This Side of the Sun (The Sun Trilogy) Read Online Free

eyes and looked around the room. I was home. I was alive. I was safe now. I just wished I felt it: safe. Miranda had left a clean towel on the shelf for me. I quickly washed my hair and face and dunk one more time to rinse off. I used a washcloth to gently scrub at my arm. The scratch still looked angry, but at least the blood and dirt were now gone. I unplugged the drain and stepped out of the tub. Melting into my own bed was all I really wanted to do now. I wrapped in the fluffy burgundy towel, retrieved Saul’s business card from the sink, and left the steamy bathroom behind.
    When I reached my bedroom, I was relieved to see that no one was waiting for me. Someone had set out a pair of flannel pajamas. I searched through my drawers for a pair of panties and got dressed. I turned the covers back and sat on the edge of the bed staring at the card in my hands. Sighing, I opened my night stand drawer and tucked the card away. There was a glass of water and a small bowl sitting on top of the bedside table, as well as a hand written note.
     
    Hattie, we’re so glad you’re ok. Take this Tylenol before you go to sleep.
    I’ll check on you later.                              –Justine
     
    I gratefully swallowed the pills, and then slid under the covers. I brought them up to my chin and curled into a ball.
    ***
    When I woke, it was full dark outside. The only light was coming from the digital alarm clock beside the bed. I was confused at first. My eyes were dry, as was my mouth. I sat up in bed, feeling the ache of every muscle in my body. That pain is what reminded me of what had happened. My heart started pounding and it was hard to catch my breath. I still didn’t know what exactly had happened downtown. The clock beside me said it was 4:04. I slid out of bed and walked to the closet, searching for my bathrobe. I found it quickly, wrapped it around myself, and slid into my favorite pair of slippers. I quietly opened my door and walked down the stairs, not wanting to wake anyone. I snuck into the kitchen and took out a bottle of water, which I drank from greedily. I took what was left of the water and slipped into the living room, hoping to turn the news on.
    Everett was sleeping on the couch, his arm hanging over the edge. He was snoring lightly. I assumed that Justine was in Joe’s room with him, which left me wondering where Miranda was. Since this was the only television we had in the house, I sat on the floor in front of the only ottoman in the room and used the remote to turn on the flat screen. It was one rare luxury we had splurged on. Daddy sent home money until we turned eighteen, but his wife had cut that off as her birthday gift to us. We both worked, but neither of us made very good money, so we had a tendency to be frugal. Joe did maintenance for the local school district, which consisted of only two elementary schools, one middle, and one high. I worked as a barista, but it was only part time every Wednesday through Friday. I’d still watch the kids down the street, Aimee and Amanda, about once a month. I’m sure she’d gladly sell it if she could. And now the café where I had worked had burnt down. The house was paid for and we had a right to it from our mother’s will, so Helen couldn’t touch that
    As the screen warmed up and began to light up the room, I hit the volume button to keep it quiet, not wanting to wake Everett. I clicked through the major stations until I found one featuring the tragedy from the day before. It mostly showed clips from earlier in the day, always from a distance. It had seemed worse in person, likely because I had been in the middle of it all, up close and personal. The news woman was talking about speculations still. It was an assumed gas line explosion. Since one of the neighboring buildings housed propane, it was also assumed that was responsible for the after-explosions. Still, no one knew for sure just yet what the actual cause was. They