Chapter 2: Sheila

Damn him! Who does he think he is throwing around orders like that?

Despite my pique, I put the chain on the lock after watching Nat walk to his car. No way was I about to be foolhardy with my safety. I rested my head briefly against the cool door before straightening. I still had a lot to do.

The spark of pride hit me again as I surveyed the cluttered apartment. It was small and disorganized and crammed with unopened boxes, but it was MINE. No one could understand why I was so determined to do this by myself. Mom wanted me in one of the apartment complexes my brothers lived in, Dad wanted me to buy a house in the old neighborhood, and my brothers - with the exception of Randy - couldn't understand why I wanted to move away from home in the first place.

Then there was Nat. Nat wasn't a part of the family strictly speaking. He'd just been there forever. He had been best friends with my brother Todd since they were in sixth grade and was as much a member of the family as I was. His one redeeming trait was that he never tried to impose his will on me. Well, not until today.

Damn him!

I ran my hands through my short hair and decided to let it go. After all, I had a lot of stuff to put away. And fuming over Nat's heavy handed technique wouldn't get it done.

Three hours and 7 phone calls from family later, I had started to make a dent in the pile. I was contemplating having my cell number changed as I dragged empty boxes to the dumpster. My preoccupation is probably why I never even saw the dog.

It was a pratfall worthy of Buster Keaton. I involuntarily started juggling boxes before executing a bellyflop onto the pavement while cardboard rained down around the startled dog and myself. The dog went nuts jumping around the boxes and barking for all he was worth while I lay on the ground and tried to remember how to breathe. I wasn't hurt - something I checked immediately - but I had had the wind knocked out of me and was still a little stunned. The dog jumping around me wasn't helping.

"Buster - heel! And be quiet!"

I didn't know where the masculine voice came from, but I could have kissed him as the dog quieted down at the man's commands. My head was already starting to throb and I knew that along with bruises, I was going to have a lulu of a headache. I also knew that I couldn't remain sprawled on the ground any longer. I was finally able to breathe again and decided to face the humiliating situation head on.

"Whoa there, honey. Easy now. Don't move until I check you for broken bones."