Chasing Dragonflies by Tee Smith Read Free Book Online Page A

surprise. “Sorry I didn't mean to startle you. I was walking past and saw the door open.”
    “It's okay Patrick, it's just weird having other people around.”
    “I can't even imagine,” Patrick looked at her sadly.
    She sighed, “I can't seem to do anything with my hair.”
    Patrick let out a chuckle and tugged on his dreadlocks. “Nah, me either.”
    She looked back at him, dressed in a black button-up shirt and dark jeans. It was the first time she had seen him dressed in what she would call proper clothes. He usually wore torn jeans with tie-dyed tees, or a multi-coloured jacket. He looked nice. She gave him a smile.
    “Don't scrub up too bad yourself Mister Harper.”
    Patrick blushed, that made her giggle. She did not know him very well and it was odd to find herself living with him. It would be nice to have some company though, as she adjusted back to life on the outside.
    “Well, ah...” he looked around the room, not making eye contact. “Asha text and said they have been picked up and should be here in about fifteen minutes. I'll wait out in the living room.”
    “Okay, no worries,” she giggled to herself as he retreated, it seemed she made him nervous.
    She finished up getting dressed, her clothes feeling like they hung off her and were probably outdated. It was so odd that her mum had kept everything in her wardrobe all these years. Handy though as she at least she had clothes to wear now. She had no idea of the current fashions. Years ago she had loved nothing more than scouring the fashion magazines and keeping up with all the latest trends.
    That was her old life, before.
    “Hey Sis,” her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by Xavier. Patrick had said fifteen minutes, had she really been day-dreaming all that time?
    “Hey Xave,” she smiled as she walked toward him, reaching up she kissed him on the cheek. Asha walked up behind them, her arm in a sling. She looked gorgeous in long boots, leggings and a long tunic, she hair swept into a bun, with curls hanging down framing her face.
    “Oh Asha you look so pretty.”
    “As do you,” the other woman returned. She knew it was not true, she looked sullen and washed out. But that's what people say isn't it?
    “I need to get some new clothes and get a hair-cut,” she blurted, feeling the need to excuse the way she looked.
    “When I'm a bit more mobile and things settle down, maybe we can have a girls day out, what do you say?” Asha suggested.
    Xavier beamed down at her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
    “That would be great Asha,” Maddie responded. Right now she could not imagine going to a shopping mall. Too many people.
    “You ready to go then?” Xavier asked.
    “Yeah, I guess so,” she sighed, following him and Asha out the door.
    Xavier had arranged a limousine to pick them up for the service, and one by one they all climbed into the back. Asha and Xavier sat on one seat, whilst she and Patrick squished into the other along with Aunty Polly. At the end of driveway a news crew was waiting. As the car approached, the reporters launched themselves into its path. The driver honked and kept driving, leaving the reporters no choice but to jump free from the moving vehicle. She turned her face toward the window to see a camera pressed against the glass.
    Aunty Polly's hand came across and squeezed her knee reassuringly. “They will get tired of you soon love, when the next big story breaks.”
    I don't want to be a story , she wanted to yell, but she kept her mouth shut and just nodded.
    When they reached the funeral home, Patrick who was closest to the door, climbed out first and held his hand out to her to assist her, quickly letting her go to help Aunty Polly. Xavier helped Asha who seemed to be struggling with her one available arm.
    A small group of people hovered near-by and when they saw her party arrive came rushing over to offer their condolences. Some faces Maddie recognised, most she didn't. Frank and Mary were there,