Great. This is just great. “I have to play tomorrow.”
“Good news.” Heather leans close. “There’s no hangover.”
Reaching out, I take Gina’s hand, pulling her close. “I’ve never done anything like this before. Should we go to my room?”
“We’d better.” Gina has a frustrated expression. “Ihavedone this before, and I spent four hours puking my guts up.”
“Oh, shit.” Heather didn’t say that could happen.
I frown, trying to find my sister in the sea of dancers I don’t recognize. She’s over with Ryan and Meredith and Meredith’s tall boyfriend, who supplied the drugs.
Gina wraps her arms around my waist, and we walk away from the music into my bedroom. The lights are on in the bathroom, and as we enter, the music seems to float in the air around us like a visible current.
It curls and drifts in shiny ribbons, looping around myback and under my arms, lifting me off the floor, higher and higher.
A soft haze fills the space around me, and I’m surrounded by mist or clouds. I’ve lost track of Gina, and I consider going to find her. I need to make sure she’s safe, even if she is more experienced than I am.
I start to search, but my attention is caught by a large rectangular space to my right. It’s an open door, and soft golden beams shine through it. I know in my gut it’s a portal to another dimension, and apprehension tightens my shoulders.
I don’t want to do this. I don’t believe in the supernatural. I raise my hands to push it away, but I keep moving closer to the light, or wait…Is the light moving closer to me?
“Owen?” A female voice I recognize tightens my throat.
My stomach drops, and tears spill onto my cheeks. Sorry, anxiety, fear all strangle me, but I manage to find my voice.
“Angie?” It’s a hoarse whisper.
A petite blonde with big brown eyes so much like my daughter’s walks through the doorway to stand in front of me. She’s surrounded by golden light, and a peaceful smile is on her face. She seems to be drifting rather than walking.
I swallow again, and this time my voice is clearer, just above a whisper. “How is this happening?”
My hands are still raised, palms out, as if I’ll hold the vision back, but as she draws closer, I try to touch her. She’s like a hologram.
“Owen.” Her voice is soothing.
I slide my fingers through glittering air. “Is this real?”
“I wanted to see you.”
My heart beats faster, and it’s difficult to inhale. “Why?”
“To tell you I’m at peace.”
“You are?”
She nods slowly.
My throat knots, and more tears spill onto my cheeks. “I’m sorry, Angie. I’m so sorry I didn’t help you.”
Her head tilts to the side, and she blinks slowly. “You helped me.”
“Not when you needed it.”
All the words I want to say jumble in my head. I think of all the things I’ve held onto, all the things I wished I could tell her if I ever got the chance.
Slowly, she lifts her hand. “Stop blaming yourself.”
“I should’ve known you were so tired.” A heave jerks my chest, and I drop my chin. “I should’ve known…”
