Clean

“Health specialists are warning people of possible new virus that may be harmful to humans. As of this time we have no information on weather this is a virus that has evolved or if it’s an extremist weapon” informed the radio announcer.

Of course, this was missed by the sound of eggs frying in the kitchen of the Taylor house hold as Beth Taylor made breakfast for herself and her daughter Lucy.

As usual Lucy was not up yet. No matter how much her mother told her to set her alarm for 7am she never did.

The door crept open with absolute silence. Not even the complaint of a hinge announced Shelley’s entry. A wool-lined outsole of a boot took the first cautious step inside, then her brown cloak was clutched close as she sidled through the gap. She drew her hood back to behold the sight of the ancient library.

One of the benefits of living near the coast in a warm climate was the ready availability of beaches.  Unfortunately for Atsuko and Marissa this was common knowledge so, for fully half the year, they had to deal with overcrowding and tourists whenever they wanted to go swimming.  Eventually, between the congested parking lots and small children, they decided that enough was enough and started doing laps in a public pool within driving distance of the shore that was ignored to the point of nearly being abandoned.

Nearly.

I was staying late to finish up my art project. As usual, I was the last one to finish, using every last minute before the deadline. I was not completely alone, however. She was still working as well--sitting at her desk, grading the last assignments before the much anticipated and needed break, listening to the quiet sounds of Dave Grohl, Chris Cornell, and the like.