A quick glance at my silver wristwatch, a quiet curse escapes my lips. Damn, late again, Sophia is going to KILL me. Hmm.. I dial her number on the cell phone and wait as I listen to the rings. The answering machine picks up, her voice low and soothing, followed by the incongruous BEEEEP.
"Sophia, I lost track of time, I am going to be late for dinner, dont kill me please. I am going to stop by the house and shower and I will be there as soon as I can."
With a click I flip the clamshell of the phone closed and toss it into the passenger seat. Looking into the rearview mirror, I chuckle and look for any wrinkles that may have decided to pop up on my 25th birthday. Grinning and thanking my mother and father silently for Asian genes, I guide the car into the driveway, the house dark save for the porch light. I miss the long days of summer. Stopping at the mail box I gather the envelopes and thumb through them as I walk up the path to the door. Bill, bill, bill, credit card application, Singles service invitation (how the hell did my name get on THAT mailing list - mental note to kill Sophia), and yet another bill. Sighing, I tuck the mail under my arm and unlock the door. Tosses the mail onto the table in the foyer, I shrug out of my coat, tossing it over the side of the chair. Whew... long day.. stepping out of my heels and enjoying the feel of carpet under my feet, I walk up stairs and stop midway as I see a window open on the living room. Odd. I thought I had closed all of those. Turning and coming back down I shut the window, thankful that this was a quiet and safe neighborhood.