Chapter 2
***Casey***
I gaze up at the full moon from the swing on my back porch. Pulling
the blanket up around my shoulders, I reach for my glass of wine as a chilly
wind picks up. I definitely couldn’t do this back in Staten Island. It’s so
peaceful here, quiet, and not to mention the fresh air. It’s so far removed
from the smell of garbage back home. This is exactly what Daddy needs.
The moon casts a glow over the backyard, illuminating the
garden I’ve started. It’s coming along quite nicely, if I do say so myself. The
little cottage I bought is quaint and homey; with a little TLC, I’ve made it my
home. I take a deep breath, breathe in the country air, and stare up at the
stars. A sound coming from the trees to my left catches my attention, and I
strain to see what’s there, but of course, it’s nothing. Probably just an
animal. I am surrounded by a forest, after all. I lie back and stare up
at the moon, just content to be in this moment.
After a few minutes, I hear the sound again. It’s a
rustling, or rather crunching, of leaves. I wonder if larger animals get this
close to the town. I don’t think I want to find out. Clutching my blanket, I
head inside. In the kitchen, I down the rest of my wine, wash the glass, and
walk to my room. I suddenly feel tired, and there’s a strange buzzing in my
head. I only had one glass of wine, so I know I’m not drunk. Must be a headache
coming on. I remove my robe, do a few stretches, and climb under the covers.