To Save a Life

By Xlibris US

Heather Neville grinned with anticipation and snapped the lid back on her watermelon-flavored lipstick. She usually didnt wear lipstick; it was too much bother to apply it and her boyfriend Treyvon didnt mind if she didnt wear it. Today was an exception. Today she was going shopping with her friend Angelina. Angelina Harrison was unlike any of her other friends. Angelina comforted her, challenged her and complimented her. Heathers other friends simply dragged her down deeper into the pit of evil she was trying to crawl out of. Heather was attempting to break her habit of smoking and Angelina was always there to encourage her onward in the fight to live a better life. Angelina was her champion. Someday she would be like Angelina Harrison.

She heard Angelinas SUV drive up outside her apartment door and she seized her stack of coupons and her purse off the cluttered counter and went to meet her friend. Hey, Ange! Wassup? This is so awesome of you to take me shoppin! I havent gone for like three days! Heathers easy laughter was contagious and Ange joined in. Wish ya had more days off so we could go shoppin together more! Ya always buy me lunch. How could it get better? The sweet scent of watermelon filled the air as Heather lathered the pink lotion on her hands.

Life was good. It was a chilly spring day in March, but she was going shopping. Of course life was good.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499012965

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

When Angelina Harrison left work at Prescott’s Chiropractic that fall day in early November, she had no clue of the life-changing events that would shatter her world in the days to come. Neither did she have any idea that in several months she would be happier than she had ever dreamed possible.

Angelina pulled her green tweed suit jacket closer to her slim body. The cool fall breeze felt welcome after a long, hot summer. Ange smiled as she joined the flow of people heading home from work.

I love this tweed jacket that Heather gave me last month for my birthday. No doubt she picked it up on sale somewhere.

Angelina stopped at the crosswalk on Adams Street and waited for the traffic to pause.She stumbled forward as she was jostled from behind. She turned to see what the problem was. As the tall, African-American lady apologized profusely, Ange’s eyes strayed to the man standing several people behind the woman.

She could only see his blonde hair, blue eyes and broad shoulders from where she was standing. Those clear blue eyes were gazing right into hers. Her breath caught sharply in her throat. As she dropped her eyes, her observant scan noticed he was wearing a blue denim jacket.

As she walked across the street, Ange’s mind whirled. Those blue eyes- they looked so familiar. Just like Reed’s! But- Oh, Angelina exclaimed to herself. I got it! Reed had a brother Robert. I only saw him 2 times. Once at our wedding and once at the funeral. Reed told me how people sometimes got them mixed up when they were younger because they looked so much alike.

‘The youngest in my family’, Reed had told her. ‘He was used to getting what he wanted and that didn’t change since he’s older. He’s gotten caught shoplifting already.’ Shortly after that, Reed and Ange heard that Robert was in trouble for seriously injuring a friend in a fight.

Those blue eyes behind me look a lot like Reed’s, Ange thought. But not quite. I’ll never forget Reed’s eyes. Blue as a summer sky and deep as the ocean. She looked behind her. No one in a blue denim jacket. Her eyes searched even farther. Sure enough, a man in a denim jacket was walking slowly, peering into the glass fronts of the shops along the sidewalk.

What would Robert want with me? Ange wondered. Maybe he’s not even following me. Maybe he’s just heading in the same direction, she reasoned, turning on to North Union Street.

A casual glance over her shoulder, assured Ange that the mysterious man was still trailing her. Wondering and worrying, Ange recalled Reed’s words, shortly before his accident. ‘Robert’s not a good guy. He thinks the world owes it all to him. I think he’d do anything to get what he wanted if he got desperate enough.’

Ange was not one to worry unnecessarily, but this man was bothering her. Was it safe to enter her house and let him see where she lived? ‘Robert would do anything’ kept ringing in her ears. As Ange walked up Belair Street towards her house, she decided to ignore the man. What would he be following HER for?

Reaching her house, Ange couldn’t see the man following her anymore. She grabbed her mail from the box on the porch and hurriedly unlocked the door. When she glanced out her front window, she saw to her dismay the mystery man standing across the street, nearly hidden in the shadows. Ange determinedly turned from the window, relocked the front door, switched on a lamp and sank into her La-Z boy chair. She kicked off her heels and flipped through the mail.

Oh, she spied a purple envelope. Who’s this from? No return address. Ange tore the envelope open neatly. How cute! she exclaimed delightedly at the homemade birthday card. It has to be from Sadie.

Sure enough, inside Sadie’s handwriting sprawled across the bottom, Sorry I’m so late. Hope your birthday was great! Love, Sadie.

Ange smiled. Sadie is always so busy with her family and yet she takes the time to make a birthday card for me.

Ange reached for her cell-phone and speed-dialed Sadie. Her best friend picked up after the second ring and Ange thanked her for the card. And, Sadie, you’re going to think I’m crazy, but I have my front door locked and my drapes pulled on all the windows.

Ange! What’s the matter? Sadie Walker screeched and Ange explained her walk home from work.

You must not trust Robert if you locked your door! Sadie exclaimed. You never lock your door except when you’re at work or you’re sleeping.

I don’t even know if it is Robert, Ange amended. He seemed taller than I remember Robert being.

Sadie spoke up. You are coming to my house for supper tonight. I don’t want you home alone.

But- Ange began to protest.

No ands, ifs or buts about it, Sadie interrupted. I need to take Aimee to driving school in half an hour and I’ll pick you up on my way back home. I just started a batch of spaghetti, but I’ll have Steve finish it. He likes to help in the kitchen once in a while. I’ll be over to pick you up around 5:45, after I drop Aimee off at driver’s ed.

Well, that does sound nice, Ange agreed.

Alright, I’ll be over then, Sadie said. By the way, did you know that every day of her adult life, Eleanor Roosevelt ate three chocolate-covered garlic balls because her doctor recommended it would improve memory?

Angelina laughed. No, I didn’t know that. Sadie was a walking encyclopedia of unnecessary facts. If she read something unusual, she stored it away in her mind to tell later at some suitable occasion.

They concluded their conversation and Ange headed to the kitchen for a bowl of her favorite ice cream- chocolate peanut butter. She sighed with relief as she scooped two big hunks of ice cream into a dish. She had dreaded spending the entire evening with only herself as company, wondering who was prowling around outside.

When Ange returned to her living room, she parted the Venitian blind on the window that over looked the street. Carefully, she checked the sidewalk across the street. No one! When she had exhausted all possible places for a man to be loitering, she heaved a sigh of relief. Really, she asked herself, what would Robert want with me? I’m already feeling silly for allowing myself to get so scared.

A blue Ford Explorer pulled along the curb outside Ange’s house. And Ange could see Sadie’s ever-smiling face inside. She hurried outside, locked her door, and headed for the vehicle.

Hi, Ange! Sadie greeted, as Ange climbed in.

Hello! Ange reached for the seatbelt and buckled it. It was so nice of you to have me over. I’m afraid I would have gone berserk if I’d had to stay home alone tonight, waiting for someone to break a window.

Where was your shadow when I came? asked Sadie, flicking on her blinker.

I checked everywhere and couldn’t find the guy. I think he left, Ange answered.

I hope so, her friend said. Hope he doesn’t try breaking in while you’re gone.

Ange shook her head. I don’t think he will. He looked so much like Robert. Actually, identical to Reed, but I knew the guy couldn’t be Reed. And I don’t care what Robert may have done in the past, I really don’t believe he would try to harm his brother’s wife. Robert always adored Reed. The guy that followed me probably didn’t even know I was in front of him. He probably just happened to go down all the streets I did. Ange didn’t really believe the words she had just said but they consoled her somewhat. She hated to think of someone stalking her.

Sadie shrugged. I hope it’s nothing, she comforted.

Ange wanted to change the subject to a more relaxing one. What did you get done today?

Sadie smiled. I finished the last page in my scrapbook about our family’s camping trip. Tomorrow I want to start working on Todd’s soccer pictures. I got some really great shots of him and his team that I can’t wait to scrap.

She turned into the Walker’s driveway. Well, she said. Here we are. Let’s go see if Steve managed to finish supper. He was trying to convince Todd to help when I left.

She pushed the front door open. Ange sniffed and turned to Sadie with a grin. Doesn’t smell like they burnt anything. In fact, it smells delicious in here.

Sadie called out, How are my two great chefs doing?

Dad and son were standing in front of the stove. Todd leaned on the counter, watching Steve spoon spaghetti into a serving dish. Ange’s smile flickered to sadness at the warm scene. If Reed hadn’t been killed, she could be enjoying family times like this herself.

Hello, Steve. Hi, Todd! She greeted, pushing away her wistful thoughts. She glanced around the spacious kitchen. Where are the girls?

Sadie began pouring water into the glasses. Melonie is working. She started her job at Arby’s yesterday. Shaina had basketball practice. And, you know, of course, that Aimee had driver’s ed.

Sounds like they’re all keeping busy.

Yes, agreed Steve. Melonie is taking on every possible job, so she can go to college next year.

I hate to think of her living three hours away from home for a whole term, Sadie said, as she placed a platter of garlic bread on the table.

Now, Sadie, Ange chided jokingly. We wouldn’t even have met if your parents would’ve kept you home. Think of all we’d be missing in life, if we hadn’t become friends in college.

You’re right, Sadie agreed. And I was eight and a half hours away from my parents when I was in college. Now, let’s sit up and eat. It looks scrumptious, Steve and Todd. Did any of you know that vegans don’t eat salad dressing, honey, or marshmallows?

Ange joined in the suppertime talk. The delicious meal tasted even better with conversation and company to season it. Thank you so much for the supper, you guys! she complimented Steve and Todd. It was delicious.

Thank you, honey, Sadie added. Thanks, Todd, for helping. Now, if you would be so nice as to help wash the dishes….

Her invitation fell on fleeing ears as Steve and Todd jumped up from their chairs and headed for the family room to watch college football on television. Ange helped Sadie make quick work of the dishes. After the last spoon was in the drawer, Sadie led the way to her scrap-booking corner. She pushed scissors, stampers, and stickers out of the way, to clear a place for Ange to look at her newly completed scrapbook.

As Ange flipped through the creative pages, exclaiming over certain things, the conversation rarely ceased. The two friends began reminiscing their college day memories.

Remember Professor Duncan? Sadie asked. He inspired me to always be ready to learn new things.

Ange smiled. You learned your lesson well, I think. And do you remember how I used to practice basketball every spare moment I had?

That paid off, too, Sadie said, organizing a stack of papers. You were Libertytown’s star basketball player in your senior year.

Ange turned another page and commented in a half-sad, half-cheerful tone, That’s how I met Reed the second year in college. When I was practicing hoops. We were both gym rats, I guess. Always practicing basketball. He was shooting hoops at the other end of the gym and- you’ve heard this before, many times. Ange stopped short.

No, keep going, Sadie urged. It’s good for you to talk about Reed.

It still hurts to think and to talk about him, Ange replied. Anyway, we were practicing at opposite ends, absorbed in our own thoughts. Suddenly, his ball bounced off the rim and over to me, when I was throwing a basket. We got confused over whose ball was whose and both went for the same one. Then we both stopped short and said to the other, ‘You can have it.’ Ange chuckled, remembering that awkward moment. Eventually we each were holding a basketball again and we introduced ourselves. For some reason, maybe because we were both shy, we’d never met before. Both of our names were familiar to the other person because we’d seen it in the local newspaper. Reed Harrison was one of Libertytown’s best basketball players that year. He was so tall and agile. And he really worked well with his teammates. Ange’s voice choked.

She swallowed, then continued. Remember that one time when they were playing against the Bluejays and the Libertytown Torches’ were losing so bad until the last quarter. Then Reed and his buddy Brian started showing their talent and brought the Torches’ up 15 points to win the game. How I cheered when Reed got those three- pointers. He was such a good shooting guard. He could shoot well from any spot on the court. Ange’s eyes misted over. Sadie waited patiently for her friend to continue.

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