Test Pilot's Daughter: Revenge Read Free Page B

her burden. She paid no heed to the terror building in Heather’s eyes. Speaking louder in a more piercing voice, she went on. “Blood’s shooting everywhere, and he screams, ‘Help me, help me!’ I squeeze harder and harder until. . .”
     
    “ Until what?”
     
    “ He finally stops moving. Finally, I swoop down and drop him on the ground. When he rolls over, I realized it isn’t just any man; it’s. . .” she paused again and looked directly into Heather’s wide eyes, “it’s my dad.”
     
    “ Holy shit! Girl,” Heather gasped, “what happens then?”
     
    “ This is the weird part. I turn back into a girl. I’m standing there naked beside his body, holding out my hands. They’re covered in blood. I can feel it running down my arms.” She continued in a soft voice, lowering her eyes. “I usually wake up screaming.”
     
    “ God Almighty! Ever thought about seeing a shrink? I’d be happy to refer you to mine.”
     
    “ You don’t see a shrink.” She couldn’t believe Heather had never mentioned this before. After all, she’d disclosed everything else.
     
    “ Well, I do see one from time to time. Don’t think I need to; it’s just that my parents feel guilty about working all the time. They want to make sure I’m okay, that’s all. For God’s sake, let’s change the subject. You’re scaring the hell out of me.”
     
    “ I tried to warn you.”
     
    “ No, I’m glad you told me; it’s just a little schizzo that’s all. Now, tell me a good dream. What do you plan to do with your life?”
     
    Christina calmed down. The wine seemed to enhance her confidence. “I don’t know exactly how long it’ll take, but one day, I’m gonna be an astronaut. I’m sure of it.”
     
    “ Why?” Heather inquired. “Astronauts don’t make any money. Don’t you know? They’re government employees, for God’s sake.”
     
    “ Nothing to do with money, Heather. Since I was a kid my dad has talked about the astronaut program. I’ve always dreamed of traveling in space. Eileen Collins, the first female Commander, is my hero. If she can do it, I can too.”
     
    “ Well, I guess that makes me pretty shallow. I’ve always dreamed of marrying some rich hunk and joining a bridge club,” she chuckled.
     
    “ Don’t you want some adventure in your life? Life’s too short to spend all your time taking care of kids.”
     
    “ Sure, I like adventure, but it all costs money. I’m going to need a lot of cash to sustain my lifestyle. Don’t wanna end up in a trailer park ducking bullets.”
     
    “ Come on Heather. Your family’s loaded. They’d never let you live in a trailer. Your daddy wouldn’t have it. Don’t you think it’d be better to marry for love?”
     
    “ But what if I fall in love with some poor bastard?”
     
    Christina was getting a real buzz. Her mind was struggling to formulate a reasonable answer to Heather’s stupid question when the phone rang so loudly it made her jump. Who the hell. . .at this hour? Her imagination went into high gear. The first thought was of her dad. What would I do if he had a plane crash? A cold chill seized her spine. The phone rang again with a piercing scream.
     
    “ What are you waiting for?” Heather yelled. “Answer the stupid phone, for
Christ’s sake!”
     
    With shaking hands, she slowly picked up the receiver and said, “Hello?”
     
    “ Christina!” said a female voice.
     
    “ Jessica? Is that you? What’s the matter?”
     
    “ Roy. Knocked my mom out cold. Trying to get me.”
     
    “ What? Where the hell are you?” Christina asked in a panic.
     
    “ Locked in my room, but he’s tryin’ to get in to. . .uh . . .well. Shit, gonna break the door!” she gasped.
     
    Christina could hear banging in the background. Foul words were barely discernable.
     
    “ Open this door you little bitch. Wanna show you somepin’.”
     
    “ Can you get out a window?” Christina asked.
     
    “ No, they’re sealed. Maybe