Chapter 2-

Devora couldn’t stand lying in bed staring at the ceiling any longer. She had too much on her mind, and sleep wouldn’t come. The dreams that haunted her while sleeping, continued to plague her while she was awake. With a weary sigh, she tossed aside her blankets and stood. Her feet were slipped into soft black slippers and a light robe was pulled around her torso.

Quiet footsteps were the only sound anyone would hear for the next several minutes. Then she began a pot of tea and began preparing an early breakfast. Soon the whistle alerted her from her trancelike state and she rose to make her tea. A peppermint tea bag was pulled from one of the pewter jars that sat royally, on a shelf near the stove. She opened the small pack and dropped the bag into her cup of hot water. Finally she carried it across the kitchen to the small table that occupied one corner.

The table was half full of magazines, bridal ones of course. She sighed and pushed them away. Right now she really didn’t even want to think about her upcoming wedding. She loved Marc; he was the most amazing man she had ever met, but she was afraid. Especially when she thought back on her nightmare, shivering, she took a sip of her tea. A glance at the clock revealed that it was still too early to call Marc. Not that he would complain if she did, but she knew he often didn’t get much sleep, and today was his day off. She wouldn’t wake him up this early.

The toaster popped and she moved to get her breakfast. She grabbed a plate from one of the small kitchen cupboards and set it on the counter next to the black toaster. When she pulled the toast out, she was dismayed to see that both sides of the bread was scorched. Her morning was not starting well.

…………………………

Marc nearly swore when the sharp blades of his razor chafed his skin. Blood immediately began to ooze from the small cut. Angry he tossed the razor onto the bathroom counter and grabbed a tissue to blot the small wound.

“Marc?” his sister called from the other side of the oak door.

Still upset with himself, he jerked open the door and stood wordless waiting for his sister to speak.

Unfortunately she didn’t. Instead she began to laugh.
“What?” he grumbled.

She raised a shaking hand to point to the bit of tissue stuck to his cheek.

He frowned and jerked the tissue away from the cut. “Did you need something, Beth?” he asked as he tossed the ‘band-aid’ into the trash can.

Still grinning, she said, “Jimmy and I are going out for brunch. Do you want to come?”

He splashed cold water onto his face. Then scrubbed it with a clean towel, “no thanks, you two go and have fun.”

“Are you and Devora doing anything today?” Beth asked.

Shrugging he put his razor away and applied some cologne. “I’m not sure. I’ll probably go over there in a little bit, but I’m going to the station’s softball game this afternoon.” Turning he studied his sister, “you do remember that you’re supposed to come and keep score?” he asked with a raised brow.

Beth crossed her arms and threw him a mock scowl. “Yes, my dear, older brother. I’ll be there.”

He grinned and started down the hall to his bedroom.

“Did you invite Devora?” Beth called after him.

“Of course, my sweet, little sister,” happy at having gotten the last word, he went into his bedroom and closed the door.

………………………

Two knocks sounded before Devora managed to get the door. She glanced out the peep-hole and smiled when she saw Marc’s handsome form. After undoing the lock, she pulled back the door.

Marc grinned at her and leaned in to kiss her. “What happened to your doorbell?”

“I’m not sure,” she shrugged. “It just hasn’t been working, so I flipped it off.”

“I’ll have to see if I can fix it,” Marc replied with a mischievous grin.

Devora immediately shook her head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. The only thing you know about electronics is how to turn on the TV.”

A hand over his heart, Marc mocked a broken-hearted look. “I’m wounded! I also know how to change the channel,” he added. Then he turned and jogged down the hall, towards the kitchen.

Grinning, Devora dashed after him, “don’t you dare touch anything.” She warned.