Ordinary (Anything But) Read Free Page A

Scarlet!”
    “’Bye, Honor,” her sister’s high voice called back.
    Her mother hurried out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. “But you didn’t eat supper.”
    Honor grabbed keys to their lone vehicle from a hook on the wall. “I’ll eat when I get home.”
    “But that won’t be until nine or later. ” Brushing a strand of hair out of Honor’s eye, she said, “That’s too long to go without food.”
    “So I’ll eat at work.” She took a ten dollar bill from the wallet in her purse and shoved it into the pocket of her pants.
    “That food is not healthy.”
    She tossed her hands in the air. “Mom! I have to go. I’ll get a salad or something. Okay?”
    Cassie pressed her lips together and slowly nodded. “Okay.” She put her hands on Honor’s shoulders and pulled her close. “Love you, baby cakes.”
    Warmth swept through her as her eyes stung. She felt so safe in her mom’s arms. “Love you too, Mom. I gotta go.” She disengaged herself from her mother’s embrace though it was the only place she wanted to be at that moment, and with her face averted so her mother wouldn’t see the wetness of her eyes, Honor left.
    ***
    The house was small and tan and there was an old, rusty green swing set in the yard. The drone of a television flowed out through an open window. A little girl laughed; the sound tinkling and reminiscent of Scarlet’s laughter. Honor jiggled the Impala keys in her hand and took a deep breath. It’s now or never. She hadn’t really planned on stopping there on the way to work, but she recognized the house as she passed by and decided it wouldn’t hurt to make sure Christian was home and okay. Now that she was there, Honor had to quit being a chicken and walk up to the front door. She didn’t feel comfortable showing up at a classmate’s house she barely spoke to. Honor also knew she wouldn’t stop thinking about it and worrying and wondering until she knew Christian was safe.
    She closed her eyes, counted to ten, and forced her feet to move.
    A tall woman with gray eyes and dark brown hair answered the door. The resemblance between her and Christian was so striking she could only be his mother. The longer Honor stared, the more she thought the woman’s eyes were more silver than gray, which was unusual. She didn’t think she’d ever seen eyes that shade of gray before.
    The lady tilted her head and studied Honor’s face. “Yes?”
    Honor smiled. “Hi. Are you Christian’s mom?”
    The woman’s throat convulsed as she swallowed. Her face went from curious to suspicious. “Who are you? What do you want?” She held onto the door so tightly her knuckles were white.
    The smile fell from Honor’s lips. “I’m Honor Rochester. I go to school with Christian. He seemed sick today and I saw him leave with two men.” She tried to see behind the woman into the house, but it was dark inside. The television was quiet. The whole house beyond the woman seemed silent and still. She looked at the woman. “Is he okay?”
    “Are you one of them?”
    “One of what ?”
    Christian’s mom looked over her shoulder and then faced her. The fire in her eyes swept Honor back a step. “I don’t know who sent you or what you think you’re trying to do, but you better leave. Right now .”
    “But—“
    “Get out of here!” Her chest heaved up and down and her face was twisted into something scary and ugly.
    Honor’s jaw dropped. “I just…I was worried. I…” The door slammed. A lock slid into place. “…wanted to make sure he was okay,” she ended softly.
    The windows closed and the curtains shut. Honor stared at the house in disbelief. She slowly turned on her heel and walked on shaky legs back to the car. What. Just. Happened. Talk about weird. Honor shook the episode off to a case of crazies and drove to work. She couldn’t get over the woman’s odd behavior, try as she did. That wasn’t normal. That wasn’t right. Honor had a strong feeling something