* * * *
Sarah was anxiously waiting at the door when Meg arrived. She’d sent her a text on the cab ride over. Meg finally managed to stop crying just before she made it to the condo, but her thoughts were scattered and her eyes a dead giveaway that something was terribly wrong. Sarah grabbed her at the door and hugged her fiercely. She stroked her back in an attempt to comfort her and then placed her fingers under Meg’s chin and pulled her face up to look at her. “Fuck, what happened to you?” Sarah wrapped her arms around her again. “Meg, you look like you’ve been crying for an entire week. Did you and Drake have an argument, is everything okay?”
“I don’t know, we didn’t argue, but I had to get away for a bit. I need some space.” Her eyes continued to fill with tears.
“You are such a bad liar. Come on in, sit, let’s talk. I’ll make hot chocolate and we’ll eat ice cream,” Sarah said in a nurturing tone.
“Sarah, I just want to be alone. I don’t feel like talking right now. We’ll catch up when are back in Wisconsin. I just want to be alone, please.” Meg’s voice quivered and she stood there helpless. Even though Sarah stood directly in front of her, she had never felt so alone as she did right now.
“Did you want to take a shower or a nice hot bath and a glass of wine? I can get it ready for you.”
“No, but thanks. I just want to go to sleep, if that’s all right with you.” My flight leaves before noon and I’d really like to get some sleep.”
“Meg, if you need to talk…”
“Please Sarah, not now. I need to be alone, just tell me where I should put my things, please.” Tears fell hard once again. Sarah cursed under her breath, and Meg followed her down the hall toward the guestroom.
Sarah took her bags inside, and with one last hug, she turned to Meg. “I’ll be in the family room, if you feel better and want to talk about it, I’m here okay?”
“I know. Thank you, Sarah.” Sarah kissed Meg on the cheek and left, closing the door behind her.
Chapter 13
The flight home was an emotional roller coaster ride. Meg’s every thought was of Drake. What will he think after he reads my book? What if he leaves me? What if he thinks I’m not worth the trouble? Meg’s heart ached for him. He told her he loved her. He put his heart on the line and all he wanted to do was help her through this. But she couldn’t help but wonder what will happen now, if things between them will ever be the same. With a heavy sigh, she stared out the window of the cab. It’ll be nice to see Mom and Dad again, but I wish I didn’t have to be back here. The memories she escaped so long ago were quickly resurfacing. Meg shivered from the memory and prayed to God that whoever it was, wasn’t here waiting for her to return.
* * * *
“Meggie, you’re home!” Her mom grabbed the overnight bag and her dad grabbed the suitcase. They placed both items on the floor before turning to hug her. They settled down at the kitchen table and talked for a few hours, drinking tea and munching on her mom’s homemade cookies. Meg tried her best to keep her spirits up and to remain undistracted from the bedroom upstairs and from leaving Drake the way she did. She didn’t want them to know how she was feeling or why she was feeling this way. Her mom bought her up to speed on all the news and gossip in town. “Aunt Milvie is getting worse as each day goes by,” her Mom said through tears. “Her health is quickly deteriorating, Meggie. We’re helping as much as we can.” Meg couldn’t help but notice the dark circles around her mother’s eyes and a few more wrinkles than she had the last time they were together. She hugged her. “I’m so sorry, Mom. I know how hard this must be for you.”
After dinner, Meg wrapped Christmas presents with her mom. The tree was lit up and looked exactly as it did eight years earlier. The decorations were still the same, and that same old star sat on top of the tree, shining brightly. It felt good to be home again spending time with her parents. Meg told them both about Drake. She said a lot of nice things about him but she held off from telling them how serious they might be. She was back to being unsure again. They were pleased that she was seeing someone and asked why she didn’t bring him home with her to meet them. Meg lied and told them he was working throughout the holidays and couldn’t get away. Truth was, she never asked him and part of her was relieved that she hadn’t. After being away from home for so long, and after he confronted her about hiding something from her past, she really needed this time alone.
Before going to bed, Meg sent Drake a text.
DN,
I made it here okay. I miss you and I’m sorry for the way I left. Everything hit me all at once and I didn’t know what else to do but run.
When I get back and if it’s not too late, I hope we can talk through this. I know once you finish the book, you’ll have a lot of questions and rightfully so. I just can’t have that conversation from here, not with my parents around. I miss you very much.
Yours,
MM
xox
Meg settled on the couch in front of the TV downstairs and drifted off. She didn’t bother checking to see if he responded to her message. Her head was all over the place and she wasn’t sure she could handle what he had to say just yet. Nor could she have that conversation with him while her parents were around.
* * * *
The following morning she checked her phone. Her heart sped up when she realized she received a message from him.
MM
I got a call late last night after you left and had to fly to San Francisco on business. I’m happy to hear you made it home okay. I return to NY tomorrow and have cleared my schedule for three days. That being said, I will focus my full attention on reading your book without disruption.
I meant it when I told you I love you. And whatever your story is, I can assure you right now, my feelings will never change. Truthfully, I have never said that to a woman before now. But it feels right with you. I know things happened between us very quickly. And I know we have only been together for a short time. All I know is that when I’m around you, I am the happiest man alive and when we’re apart, I can barely breathe. I am having a hard time breathing right now and I can’t wait for you to come back to me.
And you will.
Mine
DN MM,
XOX
Meg swallowed the lump in her throat and smiled at his words. She turned back to the TV and mindlessly flicked through the channels. I should have told him. I shouldn’t have waited until now. Maybe I should have stayed last night and told him what happened. Maybe the book wasn’t such a good idea after all. She contemplated texting him back and telling him she loved him too. But that was too personal to say over a message. That was something you shared with the man you loved when you were face to face.
* * * *
Over the next few days, she busied herself with delivering presents to family, visiting her Aunt Milvie, and her dad’s seven sisters. She caught up on everyone’s life. It was as though she never left. Unfortunately, Aunt Milvie’s health was quickly deteriorating, like her mom had suggested. She was told the cancer was aggressive and there was nothing more they could do for her other than make her as comfortable as possible. They didn’t expect her to be around much longer. Meg and her parents were inseparable and went everywhere together. She finally let her guard down and felt safe with both of them at her side. Meg fell asleep on the couch downstairs with the TV on each night. She never made it to her old bedroom upstairs. She wanted that door shut forever.
Meg’s suitcase was downstairs, and she used the guest bedroom there. Both her parents asked why she wasn’t sleeping in her old bedroom. “I prefer to stay downstairs,” she lied. Telling them both she wanted to watch TV late at night while she worked on writing her new book. She also told them the Christmas tree bought back so many warm memories of when she was growing up, she wanted to savor every moment she could just looking at it. Little did they know, she finished the book and wasn’t about to start writing anything until the New Year. The phone rang three times before M
eg finally picked it up. “I got the phone, Mom,” she yelled up the stairs toward the kitchen.
“Hello?”
“Oh good, it’s you, Meg, how have you been?”
“Good, but I have to apologize, I have no idea who it is I’m talking too,” she laughed.
“It’s Edie, Tommy’s mom.”
“Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t recognize your voice, Mrs. Jones, how have you been?”
“As well as can be expected I guess, I’ve been okay. We’re holding our own under the circumstances.” Meg found her answer to be a little odd and didn’t pry any further. She would ask her mom later what that was all about.
“I was hoping you could all drop by this evening for dinner. Tommy heard you were home, and he would love to see you. You always treated him nicely and he talks fondly about you often.”
“Oh, that’s very sweet of him. Let me check and I’ll call you back,” Meg assured her.
“Yes, of course. I really would love to see you again, dear. It’s been years since we’ve seen you last.”
“Just give me half an hour or so to make sure my parents haven’t planned anything. I’ll call you right back, I promise.”
Meg ran up the stairs, her mom was up to her elbows in dough.
“Mom, Mrs. Jones just called.”
“Oh Edie, what did she say?” Meg’s mom stopped rolling the dough and listened.
“I asked her how she was doing and her response caught me off guard. It sounded as though something might have happened. She said they were doing as well as could be expected under the circumstances, what was that all about?” Meg was concerned, she had known Mrs. Jones from the time she was a little girl in grade school. She watched her mom wash the dough off her hands, and they both took a seat at the kitchen table.
“It’s Tommy,” she said quietly.
“Tommy Jones? What happened? Is he okay?”
“I’m afraid not. I ran into Edie just last week when I was out grocery shopping. She looked really down so I invited her back here for a coffee afterward. She talked about the problems she’s been having at home with Tommy. Apparently, he’s been acting strange for the past few years. It all started in his early twenties. Edie took him to see the doctor and had him checked out. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia. He’s been on medication for the past few years. But when he stops taking them, he leaves the house and disappears for days at a time. He acts out quite a bit. I feel so sorry for Edie, Tommy is her only child and this has hit her so hard, Meggie. They’re considering putting him in a group home if he doesn’t get better soon.”
“Wow, remember when I invited him to my grade eight graduation? He was fine then, but I recall in high school he was a little off. Although I never would have guessed it was this bad. He is a little weird though, Mom, you have to admit that.”
“He always seemed nice enough. When I run in to him in town, he always says hi and asks about you and when you’re coming home again.”
“Well, that’s too bad. I think I was the only one that was nice to him in grade school. Everyone was always so mean to him. Anyhow, Mrs. Jones invited us over for dinner this evening, do we have any plans?”
“We can’t, honey. Your father and I are going to spend some time with your Aunt Milvie again. We thought we would drop by and help her prepare for Christmas dinner tomorrow. She’s really weak and can use our help. Why don’t you go ahead without us?”
“Really, Mom? I don’t feel like going there alone. It’s been years since I’ve seen Mr. and Mrs. Jones and Tommy too for that matter. Maybe I’ll swing by for a quick coffee. I feel bad if neither of us goes, but I’m not staying long. I’ll call Sarah and see what she’s up to. Maybe I can head over to her house after I visit with Mrs. Jones. I’ll see Aunt Milvie tomorrow for Christmas dinner and please give her a kiss for me, okay?”
“Of course I will. She’s so happy you’re here and so are we.” Mrs. Malone gave her daughter a hug and went back to her baking.
* * * *
At the second ring, Meg heard Sarah’s voice squeal out from the other end of the receiver. “Meg, it’s you! Jesus, I thought maybe you fell off the face of the earth!” Her voice dropped lower. “How have you been, are you okay, did you talk to him?”
“No, I haven’t talked to him yet, but listen, what are you doing later this evening?” Meg crossed her fingers hoping that Sarah would say she will be home.
“I’m home. Why, are you thinking about coming over? John Lake might drop by Meg, but I can call him back and tell him I have other plans.”
Shit, just my luck! “No, that’s okay. Maybe it’s time I run into him and sort out the mess he left me in. I’m not angry at him anymore, but I do want him to know that what he did was unacceptable. Maybe talking through it will be a better way to move on and get past it. I’ll see how I feel when I leave Tommy’s house this evening.”
“You’re going to see Tommy, Tommy Jones?”
“Oh, Mrs. Jones called earlier and asked us to drop by for a visit. Mom and Dad can’t make it. I felt bad and told mom I would drop by and visit them for a quick coffee. I was thinking of going by to see Will this afternoon as well. I haven’t seen him since I’ve been home, and he’s called here three times looking for me. I was hoping to see him at some point during my visit.”
“Will would love to see you, Meg, tell him I’ll drop by to see him in a day or two. Make sure you come by later,” Sarah demanded. “After John leaves. I want to know what the hell is going on between you and Mr. Beautiul.” They ended the call, and Meg hit the shower. She decided to get her day off to an early start. She was about to start climbing the walls with thoughts of Drake. Getting out of the house would help her keep her mind off him at least.
* * * *
Meg picked up the phone and called Mrs. Jones before leaving the house. She let her know that regrettably her parents had plans, but she would drop by herself sometime early in the evening for a quick coffee. Mrs. Jones expressed her happiness and assured Meg she couldn’t wait to see her. Meg ventured off to Will’s house first; he was ecstatic to hear from her when she called. Thankfully, Meg managed to pick up a Christmas gift for his son so she put that together with a nice bottle of wine for Will and his wife. She sent a quick text to Drake before leaving the house.
DN,
Thanx for getting back to me. Loved your message. I miss you too and will call you tomorrow for Christmas.
Yours,
MM
XOX
It felt like forever since she had last spoken to Drake. She missed his soothing voice. She missed being around him and couldn’t wait to see him to tell him she loved him. She still worried about how he would feel after reading her story, but she finally admitted to herself that it was time and he should know. Whatever came after that, she would deal with it.
* * * *
Meg borrowed her mom’s car and headed to Will’s house. As she approached his address, she realized his house was only three doors away from his parents. What a perfect set up for babysitting, she thought to herself. Excitement took over as she stood on his doorstep and knocked at the front door. Within seconds, Will stood in front of her. With his hands out, he grabbed her in a tight hug, and they both looked one another over appreciating the changes over the past eight years. Will had filled out substantially. The once tall and lanky Will now looked like a cop. He stood tall and lean with his hair shaved closely to his scalp. But those twinkling blue eyes never changed, they were still so soft and filled with kindness, giving him an almost boyish look, just like she remembered.
“Meg, you look more beautiful than you did eight years ago, if that’s even possible.” His smile was welcoming and he stood back a little to hold the door open before ushering her inside. Meg handed him the gift she wrapped earlier for his son along with the bottle of wine. He thanked her, and they headed up the three stairs leading into the kitchen. “What can I make you, Meg? Do you still drink vodka and cranberry?”
Meg smiled back
at the memory of their drinking days. “Perfect,” she replied thankfully.
“Here,” he pulled out a chair from the kitchen table and ushered her to take a seat. “You sit, I’ll make the drink,” he offered. A few moments later, Will returned with a drink for her and a beer for himself.
“Will, you look really good, and it’s so nice to see you again. So tell me, what’s new, where’s your wife and son? I hear you’re a dad now?”
“Oh, you just missed them, they just went to visit my in-laws. I’m meeting them later. We’re spending Christmas Eve there and tomorrow we’re at my parent’s house for dinner. You’ll have to come back and meet them. You would just love Ty. He’s really incredible.”
“I look forward to meeting the little guy, I’ll drop by again before I leave town. So you’re a big bad cop now, huh?”
“Yeah, it’s great. I love it.” Will straightened in his chair. “So what’s this I hear about you moving to New York; will you be close to Sarah there?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, I will be. I’ll be staying with her for a while until I find my own place. I’ve decided it’s time for a change. Toronto has been great but the company I worked for sold, and I’ve had some time to think about my future and what I want.” Meg held her breath before continuing. “So, I, um, decided to take that big step and move to NYC. It’s time to get my creative juices flowing and finally write that book I have been putting off for years.” It sounded so odd to say that out loud, she realized after it was out there. Meg Malone, Author, she thought silently to herself.
Felisha Goulding's Stolen Innocence Series Page 42