News Flash
Page 14
“Well? Don’t you have anything to say for yourself?” Marika tapped her heel against the floor, hands propped on her hips.
All I could do was shrug, which I knew came across as extra snotty. Behind Marika I could see the river sparkling in the bright sunlight. The wind was strong so tiny whitecaps appeared every so often. May was in full effect all around the city with bright green leaves and fragrant flowers. I wished I was outside instead of in this stuffy office listening to Marika berate me about something that didn’t seem to be an actual issue.
“Are you even listening to me?” Marika’s voice turned shrill as she started to yell at me. “That’s it. You are on probation. One more slip up and you are out of here. You’ll get an incomplete for your internship.”
“I—I’m sorry,” I stammered. “Please just let me try again. I know I can do better.”
I forced the words out of my mouth as a sour taste bit my tongue. It wasn’t that I didn’t mean them, but saying them to Marika made me feel lower than dirt. Kissing her rear wasn’t my MO, and I didn’t want it to start. I needed to get a good recommendation from this internship, though, so I could apply for early admission to the journalism program at State. Without the recs from this job, I wouldn’t have a prayer of acceptance before junior year.
Marika smirked at me. “I knew you’d see the light. Here, this is your next story. All of yours still lack insight and depth. Do some research this time.”
She left me alone in the conference room. A cloud passed over the sun, sending everything into shadows. I could almost feel the wind take a bitter turn. The file folder sat in front of me on the table, mocking me. I had a fifty-fifty success rate with Marika’s stories, and I dreaded finding out what she had planned for me. I felt defeated.
My phone buzzed, and I glanced at the screen. Jake. Like a Pavlovian response my pulse jumped. “Hey, what’s up? I’m at work so I can’t talk long.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to bother you. It’s just that Jimmy’s coming home. Like right now, as we speak.”
“What? How did you not know this?”
“Melinda didn’t even know until this morning. I don’t think they were sure he’d be able to make the trip.” Jake exhaled heavily.
“This is good news, though. I mean, like, it’s really exciting.” I switched the phone to my other ear.
“No, it’s great. I’m just, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m actually kind of scared to see him. Does that sound stupid?” Jake asked.
“Not at all. He’s been through something huge, life altering.”
“Will you come to the airport with us?”
“I—“ I paused thinking about what Marika had said. “I’d love to, but—but I have to do this story. Or—“ I stopped with my mouth hanging open. “Jake, don’t hate me, but I have an idea that would let me be there for you, and not get fired.”
“Okay,” Jake said slowly.
“What if I film Jimmy’s homecoming for the news? That could be my human interest story for the week. He’s better than anything Marika could come up with. What do you think?” I held my breath while I waited for him to respond.
“I don’t know. I’ll ask Melinda, hang on.” I could hear the muffled conversation on the other end, and I wondered what they were saying.
I really hoped that Jake knew I wasn’t trying to take advantage of Jimmy’s situation for my own gain. If I interviewed him and Melinda, I’d have a personal connection to my subject, and no research was needed. More importantly, though, I’d get to be with Jake when Jimmy got off the plane. I wondered briefly if Mary Beth would be there too, and I told myself it didn’t matter.
“Allie? Melinda thinks it would be great. She also wants to know if you’d be able to film the surprise at the kids’ school. There’s going to be an assembly, and then Jimmy will come in. You can talk to her about it.”
“That’s awesome!” I felt a surge of excitement, ignoring the strain in Jake’s voice. Somewhere deep down I knew that even though he hated my love of journalism, he would do anything he could to support me. “Just give me the details, and I’ll meet you at the airport.”
The tone in Jake’s voice as he gave me all the pertinent information made me squirm. There were layers of emotions that ranged from disgust to sadness to anger. Before we hung up I said, “Jake? I promise that this will be the best record of Jimmy’s homecoming possible. Nothing sensational. I’ll just focus on how happy he and Melinda are to be back together. And we’ll just film for the family at the kids’ school, okay?”
Even as the promises left my mouth I wasn’t entirely sure I could deliver on them, but from the way Jake murmured, “Thanks,” I knew that I had at last done the right thing.
I went to Esther’s office. Her secretary gave me a look of pure disgust when I asked if I could see the EP. “She’s probably too busy,” the girl snapped, but had me sit in the waiting area anyway. A moment later she returned and said, “Go on in, but you only have one minute.”
“What can I do for you, Amanda?” Esther was busy typing when I came in. Her fingers clicked across the keyboard with frightening speed.
“It’s Allison actually, ma’am. I wanted to talk to you about an idea I had for a new segment. I think it’ll get us the ratings to beat the Chicago station.”
Esther looked up. I had her full attention so I began to speak.
****
When we arrived at the airport the nerves in my stomach turned into carnivorous butterflies. I was sure I was going to be sick. My camera crew followed me to the front information desk. We’d had to get all kinds of crazy clearance to film there that day.
“Hi, we were told to check in here,” I said to the girl at the counter as I handed her my ID.
She scanned my driver’s license and my press badge, and then she began typing something furiously into the computer. Finally she looked up and smiled. “One of our security guards will escort you to arrival area. I think it’s just great that you are filming this. We see so many soldiers come home, and the local news has never filmed any of them.”
I thanked her and returned her smile. Her blanket statement made my nerves bristle with irritation just a bit, but her sentiment was nice. I loved that we were doing this, and I was still flying high with Esther’s approval.
“We have to wait a minute,” I said to my camera crew. Both the guys shrugged. I hadn’t worked with either of them before, but their laid back attitude was helping at the moment. I watched the front doors, feeling my anxiousness rise. If this part didn’t work the second part wouldn’t, and on and on.
Just as I was sure that she wasn’t going to come, Chloe flew through the doors. She skidded to a stop. “Sorry, I couldn’t get away from Marika. She was freaking out because Esther asked to see her along with some woman from human resources. I have a feeling she’s going to get in trouble. So what’s this all about?”
“I need you to help me with this segment.” I gave her a smile, hoping that she believed the mundane statement. This was going to be so much more than that.
“Great. Let’s go.” Chloe’s eyes flashed with excitement.
After we checked her in, the four of us walked with the security guard to the arrival area where family members could wait. I made a mental note to include the fact that in our smaller airport families had the chance to get closer to their loved ones.
When we got closer, I could see the back of Jake’s head towering over the rest of his family. My heart rate sped up, and I was suddenly breathless. I felt like I had a…crush on him, but I still thought that had to be impossible because it was Jake. Regardless I was so happy to see him, I nearly broke into a run.
Keeping my cool, I lead my crew over to the McAvoy family. Jake’s mom wrapped me in a hug, and Melinda kept hugging herself tightly as she stared out the window, waiting for the special transit plan to land. Jake’s dad kept his hands in his pockets. I had to wonder what he thought of my presence. Jake nodded at me slightly, but I couldn’t
read his expression.
I took a deep breath, and walked over to Melinda. “Mel? Would you mind talking to the camera for a sec? I’d love to introduce you to our viewers before Jimmy gets in, but if you don’t want to do it, I totally understand. No pressure, okay?”
Melinda gave a shaky laugh, and said, “No, no. I want to do this. I want to have a record of Jimmy coming home, and I want people to see the reality of war.”
I turned to the camera crew. “Let’s get rolling.” I took my place in front of the camera, and spoke into the void. “Hello, again, loyal viewers. I’m here today to bring you a really special piece. Today Captain James McAvoy will be returning to the area after being hit by a roadside bomb. He lost his leg in the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
“This story has a special place in my heart because I grew up next door to Jimmy. He’s like an older brother to me. I’m here with Jimmy’s wife, Melinda. I’d like her to tell you about herself and Jimmy now.”
I handed the microphone to Melinda, who clutched it with both hands. “Jimmy got hurt doing his job. He believes in nothing more than protecting our family, and this country. There are so many men and women in our armed forces that feel the same way Jimmy does. My heart breaks for all the people who have been injured, and for all the families of those killed in action. People have been telling me that Jimmy is a hero. And he is, hands down, no doubt. He was, is, and always will be my hero. I can’t wait for him to get home.”
Tears had started pouring down her face by the time she was done. Everyone around us was watching in silent awe as she finished. I signaled the camera man to stop rolling, and walked over to her. I wrapped my arms around her until she finished crying. It occurred to me that I’d known Melinda for half of my life since she and Jimmy had started dating when they were in high school. She was like an older sister figure as well. When I finally stepped away I was trembling. I looked over at Jake, who was watching me with a closed expression that I couldn’t read, and I wanted to go over to him but there was suddenly a commotion on the tarmac. Everyone’s attention was drawn to the window.
A special military plane taxied up, and after several long minutes the doors opened into the airport. We caught as much as we could on camera. An escort of uniformed army officers and several medics accompanied Jimmy off the plane. He sat in a wheelchair in his own uniform, one pant leg pinned below his injury. Despite the harrowing ordeal he had been through and all he had suffered, he looked like himself. The weeks of healing had been good to him, and it seemed like his spirits were high.
Melinda ran to him in tears, closely followed by the rest of his family. After they were done with their hugs and tears, Melinda pointed out me and the camera. Jimmy waved me over. When I got close, he pulled me into a hug. I nearly toppled over, and I couldn’t help but giggle. This was the Jimmy I had grown up with. Before he released me he whispered, “Don’t be too hard on Jake. He’s pretty thick headed. Thank you for doing this for Melinda.”
I looked down at him confused, but before I had a chance to ask him about the Jake comment, he was moved away. The McAvoy family followed him, and I knew I needed to wrap up the segment so we could get over to the grade school to film Jimmy’s reunion with his kids.
Looking into the camera I said, “This will be my last human interest piece for Channel Eight. Starting next week Chloe Carson will be doing this feature.” I glanced to where she was standing, and was gratified to see her eyes widen with surprise, and then pleasure. “I will be starting a new segment called ‘Homecomings.’ If you or anyone you know would like to be on the feature please email me at the station. I can’t wait to hear from you. Thanks for watching.”
As soon as the camera was off, Chloe squealed and ran to me, throwing her arms around my neck. “Are you serious?”
I nodded as I extracted myself from her grip. “I talked to Esther this afternoon. You totally deserve it.”
“Thank you so much.” Chloe hugged me again.
When she moved on to help move the equipment, I noticed Jake standing off to the side watching me. Taking a deep breath, I walked over to him.
“Are you heading to the school?” I asked.
Jake nodded. “Are you going to prom tonight?”
I nodded. “I think so. Are you?”
“I think so. Maybe I’ll see you there.” And with that he walked off after his family. I had never felt so confused.
Chapter Nineteen
When I got home from work, I pulled my prom dress out of my closet. I’d made so many mistakes over the past few weeks, but this was not one of them. Given that I only had an hour before I needed to leave, I decided to keep it all simple. I ran to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth.
As I slipped the dress over my head, I wondered what Jake would think of me when he saw me in it. His opinion mattered to me. Not as my best friend, either, but as a guy. I wanted him to think that I looked beautiful and sexy. My breath caught as I thought about seeing him that evening. Despite all the distance of the past few months, I had somehow developed deeper feelings for him than I had ever imagined possible. I loved him, and the mere admission made me dizzy with amazement.
Turning to see my reflection in my full length closet mirror, I had to say that I was satisfied. The sparkly black dress hugged my curves in all the right places, slinking down to my calves where the skirt flared out in a mermaid style. That dress was so different from Brooke’s blue one that I had worn to the Farmingham prom, but this one felt like me.
I decided to leave my hair down, wild and curly. Tonight couldn’t be about anything but me. Jake was going with Mary Beth, and even if I wanted him to be with me, I wanted him to be happy most of all. If I looked good, I’d feel good, and by reasonable deduction I should have a good time if I could attain the first two.
A wolf whistle diverted my attention from the mirror to the doorway where Brooke stood. She leaned against the door frame with her arms crossed over her chest. “Wow! You look hot.”
My laugh rattled self-consciously in my throat, but it was exactly the reaction I had hoped for. “Thanks. Too bad I don’t have a date.”
“First of all, don’t be too sure about that, and second, what happened to that Rory guy?” Brooke’s perfectly sculpted eyebrow lifted nearly to her hairline.
Trying to decipher Brooke’s questions always required a manual, but I tried anyway. “Rory decided he liked someone else more. Trust me, he wasn’t the guy for me. And what do you mean don’t be too sure I don’t have a date? I was going to go with Rory, and now I’m not so…”
“Are you sure you aren’t supposed to go with Jake?”
My heart stuttered to a stop at her words, but then picked up again at a gallop. The pounding was so intense I thought I might pass out. “What do you mean? Why would you say that?”
Brooke clapped her hands in glee, looking a lot younger for a minute than she actually was. “I knew it. You two love each other! He’s been sitting out on the porch swing for the last forty-five minutes waiting for you.”
The blood rushing through my ears made me wonder if I’d heard her correctly. Still, I wasn’t going to take any chances so I bolted past her, down the stairs, and to the front door in my bare feet. I burst onto the front porch, and totally startled poor Jake. He jumped, dropping the plastic container he’d been holding. He retrieved it, and stood slowly, letting his eyes trail over me as he reached his full height. A flush of pleasure and heat burned my neck and face.
“You look amazing,” Jake said in a hoarse voice.
“So do you,” I replied, feeling shy with him for the first time in my life. He did look great. The tux he’d rented fit him perfectly. Gray was a good look for him. His hair had gotten infinitesimally longer so that it curled even more. He looked like he’d just rolled out of bed, and thrown on formal wear. The combination did funny things to my stomach.
“So, listen, the thing is…” Jake ran a hand along the back of his neck as he struggled to speak.
Jake laughed nervously. He’d never acted this way with me before, and a smile tugged the corners of my mouth as I realized that I really liked it. “Well, that’s the thing. I sort of told her I had feelings for somebody else, and seeing as how I’d rather go to prom with that person, Mary Beth might have told me where I could stick my corsage.”
The giddiness that had been bubbling in me burst out, and I laughed. “Good!”
“Good? Ouch. You have no idea how painful that would be.” Jake gave me a mock hurt look before joining me in more laughter.
I knew I’d caught a glimpse of something more last week on the river court, but the look in his eyes had been gone so fast that I told myself I’d imagined it. Suddenly I found myself in Jake’s arms, palms pressed flat against his broad chest, looking up into his smoky gaze, and a shiver of pleasure raced along my spine. He cradled me gently in his arms.
“I’ve wanted to tell you how I felt for months now, but things kept getting in the way.” A half smile hitched up the side of Jake’s mouth.
“I’ve been part of what’s been getting in the way. Jake, I’m so sorry. How could I have been so stupid not to see this? It was right in front of me.” I shook my head in disbelief.
“Doesn’t matter,” Jake said. “We’re standing here now.”
I pressed my cheek against Jake’s chest, inhaling his scent, and listening to the steady thump-thump of his heart. There was still a lot that I wanted—needed—to say, but I knew that could wait until later. For now this was enough.
“So, um, should we get going to prom?” Jake chuckled, and I hugged him tighter. “I mean, you did put a lot of work into it. Be a shame to miss it. Plus I really want some of your grandma’s pie.”
I laughed too. “You always have liked my grandma’s pie. So, are you asking me to go with you?” I pulled back and gazed up at him.