“Melvin Porter’s office, how can I help you?” the familiar voice sounded. This voice was soft and inviting.

“Hi, Freya, it’s me, Bette -”

“Bette! It’s been so long since I saw or heard you. How are you?”

“I’m fine. Listen,” Bette said quickly – she knew all about Freya’s tendencies to keep you on the phone for two hours when you just wanted to check something like an hour of arrival. “this probably sounds strange, but I can’t remember if my father was on a business trip or not. I haven’t seen him in quite some time – we miss each other’s pads all the time.”

“I will have to tell him that he should be home more for his own daughter!”

“No, no, please don’t!” Bette said in panick.

Freya chuckled. “Yeah, I can imagine someone your age likes their father away from home as much as possible.”

“So, is he…”

“Currently, he’s in a meeting. His next business trip will lead him to Boston, that is the day after tomorrow.”

“Great, thanks Freya!”

“No problem.”

Bette looked at the clock and contemplated what she should do. She could go to check if the locks were changed now, her father in a meeting meant having a “drink with colleagues” afterwards. She was too impatient and wanted to find out right now.

45 minutes later, Bette was back home. She glowed with happiness – finally acces to her computer content! Her father had probably been too busy to change the locks.

She immediately texted Candace.

Hey, sorry but wont b able 2 make it 2night, dad just told me my aunt’s coming over & it’s been long time. Sorry!

************

One very early morning, Tina woke up feeling nauseated. She practically ran to the toilet to spill her guts. She hadn’t felt this sick in quite some time. The drops of sweat were glistening on her forehead.

Suddenly, she felt a warm hand taking her hair togetther and holding it away from her face. Another warm hand was rubbing her back. She looked up to see a very sleepy Jesse, looking at her worriedly.

“Are you okay?”

Tina nodded, only to turn her head and throw up again. She thought like crazy about what she could have eaten wrong. Nothing special, that much was sure.