Page 46 of Don’t Open Your Eyes

He walked into the bedroom.

“Why did you change my alarm?”

“I told you. Waking up to a blaring sound isn’t good for you.”

“Neither is the song you picked. It’s just as loud. Please, stay off my phone.” She didn’t want him snooping around on her phone.

James cocked an eyebrow. “Sorry. I was only trying to help. Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.”

She rolled her eyes. She wasn’t in the mood to be civil. “Stop being so helpful and worry about yourself for a change.” She didn’t know what was wrong with her, but something in her wanted a fight.

“What is going on with you? You’re always on edge lately. Is everything okay at work?”

Contrition filled her. These damned dreams weren’t James’s fault. “I’m sorry. It’s an adjustment, that’s all. My new boss is not the best.”

“Well, I’m sorry to hear that, but please don’t take it out on me. You know you don’t have to stay there if—”

“Really, James? You’re going to tell me my job is meaningless, and that I should quit if I don’t like my new boss? I get it. You make a lot of money, Doctor Reynolds. But I happen to get a lot of fulfillment from my job, and I’ll be vested in another year, which will mean a lot of money in stock—since that seems to be all you care about.”

His face turned red. “Now, wait a minute. That’s not fair! I never said your job was meaningless.”

“No, but you’ve implied it. How would you feel if I told you to quit your job when things weren’t perfect? Just because I’m not a doctor doesn’t mean that I haven’t worked hard to hone my skills and make a name for myself at my firm.”

“I can’t talk to you when you’re like this.”

Annabelle went into the bathroom and slammed the door, leaning against it as tears ran down her face. Taking a deep breath, she held it and then released it, trying to talk herself down. The dream was caused by anxiety, she told herself. She definitely needed to call her old therapist and schedule a session. She was waking every day now with that horrible feeling of impending doom. Free-floating anxiety, Monica had called it. It was like a physical presence in the pit of her stomach.

Once she’d showered and dressed, her mood improved. The girls were finishing up their breakfast, and James was loading the dishwasher. She walked over to him.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that. I’ll do better.”

He nodded, glancing over at the girls, then back at her. “Let’s talk later.” He gave her a peck on the lips. “Have a good day, everyone,” he said as he walked out the door.

“All right, girls, leaving in ten?” Annabelle said.

“Okay,” they answered in unison, getting up and gathering their things.

“My backpack’s in my room. Be right back,” Olivia said, running from the kitchen

“Oh, Mom,” Scarlett called out.

“Yeah, hon?”

“Avery invited me to go skiing with her and her family this weekend. Can I go?”

Annabelle’s dream flashed through her mind. “Um, I don’t know. We haven’t met her or her parents yet. I’m not sure I’m comfortable with you going away with people I don’t know.”

“Ugh, come on! You can always call her mom. What’s the big deal?”

“Let me talk to Dad and—”

“He’s worse than you are about this stuff. I finally found a good friend after Zoe turned everyone against me. I can’t tell Avery you don’t trust her family. Seriously, Mom.”

“Just stop,” Annabelle snapped, raising her voice.

Scarlett looked at her in shock. “What’s with you? You’re like psycho lately.”

“That’s quite enough, young lady. Now the answer is definitely no.” The words seem to leave her lips unbidden.