8
Falling VasesA LOUD SHATTER wakes me from sleep. I squint at light flooding the room and sit up in bed, believing I'd fallen asleep during the middle of the day. Then I remember working late on the computer and stumbling to bed around midnight. I glance at the clock. Eight in the morning, I've overslept. I must be tired, or I'm coming down with Nik's illness. Why didn't she wake me? Now that I think about it, I didn't hear her come in last night. If she had, it was past midnight. Did I dream or imagine glass breaking? Did Nikki drop a glass, but why is she home so late?
I exit the room, lean over the banister, and glance below and call, “Nikki? Is that you?” There's no response, but I sense someone in the kitchen. I hurry downstairs and turn the corner into the dining room much too fas
