Chapter Eight
It was during Ever’s week long Christmas hiatus that Stroud first saw her apartment. Ever was no longer afraid of giving up the location, since Stroud already knew where she lived, but as she keyed the lock of the front door, she was suddenly self-conscious about the revelation to him of how she lived. They stood at the end of the long room which comprised the sitting and dining areas, not to mention the open, walk in closet beneath the stairs.
Ever was instantly aware of the age and simplicity of her furniture. Wall units crammed with note books, a couple of plants, a few treasured knick-knacks consisting of bits of wood, sea shells, small china figurines with no value or meaning to anyone but herself. The apartment itself, with second rate brown and gold flecked shag carp
