Read Online A Gray Life: a novel by Red Harvey - Free Book Online Page B

Ashley couldn’t believe one person could live in such a mausoleum.
    “I would invite you into the living room to catch up, but let’s get business out of the way first. Follow me.”
    Business. She knew what sort of business Juniper engaged in, and she didn’t want any part of it.
    “Wait.” Ashley said. The man stopped walking. “How do you know what we’re here for?”
    “When Juniper showed up at my door with a young girl, I assumed it was so I could help you the way that I helped her. Am I wrong?”
    “I do need help, but…” She didn’t know what to say next. She didn’t want to offend, but she didn’t want to be violated either.
    The man hunched over a bit to look Ashley in the eyes. Usually, an adult getting down to her eye-level was condescending, but the man’s voice and eyes read anything but.
    “Are you lost? Are you alone?”
    Two naked questions, with equally vulnerable answers. Ashley swallowed the ocean of spit in her mouth, ready to answer.
    “Yes, I am.”
    “If you’re a friend of Juniper’s, I’ll do everything I can to help you. Let’s go to my workroom.” He reached for a door at the end of the foyer. Inside was an illuminated stairway.
    Ashley’s heart picked up pace. She heard her father’s voice in her head, don’t trust strangers . He had told her the same thing over and over, along with don’t get in the car with strangers. Following a stranger into a basement would have probably been next on her father’s list of no-no’s. Another night, she might have gone anyway. Adults could usually be trusted, but the night’s events had shown her adults could discard one face and then put on another. She had to choose between following these two strangers or getting answers.
    “ Why do we have to go down there?" She looked behind her. "Juniper, what are we here for?”
    “You don’t have to be scared." Juniper promised. "You have to trust me and know I wouldn’t lead you into a dangerous place. Do you believe me?”
    Again, Ashley felt a strange tingle, and a faint roar built and fell behind her ears. “Yes, I believe you.”
    “Good. Then c’mon.”
    ****
    September 4th
    Even though she hasn’t been speaking or eating on a regular basis, Louise noticed the weirdness of Michael and Louise. When Michael and Erin were speaking nearly nose to nose, Louise’s eyes flickered out of the haze. After a few minutes of watching, she changed to marble again.
    Last night, Michael and Louise…Michael and Louise…well, I think they did   stuff . TGIFF kinda stuff.
    A round 3 am (not that I have a watch, just felt like 3amish), Erin’s giggles woke me up. She wasn’t next to me like always, but she was next to Michael. Under his covers-kinda next to him. Whispers and groans came from their corner in the basement. I was about to cough loudly, but they went to the bathroom and I didn’t have to.
    When the door closed, I heard zippers coming down. Using my blanket as a buffer, I covered my ears to block out the inevitable moans. What surprised me were the tears that blotted my eyes. I didn’t think I could cry anymore after dad and mom.
    Yet, I blubbered over business which certainly wasn’t mine. Well, it was sort of mine. Really, I cried because everything had gotten so twisted up. We used to be almost like a family, but Erin and Michael broke that up for good.
    ( I’m going to lose her all over again.)
    What seemed like hours later, the traitors left the bathroom. Michael came out first. Erin came out a few seconds after, going to her bed pallet with a strange lilt to her walk. She settled into her blankets. It was odd when her and Louise (who I hoped wasn’t awake) caught each other’s eyes. Erin looked away first.
    A year ago, I could have never imagined anything improper could happen between Erin and Michael. I don’t know the extactos of doing It but I do know that’s the word for what Erin and Michael did. The infamous It Gary always laughed about, making jokes about a