“Hello.”

“Hey, El.” A voice I flatly did not expect to hear hits me until I realize what this day holds for me. Why am I surprised to hear his voice? Of course, he’d reach out to me.

“Hey Nick, it’s nice to hear your voice.” I stop walking and slide against the wall, I’m left breathless just hearing the voice that has been my calming force for so long.

“Just wanted to say I’m sorry for the way I acted, I’ve been going back and forth with myself if I should even call you today. I guess,” his voice trails off but I can hear his deep breathing. “I’m just thinking about you.”

I have to sniffle, as a big lump forms in my throat.

“That is so sweet of you, and I appreciate it. I’m lost here.” I hate to admit it, but when my hands start to shake, I’m overcome with the urge to run and find a place to hide for a while.

“Does he know?”

“No.” My sigh comes out with a half hazard laugh. “I’ve yet to tell him. Not sure any good would come of it.”

“Elsa, I have no answer for that. To be honest, when it comes to him I couldn’t give a shit. For you, I’m wrecked. I know how hard this day has been for you. Even after all this time.”

Wiping away a torturous tear, I head straight for the bathroom. Undoubtedly at the same time, Micah walks out from his office with a very tall, voluptuous, blonde beauty. His smile from ear to ear is the first thing I happen to notice. Secondly, the way her hand is gently resting on his shoulder, in a way that implies she’s familiar with him, does not sit well with me. He’s yet to notice me, so I rush to the bathroom, hopefully going unnoticed.

“Shit,” I whisper.

Hiding out in the bathroom won’t help me one bit, but it buys me time to gets my wits about me. I spend a few minutes convincing Nick I’m okay, and I’ll chat with him soon. That satisfies him, so I’m off to start my day.

Rounding the corner to sit at the desk, I see Micah chatting with the same blonde, still smiling ear to ear only now he’s put distance between them. He’s behind the desk, and she’s enthusiastically leaning over it, exposing her chest. My immediate reaction is to gag, but instead I walk up putting my arms around him, staking my claim. Work or no work, she needs to realize he’s not available.

That does the trick because her eyes narrow, shooting daggers straight at my smiling, perky face.

“Hey babe, I was wondering where you were?” Micah sweetly says turning to give me an affectionate hug. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he was trying to send a message to his overly eager client, too. Either way, it works for me. I’m the one who he has his arms wrapped around tightly.

“Micah, you never said you had a lady friend.” With an eyebrow arched, she questions him in a less than warm tone.

What? Who the hell says lady friend now days?

“Well.” Micah shifts his weight a few times looking extremely out of his comfort zone. “It never came up because Elsa is my personal life, and is none of your business. We only discuss business Carla.”

He says matter of fact, and I have to say, he handled her perfectly.

“Oh, don’t play cool because she’s standing here.” She says way to condescending for my liking.

I’m not sure if she’s trying to get a rise out of me more or him, but I swear I can see her daggers coming out.

Her grin mischievous. “We both know differently.”

Her first attempt did not draw a reaction, so she just had to try again. Only this time she’s tapping her red nails on her lower lip.

Coughing or choking, I’m not sure which, but Micah had to take a minute to respond.

“Excuse me?” He’s face reddens when I pat his back trying calm him before he goes off on his client. It would seem she views her working relationship quite differently than Micah does.

“Micah, seriously forget it. Let’s talk installation dates?” She’s dismissing her inappropriate comments, with a subtle shrug of her shoulder and an eye roll to boot. My mouth is hanging open. I stare at her wondering what the hell? I slowly slip around Micah, distracting myself by filing the latest papers on my desk.

“Okay, let’s keep our conversations strictly business and we’ll get along just fine.” Micah says matter of fact.

Not sure if she can notice, but she just dodged a bullet, if not from me, definitely from Micah. He shrugs off his anger looking for dates to install her new security system.

“Whatever.” She says with an annoyed sigh.

AN HOUR LATER, I get a phone call from my mother wanting to see me. Odd, since I’ve not spoken to either of my parents since that dreadful day. I realize why she’s calling, and I decide it’s a battle I don’t want to have with her today, so I agreed to meet her over lunch.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?” Micah asks me again for the tenth time.

“I’m sure, let me find out what she wants. I’ll call you later.”

He knows my mood is off today and that something is bothering me. He’s annoyed because I won’t talk about it with him. To be honest, I just want to forget it. Unfortunately, Nick’s phone call does nothing to help me forget, even though his heart was in the right place. Can’t fault the guy, he has a big heart.

“Mom, where are you?” I call out entering the house. It’s so quiet, it’s downright eerie.

Walking to the kitchen the first thing I see is their mail spread out on the table. But, no mom! No noise. It’s as if she’s not even here. Getting myself a glass of sweet tea, I’m sitting at the table looking at a magazine, wondering if I can find ideas for my new home. I could surprise Micah with a few great decorating ideas.

An envelope slips from the magazine, falling to the floor, I almost missed it, but what catches my attention is the odd shaped envelope. It appears to have some photo’s inside. Picking it up, I notice the name scripted on the front. “That’s just plain odd,” I mutter with a sigh. The name on the return address is from a Carla Mitchell.

Wait a minute, that’s the name of the dragon lady drooling all over Micah, earlier today. The same woman who was rude as hell to me on the phone the other day? It’s too much of a coincidence not to be the same person, is the only thing I can think. Totally intrigued, I tear it open, without another thought. not even thinking anything of it. My mom’s not here to ask, so why not?

Upon opening the envelope, I see a letter and a few pictures. How bizarre would it be if this is the same Carla Mitchell? Wanting to see if she is in the photos I inspect them carefully. Okay, I see a black lab puppy sitting with a little boy. Cute. Looking at the next few it’s more of the little boy but not one of Carla Mitchell. Huh! Not thinking anything I read the letter.

Dearest Cindy,

Just wanted to send you a few pictures so you can see how he’s growing. It’s amazing how fast time goes. Just got settled into our new home, I’m a bit of a nervous nelly, so I called a security company to install the security alarms for us. Dan is gone all the time for work, and I get lonely and a bit scared at night. Will send more pictures when I can.

Love,

Carla

Well, that answers that question, this is the same Carla. I now know she’s a lonely housewife looking to get my boyfriend to give her some wanted attention. Too bad for her, I will rain on her parade…soon if need be. What is weird is the fact she knows my mom. Were they old friends, or what?

Just then, my mom comes down the stairs looking a bit worse for wear. Wow, I can’t help thinking I’ve never seen her look so distraught before.

“Mom, are you okay?” I damn near jump out of my chair to give her a hug when she motions with her hands to stay seated.