9
She sat up in bed, chest heaving. Her whole body was bathed in sweat. She could feel his hands on her body still, feel his hot breath on her neck.
You’re not there anymore, she thought.
She looked at the windows, trying to ascertain the time. It was dark, not even close to time to get up.
She’d had the dream again. She needed to remember that it had been almost a year, that she was moving on.
I’m safe, she told herself. He’s nowhere near here.
She felt sick, the aftereffects of way too much wine for her system. Nothing to be done about that.
The dogs were scratching at their crates and crying to be let out. She threw off the covers, padding to them.
Rose unlocked the crates, then lay down on the newly delivered couch. She pulled her feet up, and the dogs settled around her.
She
