Kevin and Kira hadn’t made love since they found out about the baby. Shelley had, in fact, gotten out on bail, but was ordered to stay at least 500 yards away from Kira and Kevin. She was tried for attempted murder, but was found not guilty. Kira didn’t sleep too much because she had nightmares all the time about Shelley coming to kill her.
Fatima took over most of Kira’s classes while she was “sick.” They didn’t tell anyone about Kira’s condition. Roni took over what classes Fatima couldn’t handle, but Kira still had to come in now and then to lead a class. Everyone noticed that she wasn’t as into it as she used to be. One day, a concerned dancer asked her what was wrong.
“It’s nothing Patricia. I’m not feeling well, that’s all. I’ll be better soon.”
“Are you sure you’re all right? You look so pale. And you haven’t been yourself lately.”
“I know. Like I said, I just don’t feel well and I need some sleep.”
“Why don’t you go home and get some rest? Take a leave of absence form work, you deserve it.”
“I’ll think about it. Now, let’s get to work, it’s getting late and I want to get home.”
They started the routine and Kira noticed someone in the back that wasn’t there before. She looked over the dancer’s heads and saw Shelley watching her with a deadly look.
She screamed and ran to her office. She locked the door and hid underneath her desk. She listened to the concerned dancers pound on the door, but she wouldn’t come to it for fear that Shelley was standing there with them, waiting for her to emerge from the safety of her office. The dancers slowly started to leave after about 45 minutes. She’d yelled for them to leave her alone. Some of them had listened, but there were a few that were too worried about her to leave. She sat under her desk and watched them jiggle the doorknob, trying to unlock it. Then, she watched in horror as the handle started to turn. Someone had unlocked the door.
Kira started crying and tried to sink into the floor. It was no use, there was never hole when you needed it. The door opened and she closed her eyes, praying that Shelley wouldn’t find her.
Gentle hands picked her up and pulled her into strong arms. She opened her eyes and came face to face with Kevin.
“Thank God it’s you. Shelley was here and she was watching me. I think she’s stalking me Kevin.”
He held her tighter, “Sh…It’s okay baby. Shelley’s not here, I am. I’m gonna take care of you. It’s gonna be all right.”
She sobbed into his chest as he held her. He led her to her car and took her home, leaving his for Nick to come by and pick up. He took her to the bedroom and made her lay down. She started to dose off and he went to make himself some soup.
He heard a shrill cry coming from upstairs and he ran up to see what was wrong with her. She was dreaming again.
“Go away Shelley!”
“Kira, its Kevin. Shelley’s not here.”
Her eyes flew open and she threw herself into his arms. “I can’t even get away from her in my dreams Kevin. You’ve got to help me.”
“I know someone that you can talk to. I think it’s time that you get some help.”
“You mean, I should see a shrink?”
“Yeah. I know someone really good. He helped me after my father died. He’s helped me through some really rough times and I think that he could help you too.”
“I’ll try it, but what if he doesn’t work?”
“Then we’ll find someone else who does. I’m not giving up on you Kira.”
“Thank you Kevin. You don’t know how much that means to me.”
“I love you. You mean the world to me. I’d die if anything happened to you.”
“I love you too Kevin.”
He held her until she fell asleep again. He went downstairs to get his soup and brought it back up with him. He didn’t want to leave her alone again.
He watched her sleep and wished that there was something that he could do to ease her pain. He felt so awful about everything. He’d never loved anyone as much as he loved Kira, not even Beth. He held her tighter as she whimpered softly, dreaming deeply.
He kissed her forehead and yawned, “I love you Kira,” he whispered before he too fell asleep.
Chapter 10
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