The lone sound of a car driving by faded on the soft breeze. Crickets chirped a melody. The window in my bedroom was open to let the breeze in. The scent of the flowers from the garden was strong.
I stared up at the dark ceiling. The quiet was unnerving. Glancing at the bedside clock, I groaned.
It was just after midnight. I had been lying in bed for three hours, and not for one minute had my eyes drifted closed.
I had counted sheep. I had tried to listen to the nighttime noises outside. Nothing worked.
Sleep evaded me completely. My mind moved a thousand miles a minute, mostly replaying the events of earlier that evening. When I thought I might slip off to dreamland, I was back in the kitchen with Charlie’s lips on mine.
Punching my pillow, I sighed. Nothing I did worked.