Chapter thirteen: Aster is trying to live through the aftermath of her actions but isn't doing a very good job. A worried Bunny finds Aster still asleep in the middle of the day. Bunny offers friendship but Aster rejects her. Needing to get away, Aster decides to go shopping but everything she finds in the mall only reinforces how she feels about herself. And so she...
photo by ldyck
Chapter fourteen
Aster pulled open the fridge and stared at the food. She removed sliced ham, mayonnaise, lettuce, bread. The lettuce was crisp, the ham lean, the bread moist. Halfway to the table, she threw the sandwich in the garbage can. It joined her half-eaten breakfast.
Without being fully aware of how she’d arrived there, Aster found herself in her bedroom, standing in front of her mirrored closet doors, staring at her reflection. Oh, how she hated the person she saw in that glass. She jerked open the closet door. Among the clothes hanging there, Aster found one of Kenneth James’ shirts. She pulled it off the hanger, placed one sleeve on her shoulder and the other around her waist. Imagining herself in his arms, she swayed back and forth—dancing to music that existed only in her head. She needed to hear his voice.
She dialed his number but the person who answered wasn’t Kenneth James. It was a woman’s voice.
“Kenneth James, who was that?”
“She was um, ah... She was... Just one of my research assistants.”
“I had to phone you. I had to because... because... Something horrible has happened.”
“What?”
How to explain? How to confess? The words just won’t come.
“Aster, are you still there?”
“Yes, I—.”
“Listen, I’m very busy. Phone b—.”
“I’ve been forced to take early retirement,” she whispered.
“You’ve been what?”
“I’ve been fired. Okay? I’ve been fired.” The words exploded from her mouth. “Oh, please, don’t make me elaborate further on the phone.”
“No, of course not.”
“This entire mess wasn’t my fault. I had to act to save my student. Without education, without discipline, he’ll fall through the cracks. And then who knows what could happen. He’s headed for a life of crime. I had to provide guidance. No one else is. But instead of praise...they...they. Just didn’t understand. And now every time I step out of our house there they all are judging me. I simply can’t stay here one second longer.”
“You could join me on Mayne Island but I’m sure you won’t. You made that clear so many times. What is it you said, it’ll be a cold day in—.”
“Oh, I was hoping you’d say that,” Aster sang into the phone.
Stomp!
“What was that?”
“Oh, nothing. A spider hit the floor,” Kenneth James explained.
“Spiders are that—?”
“Big. About the size of my hand. But they’re small compared to slugs. I saw one yesterday that was as long as my arm. But they just leave a slimy trail. They’re not vicious.”
“Well, that’s g—.”
“Now raccoons, they’re nasty. But you’ll soon learn not to go out at night. And you’ll get used to the isolation, the boredom, and the—.”
“But the ferry.”
“If there's enough staff. If there are no mechanical problems.”
“Will take me to the island this coming Monday. I wish I could leave sooner but I need time to—.”
“I’ll be there to pick you up.”
“See you soon. I love you.”
“Ah, yeah. Bye.”
