by ANDREA SMITH
There was just one more revelation I had to share with Gina. I wasn’t sure how much she already knew. “Gina, I’m almost two months pregnant,” I said very matter-of-factly.
“Oh. My. God!” she screamed, hugging me closely.
I guess she hadn’t been told this already. Perhaps everyone and their brother didn’t know my business yet. “That's so fucking fantastic, Ty. You know your baby is gonna be beautiful, don’t you? I mean look at you; look at Trey? I can think of only one other couple who might have a baby that comes close.”
“Let me guess,” I laughed, “Ian and Gina?”
“You got it, girlfriend!”
“There’s just one thing: Trey doesn’t know he’s the father.”
“What the fuck do you mean, ‘he doesn’t know’?”
I knew she was going to go all east coast on me with that last revelation. I explained to her in as much detail as I was comfortable with what had happened the night in the stable.
“You mean to fucking tell me he doesn’t remember that you and he, you know, did it?”
“He was pretty wasted that night, Gina. He had an almost empty bottle of Jack Daniel’s when I found him. I think he was blacked out. Is that possible?”
“Hell, Ian claims some of the best sex he gets from me is when I’m passed out, so who knows? I think anything’s possible with Jack! But hey, aren’t you going to tell him?”
“I don’t think so, Gina. You have to promise to keep this our secret, okay?”
“Yeah, sure, but who does he think the father is?”
“Mark.”
“Holy shit! If you leave like you’re planning how do you think he’s going to treat Mark? I mean, I know Trey's a jealous maniac, but come on, if he thinks Mark's not standing by you in your time of need, don’t you think Trey's going to make him pretty miserable?”
“I haven’t figured that part out yet. It may not even be a problem. With Trey’s parents back from Europe, I've a feeling that he’s going back to Atlanta for good. He may not be back until next summer. I’m told that's pretty much his routine. Besides, Mark planned on moving on after the fall competition.”
We let the discussion drop for now as Gina went to the kitchen to make lunch for us. While she fixed grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup I looked over my finances. Over lunch, we discussed my plans. She wanted me to come back to Atlanta with her to stay.
“Gina, that’s not possible but you're so kind to offer.”
“How will we ever see each other?” she wailed.
“We'll make it a priority to see each other. After all, you're going to be a Godmother.”
“Really, Ty?”
I could tell that she was delighted at the prospect. “I’m going to need your help with this, Gina.”
“Name it,” she said.
“Over the next few days while you’re here, I need you to kind of nose around. I need to know when Trey returns to Atlanta. For all I know, he may have already returned.”
“Okay, what then?”
“When we know he’s not up at the manor, I need you to take my car keys and get my car out of the fourth garage up at the manor. I’ll give you the code.”
“Whoa, hold up there sister -why me?”
“Because I've never met Trey’s parents. If they see me up around there, they’ll think I’m stealing it. They know you.”
“Yeah, but just because they know me how would I explain taking a car that's not mine out of their garage?”
“You can tell them it’s mine; that you’re a friend of mine, and Trey was letting me park the car there temporarily. Tell them I’m letting you borrow it while you're in town. Once you have the car, come pick me up and we will take it to a dealership.”
“For what?”
“I’m going to trade it in for something more practical.”
“Oh fuck, Trey will kill you.”
“Hey, it’s my car. It was his gift to do with what I please.”
“You know you’re going to lose your ass on it if you don’t sell it outright, don’t you?”
“I don’t have that kind of time, Gina.”
“Whatever. Don’t worry; I’ll take care of it.”
The following day was Friday. Gina went down to the office to chat with Aunt Becky. She promised to see what she could find out. I made her take my keys just in case. I had my cell phone plugged into the charger when Gina called.
“Yeah, what you got?”
“Oh dear God, Ty, who are we? Cagney and Lacey?”
“Who?” I asked.
“Never mind. Hey, Trey's back in Atlanta and I have your car out here next to the stables. Come on down.”
I grabbed my purse and the title to my Mercedes and met Gina down past the stables. Gina was in the driver’s seat with the engine running. I got in quickly and fastened my seat belt.
“Where to?” she asked.
“To the dealership on Volunteer Parkway.”
An hour and a half later, I was driving my new Hyundai Santa Fe Limited Edition down the highway toward the manor. Gina sat in the passenger seat, “tsking” away at me.
“You realize that the deal you just made cost you $19,000 don’t you?”
“It didn’t cost me a dime,” I answered her. “I’ve got this nice new SUV with all the trimming, and a check for $10,000 made out to me. I’m happy with the deal.”
“You traded that nearly brand new car in for $19,000 less than its current book value. You do realize that, don’t you?”
“Gina, it wasn’t practical. I need a car suitable for the baby and me. I need something that I can cart my stuff back up to Radcliff in that won’t cost me a fortune to insure and maintain.”
“I just don’t know what the hurry is,” she replied. “You could have sold the car in a couple of days by asking maybe just $5,000 under book value and had another $14,000 to the good.”
“I can’t focus on that right now. We still have lots to do.”
“Like what?” she asked, eyeing me suspiciously.
I filled her in. By the end of the day, my change of address was put through, my bank accounts were emptied by means of a cashier’s check, I had my new car insured through a local agency in Louisville, and the utilities at the house in Radcliff were in my name. I contacted the Washington County prosecutor’s office to let them know I was leaving the area and provided my new address.
We vegged out the rest of the weekend, packing up things here and there. Gina did a great job of keeping visitors away. Mark had stopped by a couple of times and Gina had lied, telling him I was asleep. I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I just wanted to leave and start my new life without reminders of my old one.
My pregnancy hormones must’ve kicked in heavy duty. Little things made me cry at the drop of a hat, yet other things, like trading in Trey’s gift for something practical hadn’t bothered me at all. Gina said it had something to do with the nesting instinct she'd read about with being pregnant.
By Monday morning, everything I owned was packed up and ready to go. I was leaving earlier than Gina, but I needed to be on my way. If I stayed much longer, I was afraid people would start connecting the dots.
We programmed my destination in to the GPS in my new car and set up my cell phone to Bluetooth. I planned to drop Gina at Becky’s house on my way out of town and she was going to give Becky the key to my cottage and my new address to mail my W-2s.
As we pulled out of the long, winding driveway and onto the two-lane highway, we'd only gone a few hundred feet when we passed Trey in his Lamborghini. He was alone. I was glad. He of course didn’t recognize me in this dark forest green SUV. When I saw his face for maybe the last time, my eyes filled with tears.
“Gina,” I sobbed, “Take the wheel for a minute.”
She undid her seat belt, leaning over and taking the steering wheel while I fought my emotions. She steered the vehicle safely in the drive at her aunt’s house. Once we stopped the car, Gina cut the engine.
�
��For the love of God, Tylar, are you sure you don’t want to tell Trey the truth about all of this?”
“Gina,” I sobbed, “I'd love nothing more than to tell Trey about this if I didn’t already know how he feels about ‘happily ever after’ and commitments, which he equated to a ‘hangman’s noose’! Trey believes that people are dynamic and the best that they can expect is what's in the present.”
“That’s rubbish and you know it. Spoken like a guy who’s had his heart broken. We’ve all been there, Tylar. How cynical do you plan on getting with your own heartbreak? I respect your decision to not tell Trey, but don’t sell him short. I still believe that in his own fucked-up way he loves you. Think about it, please?”
I nodded, reaching over and hugging her. A fresh batch of tears started rolling down my cheeks. It was now time to say goodbye to my very best friend.
“Stop it,” Gina ordered, “You and me, we’re fine girlfriend. You call me once you get to your motel tonight. And do not worry, I'll find a way to get up there to see you before too long. After all, I want the honor of decorating my godchild’s nursery.”
“That would be great.”
“So, you okay to drive now?” I nodded.
“Alright, I'll expect a call from you this evening.”
“Yep, I’ll be calling,” I promised.
She hugged me again, and got out of the car. “Drive safely,” she called as I backed out of her driveway. I was on my way.
CHAPTER 33
The next day I left the motel very early, eager to get to my home. I knew that I had a lot to do in just one day to get it to the point where I could sleep there. With my work cut out for me, I set to the task. It took me all day, but by 10 p.m. I had moved in gently used furniture from the second-hand store, made up a bed in my old room with sheets, and stocked food in the fridge. I'd cleaned the place top-to-bottom, even making an appointment with an OB for the following week.
I was exhausted but content. I nuked a Healthy Choice entrée, made a salad, and poured myself a tall glass of iced tea. I'd brought the mail in earlier and sat down on the couch to go through it while I ate my dinner. Most of the mail was for my mom who hadn’t bothered initiating a change of address.
I took a bite of my salad, sorting through the stack I'd brought in today. I tossed several envelopes for “Occupant” in the trash. Then I saw the envelope addressed to me from the law offices of Pierce, Harmon, Richardson & Sinclair. It was Trey’s perfect script once again. My heartbeat quickened. I dropped my fork and opened the envelope, pulling a single sheet of paper out. I unfolded it and saw that it was on Trey’s stationary:
Tylar,
You can imagine my surprise when Ray contacted me to let me know that you had left Bristol to return to your home in Radcliff. I was disappointed that you felt no need to let me know that you were leaving.
I was more surprised when Ray told me that Mark Montgomery is still in Bristol, working with a horse that has no rider? What is going on, Tylar?
Please contact me at your earliest convenience. There are matters to discuss.
Very truly yours,
Trey M. Sinclair, Esq.
My heart did another pitter-pat as I folded the letter and brushed it across my cheek wanting to feel something of Trey in the linen paper. He was right. I fled like a thief in the night. As an employee alone, I owed the Sinclairs more than that. As someone who still loved Trey with all of my heart, I owed him more than that. I was puzzled as to why he wrote a formal letter instead of simply calling my cell and demanding answers, Trey-style.
I grabbed my cell phone and called him. He answered on the third ring.
“Tylar?”
“Yes, it’s me. Trey, I got your letter today. I’m sorry that I left the way that I did. I owed you an explanation; I just wasn’t sure that I had one.”
“I don’t understand. Did you and Mark split?”
Oh no, how would I explain this without lying or making Trey think badly of Mark? I had to play this carefully. “Mark and I were never together, Trey. We were just friends. I didn’t even say goodbye to him.”
“I’m confused, you never told Mark about your pregnancy?”
“That’s right, Trey. I didn’t want to complicate things.”
All true statements and answers so far.
“Don’t you think might've felt differently about his plans if he knew?”
“He might have, but still, I wouldn’t want someone to be with me out of some sense of honor or obligation. People should be together because they love each other, right?”
“I suppose so,” he said.
“Well, I don’t love Mark; Mark doesn’t love me. It’s as simple as that.”
“I don’t think it's as simple as that, Tylar. What about the child?”
“The child will have plenty of love, trust me.”
“I can’t keep Mark on you know.”
“Is that your decision to make, Trey? Aren’t your parents back? Isn’t your father running the stables and estates again?”
“Well, yes,” he answered, “but...”
“Trey,” I interrupted, “Mark planned on leaving before winter anyway, so why don’t you just let it play out? If you fire him, he’ll know it’s because of me, of what I did. Please don’t make me feel any worse than I already do.”
I knew that I was getting to him.
“I guess there is no harm. I won’t say anything to my father specifically, but I can’t guarantee he won’t figure things out anyway.”
“That’s fine, just let it play out on its own.”
“There’s also the matter of Charlie’s trial. There is a pre-trial investigation being conducted. You’ll need to be here during some of that questioning.”
“I don’t understand. There’s no way that I want to be in the same room with that animal!” I could feel the hysteria rising in my throat.
“Calm down, Tylar,” Trey said gently. “There are loose ends to tie up with respect to the letters he left, the pajamas.”
“What are you saying, Trey?”
“I think we both know that Charlie's the man from your past, your mother’s boyfriend that attacked you when you were 13. I think we also know that he had a hand in faxing that trust withdrawal form from our office to your mother. He may have conspired with her for a cut of it. What I don’t understand is why you didn’t tell the detectives the whole story.”
“I told them everything that happened that night. I wasn’t sure that Charlie was connected to the other stuff,” I lied.
“Well, I’m sure Tylar, and I’ve told the detectives as much. There could be further criminal charges pressed against Charlie, but you'll need to be here as they review the statements made the days following your attack, in addition to the evidence I provided them that was left in or at your cottage.”
I really wished Trey would just let it be. “When will I have to come back down?”
“I’m not sure. Someone from the prosecutor’s office will be in touch with you either by phone or mail soon.”
“How's everything going with you up there, Tylar? Are you feeling well?”
“Yes, I’ve been really busy getting the house cleaned and furnished. I’ve got my first appointment with my OB doctor soon.”
“That’s good,” he said. I could tell he didn’t want to discuss my pregnancy in detail. It made him uncomfortable.
“How’s Derringer?” I asked.
“Aside from missing you, he's well. A bit testy with Mark, I think.”
“How often do you get back to Bristol?” I asked.
“Not often. There’s really no need to now. I got your deed in the mail earlier this week. I'll forward it on to you.”
“Thanks,” I replied.
“Let me know if you need anything. Take care.”
With that, the call was over. I finished my Healthy Choice entrée, which was now cold, but I couldn’t taste it anyway. Trey’s conversation had left me feeling empty and numb.
My
appointment with Dr. Shelley Hamilton went well. I really liked her; she was young, probably mid-30s, with an upbeat personality. The doctor went over some of the details about my first trimester, which had about a week and a half left. She gave me a prescription for prenatal vitamins and informed me my due date was May 5th and she'd see me in another month. I paid the bill and scheduled my next appointment.
When I got home there was a letter from the Office of Commonwealth’s Attorney at the Washington County Courthouse in Abingdon, Virginia in my mail. I was ordered to report to the county courthouse in Abingdon to meet with police investigators and the C.A. relative to additional pending charges against Charles Roberts currently in custody. I had to be there on Friday, November 9th at 10 a.m.
I needed to call Trey. I wasn't comfortable going back there and certainly wanted to know what I could expect at this meeting. I heard his smooth and silky voice on the other end.
“Tylar?”
“Hi Trey, do you have a minute?”
“Certainly,” he replied, “what can I do for you?”
I told Trey about the letter that I'd received and my order to report to the C.A.’s office the following Friday. Trey explained that the Commonwealth Attorney's just another name for a prosecutor or district attorney. He said that my statement would be reviewed with the detectives and C.A. They'd question me as to the other events that transpired, they may show me any videotaped questioning that had been conducted with Charlie, and get my confirmation as to the validity of his statements to date. Trey assured me that I'd not have to come face-to-face with Charlie.
“Will you be there?” I asked.
“I’ve not been requested to be there. Do you need me to be there with you, Tylar, as your counsel?”