Annie

Annie Black smiles while she balances herself on the ladder reaching for the books on the top shelf. She watched the teenager scrambling faster than her above her head in the right top corner. The day she found someone to build this crazy fun library she enjoys hanging around in the air.

"Annie, are you sure about these books? It looks ancient."

"That's the ones Billy," She chuckles softly. "At least you seem to recognize the books."

"I still say reading online is much better." The teenager responds laughing as he stuffs the books into the back pack. He made his way towards the nearby ladder. Once on it he balanced his body dropping back onto the floor. He looked up watching Annie on a tightrope before she dived back to the floor, her own hands full of books.

"You are no normal girl, Annie." The boy said laughing. "You not even afraid of heights."

"I told you Billy, being scared is boring. I love my library."

"Do you still need me for anything Annie? The guys are waiting for me?" He put his cell phone back in his pocket.

"You go and thanks Billy. Make the promise." She said with a serious expression.

"Fine...I solemnly promise to one day read a book."

Annie laughed softly watching him bounced out the house where his friends are clearly waiting for him. She walked to a door in the corner of the library where she slipped through. A quick walk and she was in the garage. Reaching her destiny, she removed the tarp that covered the motorcycle. With her hand she caressed the bike before getting on. She promised her mom to no longer ride.

"Maybe Billy would love it?" She covers it again going back the way she just walked. He sometimes feels like a brother.

"Annie, where are you?" The man called from the hall.

"I am in the bedroom." Annie called back as she stood with a handful of books. She carefully starts putting them into the empty box. As she straightens herself, she smilingly looked at the older man entering the bedroom.

"Hey, James."

"Hello Missy. As usual I noticed you didn't lock the front door." The older man scowled gently.

"James, I told you many times, safety is an illusion." She answered with conviction. "Bring that box a little closer, please. I don't know why I always put them further than I needed it."

"What are you doing?" James did what she asks. "I noticed those trouble-makers outside again."

"They are just being boys James."

"You are too trusting Annie."

"I believe Billy is redeemable. One thing I learned in this life; you can't force children to break bonds they are not ready to do themselves."

"I hope your faith isn't misplaced Annie. What are you doing now?"

"I am donating these books to the local library. I spent many a joyful time with them. They are like family to me. I know each character by heart. Besides I want the kids to know what it actually feels like holding a well-worn, well written book." Annie said smiling. "I need a little break."

"I could use a mug of coffee, that is if you are offering?" James said smiling enjoying the usual twinkle in her eyes.

"Always my pleasure." Annie followed him to her kitchen. As usual she sits down watching him pour two mugs. After many years he was the closest person within her immediate family circle.

"How is Hanna?" James looked at her watching the sudden worried look washing over her face.

"I am waiting to hear from the doctor." Annie looked at her watch. "Doctor Grace Stevens comes highly recommended."

Annie and James looked surprised when a ball shattered her kitchen window. The missile just missed her head. Concerned but curious she stood going towards the back door. Once she opened it, she was just in time to see three boys disappearing around her garage.

"Do you want me to call the police Annie?"

"No, James. The speed with which they disappeared means it was an accident." Annie went back to drinking her coffee leisurely. She looked at her watch again.

"You are too trusting Annie." James looked at the shattered pieces of glass.

"Maybe..." she stood reaching for a broom to clear the mess away. The ringing of the front door made her look at the older man. "Curious."

Annie went to see who it was. She instantly recognized the boy as one of the runners.

"Hello..." she said with a smile. The young mother looked embarrassed while holding her boy by the color of his shirt.

"Annie Black?" she asked with a question in her voice.

"I am, how may I help you?"

"My son owes you an apology and a debt." She said nervously. "He told me he broke one of your windows."

"Come inside." Annie stood aside waiting for the woman to make her decision. "While we talk, you want some coffee?"

"I am Maude and my son Ricky." They both step inside and followed Annie to the kitchen.

Annie pour another mug of coffee and a glass of fruit juice before sitting down inviting Maude. "Okay Ricky, once you finish with the juice, I want you to check out the backyard. It's Autumn and the place is covered in leaves. Get a couple of your friends to help you clean the back and we are square. You agree Maude?" Annie asked with her usual twinkling in the eyes.

"Are you sure Annie? That window looks expensive."

"I am. If he can help outside it will gives me more time inside. He is a boy grown up enough to admit his mistake. I like that about him." Annie reach out and touch her hand gently.

Annie jumped when the landline rings. She quickly excuses herself looking puzzled. That line rarely rings.

"Hello?" she queries puzzled.

"Annie Black?" the operator questions.

"Yes, who am I taking too?"

"Would you accept a collect call from Thom Black?"

Annie becomes motionless in sudden shock. It had taken seven years for this call to arrive. She always knew it would come but she never knew what her reaction might be...

"Are you still there?" the operator asks again.

"I am not accepting the call." She finally admits.

The line went dead but she still stood motionless.

"Annie..." James stood behind her concerned. "Is it your Mom?"

"No...no, but I think I will go to the hospital."

"You want me to drive you or call a taxi?"

"I am okay James. I am going to take the bicycle."

"That's a long ride Annie." James was concerned. He noticed she looked pale and a bit shaken.

"I need to think about something. Don't worry James. I will keep you posted." Annie grabbed her wallet and cell phone before leaving the house, not even bordered to lock. She was just gone.

Thom Black slowly walked away from the phone booth. It had taken all his courage to make that call but in truth he wasn't surprise by the reaction. He made a huge mistake and paid seven years out of a fifteen-year sentence. The choices he made cost him his wife and only child.

Annie keeps cycling but she barely noticed her surroundings as she was back in the past. She had just turned sixteen waiting for her Dad to come home from work. That day she learned he no longer works and he was in huge debts. Her sweet sixteen turned bitter, she lost faith, her respect for the one man who meant the world to her.

"Can I help you" the older woman talks making her finally aware of her surroundings.

Annie needed to blink several times before she finally realized she somehow cycled back to the past and her old family house. She looked towards the house; the new owners didn't change much.

"I am sorry," she focused on the woman.

"Are you okay?" she asks concerned.

"I am, just didn't realized I stopped." Annie tried smiling.

"You seemed fascinated with the house. Do you know the people living there?" the woman openly curious. "I am part of the day-shift neighborhood watch."

"The outside just caught my attention." Annie said shrugging her shoulders. "Who lives there?"

"The wife is a teacher. The man a police officer."

Annie smiled looking straight into her eyes. "I used to live there."

"You Hanna Black's child, grown now." The woman seemed to focus her attention and her memory.

Annie smiled and cycled away towards the city.

Billionaire Aaron Casey stepped out of the SUV looking at his home. It has been months since he was here. He stood enjoying the image. Grown up poor he clawed his way to the top. This was the first and only home he bought and no woman has ever set foot inside. He loves the girls but this place, he shook his head.

Unlocking the door, he stepped inside. Standing just inside the door he closed his eyes picturing where he was. This home was located above the city, which gives it access to endless ocean and mountain views. The place was safe and secure. The house has a central courtyard with a garage for four vehicles. The lap pool he sometimes enjoys when he was stressed and finally the low maintenance garden.

"I made it Mom." He said softly to himself. "I wish you could have seen what I achieved."

He closed the door surveying the interior that features open-plan living spaces, an elevated gourmet kitchen and designer light fixtures and wall finishes that gives the home its unique character.

The cell phone rings in his pocket. Removing it he noticed it was his bodyguard and only friend.

"Where is she?" he questions point-blank.

"The Grand Central Hospital, sir."

"Watch her Zac."

Orphaned at twelve years where he circled several group homes. He made certain no one would ever adopt him. He refused to dishonor his mother's memory. The moment he turned eighteen he left the country to work on oil rigs. A fast and quick unexpected opportunity made him his first millions but he stayed under the radar building his fortune.

"Mom, you would never have gone hungry again. You sacrificed your life for mine. How do I ever repay you?"

Aaron wipe the single tear streaming down his face. It's only the memory of his mother that could make him cry.

"One day I will bring a woman here who is worthy of your memory." He promised himself softly.

Doctor Grace Stevens looked worriedly at the chart before looking at the pale sleeping woman. She loved being a doctor but when money becomes an obstacle, she hates her profession.

"Is this the final result nurse Mary?"

"Yes doctor. The clinic in Switzerland seemed the only option."

"I should make a few calls before I call her daughter."

Grace left the private room quickly heading to her office. As she closed her door a pair of arms quickly circled around her. She was turned around before he kissed her hungrily.

"Jeff," she whispered throatily.

"I missed you lover," he bends his head and claimed her mouth fully stealing her breath away in a kiss that makes her forget about her immediate surroundings. The body heat was sizzling between them. He holds her tightly against him allowing her to feel the rock-hard erection in his hospital scrubs.

"Jeff..." she could barely say his name.

"You belong to me, Grace." He said harshly kissing her deeply. Her reaction was equally passionate, as she feels her own arousal matching his fire.

Aaron stepped from the SUV in front of the Grand Central Hospital. The cyclist barely missed him but he paid no attention. His focus was the woman inside the building. He squares his broad shoulders walking purposefully towards the elevators. He used the private entrance to reach doctor Grace Stevens office.

About to knock when he heard sexual sounds animating from behind the door. A dark dangerous expression washed over his face as he just opened the door. In the throes of her rising passions Grace looked into the cold, hard eyes of her fiancee...

"Aaron..."