A sample- opening scene

Alexandra was fidgeting in the cab, with her seatbelt, with her hair that was escaping from her bun, and with her fingers. She was clenching her fingers repeatedly in anticipation. The cab driver wasn’t helping her anxiety by driving 20 over the limit and swerving constantly to get in front of each car only to have to slow down again. Where does he think he’s going to go and what is his bloody hurry? It was almost midnight, how many other rides is he hoping to pick up tonight? “ Are you just coming on shift?”, she asked him. “No,I’m almost done for the night , it’s been a slow one with this storm,” he replied. By the time they arrived at her apartment building she was twice as exhausted as when she jumped in this cab. The driver fishtailed once again as he came to a sliding stop bumping the curb. She contemplated not tipping him , unheard of in her mind, but hell that was worse than the flight and she hated flying! Well this night was definitely one for the books. She could barely make out a sliver of a moon through the dense thunderheads. Seconds ago the sky opened up and was pelting the coldest, hardest rain she had ever experienced. She jumped out the cab on shaky legs and immediately smelled the familiar scent of rain bouncing off the dirty pavement. Even in a late winter storm, the Pacific Northwest had a clean , even in town. No stagnant exhaust lingered like it did in Florida where she just left after a long, nostalgic visit with her old college roommate.She was sorry to have had her trip cut short but her friend’s mother got hospitalized and she had to go to her. To make matters worse she had on a light sweater and flip flops which flung water up the back sides of her pants. She knew she looked like a drowned rat, but couldn’t worry about that now. Panting and struggling with her large bag she ran for the alcove of the building. Trying to catch her breath , she shook her head to get the rain out of her eyes and released a riot of dark curls that sprung free from her bun. She took a last glance over her shoulder then slipped into the building. Luckily the foyer was empty so she ran for the elevator. She frantically pushed the button all the while looking to see if anyone saw her. The ding sounded extremely loud to her ears, elevating her already fraught nerves. She slipped inside and quickly pressed the button for the Penthouse. She knew he didn’t like surprises, but tough shit. She was bone tired and shivering uncontrollably. When she reached the top floor she still had to get through the door to the entrance of the elaborately decorated apartment. Her hands were shaking so badly she had a difficult time inserting the key. She turned the lock and opened the door as quietly as possible and was surprised when she wasn’t greeted with the thirty second warning beeps to turn off the alarm. So he is here after all , she thought. The apartment was dark, no lights on at all. She set her bag down ,removed her shoes and quietly headed down the hall. The only sounds she can could hear were the pounding of the rain and the howling wind . Dreadful time of year she mused. January in the Pacific Northwest could have rain or snow, but almost always gray and cold. She continued down the hall with a mission and realized uncaringly that she was dripping water all over the Bamboo floors. She was steps away from the open door at the end of the hall when she heard a cough. She slowed her footsteps so she wouldn’t wake him. That’s the last thing she needed right now. Their confrontations could be deadly. She took another tentative step when she heard murmured voices. She froze midstep ,her heart picked up the pace. Maybe he was still at his conference afterall she thought. He would have told me she mused then immediately dismissed that with a snort. She heard a man whisper. Slowly she turned back toward the living room when she heard a crash . It’s a robbery she realized and scanned the room for a weapon. All she found was the fireplace poker . She gripped it with both hands and retraced her steps. Just before she reached the bedroom door she realized just how stupid she was being and began to backtrack toward the front door. She had her hand on the doorknob when she heard a giggle. Completely baffled she turned again toward the hall. The giggle turned to a moan. She gripped the poker tighter and slowly turned the knob.

The only light was from the sliver of moon peeking through the curtains , but it was enough. The scene she encountered was one she never imagined she would face in a million years and knew instantly it would change her life forever. She could make out the shapes clearly. The acrobatics being performed on her husband by the voluptuous blonde were impressive Alexandra thought detachedly. She couldn’t move; her mind wouldn’t register what her eyes were seeing. She inched closer, raising the poker as she approached the bed. The woman was beautiful; head thrown back, artificially plump lips slightly parted, way too perky breasts jutted out as she bounced on top of her bloody husband! That’s when she snapped! It all became clear. The late nights at work when he didn’t answer his phone. The absurd excuses she accepted without question. What a fool I have been, she thought as the rage built. Sweat dripped in her eyes and between her inadequate breasts . Her breath came faster and seemed to match that of the buxom blonde. She was inches from the bed, arms wielding the poker directly over the cheating bastard and his whore. Fury ripped through her body, she knew they deserved this, she raised the poker even higher when the blonde looked over her shoulder at Alexandra and smiled….

“Ladies and Gentlemen we are beginning our final approach into Miami so please raise your seats and tray tables to their upright position. “ Alexandra awoke in a sweat. She tried to focus her eyes when she felt the jar. Her tray table fell open as the wheels touched down and Alexandra gripped it as the plane made a few unwelcome bounces before settling on all wheels for the taxi to the gate. Lord she hating flying! The woman seated next to her with the silver bob looked over and tsked…, really?, Alexandra thought. “ I had it closed “,she began lamely as she remembered the woman’s attempt at conversation when she first sat down next to her. “Are you a Christian?” she asked, “by some definitions” Alex answered and picked up her book to eliminate further discussion. Well the look she was giving Alex wasn’t very Christian like now. She looked out the window and was greeted with the dazzling sunshine reflecting off everything, practically blinding her. Shaking off the dream, she realized she was almost there. It had been almost three months from that fateful night . The night that changed all of their lives irreparably. She was eager to leave that nightmare behind her. Alexandra reapplied her lipstick , smoothed her tight bun at the nape of her neck,gathered her belongings ,and ever so carefully walked off the plane a little less sturdy than when she embarked ,behind her pious neighbor.