All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real people, living or dead or otherwise, is purely coincidental. ***~~~*** I walk up the stairs to the door. The aroma of six sprays of cologne lingers in my nose. She's supposed to be waiting inside. I knock once and stand back. The building is made of wood, and in this heated hallway a smell like a sauna permeates the air. I stamp my feet and knock again, giving the knob an extra twist incase she left it open to surprise me. H e l p . I cock my head. Did I just hear something? I jiggle the door and kick it with my foot. Jenny? I say. Help. I hear that cry as it tickles my gut. It's her, all right, but she sounds weak, as if she's being smothered. Jenny? Give me a second. I kick the door, but it's made of solid oak and doesn't budge one inch. I step back and kick again. The door makes to sneer at me by not moving an inch. Instead, vibrations travel through my body. It's painful. I broke both ankles in a car accident, so I decide not to kick the door again.
