The In-Between Girl

by Michelle Maris

  "About that... was that supposed to happen this evening?"

  "It still can, but it doesn't matter because it is inevitable now because I'm..." Julie continued to speak, but the words weren't registering in Erica's brain.

  Was it possible? Did Erica hear her correctly? Then Julia elaborated, and the reality of what she said hit Erica like a speeding locomotive.

  Julie was pregnant, but she hadn't told Derrick, yet.

  Erica faltered backward looking for something to steady herself. Her mouth felt dry and sticky, and she felt her blood leave her face. Erica looked around the room and focused in on Derrick. He stared at her and Erica knew she needed to compose herself.

  Erica gave a fake smile and whispered to Julie, "Congratulations." She then walked away holding on to any surface she could find to steady herself.

  She searched out Teddy as she moved towards the front door. She pressed her hand to her stomach. Teddy saw her. Concern shadowed his face, and he knew something was wrong with Erica.

  He excused himself from the conversation he was having and headed in Erica's direction. Derrick pounced on the situation. He, too, knew something was wrong the moment Julie sidled next to Erica. Derrick intercepted Erica half way to the door.

  "What happened?" He grabbed her hand from behind, and she turned into him almost falling over herself.

  He placed his hands on her hips to steady her.

  She looked into his eyes, and she felt the tears pooling in hers. She wanted to scream. She wanted it to be a lie. He didn't know, and it wasn't her place to tell him, so she said nothing. "I'm feeling ill. I'm going to ask Teddy to take me home."

  "No. I'll take you home." He demanded.

  "No Derrick, you stay. It's your party. Your guests." Just as she finished speaking Teddy stood beside her. "Teddy, I'm not feeling well. Could your driver take me home?"

  "My dear, I'm coming with you."

  "But it's New Year's Eve, and it's not midnight yet."

  "Erica, my dear, I haven't stayed awake until midnight in thirty years. I'm taking you home."

  While Teddy got her coat, Derrick held Erica's arm as he walked her to the front door. "I'll miss you. Let me know how you feel in the morning."

  Erica gave a weak smile and shook her head.

  Teddy and his driver took Erica home. They didn't speak, but Teddy held her hand. He walked her up to her apartment, gave her a peck on the cheek and wished her a Happy New Year. Erica promised Teddy that she would call him that coming week.

  At midnight, Derrick sent Erica a text: Happy New Year! I love you!

  Erica never responded. She spent the rest of New Year's Eve in bed crying.

  Chapter 11

  Long Lost Friends

  Erica sat in her office reviewing an order of material she placed for her spring collection. Two weeks had passed since she saw Derrick at his New Year's Eve party. He called a few times, but Erica didn't return his calls. After hearing Julie's news, she felt it was only right to back off. Derrick had a new responsibility towards Julie and Erica needed to take herself out of the picture.

  She startled from her heavy thoughts when her assistant appeared in the doorway. "Yes, Rebecca."

  "Erica, you have a call on line one."

  "Who is it?"

  "Her name is Jennifer."

  "Jennifer," Erica repeated the name, in case, she misunderstood Rebecca.

  "That's what she said." Rebecca looked at the phone on Erica's desk. "Do you want me to take a message?"

  For a brief moment, Erica considered brushing Jennifer off then she changed her mind. "No, I'll pick it up."

  Before walking away, Rebecca closed Erica's office door.

  Erica stared down at her phone. How unexpected to be hearing from Jennifer after all this time has passed. Erica never thought she'd hear from Jennifer again. She picked up the receiver and hit the button with the red light flashing above it. "Hi, this Erica Grant."

  "THE Erica Grant." Jennifer exaggerated her voice.

  "Yes, the one and only."

  "How is my dear friend? I miss you so much."

  "I'm sorry who is this." Erica teased.

  "Erica! Stop it! I know it's been awhile and I'm sorry I haven't called, but I don't recall seeing any missed calls on my phone from you."

  "True, very true. How are you, Jen?"

  "Um... MARRIED!" Jennifer squealed into the phone.

  "So he was the one."

  "Hm, what? Oh no, I didn't marry that one. I married Michael Pierce. We met four months ago. He's wonderful, and he's different."

  "How so?" Erica couldn't wait to hear this explanation because so far all of them were Mr. Right, perfect in every way, THE ONE.

  "Well, for starters he doesn't take my shit, and he's British."

  "Okay, well not taking your shit is a good start and he must have a great accent." Erica didn't know what else to say.

  "His accent is sexy as shit and guess what else..." She didn't wait for Erica to guess. "We're living in London."

  "You're calling me from London?"

  "Yep, and Erica, I want you to visit."

  Just as Erica thought of all the excuses she could come up with not to visit, she stopped herself. Maybe a trip to London was what she needed. Get out of the city for a few weeks; see something new, and get far away from Derrick and his pregnant girlfriend.

  "When do you want me?"

  Erica moved the receiver away from her ear as Jennifer squealed into the phone. "You'll come to visit? How soon? Hang up and book your flight."

  "Slow down. I need to organize things here at work, but hopefully, if I can get a flight, I'll be there by the end of the week."

  "Ok. Call me with all the details, and I'll send a car service to pick you up at the airport."

  "You won't pick me up."

  "Erica, I've changed but not that much. Why deal with airport traffic when you can send a car."

  "Right. Glad to see there's still a bit of the old Jen lingering around." Erica glided her fingers along the edge of the desk. "Jen, I'm glad you called, and I'm happy that you moved to London because I need to get out of here."

  "Is everything okay?" Now, this was the new Jen. The concern heard in her voice as she cared enough about someone other than herself to ask if they were okay.

  "No, not really, but I'll survive it." She stared at a paperclip on her desk, but her mind drifted somewhere else. At that second, if you asked her to describe the paperclip, she most likely couldn't. Outwardly, Erica looked the same: happy, light, laid back, and stress-free. Inwardly, she felt heavy, sad, disappointed, and her heart hurt.

  She always laughed at the cliché my broken heart, but now, she realized it feels broken. She feels a definite ache and an undeniable tightness in her chest where her heart resides.

  "Do you want to talk about it now, or when we see each other in person?" Jennifer sounded shockingly compassionate.

  Erica doodled a picture of a broken heart on a piece of scrap paper in front of her. "We'll talk when I get there."

  Jennifer couldn't contain her excitement; she babbled on about how excited and happy she was that Erica would visit. She listed off all things she wanted to do when Erica arrived. "And Erica, you'll stay with us. We have a large townhouse, so you'll have a private suite all to yourself."

  "I'll call you as soon as I have my flight information."

  Erica jotted down Jennifer's new contact information: Upper Phillimore Gardens, Kensington, London W8.

  As soon as Erica hung up, she called Teddy. Erica had many things to do before she left but the most important thing on her to-do list - inform Teddy of her departure for a couple of weeks.

  "You're leaving when?" Teddy sounded disappointed.

  "Friday."

  "Have you talked to Derrick?" He asked.

  "No, and please don't tell him where I'm going. I need time away from him."

  "Erica, my darling what happened?"

  "Oh, Teddy, Julie told me she's pregnant."r />
  The sounds of paper crackling, something breaking, and loud thuds sounded in the background. "Teddy, what are you doing? Did you throw something?"

  He didn't answer her question but instead ranted. "What is wrong with that boy, he's so much smarter than this, now what's he going to do, he's a fool."

  "Well, whatever the case he needs to work that out with her." Erica could no longer speak her name.

  "How long are you going for?"

  "I haven't decided. It will be good to get away, and while I'm there, I want to check out storefronts."

  "That's my girl! Grow your business. Don't let this setback get you down. Call me if you need any free legal advice," Teddy hesitated, "call me every day either way. I'll miss you."

  "Teddy, I'm not leaving for good. I will be back, but I will call you every day and make sure you take care of Jane. I hope when I get back you'll have news of your own to share."

  "I just might. I love you, darling. Be a good girl and be safe. Call me when you arrive in London."

  "I will and as soon as I hang up I'll send you the information on where I'm staying BUT don't tell Derrick."

  Chapter 12

  Everything is Brighter in London

  Erica stepped out of the airport and as expected the car service waited for her. A large black Mercedes idled with the back door ajar. The driver took her bags and deposited them in the boot. Erica stepped into the warm back seat. When the driver entered the car, he turned to Erica. "Ms. Grant, I'm taking you to Kensington, London, to the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Pierce."

  "Yes, thank you." Erica relaxed back into the soft leather seat. She assumed this driver was their employee and not some hired car service. "Sir, how long is the drive?"

  "About forty-five minutes." He answered then pulled out.

  Erica rested her head back and closed her eyes. When they arrived, the driver called out her name to wake her. She opened her eyes and leaned over to get a better view out the window.

  There stood a magnificent semi-attached white and gray brick four-story home. A small wrought iron gate marked the entrance to the pathway up to the house.

  The driver opened her door, and she stepped out onto the sidewalk. Within seconds, the front doors opened, and Jennifer ran down the steps and the long pathway. She fiddled with the gate and opened it.

  With wide- open arms, she embraced Erica. "I'm so glad you're here."

  "I'm happy to be here." They stepped back from each other still holding hands. They spoke in unison. "You look amazing."

  "How long are you staying?" Before Erica left, Jennifer called her every day to make sure she still planned on coming and asked how long Erica would stay. Jennifer was new to London, and she wanted Erica with her so they could explore the city together.

  "I will play it by ear but two weeks, possibly longer. It all depends on my company's needs."

  Jennifer laced her arm inside of Erica's. "Good, stay as long as you like. I'm so happy you're here."

  Erica appreciated her connection with Jen. They would never be best friends, but that was okay. Being roommate's for four years in college felt like being sisters. They set boundaries, they talked about everything, but they didn't agree on everything. Like a family, you can love them and hate them all at the same time. It's okay to disagree and not like everything about the other person. Erica and Jen had that kind of relationship, and so far, it stood the test of time.

  BUT...

  There was one small piece of information that Erica would never divulge to Jen. She would not be telling her anything about Derrick. Erica would keep that one close to the vest.

  The first two weeks in London, Jen took Erica to all the notable sights. First, they visited Buckingham Palace. It was not open for touring but seeing it in person was an experience in itself. Next, she showed Erica The London Eye, Big Ben, and Kensington Palace. Kensington Palace was Erica's favorite. At a young age, she became fascinated with the history of the Royal family and Queen Victoria.

  They finished the second week touring the British Museum and Madam Tussauds followed by a boat ride down the River Thames. By her third week in London, all Erica wanted to do was go shopping. Luckily, Jen was a professional shopper. She took her to some of the best stores, and some of the most expensive stores, but it was the more rare boutique finds that Erica appreciated. They traveled up and down the most popular shopping streets in London, but there was one particular spot that Erica couldn't stop thinking about.

  It was there that Erica made her most expensive London purchase.

  Chapter 13

  The Delivery

  Derrick waited while Mr. Adler finished talking with his assistant, Jane. She was an attractive older woman with blond hair. Her big curls rested on her shoulders. She had beautiful skin and few wrinkles for a woman her age. Derrick looked closer. Either she had an excellent plastic surgeon, or she didn't go the facelift route because there were no signs of a too tight face- lift anywhere on her face.

  She dressed impeccably wearing a caramel-colored cashmere sweater and tailored pants one shade darker. A crucifix hung from a gold chain around her neck, the perfect sized hoop earrings adorned her earlobes, and a small gold watch wrapped around her bony wrist. There were no rings, and as Derrick got a closer look, he realized why arthritis. Her knuckles looked larger than what would have been normal for her long slender fingers and a few fingers curved.

  Derrick watched as Mr. Adler leaned over her shoulder to view papers on the desk in front of her. They made a lovely looking couple. He imagined the story play out. Wealthy widower weds his longtime secretary, and they live happily ever after.

  The thought depressed him. Not because it wasn't a great love story but believing in happily ever after became a foreign concept at this moment. The woman he loved fell off the face of the earth.

  Derrick spent weeks calling Erica. He showed up at her apartment every day for a week around the time he expected her home from work. At first, he avoided going to her job because the one time he called he received a chilly response from Rebecca, but he bit the bullet and ended up there one Tuesday morning.

  Again, no Erica and Rebecca offered zero sympathies when Derrick tried to explain how much he missed her. She didn't respond when Derrick asked if Erica was in the city. He tried begging which made Rebecca irate.

  "She's not here, and she won't be back for some time. Let Erica be. And anyway, don't you have other things to attend to." Rebecca didn't hold back. "If she wanted to see you or talk to you, don't you think she would have?"

  Though her words stung, Derrick knew there was truth behind them but he had to try one last thing, and it was the man in front of him, his boss, his confidante and Erica's friend, Mr. Teddy Adler. He had to appeal to Mr. Adler's kindness to get the truth from him.

  "Come in Derrick; I'm all set here." Mr. Adler tapped his thick finger on his assistant’s desk. With his hand, he gestured for Derrick to step into his office.

  Mr. Adler walked over and sat in the cognac colored leather chair behind his desk. Derrick sat in one of the two chairs in front of Mr. Adler's desk.

  "What can I do for you, Derrick?" Mr. Adler sat forward resting his elbows on his desk his fingers steepled in front of him.

  "Mr. Adler, tell me where she is?" Derrick dragged himself forward on the chair. He leaned in resting his hand on the edge of Mr. Adler's desk.

  Mr. Adler eyed up Derrick. "Son, I wish I could tell you, but I don't know where she is."

  "No disrespect sir, but I don't believe you. She talks to you, I know she confides in you."

  "She does, but when I talk to her, I assume she's somewhere in the city. She never mentioned leaving the city. So if you can't find her, she must want to avoid you."

  "So she's in the city," Derrick asked needing more confirmation.

  Teddy sat back and watched as panic passed over Derrick's face. "Son, you know I care about you, so I hope you take what I am about to say seriously." Mr. Adler looked up at the ceiling before h
e continued. "Leave her be." Derrick tried to interrupt, but Mr. Adler put his hand up. "Stop. Hear me out. Leave her be; you have enough on your plate with your job and with this new addition to your life."

  Derrick squinted his eyes as his eyebrows knit together. "New addition?"

  "Julie? She's pregnant." Mr. Adler threw his hands out in front of him. "The secrets out boy."

  Derrick jumped up from his seat as if it spontaneously combusted. "What?" He scrubbed at his face with both hands. "She's not pregnant. I ended it over three weeks ago, and there is no way she could be pregnant."

  Now, Mr. Adler jumped up from his chair. "Why did Julie tell Erica she was pregnant?"

  "Wait! Wait. Erica is talking to Julie but not me?" Derrick leaned down heavy on the desk.

  "No, at your New Year's Eve party."

  In one quick shot, the reality of what happened sucker punched Derrick in the face. "Holy shit! She wasn't sick. I stared at them from across the room. I watched Julie go up to her. I knew she was up to no good. And Erica, her face dropped, she wasn't physically sick, she thought Julie was pregnant."

  "How do you know Julie isn't pregnant?"

  "Because I haven't slept with her in months. I couldn't. I couldn't get hard." Derrick shouted. "In fact, we hadn't had sex since I moved back to New York, even before that." He thought about Julie's desperation to use a pregnancy for the second time to get what she wanted.

  "Well, quiet down, son, that's not something you want people knowing about."

  Derrick shook his head. "I can get hard. I got hard every time I was around Erica. In fact that night, she gave me a...um, well, trust me, I can get hard." Derrick caught himself before revealing way too much to his boss.

  "So it seems Julie wanted Erica to think she was pregnant. She knew it would keep Erica away." Mr. Adler processed out loud what occurred.

  Derrick slammed his hands down on the desk. "Mr. Adler, you need to tell me where she is."

  "Son, I don't know where she is but you'll find each other." Mr. Adler walked from behind his desk and placed his hand on Derrick's back. "Be patient."