Soul Mate (The Mating Series) by S. Swan Read Free Book Online Page A
Authors: S. Swan
“Mom,” I breathed. “I’m scared. Stay until morning.”
“I will,” she said. Mom passed a cold breeze over me. It comforted me. I relaxed and fell asleep again.
CHAPTER 3
Tuesday , I skated through the day on auto pilot, without any disturbances. Thankful since I didn’t sleep well the night before. Although, I maintained a pleasant demeanor, Penny’s death and the whereabouts of Skye persisted in the back of my mind. The negativity fluttered up every so often during my routine duties.
When I got home , I ate dinner and watched television. Mom popped in for only a few minutes to check on me. After she verified that I wasn’t in hysterics, she popped out again. Mom’s bedside vigil drained her energy. She seemed tired, if ghosts get tired. Jimmy called and made arrangements for our date. We planned meet at Mary House after work and to Blaine’s for dinner and drinks. It was a work night so I couldn’t be out late. I wished I could take Thursday off to spend more time on our date.
I anticipated the date with excitement, but women were being abducted and killed. I felt a mixture of excitement and guilt. I forced myself to focus on Jimmy instead of Penny or Skye. I didn’t have control over the women at Mary House or the choices they made. I couldn’t become so focused on them that I gave up my own life. Mom agreed. She lectured about being too absorbed in work. She worried that I would end up an old maid because I never created time for myself.
E xhausted from lack of sleep, I went to bed shortly after nine o’clock. I woke up with renewed excitement on Wednesday morning. Five o’clock couldn’t come fast enough. I drug myself out of bed early to spend more time on my appearance. Instead of my usual work ponytail, I straightened my curly hair and added hair serum to give it a smooth silky sheen. I put on eye shadow, eye liner, and mascara. I tinted my lips a sultry wine color. Since I took after the Sicilian side of my heritage, I didn’t need any blushes, foundation, or bronzers on my face.
I picked through my pathetic assortment of clothes in the closet. I spent twenty minutes trying on clothes. Nothing looked right. I finally settled on an out of style hunter green dress with black lace trim. I threw on a black cardigan and accented it with my favorite black pumps. I topped off the ensemble with a pair of gold hoop earrings.
I decided to ride the bus to work. Riding the bus saved me from leaving my car at work. I rode the bus regularly to save on gas and wear and tear on my old Toyota Camry. The bus arrived at my stop on time. The moment I climbed the steps, I realized I made a n error in judgment. Male passengers packed the seats. Only one other woman rode the bus. I tried to sit as close to her as possible. Luckily, I got a seat by myself. I kept my eyes focused on the back of the driver’s head. I didn’t want to make eye contact with anyone for fear of conversation. Several hungry eyes watched me.
Half-way through the route, my neck started to ache from sitting so straight. I turned my head to the left and saw the beautiful fall foliage of Garfield Park. I turned my head to the right, and face to face with a filthy hobo. His grey beard stained yellow, presumably from years of tobacco use.
“Howdy.” He said , smiling to reveal nothing, but pink gums. I nodded and quickly faced forward again. “You sure look perdy.” I didn’t answer. “How’s come a perdy girl like you hasta ride the bus?” I still faced forward. “Come on,” he said, “you can talk to me. I ain’t gonna bite you. I ain’t got no teeth.” His comment made me laugh. “There’s a smile.” He said.
“I’m riding the bus to save gas.” I said , turning slightly.
“Me too.” He stuck out a grimy hand. “I’m Norm.” he said.
“Cassie.” I
“I will,” she said. Mom passed a cold breeze over me. It comforted me. I relaxed and fell asleep again.
CHAPTER 3
Tuesday , I skated through the day on auto pilot, without any disturbances. Thankful since I didn’t sleep well the night before. Although, I maintained a pleasant demeanor, Penny’s death and the whereabouts of Skye persisted in the back of my mind. The negativity fluttered up every so often during my routine duties.
When I got home , I ate dinner and watched television. Mom popped in for only a few minutes to check on me. After she verified that I wasn’t in hysterics, she popped out again. Mom’s bedside vigil drained her energy. She seemed tired, if ghosts get tired. Jimmy called and made arrangements for our date. We planned meet at Mary House after work and to Blaine’s for dinner and drinks. It was a work night so I couldn’t be out late. I wished I could take Thursday off to spend more time on our date.
I anticipated the date with excitement, but women were being abducted and killed. I felt a mixture of excitement and guilt. I forced myself to focus on Jimmy instead of Penny or Skye. I didn’t have control over the women at Mary House or the choices they made. I couldn’t become so focused on them that I gave up my own life. Mom agreed. She lectured about being too absorbed in work. She worried that I would end up an old maid because I never created time for myself.
E xhausted from lack of sleep, I went to bed shortly after nine o’clock. I woke up with renewed excitement on Wednesday morning. Five o’clock couldn’t come fast enough. I drug myself out of bed early to spend more time on my appearance. Instead of my usual work ponytail, I straightened my curly hair and added hair serum to give it a smooth silky sheen. I put on eye shadow, eye liner, and mascara. I tinted my lips a sultry wine color. Since I took after the Sicilian side of my heritage, I didn’t need any blushes, foundation, or bronzers on my face.
I picked through my pathetic assortment of clothes in the closet. I spent twenty minutes trying on clothes. Nothing looked right. I finally settled on an out of style hunter green dress with black lace trim. I threw on a black cardigan and accented it with my favorite black pumps. I topped off the ensemble with a pair of gold hoop earrings.
I decided to ride the bus to work. Riding the bus saved me from leaving my car at work. I rode the bus regularly to save on gas and wear and tear on my old Toyota Camry. The bus arrived at my stop on time. The moment I climbed the steps, I realized I made a n error in judgment. Male passengers packed the seats. Only one other woman rode the bus. I tried to sit as close to her as possible. Luckily, I got a seat by myself. I kept my eyes focused on the back of the driver’s head. I didn’t want to make eye contact with anyone for fear of conversation. Several hungry eyes watched me.
Half-way through the route, my neck started to ache from sitting so straight. I turned my head to the left and saw the beautiful fall foliage of Garfield Park. I turned my head to the right, and face to face with a filthy hobo. His grey beard stained yellow, presumably from years of tobacco use.
“Howdy.” He said , smiling to reveal nothing, but pink gums. I nodded and quickly faced forward again. “You sure look perdy.” I didn’t answer. “How’s come a perdy girl like you hasta ride the bus?” I still faced forward. “Come on,” he said, “you can talk to me. I ain’t gonna bite you. I ain’t got no teeth.” His comment made me laugh. “There’s a smile.” He said.
“I’m riding the bus to save gas.” I said , turning slightly.
“Me too.” He stuck out a grimy hand. “I’m Norm.” he said.
“Cassie.” I