July (The Year of The Change Book 1) by Kathryn Gilmore Page A

appreciated a reprieve from Sue’s chiding that always stopped me from giving it whatever it wanted.
    When Tam went into full out battle mode with her eyelids, Sue and Barbara decided it was time to leave so we could go to sleep. Tam objected, but was out before her mother had her tucked in and kissed goodnight.
    Sue turned to me and whispered. “Don’t forget to lock the door.” She was almost out the door when she turned. “Goodnight.” She tossed the word at me and closed the door before I could respond.
    “Goodnight, Sue.” My response hit the door and slid to the floor, kind of like our relationship.
    The lock turned with a click. For good measure, I took the chair from the desk and jammed it under the door knob. I’d seen it done in the movies and figured it couldn’t hurt. If nothing else, it would make noise if it fell.

Midnight Intruder
     
    Finally, I was alone – well, as alone as I could be with Tam sleeping a few feet away. I turned on a small lamp by the bed and flipped off the overhead light. The dimly lit, masculine room was inviting, even in shadow.
    Still hungry, I pulled out a box of crackers to eat while I read. I clicked on the desk lamp for a little more light. There was a bulletin board above the desk. Lots of photos were pinned against the cork, mostly of girls. In the middle was a picture of Kevin and me when they visited us in Oklahoma five years ago. I remembered posing for it. We had our arms around each other’s shoulders with big cheesy grins. I was taller than he was back then, we were both skinny, neither of us had filled out any. The photo looked like it had been there for a long while as the edges were slightly tattered with multiple pin holes around the edges.
    Kevin was taller now, no scrawny little junior high kid. He’d filled out in all the right places. He certainly didn't act like a junior high boy. He was definitely all college man now. If this wasn't the year of The Change I could just imagine us slipping out to take a moonlit walk. I bet the cornfields are beautiful at night. Even if we just walked down the dusty road, it would be romantic with Kevin there. I could almost feel my hand clasped tightly in his. In my fantasy, we would be able to talk about anything. I would finally have my soul mate, someone I could trust with all my secrets, someone who would love me for me. He could fill the hole in my lonely heart.
    The nagging fact slapped me in the back of the head. If it hadn’t been for The Change he wouldn’t be so interested. I doubted he would give me a second glance next year. A small part of me wanted to believe he could find me interesting even though I wasn’t pretty. Maybe he was a good enough person to be able to overlook my plain features and see something special in me. Only in my dreams.
    Jarred from my fantasy, I turned my attention back to the photo and smiled at the memories the simple picture brought back. Swimming, bike rides, and night games had been more fun with him around. My best buddy, Donny, hadn’t liked him so I didn't spend much time with Donny during that week. Dad said it was because he was jealous of Kevin and his brothers, because the brothers had my attention and he didn’t. I’d thought it ridiculous since we all could’ve played together. Boys were so silly sometimes.
    My heart pained at the memory of Donny. I missed him terribly. Pushing him from my thoughts I looked again at the photo and wished I had a picture of us. If it hadn’t been wrong I would’ve been tempted to swipe this one. Maybe they would make me a copy.
    A giant throw pillow sat in the corner. Dragging it across the carpet I put it next to the desk, under the lamp light. With the crackers and my book open, I leaned against the wall.
    About an hour later there was a creak in the hall. The knob turned minutely. Someone was at the locked door. My breath froze waiting to see what would happen next. A door opened down the hall and whoever was outside my door ran