Saints and Sinners

Chapter 6

Amelia cursed as she dropped another item on the floor. She had come into work determined to ignore her hand and she had given Beth another day to get herself together since she was still complaining of not feeling well. Amelia also felt well enough herself because no voices had disturbed her rest last night when she laid on the couch to sleep after failing to sleep next to Beth because her body heat made Amelia feel like she was melting. Her radio squawked at her hip asking her to come help out up front with the registers.

When they finally caught a lull in customers Michael called her back to the office. Amelia groaned inwardly, she had been avoiding him today because she didn't want to explain why her hand was bandaged. She entered the office and addressed the issue before Michael had a chance to ask, “I don't want to talk about it so don't ask.” she said firmly. Getting his attention Michael's eyes met hers, “Close the door Amelia. We need to talk.” he said. They've had serious conversations before about different topics but none had started out this way and it had Amelia slightly worried. Amelia closed the door and took a seat across from him," I want to talk to you not as an employer;employee but as a friend to friend." Michael started. Amelia eased a little when she realized she wasn't getting fired because that was the tone Michael had originally talked with. " Did Claire ever talk about her family with you?" he asked, Amelia's forehead creased in a confused state unsure of where this was going. " She never talked much, just said they had a falling out and didn't want to talk to her anymore and I never really questioned it." She replied trying to guess where this was going and why he would ask now. " Amelia I need, no you have to tell me exactly what happened while I was at the house yesterday. And don't bullshit me, this could be serious if it's what I think it is." He said. Amelia looked at him before sitting back in the chair giving him a leery look, "You wouldn't believe me if I did tell you. Hell, I don't think I believe it myself." she said, which only earned her a look that said 'Try me.' "Fine." she said a bit grudgingly at least Beth wasn't around to hear how crazy she was. "I've been getting these voices in my head. One happened when you were over." Michael listened to her and when she paused he spoke, "Voices? So more than one?" he asked to make sure he understood her correctly. "Yes. I think so the first couple of times it was the same but then the last time it sounded different. Look where is all of this going anyway?" she asked going to get up. "Sit," Michael stated with firmness in his voice, "When have you heard these voices?" he asked. She looked at him as if he was the crazy one, "Just within the past couple of days, why?" he mumbled under his breath but Amelia was close enough to hear him. "Foolish is what you were, Claire." Amelia struck dumb for a moment. “Why was she foolish?” Amelia asked, but was ignored. Michael was obviously going to take his time in deciding to tell her whatever was going on. He wrote something down and handed it to her, “Meet me here tonight and I'll try to explain the best I can.” he said. Amelia wanted to ask more questions but decided against it, getting up and going back to work.