Saving Riley

Chapter Three

“Good morning,” Beth chimed as I walked into the kitchen the next morning.

“Good morning,” I replied, sliding into a chair. I took the bowl Beth handed me and poured Cheerios into it.

“Elise is coming for a visit today,” Beth announced as I poured milk into the bowl.

“Oh fun,” I grumbled, my good mood disappearing quickly. “I thought she wasn’t supposed to come until next month?”

Beth studied her toast intensely. “Yes, but… something has come up and she wants to visit now. It will be nicer to get it out of the way now don’t you think?”

I shrugged and spooned cereal into my mouth. “Does it have anything to do with the newspaper picture of Daniel?” I asked the question into my bowl, afraid to make eye contact with her.

“You read it?” Beth asked. Her voice raised a few octaves.

“No, but I saw the picture in the fire.” I replied. I looked up cautiously. Beth was wringing her hands in her lap and looked close to tears.

“Do you like it here?” She nearly screamed at me.

I sat back in shock. “Does Elise want to take me away?”

The back door opened and August walked in. He had a bundle of wildflowers in his hand and a cheerful smile on his face. The smile immediately faded away when he saw Beth’s and I’s expressions. “Should I come back later?”

“No, we were just discussing something that can wait.” Beth assured him. She stood up and set her bowl in the sink. “Let me get a vase for those.” Beth disappeared into the pantry.

“I am interrupting aren’t I?” August whispered.

“Don’t ask me, I don’t know what’s going on.” I sighed. I stood up and drained my milk in the sink. I tossed the soggy Cheerios into the trash and turned to August.

“These are for you,” August said, handing the purple and orange bouquet over. I smiled and inhaled their aroma.

“Thank you, they’re beautiful.”

August rubbed the back of his neck and his cheeks began to grow a rosy shade of red. He was so adorable when he was embarrassed I just wanted to kiss him. I blinked in surprise. Did I really just think that I wanted to kiss August?

“I had a really good time last night. I was wondering if you’d like to do it again?” August’s blush grew deeper as he asked the question. He stared at the floor and kicked the tiles with his shoe.

“I don’t know if I’m going to be here after today,” I mumbled.

“What do you mean?” August demanded, sounding panicked.

“Beth was telling me that my case manager was coming by today. She never comes before the scheduled visit unless something is wrong.” I told him.

“You can’t leave, you just got here.” August argued.

“I know that, but I’ve had shorter stints. It’s been too perfect here, I figured something would go wrong.” I sighed.

Beth came back into the kitchen with an old porcelain vase shaped like a rose. “Isn’t this just lovely? I’d forgotten I put it away.” Beth filled the vase with water and situated it in the middle of the table. I set the flowers into the vase and smiled at Beth and August.

“When is she supposed to be here?” August questioned.

Beth grew rigid. “She said noon.” She said curtly.