radio alarm went off in the middle of my nightmare. I rolled over and hit the snooze button then lay back on my pillow looking up at the dark ceiling.
    In my dream I had come home from the book tour and found my home caged behind thick metal bars. I reached through the bars and rang the doorbell several times, but no one came. A passing neighbor told me that he had seen my family at the church down the street. I ran to it. Inside the church I could see Allyson and Carson praying. I tried to get in, but there were bars on the church’s doors and windows as well. I yelled for them, but they couldn’t hear me. Somehow my voice was gone.
    It had been a remarkably lucid dream and it left me shaken. As I stirred, Allyson rolled over into me, laying her face against my shoulder.
    “Is it time?” she asked in a thick voice.
    “Yes.”
    “Can’t you just call in sick?”
    “You really want me to do that?”
    “I don’t want you to go. Who will keep me warm in bed?”
    I pulled her in tighter. I’m sure it seems silly to the well traveled, but in seven years of marriage Allyson and I had never been apart for more than five days. Four weeks was unfathomable. I held her until the snooze expired and the radio again jarred me back to the morning. I leaned over and switched it off then kissed Allyson on the forehead.
    “Do you want me to get up and make you breakfast?” she asked.
    “No. It’s too early.” I climbed out of bed and went to the shower. After I had finished dressing, I set my luggage inside the foyer. As I finished a piece of toast, the taxi driver knocked on the front door. While he took my luggage—one large soft-shelled Samsonite bag and a carry-on bag with rollers—I went back in to Allyson one last time. The room was still dark.
    “Good-bye, honey,” I said softly.
    “I’m going to miss you so much,” she said.
    “I’ll call you every day. I promise.”
    “You better. Did you remember your laptop?”
    “Yes.”
    “I’ll e-mail you every day. Did you pack your pillow?”
    “Yes.” I put my arms around her. “I have everything I need in my bag except you,” I said.
    She moaned happily. “I love you with all my heart. Don’t ever forget that. Especially when some beautiful woman is telling you how much she loves your book.”
    “The only woman I care about is you.”
    I laid my head against her chest, feeling her warmth and softness and listening to the comforting beat of her heart. Then I sighed and slowly drew back my