Leaving Amy (Amy #2)

by Julieann Dove

He stared at me. I regulated my breathing and held steady to my poker face.

  “Say, did you find the key to the truck? I need to come and get it.”

  “It’s in the drawer by the fridge. Marcella didn’t know what it was and put it in my coin dish on my dresser.”

  I closed my eyes for a second longer than I should—if I was to be believed everything was fine.

  “Have lunch with me tomorrow.”

  I would’ve loved to. Sit across from him while he looked over his glasses and told me ridiculous facts about the earth’s atmosphere, and how the satellites were watching and tracking changes in glaciers.

  Time. I needed more time not to want to hear these silly things. Time to want to hear Wesley’s stories about clients. Names left out on purpose for confidentiality reasons. I needed to like Wesley’s stories more.

  “I can’t. I’m sorry.”

  He touched my hand and my heart rhythm went hysterical. I was calmed momentarily when Kate approached us. Who could be excited by a man when the girl troop leader of America approached?

  “Hey Amy, it’s so good to see you.” She gave me a half-hug, making sure not to bump the glasses out of my hand.

  What a gentle soul she was. And how beautiful she looked tonight in an orange dress. Tom was a lucky man. She cooked, cleaned up afterwards, offered advice on catering, and had his wants in the forefront of her mind. I should’ve been so happy they’d found each other. But selfishly I wasn’t.

  “It’s good to see you, too.”

  “Maybe we can have lunch soon. I think the building is shut down after next Tuesday.”

  “I think so. I’m actually going to be working at the foundation Monday.”

  “How is Jeff? Have you heard anything?” Tom asked, concern in his eyes.

  “They’re just spending as much time as they can with each other. I think he’s got an appointment with another specialist after the New Year.”

  “Life is so short.” He shook his head. “You have to live in the moment.”

  Easier said than done. If that were the case, I would have grabbed him by the shirt collar and left this hunk-of-junk party. But then I’d see the mopey look on Kate’s face and probably bring him back to her.

  “Well, I better get back before Wesley sends out a search party. It was great seeing you two.”

  I smiled before I walked in the direction of where I last saw my husband. Before I made it, I was accosted by Patricia Cane. She was responsible for reporting off the record on everything and strangely the next day it’d be in all the papers. My mother, who said nothing bad about anyone, couldn’t stand how Patricia gossiped.

  “Amy Whitfield, why, I haven’t seen you around lately. What have you been up to?”

  “Oh, nothing, Patricia. I’m riding low under the radar these days.”

  “Not so; I heard you are the one responsible for the smile on that dear woman’s face over there.”

  I looked to where she pointed. She was targeting Kate. “What do you mean?”

  “Kate is one of my dearest friends. She was my sister-in-law up until two years ago.”

  Small world. I never would’ve known.

  “She’s still close with me.” Patricia leaned into me, almost whispering. “For a while, she was on suicide watch.” She looked left and right. “You didn’t hear that from me, of course. But, it’s so good to see her out now. And Tom McTavish is quite the catch.” She grabbed her large bosom. “If I say so myself.”

  That was a sobering fact. One that needed to be chased with a whiskey sour. Luckily I had one on hand. I swallowed it down.

  “Anyway, she said you were to thank for getting her where she’s at today. You know, with Tom and all.”

  “I didn’t introduce them.” Don’t peg me with that. I’m merely standing on the sidelines, quietly cheering her on. Obviously, now that I’m aware, encouraging her not to go home and ingest a bottle of sleeping pills when he doesn’t call her the next day.

  “No, but it wouldn’t have gone any further than that dinner had you not been coaching her.”

  The whiskey sour turned my stomach. And made my head spin a little.

  “Well, it was good seeing you, Patricia. I’ve lost my husband. Tell Carter I said hello.”

  “Will do.”

  I was never so calmed by seeing anyone as when I laid eyes on Wesley. Life was so less complicated with our own dysfunctional relationship. I watched as he was still talking with Frank Cabrella. I looked at him for a moment before I approached the pair. Sure, I had tremors when I saw Tom. In time I hoped they’d wane, but I still had a few sparks when I looked at Wesley, too. Jerk that he was, playing with my sister when he knew how I felt about that. Still, he did look really handsome tonight.

  And if I got my head clear long enough from those stupid gooey feelings I thought I had for Tom, I’d know how lucky I was. Wesley was quite the looker. There wasn’t one girl in the room who didn’t have an eye on him. He wore a black sports coat tonight with a white buttoned-down shirt. I was pretty sure I was going to take the leap tonight and give him the green light in bed. I needed to.

  So, last night was a bust. When we got home, Ashley was watching a marathon of The Affair on DVD. Evidently Wesley shared in the addiction and stayed up until three in the morning with her watching it. It was Christmas Eve and I had some last-minute shopping to do. I left a note and headed for the mall. I hoped to beat all the last-minute shoppers. I had forgotten to get something for Kate. I felt so bad when she stopped in my office and brought me a cashmere scarf. She said it was for all the encouragement from me, that life could get better for her, and now it was. Well, actually she said it was proving to be more of an exercise in patience. Tom was slow to show emotion. This bit of information, sadly, gave me happiness. Sick, I know, but I was possessive when it came to that man.

  I had major success in the last-minute sales. Turns out I had forgotten to get something for Ashley, too. I picked up some of her favorite cologne and a multi-colored crystal necklace. After I found a new watch for Wesley and socks for Tom, I began my journey to the car. Luckily I didn’t have to park out as far as other shoppers. It was still early by deadline standards. My stomach was growling and I figured Wesley would want me to bring home lunch. I was about to call him when I received a message from Tom.

  Can you come over later? I have a gift for you.

  Of course I wanted to. More than anything. I just needed to get some perspective when I did go. I needed to keep Wesley tacked up in the forefront of my brain. And Kate; let’s not forget Kate. Tom had to settle back into the peg hole marked “friends only.”

  Sure. I’ll be there in a couple hours. Just have to grab some lunch first.

  I figured I’d go home with lunch, wrap his other present and tell Wesley I had to go out one more time. I’d keep it to an hour and then come home and make fettucine. Ashley would probably be there for dinner, too. I really needed to work on finding her a love interest. I wasn’t used to her being home twenty-four hours at a time. It was getting a little too close for comfort. All the little memories and code talk she and Wesley shared that I had no idea what they were referring to. It was getting on my nerves.

  I tossed my bags in the back of the car and felt pressured as a car sat behind me with their turn signal on. Last-minute Christmas shoppers were not the nicest. I felt I didn’t even have time to put on my seat belt.

  I shoved the key in the ignition and turned it. A small grinding noise was followed up by a final tick. Then it went silent. Nothing happened. I tried again. Nothing. I knew the car was waiting and it didn’t help my anxiety. Why me? Sure, I had had this little baby since high school, but surely it’d passed all its emissions tests every year. What was going on?

  I succumbed to the defeat and got out of my car to wave the other one away. I mouthed that my car wouldn’t start and the woman rolled her eyes and pulled forward. So much for helping mankind. Merry Christmas to you, too! That’s when I beat the hood. As if that’s
what it was waiting for to start.

  “Amy?”

  I heard my name from somewhere and turned to see who it was.

  “Jim? Oh my gosh!”

  “I thought that was you. What’s going on?” He opened his car door one row over and shoved a bag inside it. He said something to his mother and then walked over to me.

  “Seems my car is picking today of all days not to cooperate.”

  He bent down and hugged me. “I see. Why don’t you pop the hood? I’ll take a look.”

  “Okay, that would be great. I was about to call Wesley.”

  “I can’t promise anything, but I’ll look. Maybe the cable came loose or something.”

  I jumped in and popped the lever to the hood. Jim looked around at the different metal objects, one hand resting on the car and the other scratching his chin.

  “Just as I figured.”

  “You see something?” I asked.

  “Nope. Sorry, Amy. I’m not too knowledgeable about car engines.”

  I shrugged. “It’s all good. Thanks for looking, anyway. You better get back to your Mom.”

  “Let me give you a ride home. It’ll take Wesley forever to get through traffic. That way you won’t have to wait alone.”

  “Weren’t you on your way somewhere with your mom?”

  “I’m just taking her home. You don’t mind if I do that first, do you? She lives on the way to your place. You still live on Finley, right?”

  “Yep, and no, I don’t mind at all dropping her first. Thank you so much for doing this.”

  I grabbed my purchases and followed him to his car.

  “Hi, Felicia. I’m so sorry to impose on you and your son.”

  Luckily, working with her at the foundation, I’d gotten over my bitter feelings about her and my dad. There wasn’t any good in hating her. My parents were gone now and she was still trapped in her marriage. I suppose things were harder for her than me.

  “Merry Christmas, Amy. I’m glad we were here.”

  I sat in the backseat of his small sports car, gripping tightly to my bags and continually calling Wesley. I wanted to make him aware he had to take me back to fix the car. He’d know what to do, and I still needed to get to Tom’s house. I only hoped Kate would be there. That way I’d give her my gift and avoid any situation with Tom. Baby steps.

  After we let Felicia off, I moved to the front seat.

  “Gosh, I haven’t talked with you since that night at my cabin. I’m sorry I haven’t kept in touch.”

  “It’s fine. I’ve been busy. I’m sure your mom has mentioned us working together on the domestic benefit. I’m kind of excited with all the things we have planned for next year. The budget looks great, and she really has everything under control.”

  “Isn’t fate funny?” He kept checking his rearview mirror, trying to get into the left lane to turn on to my street.

  “I’d say.”

  “I must say I was surprised to hear about you and Wesley back together.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t know. You are the last person I’d expect to be with him. I figured when you two split, it was a gift from God. No offense, but he’s not in your league, Amy.”

  I didn’t know whether to be flattered or irritated that he thought he knew what he was talking about. Wesley was my league. At least he was getting there. I can’t remember the last time he mentioned wanting to meet up with the guys and go out drinking. Of course, who needed to go out and drink when Ashley, the guzzler, lived two rooms away?

  “Guess whose home?” I wanted to change the subject. All I needed was someone to cast a shadow of doubt for what I suspected and I’d find a way to prove them right.

  “Who?”

  “Ashley.”

  “Ashley, your sister, Ashley?”

  “That’s the only one I know.”

  “Back for Christmas?”

  “No. Back for good. Well, whatever that is. She had pretty much all her clothes with her this time.”

  “She’s staying with you guys?” He stole a look at me, his eyes enlarging by the second.

  “Sure. It’s not like she can come into town on a Monday and have her own place by Tuesday. She’s staying until she gets a job and can afford rent somewhere.”

  “Yikes.”

  “Yikes?” I wasn’t sure what he was referring to.

  “So your sister, the ex-girlfriend to your husband, is living with you? That must be a little awkward.”

  “Not at all.” It totally was. But if I didn’t feed the beast, it wouldn’t grow. I needed to downplay her position there in the house. She was not eye candy, prancing around, singing and dancing with that stupid boom box. She was aging at the same rate as I was, right?

  “Why don’t you come in and say hello?”

  “Hello?” He parked down from my driveway. The neighbor must’ve been having a party and most of his guests took up the spaces in front of my house.

  “Yes. Didn’t you like her at one time?”

  “Sure, in high school. And I believe she didn’t give me the time of day back then.”

  “That’s because Wesley didn’t like you, and they were always on and off.”

  He stretched out his leg and rubbed his pants. “I don’t know. I’m leaving the day after Christmas to go on a ski trip with my buddies. I won’t be back for a couple weeks. It’s not like I can ask her out.”

  “No, but you can pave the way for a possible date when you get back, can’t you?”

  I held onto my packages. My hands were getting sweaty. Just commit to coming inside and saying something—anything! I needed to check her temperature on moving forward with someone. I needed to see her in action toward someone other than Wesley. Secretly I felt she was enjoying all the attention Wesley had been showering on her. It was positively nauseating.

  Jim must’ve seen the desperation in my eyes. “Sure, let’s give it a go. Does she still look hot?”

  “Sure.” I looked at him sideways and got out of the car.

  I put down my bags and heard the music blaring from the kitchen. Really? No wonder Wesley didn’t hear my incessant phone calling. Jim was behind me as I pushed open the door and stopped dead in my tracks. Wesley had Ashley pushed against the refrigerator. His one hand held up her leg while his other hand held onto the appliance. I couldn’t breathe. Curse that damned refrigerator; curse Wesley Whitfield! And my sister? What sister?

  I felt a hand on my arm and began pumping oxygen back into my lungs. Starting up involuntary muscles had become a necessity.

  “Dude.”

  Jim had to be the one to say something. I still couldn’t move. Breathing was more than enough effort.

  Wesley turned around quickly. Ashley pulled down her shirt. For what it was worth. That’s all she wore, with candy-colored underwear. That stupid, come-and-get-me shirt and bobby socks. How can anyone compete with that? Somehow my pajama set didn’t lure him into going upstairs last night. Maybe I secretly wore them to provide me a shield, like a porcupine wears quills. Maybe deep down inside, I un-advertised for Wesley.

  “Amy!” He shook his pants down and came toward me.

  I backed away, mouth still gaping open large enough for large cats to jump in.

  “I—”

  “Save it. Man, you just never learn, do you?” Jim pushed him away.

  Jim was a godsend to have beside me that day. He took my arm to lead me away from the crime scene I’d just witnessed. On the way out, I heard Ashley calling my name. The music in the background seemed to have been turned down.

  My legs still shook as I sat in the front seat of Jim’s car. “Just drive.”

  He started the car and I kept my head lowered, focusing on the floor mats. I didn’t know what to be thinking. How to be feeling. He’d done it again. Wesley was in no shape or fashion in love with me. Maybe he thought he was, when he was destitute and had no other option. Just like after college. His parents were gone, and so was Ashley. I made sense then. And after Viol
et left him with a ton of bills and he came back, I made sense again. I was always a plan B. Plan B. I would reflect on that. Obviously Ashley would always reign as plan A. What a fool I was.

  “You’re coming to my house.”

  Jim would get no argument from me. Heck, I didn’t have anywhere else to go. Or a way to get there. Even my car had abandoned me.

  I didn’t know where I was at first. I looked around at the room. It was dark and I still had on my shoes. There was a blanket on top of me. I rose up, trying to see any strip of light I could. A sliver came from under the door. I called out. “Hello.”

  Jim opened the door and the light blinded me so that I had to shield my eyes. “Where am I?”

  The last thing I remembered was taking a pill he’d handed me. Jim told me I’d be all right after I took it and laid down. I guess not eating accentuated its power. What time was it, anyway?

  “You’re in my bedroom. I was becoming worried. You’ve been out five hours.”

  “Five hours? What exactly was that pill?”

  “A mild sedative. My doctor prescribed them for me to sleep better.”

  “Good to know.” I scratched my head and scooted to the edge of the bed.

  “I’ve got sandwiches out here if you want.”

  “I don’t think I can eat.” Or function. I just witnessed my life slip down the drain. For the second time this year. No, make that the third time. Two times with Wesley, once with Mark. Did they have some type of institution for people like me? Instead of drug rehab, relationship for idiots rehab.

  “Amy, you have to eat something.”

  I walked toward the light and down the hallway, stopping in at the bathroom. “I’ll be a minute.”

  I turned on the light and stared at myself. What a joke. Right in front of my own eyes. Sure. Ashley, come on and live here with us. Get back on your feet. Watch late movies with my husband. Dress like a hooker for breakfast while I’m scrambling eggs in my robe for your sorry, jobless ass. God forgive me. I just felt I needed a good butt-whipping by no one other qualified than myself. Twice! Twice I thought Wesley and I had our crap together. Tom predicted it. Oh my gosh! Tom. I was supposed to go over to his house. I splashed water on my face and went in search of my phone.