A Leap in Time Read Online Free Page A

going on, Lexi?” Kate chimed in her usual straight to the point approach. She threw herself on the sofa playfully, propping her feet on the coffee table, ready for an explanation. She was still in her work clothes, hair pulled neatly into a low bun at the nape of her neck. She looked every bit of the professional banker in her striped black pant suit.
    I opened a bottle of Pinot noir just before they arrived and had set out glasses and snacks on the coffee table knowing that once we started talking, I wouldn’t want to stop to get snacks.
    It would probably be a long night while we caught up. I hadn’t realized how much I missed them. Being around them gave me a feeling of comfort and security that I felt deep in my bones.
    “That’s new. It’s very pretty,” Kate said, breaking the silence. She was, of course, referencing the painting. She missed nothing.
    “Oh, I love it. It’s exactly what this place needed. More art, maybe some plants to warm things up,” chimed Charlotte.
    “Ha ha. Okay. I can take a hint. I know the place needs a lot, but I’m working on it. Baby steps.” I poured wine.
    Kate eyed me impatiently. “So, what’s going on with the apartment?”
    “Have a glass of wine first. You’re going to need it for what I’m about to tell you.” I couldn’t help but laugh at the look of alarm on their faces.
    Two and a half bottles of wine, and Chinese takeout later, Charlotte and Kate were completely in the know. The three of us sat in silence for a while. I’m not sure if it was the wine kicking in, or the shock of my story that left us speechless staring at the painting as if expecting it to speak on command.
    “What? So, you’re saying the painting comes to life.” Charlotte hadn’t moved her attention from the painting.
    “Lexi, are you sure you’re okay? You’ve been under a lot of stress lately. Sometimes exhaustion can contribute to hallucinations, which is totally normal given how difficult the breakup was on you,” Kate said.
    “Let’s assume that what you’re saying is true. Then what?” Charlotte was trying desperately to stay calm, but losing ground, her pale complexion turning beet red with frustration.
    “I hadn’t thought that far ahead,” I confessed, feeling under attack.
    Kate reclined on the couch, her head on the armrest. She kicked off her black heels then fidgeted anxiously with her hair, unfastening it and letting the fiery red tresses fan out on the arm of the couch as if that was the source of distress in the room and not my outlandish story. Our heated banter went on for what seemed like hours before we came to an agreement.
    “At four-thirty, we’ll all wake up to observe the painting together. Until then, there’s no point arguing about it anymore. Besides, it’s getting late and we’re all tired. Let’s turn in, okay?” I knew full well that Kate would be sound asleep before I even finished my sentence. With all the wine we’d consumed, it was a guarantee that she’d sleep through anything. In college, we teased her about being such a heavy sleeper. A part of me was always envious because I was the complete opposite; the slightest noise woke me, which meant never sleeping in at the dorm because someone somewhere was always making a ruckus.
    “I’ll get her a blanket and pillow. You can bunk with me.” I got up slowly, anticipating my head to spin, but was pleasantly surprised when I felt okay. I didn’t need a hangover on top of everything else that was going on.
    Charlotte and I drifted off almost as soon as our heads rested on the pillows. My body must have developed an internal clock because my eyes popped open at four-thirty with a surprising alertness despite having only slept a couple of hours.
    I lay there a few minutes listening. As odd as it was, there was a level of comfort in knowing what to expect: chirping birds, a babbling creek and occasional horses trotting by. I slowly got out of bed and gently shook Charlotte shoulder.