Fallen; The Prologue Chapters
Chapter Two
Books were scattered everywhere.
On the table, the floor… even the bookshelf was littered with open books. My chair was buried in them, and I was hiding somewhere underneath them all.
I was looking for one elusive passage I had read weeks ago.
Earlier in the afternoon I had torn the books from their proper places and laid them out everywhere, moving between them sporadically.
"Shaya, if you're done with these other books then put them back," Chase said, "I'm not doing it for you again."
I mumbled some sort of reply, not really listening. He was getting impatient with me, I knew. But I couldn't help it. I had to find what I was looking for – I could clean up when I was done.
He left me alone for awhile, but I'm not sure how long it really was. It didn't feel like a long time, but that was probably because I was busy. After awhile I heard the back door open, but I didn't really pay attention to it – maybe Chase was taking out the garbage. He returned a few minutes later.
"Shaya," He began again, but I interrupted.
"I'll put them back when I'm done, okay?"
"Never interrupt someone, Shaya," a new voice spoke up, "it's rude."
The books on my chair quickly found themselves on the floor.
"Dad!" I squealed, jumping up from my chair and throwing myself at him.
"Hey, baby girl," he said, pulling me into a tight hug, "long time, huh?"
"Yeah, try three months," Chase put in, "how long are you here for? Do you get to stay this time?"
"Not this time, I'm afraid. I have to get back to Azul next week."
"Next week? But that's not enough time!"
"I know, baby girl, I know. But it's all we've got."
I let go of Dad and ran across the room, scrambling to collect all the books I had left. After depositing them in my bedroom I returned to the family room, finding Dad in his favorite chair.
"Shay," Chase called from the kitchen, "come help me finish dinner."
We always took turns with the cooking, but usually we just sat on the sofa to eat. With Dad home, we would be eating at the table.
It was always more special when Dad was home.