Chapter 57: Normalcy, Part 1

I raced downstairs the following morning, nerves and excitement and fear swirling inside of me. The nerves were winning. "Morning, Aunt Beth." I grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl on the counter.

"Whoa, where are you rushing out to today?" she asked with a laugh.

"I'm going to Trent's. I asked you last night before you went to bed, remember?"

There was no way she didn't remember. She'd given me the fifth degree, despite Uncle Dean telling her it was okay with him.

"Yes, I remember. I just didn't realize you'd be leaving so early. It's not even nine o'clock yet." She leaned against the counter and crossed her arms. "If you're leaving now, I expect you home earlier than you were yesterday. No later than three."

I froze with my mouth open, ready to take a bite of the apple. Three o'clock? She had to be joking. She had no way of knowing how important today was for me and Trent, but still, she was being unreasonable. Closing my mouth, I set the apple on the counter.