“How?”
“Sonny was told a story about my father.” Kyle answered. “I’m the product of a woman that had gone through something like you. She never knew my father. Didn’t even see his face.”
“Why did she tell you?”
“I needed a medical history from my family members. My father’s side was blank so she told me the truth. Yes, I’ve asked her to tell Sonny, but she’s ashamed. That’s why you didn’t tell anybody, but you didn’t do anything wrong, Amy. That’s what you need to understand. This, none of this, is your fault. Cut and dry.”
“But I’m going to pay for it with my life.” Amy sat up in the bed. “I won’t be able to have the children I want or to spend lazy days in bed with my husband or. . .”
“Are you married?” Kyle laughed at her.
“No, but I wanted marriage and children. I can’t see that anymore.” Amy glanced down at him. “The future that I had imagined. . .”
“Can still be yours,” Kyle straightened and pulled her into his arms. “Look at me, Amy. What if you knew nothing about how your uncle died? What if you didn’t worry about what might or might not happen? You have life. Yours. Keep dreaming about those children. Keep the hope, cherish it. And while you’re doing that, I’ll be right here by your side.” He moved a hand up so he was caressing her cheek. “I’m going to be cheering you on the whole time.”
She placed a finger on his mouth. “I think that I want to sleep now.”
Kyle kissed her finger and nodded, waited for her to lay down again, and then rubbed her back until he heard her softly snoring.
Standing, he studied her again before turning off the light and walking out of the bedroom to see that Nate and Elaine were waiting. “She’s sleeping.” Kyle sat on the arm of a chair and closed his eyes. “This is a lot for her.”
“Kyle, why do you look. . .”
“Nate, somebody once asked me what I would do if I found out that somebody had taken advantage of my sister. Admitted that he had murder flowing in veins.” Kyle opened his eyes and stared at his friend. “Well, that murder is flowing in me now.”
“Game of basketball?” Nate asked, wishing that he could erase the look in Kyle’s eyes. “What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to find Eccard and Bob.” Kyle snapped. “I would take care of that uncle of yours, but I can’t.”
Nate stood and pushed Kyle completely into the chair. “Don’t be an ass, dude. Let the anger go, Amy doesn’t need to see it. Not after that pretty speech you gave her.”
“You eavesdropped?”
“I’m impressed.” Nate responded. “Everybody in this room needs to be calm around Amy. I mean that. Elaine is moving in tomorrow, so Amy won’t be alone. Did you talk her into taking one of those tests?”
“I think that I did.”
“That’s all we can do for now besides making sure that she rests tonight. Why don’t you stay here?”
“I’m pretty sure that Amy wouldn’t be thrilled with that.” Kyle narrowed his eyes while scrutinizing Nate. “What’s on your mind?”
“I cannot lose my sister, Kyle. I want good news and want it quick. From the way it sounded in there, you don’t want to lose her either. You won’t accept what she already has, and I like that. Stay here.”
Elaine laughed at him. “My bed isn’t here or else I would. Not much for sleeping on a couch.”
“You never were one for sleeping on a couch,” Nate chuckled.
“And you didn’t mind at all,” Elaine shoved at him. “Too bad you screwed that up, buster.”
“Me?”
“Oh, please. Yes, you.” Elaine stepped towards the door without looking at him. “Good night, guys.”
Kyle laughed at the look Nate shot at him after Elaine left. “Sounds like you’re still in the doghouse.”
“Yeah, I just wish she would tell me what I did.” Nate shrugged and glanced around the house. “Tell me that you’re going to stay here.”
“For tonight, if it will make you feel better,” Kyle answered. “I just need to get my phone. I promised Stephie that I would call her, and if I don’t, she’s going to call Pop.”
“I’ll stay until you get it.” Nate answered before walking down the hall to check on his sister.
Kyle watched his friend before stepping out of the apartment. After retrieving his cell phone, he felt like he was on the edge of breaking down and waited before calling Stephanie. “Pull yourself together, Kyle,” he fumed at himself. “She’ll be fine; she has to be.” He hadn’t realized that he had already dialed Stephanie’s number until she spoke.
“Kyle, what the heck is going on with you and do you realize what time it is?”
“Stephie, I need to talk,” Kyle mumbled. “But not tonight. I need to be around for Amy.”
“The heart attack was serious?”
“No, that was mild, but she’s had some very bad news.” Kyle glanced towards the apartment. “Save some time for more tomorrow. Maybe you could call my mother and invite her to lunch.”
“Okay, this must be serious if you want to involve Erin.” Stephanie sounded alarmed. “Kyle, are you alright?”
“No, I’m not, but it’s not about me, Stephie. Tomorrow- okay?”
“Sure, Kyle. I’m not sure how Erin is going to feel if I call her now. It’s after one in the morning.”
“Stephie, please. Gotta go now.” Kyle ended the call, wiped at his eyes, and started back to the apartment. He met Nate standing at the door and frowned. “What if. . .”
“No,” Nate snapped. “No what ifs, Kyle. Not now, I can’t take anymore.”
“Where are you going?” Kyle asked after noticing the anger in Nate’s eyes.
“You know where she is, Kyle. Don’t worry about me.” Nate walked around Kyle and out of the apartment.
Kyle locked the door behind Nate and headed towards the bedroom where Amy was still sleeping.
Chapter 10
Kyle felt Amy stirring next to him and opened his eyes to see her propped on her elbows staring at him puzzled. “How did you sleep?”
“Very well, thank you. Kyle, did you stay the whole night? Why?”
“I wanted to stay, Amy,” Kyle answered. “Plus, your brother gave me my order. Why don’t I go to the kitchen and scrounge up some breakfast?”
“Why would Nate tell you to stay?” Amy asked before glancing at her clock and jumping out of the bed. “Never mind, I’m going to be late for work.”
“About that,” Kyle watched her and shook his head. “Not today.”
“You’re interfering again, Kyle.” Amy narrowed her eyes before walking to her closet. “And guess what- I don’t appreciate it, and I’m going to work.”
“Amy, it wasn’t my call.” Kyle stood, glanced at her after she had placed her clothes on the bed, and shrugged. “Stephie called Pop, and he called me.”
Amy glared at him, “Like I said, you’re interfering. Why?” She yanked a pair of leggings from her drawer and sighed. “It’s none of Stephanie’s business or yours. I am curious,” Amy placed her hands on hips, “as to what you actually told your stepsister that would cause my boss to call you.”
“She thought that it was about your father.” Kyle informed her before walking to the bedroom door. “That’s all.”
“Don’t bother fixing breakfast.” Amy snapped. “And lock the door after you leave. I’ll be fine, and that you can take to the bank.”
“Amy, will you?”
Amy pointed to the door. “I’m not talking about this to you, Kyle. I don’t know where you get off telling anybody anything about what happened last night. I’m over it.”
“I’ll just let you believe that,” Kyle snapped at her, “later.”
Amy watched him walk out of the bedroom and close the door behind him. Dressing, she exhaled and tried to calm down before she turned on her cell phone and was alerted to a missed call.
After listening to Barbara’s update about her father, she walked into t
he kitchen, grabbed a yogurt along with her keys, and opened the door to see Elaine place a box next to the door.
“You’re early,” Amy glanced at the moving truck which was blocking her from leaving and shook her head. “Elaine, really? I need to leave.”
“A little birdie told me that you would be around to help me move in.” Elaine arched her eyes when Amy stepped around her.
“Well, the little birdie was wrong!” Amy snapped, jingling her keys. “Move the truck.”
“I can’t.”
“Why not? Did Kyle tell you to block me so I can’t leave? I’m not surprised.” Amy glanced at the truck again and smirked. “Fortunately, you don’t have a small army with you. Have fun.”
She walked to the truck, climbed into the cab, noticed the keys, and laughed before starting the monster and pulling forward so that she could free her Mustang. Climbing down, she waved at her friend before sliding behind the wheel in her car.
Fifteen minutes later, she pulled into her reserved parking space at Your Way Advertising and was standing in Sonny’s office staring at her very shocked boss. “Surprised to see me?”
“A smidgen,” Sonny answered, “but not too much. Kenny has already given me the abbreviated version of the meeting last night.”
“I’m relieved.”
Sonny sighed. “I assume that your father is doing well.”
“Very much so,” Amy narrowed her eyes. “You can tell Kyle to keep his distance. On second thought, you can tell both Kyle and Stephanie to step back”
“Stephanie?”
“Yes, it seems that you do what those two want you to do. I’m here because I need to be. That’s all I’m going to say about you giving someone a message to tell me to take the day off from work.” Amy turned and was standing in the doorway before Sonny spoke again.
“That boy loves you, Amy.”
“So he has said, but I don’t give a damn about him or his words. Sorry,” Amy pivoted and stared at Sonny, hard. “That’s just one of those cold, hard truths that you like to blurt out. I’ll be in my office.” Walking into the hall, she was joined by Kenny.
“So the campaign you had for the Eccard account,” Kenny stepped easily beside her while she hastily walked to her office, “would suit another client perfectly.”
Amy nodded, “I think that I know which one you’re talking about. Why do you think so, Kenny?”
“Because you seem to believe in them. Do you want to pitch the slogan to them?”
Amy sighed and opened her door, allowing Kenny to step in first while taking a stack of messages her receptionist had for her. “That depends,” she mumbled after walking towards her desk. “I don’t want any more dinners at The Captain’s Palace. I think that I’d prefer the meeting to take place here. If there is to be any wining and dining, the account becomes yours.”
“I’ll swing that by Sonny,” Kenny sat across from her and watched her move items around her desk and then place them where they had originally been. “I should’ve walked out with you last night. I’m sorry.”
“It’s done, Kenny.”
“I wish that it was.” Kenny frowned when he spotted the bruising after she had slid out of her dress jacket.
Amy glanced at him puzzled. “Is there a reason why it wouldn’t be over?”
Kenny leaned on the desk and nodded. “Eccard made his bail, and he called me earlier because you weren’t here. He still wants you to handle his account and explained that he had only wanted to stop you because he wanted. . .”
“To take me for a drive?” Amy asked, smartly. “Yes, I remember, but like I said it’s a done deal. It is as far as I’m concerned, anyway. Kenny, you weren’t there.”
“I,” Kenny smiled, “didn’t need to be there.”
Amy blinked her eyes before sighing, “I know where you’re going with this, and that being said, I’m going to say don’t go there.” She stepped around the desk and walked over to her table where her sketch book waited for her. “Don’t mention a name or try to sell me on his, oh, so charming qualities. I’m not in the mood.”
“I’m glad that you’ve noticed his qualities. That’s a step in the right direction.” Kenny chuckled, “Roll your eyes all you want, you know I’m stating a fact.”
“I’m not listening,” Amy sat at the table and grabbed a charcoal pencil. “The slogan will work, but a different perspective. . .” she glanced up and stared at the door after sensing Kyle, “a different perspective. . .” Closing her eyes, she snapped the pencil in half.
Kenny watched with amusement. “What look are you going to shoot for with this campaign?”
Amy opened her eyes and started sketching. “Meadows of fleshly bloomed wild flowers, maybe two children holding hands while spinning in circles while their parents are stretched out on a blanket, a bouquet that the kiddies picked placed. . .”
Kenny watched the picture emerge and smiled. “And where is the product?”
“The product?” Amy placed the sketchbook on the table. “The product is an internet dating service.”
“I’m not seeing it.”
Amy stood and started pacing. “The couple met on-line and married, so the service worked for them. Kenny, the service has been operational for more than a decade.”
“And do you really believe in the product? Gave them a spin?”
Amy shrugged.
“Really? I’ve never known you not to try a product that you plan to work with.”
“I believe that it has a success rate that speaks for itself, and I’ve met with some of the couples.”
“There’s a ‘but’.”
“I also believe that a person can meet someone that is all wrong for them,” Amy responded. “The service is an option for many single people.”
“You did try it.”
“And I met someone that I dated for several months,” Amy answered. “Happy?”
Kenny looked at her, startled. “No, I can honestly say that I’m not.”
“I’m beginning to think that you have more mood swings that I can handle, Kenny.” Amy walked back to the table and glanced down at her sketch. “The company has more triumphs than failures.”
“But you put your name. . .”
“An alias,” Amy corrected. “They encourage you not to use your real name.”
“I don’t care,” Kenny grabbed the pad. “Jesus, Amy, do you know how many sickos have visited sites just like this one?”
“Do you?” Amy snatched the pad from him. “My experience just happened to have been great. Let’s get over it and move forward.”
“Does Kyle know?”
Amy scrutinized Kenny before stepping towards her desk. “You have really jumped the gun on that score. I’m not involved with Kyle. He just happens to be Nate’s friend and a recent thorn in my side. That’s it.”
“And Nate? Is he aware of what his sister has done?”
“I’m starting to develop a real issue with people butting into my life. You see the deal here, Kenny, is that we’re co-workers. That’s it.”
“And being your co-worker, I’m not supposed to be concerned? That’s bull shit, Amy.” Kenny leaned on the desk. “My daughter is just a little older than you.”
“Is this going somewhere?”
“I would do more than throw a fit if she ever thought about using a dating site. What would your father say?”
“I doubt that he would have anything at all to say about it. Can we get back to the campaign?” Amy snapped. “Do I believe in the product? Yes, I do. The picture I drew is of a couple who met via the service over eight years ago. They married, have two great kids and one on the way. The fact, Kenny, is that there is a long list of successes here. Would you like more evidence? I can set up meetings for you.”
“It didn’t work for you.”
“He wanted a serious relationship. I didn’t.” She penned in the name of the agency before sitting in her chair. “I’m not your daughter, Kenny. I am, however, a grown woman with my
own values. If those values don’t meet with your approval, I won’t be disappointed.”
“You haven’t told anybody.”
“And?”
“You’re being impossible.”
“That’s what I’ve been told. I think that we’re done for now.” Amy nodded towards the door before glancing at her cell phone to see that she had missed a call from her brother.
Kyle stepped into the office before she had a chance to call him back.
Amy stared at her sketch and then her phone before speaking to him. “I thought that you might’ve left,” she refused to glance up from the phone while she chose to send a text to Nate.
“I wanted to make sure that you were alright.”
“I’m fine.”
Kyle sighed, “We need to talk.”
Chapter 11
Amy looked up at him and shook her head. “I really don’t think we have anything to talk about, Kyle. I’m sure that you can see yourself out.”
“And now the pushing starts,” Kyle stepped closer to where she was sitting down. “I just wanted to mention that they sell a product in the stores. A test.”
“Not interested.”
“Well, I am.” Kyle informed her before seeing the sketch. “I want that.”
“I can give you the web address.”
“What? No, I don’t want some web address. I want to have that with you. They look happy. Content. In love.”
“That was the point of the sketch.” Amy closed the book and started to grab a folder Kenny had left for her when Kyle placed a hand over hers.
“You act like you don’t want to deal with this.”
“Remove your hand.”
“Why should I?” Kyle asked, trying to keep his voice calm. “How do you manage to walk around like nothing’s wrong? Did you block out what your father told you? Paint a rosy picture for yourself, a delusion that life’s perfect?” He asked after watching her jerk her hand from underneath his. “How could you not want to know?”
“I think that it’s time you left.”
“You could find out in twenty minutes, Amy.” Kyle stated.
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