SPOTLIGHT Read Free Page A

composition that Abby could not quite place. Still it sounded hopeful, and deciding that the song was playing for her, an anthem of sorts, Abby cracked open another cardboard box and humming along, she got back to work.
     
     
     

Chapter Three
     
    “So you're all settled in then?"
     
    The voice on the other end of the phone line was tiny and a bit changed by the distance but that did not make it any less of a wonderfully familiar pleasure to hear.
     
    "Just about, Mom," Abby said with a broad smile. It was the third time in their brief conversation that her mother had asked that exact question but Abby wasn't truly tired of hearing it just yet. It was always nice to be worried about.
     
    "There are some things of yours in your room--I guess I should say your old room, that'll take getting used to--we could have them shipped to you. Some books--"
     
    "It's okay, Mother. Really, I'm fine. I have everything I need," Abby said a touch more insistently. “I don’t have any time to read anyway.”
     
    "I hope you’re not stressing yourself out too much, dear. What about your--" Her mother began, but her father's booming voice cut in on the other line.
     
    "If Abigail needs anything out there I'm sure she'll let us know hon’."
     
    Abby had to giggle at their familiar antics. They were like a well-practiced comedy duo, those two and not a thing had changed in the week since she'd left South Meadow for New York City. Only her father could make the word "hon’" sound like a caress and a curse word at once. And Abby knew her mother would have home-cooked meals express delivered to her by the US postal service if it meant her daughter would be well-fed.
     
    "Well, if you're really sure there's nothing we can do," her mother pressed.
     
    "What your mother is really saying with her needling and wheedling is that we’re both extremely proud of you for taking such a big step and finally following your ambitions. You’ve got a God-given talent kid, so go ahead and show them what’s what out there. We’ll be here holding down the fort.”
     
    “Thanks Daddy, I will.” Abby beamed. “I’ve gotta run now though. Can’t be late for work. I love you both!”
     
    Hanging up the phone, Abby glanced at her wristwatch. It was later than she realized. She’d let time slip away from here while she’d been catching up with her parents back home. If she hurried she’d just be able to catch the express train uptown. If she waited any longer and missed it she knew the next one would have her arrive five minutes late. Aaron would never let her hear the end of it if she was late.
     
    Grabbing her purse and keys, she rushed out the door. Outside, the heat wave still blazed relentlessly and the weather forecasters all agreed that it wasn’t letting up on its grip of the tri-state area any time soon. Summer had arrived and with it a low hanging constant humidity.
     
    On the corner, some kids had managed to pry open a fire hydrant which was erupting with a geyser of cool water over the sidewalk and into the streets. The spray was creating little rainbows in the sun and all the kids were soaked and smiling. Abby envied them but there was no time to pause and watch their drenched dancing.
     
    Abby turned a corner and descended into the subway entrance where the world turned even hotter. She fumbled with her metro card at the turnstile, still not practiced in which way it ought to go in. But finally she sorted it out and jogged towards the uptown platform with scores of other commuters. The subway train was already stopped on the tracks and Abby managed to shimmy in between its closing doors. Inside the subway car it was crowded but cool and Abby breathed a sigh of relief as they lurched forward and began moving towards their destination.
     
    The Home Sweet Diner tried to be quaint but mostly came out corny. Its original owners had aimed to bring a southern hospitality feel mixed with a mother’s love ambiance to the big city