Chasing Day Series: Chasing Day & Catching Day

by Twyla Turner

  They’d been back from their trip for a couple of days. Today would be her first day as the new cellist in the London Philharmonic. A position, she had no doubt, was handed to her because of her association with Catherine and her relationship with Rhys. She knew she was good enough, but it was still a highly coveted and difficult spot to get.

  Rhys had already left for a meeting at the college, so Day had the flat to herself. The apartment still didn’t feel like hers. She still felt like a guest at Rhys’ place.

  She brewed some coffee that she’d gotten from an American store, since tea was the preferred drink of choice in England. She sat down at the kitchen table and opened her laptop. She clicked opened her internet browser and Yahoo popped up. Even though she wasn’t there, Day still liked to know what was going on in the States.

  She clicked through a few headlines when one hit her like a freight train. Day’s coffee mug fell to the floor and shattered, splashing scalding hot liquid on her feet. She quickly grabbed some paper towels and wiped her feet and dropped some absentmindedly over the spill as she clicked the headline.

  SECRET WEDDING

  Pro football’s hottest and most eligible bachelor elopes in Tahoe with hometown sweetheart.

  The picture that filled the screen was of Chase and a now very blonde, Whitney Taylor holding hands somewhere in California. An unbidden sob escaped Day’s throat and she slapped her hands over her mouth. The pain that ripped through her chest was indescribable. It would’ve felt better if Chase had of flown to London, stabbed her in the heart, and twisted the knife for good measure. How could he, were the three words that continued to play in her head on a continuous loop.

  Day couldn’t even read the whole story because of the tears that wouldn’t stop filling up her eyes. She slammed the laptop shut, wrapped her arms around her stomach, and laid her head on the table. Heart-wrenching sobs tore through her body till she shook with them. She cried until she had no choice but to suck it up and pack up her cello, to go to her first rehearsal.

  As she rode the bus to the conservatory, she wiped at her face as a few more tears slipped past her lids. She wondered how many times two people could continue to hurt each other.

  It’s Complicated

  Chapter 7

  November 2010

  “What the fuck is this, Whitney?!” Chase shouted at his wife, as he held up a packet of birth control pills.

  Whitney paused from putting on her makeup and looked up at him from her seat at her vanity. “It’s birth control,” she said in a condescending tone.

  “I can fucking see that, Whitney. I’m not an idiot.” Chase growled. “The point is, what was it doing in your purse?”

  “No, the question is why are you going through my stuff?” Whitney returned self-righteously.

  “Because I have a wife that says she was pregnant and miscarried our baby. But when I saw she had birth control in her purse, I decided to look at her past credit card statements. And you know what I found?” Chase asked though Whitney kept her mouth shut, so he continued. “I saw that she’d been paying for birth control for at least the past year. You can’t very well get pregnant and miscarry when you’re on birth control, now can you?” Chase sneered at her.

  Whitney raised her chin defiantly. “So what? Okay, fine! I don’t want to have a kid. Sue me!” She shouted.

  “You lied about having a fucking miscarriage, Whitney! I mourned for a child that wasn’t even there! Who the fuck does that?!” He roared, before continuing. “That was something you could’ve told me before we got married! I told you before I even bought this house, when you took me on a tour, that I wanted a house that I could see raising a family in. You didn’t think to tell me then that you weren’t interested in having kids?” Chase said angrily, his head ready to explode.

  “I mean, you were just talking. I thought men only wanted babies because their wives convinced them to. I didn’t know you were actually serious.” Whitney said innocently.

  “No, you mean that you ignored what I said because you wanted a rich football player husband that could take care of you. You sure did quit you realtor job before the ink even dried on the marriage license. For what? So that you can shop all day and drink mimosas at lunch with your friends every day while I risk debilitating injuries every season? While you spend my money like it’s going outta style?! This isn’t the fucking Housewives of San Diego!” Chase ranted.

  “Oh, yes. Let me ruin my body for you. Let me look like a hot frazzled mess with babies hanging off of me every day, while you get to leave the house. Let me be up to my arms in baby poop, vomit and drool for you! All while you still walk around wearing your little love bracelet with your ex-girlfriend’s initials on it!” Whitney screeched and Chase’s head snapped back at her tirade. He looked down at the bracelet he had made eleven years ago. “Yeah, I don’t fucking think so.” Whitney scoffed.

  They had been married over four years now and at thirty-years-old, Chase was ready to start a family. He was quickly starting to realize that his wife didn’t have the same idea. Apparently, not quick enough, though. If he’d have known, he could’ve ended their farce of a marriage long ago. Especially, since he knew that Whitney wasn’t the type of woman to let go of her cushy lifestyle easily. If he ended this, he was surely going to pay. Literally. What the fuck did I do?

  Chase heard his cellphone ring in the other room and stormed away from the woman he called wife, yet was beginning to hate.

  ~~~

  Day sat across from Rhys, at their favorite spot to meet for lunch. She looked at the top of his dark wavy hair as he was bent over his Blackberry. As always, sending out texts or checking emails. Too busy to talk to his wife.

  Day sighed and looked over at a cute little family a few tables over. It was a husband and wife with two little ones. One was about three-years-old and the other only a couple of months. The mother was feeding the baby a bottle with one hand and feeding herself with the other. While the dad alternated between eating his food and wiping the food off of the toddler’s mouth and hands. Both parents talked animatedly about something. They looked happy. An emotion that Day hadn’t really felt in a long time.

  “Are you ever going to change your mind about getting that reversal?” Day asked and Rhys looked up with a questioning frown.

  Her handsome husband turned to look at what she was talking about and saw the little family. Rhys turned up his nose, realizing what she was talking about.

  “How many times am I going to tell you, that I don’t want kids?” Rhys said in exasperation. “They just get in the way. You lose sleep, sex, and sanity. And those are three S’s that I personally enjoy.”

  “So you could give a fuck, how I feel about it, huh?” Day ground her teeth in anger.

  “What is there to complain about? You’ve got a great life. If you need someone to nurture, just get a dog.” Rhys said callously.

  Unwelcome tears filled Day’s eyes as she realized that her husband just didn’t get it and never would. Shortly after their honeymoon, the subject of kids came up. To which, Rhys had dropped a bomb on her.

  They were getting ready for a holiday dinner party at Catherine’s estate. Day looked at Rhys’ reflection in the mirror as she put the diamond studs he’d given her for Christmas in her ears.

  “You know, when we eventually have kids, we’ll have to get a bigger place.” Day said offhandedly, ready to move out of his bachelor pad and into a place that felt like both of theirs.

  “Kids?!” Rhys scoffed. “We won’t be having any of those, certainly.”

  “Wait…you don’t want kids?” Day has asked incredulously.

  “Absolutely, not! Which is why I got a vasectomy at twenty-one.” Rhys informed her.

  “What?!” Day exclaimed, in complete shock. “And you’re telling me this now?!”

  “What’s the big deal?” Rhys frowned. “You seem pretty career-oriented and I’ve never heard you mention children before. I didn’t think you wanted any.”
>
  “That’s because I was twenty-three when we started dating. Things change and you grow. But a family is something that I’ve always wanted eventually.” Day explained. “It’s reversible, right?”

  “Most of the time, yes. But that won’t mean I’ll be reversing it.” Rhys said emphatically.

  “Wow. It would’ve been nice to have been informed of all this before you married me. Getting fixed is a huge piece of information that your soon-to-be wife at the time should’ve known.” Day remarked, sarcastically. She was silently fuming inside.

  That’s when it hit her. She recalled how he’d wanted them to get checked for any STDs before having unprotected sex, but he’d never mentioned birth control. Because he didn’t have to worry about getting me pregnant. I’m a fucking idiot, she thought to herself.

  “Come on, love. Let’s not fight about this. Let’s go have a great time at Catherine’s.” Rhys came up behind her, looking at her through the mirror. “Maybe we can talk more about it later,” he said, and then kissed her temple softly.

  Later never came.

  “You know…why don’t you go and get a dog with the little student that I know you’ve been fucking behind my back. Because as far as I know, out of your three S’s, all I’ve been getting is the ‘sleep.’ You sure as hell haven’t been fucking me. And keeping my sanity while married to an insensitive, pompous ass, is next to impossible.” Day sneered as she abruptly stood up, ignoring the looks she was getting from the other restaurant patrons.

  “You’re being childish, Daylen,” Rhys responded though he didn’t deny her accusation.

  “You really are an arrogant son-of-a-bitch, aren’t you?” Day asked but didn’t wait for a response as she stormed out of the restaurant.

  As she walked down the sidewalk, her head ready to explode with fury, Day heard her phone ringing in her purse. She immediately recognized the ringtone she’d set for her mother. She quickly searched through her purse, pulled out her phone, and hit the green button.

  “Hey, mom.” Day grumbled.

  “Daylen.” The feminine voice on the other end was not her mother.

  “Who is this?” Day asked nervously.

  “Daylen, it’s Sandra.” The woman said.

  Sandra was Pat’s best friend, but Day couldn’t understand why she was calling her from her mother’s phone.

  “Uh, hey Sandra. Why are you calling from my mom’s phone?” Day asked with trepidation.

  “Daylen, sweetie…your mom had a heart attack,” she said gently.

  “Oh my God!” Day exclaimed as she nearly dropped her phone.

  “She’s okay!” Sandra quickly clarified. “She’s here at the hospital in stable condition. It looks like they’re going to have to do bypass surgery. So she wanted me to call you and let you know before she went into surgery.”

  “I’ll be there on the next flight out!” Day said as she started to run towards the bus stop.

  “Okay, we’ll see you soon.”

  “B-Bye.” Day’s voice trembled as she fought off tears.

  Day caught a bus home and quickly threw everything she needed into her suitcases the minute she walked into their bedroom. All while wiping away tears of worry. She flipped opened her laptop and with shaky hands, picked the first flight out of London to O’Hare. She quickly rolled her luggage out of their building and hailed a cab. She called the conductor of the Philharmonic to let him know what happened and that she’d be gone for a while. He sent her and her mother well wishes and told her he’d see her whenever she could get back, but not to rush.

  Once she boarded the plane a few hours later, Day finally pulled out her cell and shot a quick text to Rhys, not even bothering to call.

  My mom had a heart attack. Just boarded a flight to Chicago. I’ll let you know when I land.

  Before she put her phone on airplane mode, it chimed with a new text.

  I’m sorry, love. You could’ve told me before you left for the airport. I could’ve come with you.

  Day quickly typed out another text and then shut off her phone, so she didn’t have to read his response.

  No, stay with your girlfriend. I’ll see you when I see you.

  Day sat back and closed her weary eyes. She prayed that her mother would make it out okay and that her flight got in as soon as possible.

  Chapter 8

  Once the plane landed in Chicago, Day didn’t waste any time getting off the plane. She quickly made her way to baggage claim and waited impatiently for the luggage to make its way up and around the carousel. Once she had her bags, Day rushed outside and ran up to the first taxi she saw.

  “Where you headed?” The man asked once they both got in after putting her luggage in the trunk.

  “Aurora Medical Center,” Day told him.

  “Aurora? Do you know how far that is and how much that would cost?” The cabbie turned to look at her like she was crazy.

  “I could care less. Where I’m going, I won’t be needing a rental. Besides, the rental line was a mile long and I need to get there as soon as possible. I have to see my mother,” she said near desperation.

  “Alright, ma’am. Whatever you want.” The cabbie shrugged.

  He turned back around, started the car, and pulled away from the curb out into traffic. Day tried calling her mom’s cell, but there was no answer. She didn’t have any messages from Sandra or her mother. She didn’t even have a text or voicemail from Rhys, considering the last message she’d sent him, which, of course, was telling.

  She wrung her hands and bounced her leg the whole ride down to her hometown. It only took forty-five minutes, but it felt like hours. They finally pulled up to the hospital around lunch time. Day practically jumped out of the cab, after paying the driver and tipping him extra. The cabbie popped the trunk and Daylen had her suitcases out before he could even help her.

  “Thank you for driving me so far out.” Day had enough manners to say before heading towards the sliding doors.

  “Good luck, Miss.” The driver called out, and then drove off.

  Day wheeled her suitcases inside and walked up to the front desk.

  “Hello. I’m here to see my mother, Patricia Daniels. I need to find out what room she’s in.” Day said to the woman behind the desk.

  “Hmm…let me see.” The woman typed on her computer and clicked several times before finally finding what she was looking for. “Got it. She’s in room three-oh-one. It’s on the third floor. Make a right after you exit the elevator,” she instructed.

  “Thank you.”

  “Um…what is the luggage for because you’re really not supposed to bring in anything like that inside? Other than an overnight bag.” The woman asked.

  “I literally came straight here from the airport in a cab. I live in London.” Day informed her, on the brink of losing her patience.

  The woman must have seen the crazed look in Day’s eyes because she nodded her head in understanding.

  “That’s fine. Go on up to see your mom,” she said kindly.

  “Thanks. I appreciate that.” Day said before walking towards the elevators.

  She followed the woman’s directions and quickly found her mother’s hospital room. The door was cracked slightly, so Day pushed it open further. Her mother laid in the bed, looking so small and fragile. She had tubes and wires coming from everywhere. Day’s eyes instantly filled with tears.

  “Mom,” her voice wobbled.

  Pat’s eyes blinked open and a weak but happy smile spread across her face. “Hi, baby,” she said gruffly.

  Day pulled her suitcases into the room and then flew over to her mother’s bedside. She bent down and kissed her cheek though she really wanted to wrap her up and sob on her shoulder.

  “Are you okay?” Day asked, wiping at her damp eyes.

  “I’m doing alright. I’ll be up and moving around sooner than you think.” Pat reassured her.

  “How did this happen? And to a nurse?” Day asked in disbelief.

  “Too
busy taking care of others and not myself, I guess.” Pat sighed.

  “Well, that has to stop right now.” Day demanded.

  “Child, you think I don’t know that?! Trust me, I’ve been scared straight!” Pat exclaimed weakly.

  “Are they treating you alright?” Day asked, looking around the hospital room.

  “They have no choice. That’s the perks of being a nurse. I can call them on their crap.” Pat grinned slyly.

  “Yeah, you are doing alright. If you’re being sassy to the hospital staff.” Day teased, internally sighing with relief.

  “Have they fed you yet?” Day asked, wanting her mom to be as comfortable as possible.

  “I have someone bringing me food as we speak,” Pat said right as the door was pushed opened.

  “Alright, Mrs. D. I’ve got you some mystery soup and the standard hospital Jello.” A familiar deep voice said.

  Day whipped around in her seat at the same time Chase looked up from the tray he was carrying. Their eyes collided and held for several tense seconds. Day felt like she’d been hit with a wrecking ball of emotions. Joy, passion, pain, and an all-consuming fury.

  “Day,” he whispered.

  “What are you doing here?” Day asked angrily and then turn on her mother before he could answer. “What is he doing here?” She asked her mother.

  “I told Sandra to call him too,” Pat answered.

  “Why would you do that when you know how I feel?” Day asked dubiously.

  “Day,” Chase said as he sat the tray of food down on the adjustable hospital bed table.

  Daylen ignored him as if he wasn’t there, waiting for her mother to answer.

  “Because he’s like a son to me and deserved to know I’d had a heart attack,” Pat informed her wearily.

  “Day.” Chase tried again.

  “What?!” Daylen shouted as she turned to look at him, her eyes shooting daggers.

  “Don’t be mad at your mom. She told me I didn’t have to come. It was my choice to come out.” Chase said gently as if she’d break if he spoke too loudly.