Read The Life of Anna, Part 5: Emerged for Free Online

you a
vibrator.” He paused. “Or maybe not. If you use that you won’t need
me.”
    “I’d much rather have flesh and blood inside
me than plastic.”
    He grinned. “Good.” He leaned down and kissed
her deeply. “I’m gonna miss you.”
    “Me too,” she murmured against his lips,
wrapping her arms around his neck.
    He pulled away and zipped up his suitcase.
“We’ll be back Sunday afternoon. Call Tom if you need
anything.”
    Anna nodded and reached for her pajamas so
she could walk him to the apartment door. “You...will return,
right?” she asked in a shaky voice.
    Aaron looked at her with sad eyes. “It’s just
a ballet tour. Nothing dangerous.”
    She took a deep breath. “Yeah.” Everything
would be fine.
    “Would you feel better if I called you every
few days?”
    Anna’s heart lightened and she nodded. “Yeah,
that might help.”
    “Okay. I’ll do that. I’ll call you when we
land too.”
    “Thank you for understanding, Aaron.”
    “I remember Alex. I know what you went
through. I never want you to feel that way again.”
    They hugged one last time, Aaron repeated his
admonitions about being safe and not going out alone after dark and
then he left. Anna went to his bed and fell back asleep, hugging
his pillow.
*****
    Later that morning, Anna woke up feeling
refreshed and decided to go exploring. She had heard of the big New
York City library and decided she would go find it.
    According to the map on her phone, it was a
thirty-five minute walk. Forty-five if she went through Central
Park. She had all day to herself and decided to take the scenic
route.
    She was glad she did. Central Park was
amazing with the first hints of spring breaking through the winter
barrenness. It smelled so good and was filled with interesting
people. Maybe she would find a good book to read and return and
spend some time reading here. The air was cool but not cold.
    Anna walked slowly down Fifth Avenue admiring
the stores and restaurants. She imagined she looked pretty silly,
mouth open in awe of the “big city” but she was having an
incredible time and didn’t care.
    A mile down the road she finally reached the
library. What a magnificent building! White marble with regal
columns and lions and stairs. She stood outside for a good ten
minutes just taking it all in before walking slowly up the steps
and into the historic building. She’d arrived just in time for the
library to open and was thrilled to find out that there was a tour
available in an hour. She bought a ticket and kept herself busy by
wandering around the first floor. She hadn’t been in a library in
years and was excited to learn about “her new library.” She even
got a library card after silently thanking Tom for the New York
driver’s license.
*****
    At dinnertime, Anna settled onto the couch
with a sandwich she’d bought at a deli on the way home. She was
laughing at the sitcom she’d flipped on when there was a knock at
the door. She jumped at the sound and cautiously walked to the door
and opened it.
    “Tommy?” she asked with astonishment.
    Tommy grinned sheepishly. “Hey Anna. I
just...wanted to see how you were settling in.”
    “Oh, well, come on in.” She stepped aside and
Tommy walked in and looked around.
    “Nice place,” he commented.
    “Thanks. I live with Aaron.”
    “Yeah.” Tommy nodded. “Is he here?”
    She shook her head. “No, he’s flying to the
Netherlands. He’ll be back next week.”
    “Oh.”
    Anna looked at his handsome face and smiled
tenderly. “How are things with you?”
    “Good.” He blew out a breath and shoved his
hands into his pockets. “Found out that Kim’s pregnant.”
    Anna blinked and tried to ignore the stabbing
pain in her heart. “Oh, that’s...that’s great, Tommy.” She smiled
weakly. “Are you happy?”
    He shrugged. “Yeah. I mean, it’s good. It’s
time to start the family. I just....” He sighed. “It’s just weird,
knowing I’m gonna be a dad.”
    “I bet