Page 7 - 2022 Tryst Preview 24
P. 7
almost exactly...
She stomped up the stairs like a heart-crushed
teenager, giving Thomas and his letter the silent
treatment. Achilles protested her forgetfulness of his
empty dinner dish, but she didn't hear him. At three in
the morning, poor Achilles could no longer contain his
hunger passively. She got up to his incessant howls,
begging his forgiveness. She would not get it, and
although one of them ate, neither of them slept the rest
of the night.
At six o’clock, the sun finally broke through her
night of frustrated darkness. She fed Achilles breakfast
and poured herself a cup of tea. Then, even though her
better judgment scolded her to ignore the pages, she
inhaled deeply and gave Thomas' letter another
chance.
****
It was well past two when Karyn awoke slightly
frightened and near crying. Her sleep had been
disturbed by a host of unnerving dreams. Among them
were nightmares of embarrassing encounters with
people she respected and loved, blunders made under
the pretense of romantic interludes, and missed
opportunities due to a steady shortage of self-
confidence. Yet sweet calm returned to her as she
turned to see Jacob nestled peacefully by her side. He
seemed perfectly content, oblivious to the troubles that
awakened her. His strong, comforting arms lay gently
upon the bed, reaching out to her. Though she
somehow wriggled from his embrace during the night, it
amazed her how he was still there, inviting her back to
him. It was an invitation she was tempted to accept.
Diana Kathryn Plopa 7 A Tryst of Fate