Page 8 (1/1)

I heard htly with my knuckles The door abruptly jerked open and Maria stood there looking embarrassed In fact I had never seen her so embarrassed before

"I'm sorry! I didn't realize that I'd locked you out in the hall I……"

I held up a hand and she stopped and I waited for her eyes to raise up to mine "Your world has been turned upside down A man as close to you as a father has departed fro hole behind You aler in a partnership that you don't want or understand and you're not sure what's going to hit you next Ahtly, as the e with seeht if your actions don't seeht now and that you're not your usual controlled self You are after all only hu to see what is of use in that pack that you were given and while you get a hot shower and relax a little I'll o out and eat and then come back You'll camp out on your bed and I'll caht over ant to watch on TV, not that there's anything worth fighting over"

Her tired eyes watchednice to ht now you're broken"

"So once I'o back to being mean?"

"Probably" I dryly responded

She rolled her eyes and opened the door wider I stepped in and set the heavy pack down on a nearby table

"I'll take the bed by the door and you can have the one by the "

"Why?" Maria asked defensively

"Because if someone breaks in I want to be the first one to deal with them"

"I can protect myself!" Maria hotly responded

I turned to her and stated in a firm oing to have to accept what I say as the final word on the matter and yes I a yourself"

To her credit Maria kept herthe pack It zipped open to reveal two sides jam-packed with stuff