The Chimes - Sneak Preview

The chimes on the clock tower clanged three times and stopped. Wind rustled the barren branches of the cottonwood outside the window. An old clock ticked in the hallway. Nora thought she heard voices outside and realized it was only joggers passing by the front gate. Passing by, never stopping.

*****

Air came in ragged gasps as Jenna checked her heart rate monitor and slowed her jog to a walk.

Bryce glanced at her. “Getting tired?”

“Nope. I just like looking at this house.” She motioned to the Victorian architecture. “I imagine the brick must get cold in the winter, but I can’t help loving it.”

“You do realize that this ‘house’ probably has at least seven bedrooms, right?” Hands on hips, he frowned at her. “We can’t afford something this big.”

Jenna shrugged. “I just wonder sometimes about the people who live inside. It looks so lonely.” She peered through the iron bars of the gate. “A huge yard like that should be filled with children climbing up the trees, garden parties, or at least a dog. I never see anyone outside – only that old Chevy parked in the garage. And the same light turns on every night at eight o’clock.”

Tugging at his water bottle, his frown deepened. “You sound like a Peeping Tom. People get arrested for knowing stuff like that about other people’s homes.”

“Just because I know what time the light comes on in a house across the street from our apartment does not make me a creep.” She took one last look at the house. “We’ve lived here for a year and have never met our neighbors. I just sometimes wonder when we became so solitary.”

Bryce rolled his eyes. “If you’re so concerned about our social life, why don’t you go and introduce yourself?”

Jenna could feel her muscles starting to cool. “Come on. We need to finish this last mile before dinner.”

*****

Stay tuned for the conclusion of "The Chimes" - coming soon!

(c) 2010 Erica M. Holle. All Rights Reserved.