Huntington Family Series

by Rachel Ann Nunes

  He let his face show surprise. “What do you mean it’s not good journalism? Papers sell better because of a certain kind of story. We all know that. It might be sensational, but I got attention, didn’t I?”

  “The wrong kind of attention. I won’t stand for reporters using stories for their own agendas.”

  “Even if I’m right?” He tried not to make the words challenging, but he wasn’t backing down, either. “I stand by what I wrote: parents are too lenient.”

  Chantel snorted, hands still on her hips. “That’s a rather procrustean attitude. I don’t know what hole you’ve been living in, but one size certainly doesn’t fit all in child rearing. For crying out loud, you’re only twenty-four and a year out of college. What were you trying to prove?”

  He adjusted his black-framed glasses to buy a few seconds. “Okay, so I might have been a bit rash.” He hated to admit it, but he would if it meant keeping the peace. He felt a sudden strong urge to see and talk with Savvy Hergarter, who had once been his closest friend. She would understand what he’d been trying to do. She would offer encouragement and give him the insight to help him pinpoint the exact blend of emotion and objectivity he had struggled–and obviously failed–to achieve in his last article. He was glad she was coming home today. Maybe that’s why he kept thinking about her.

  “Rash?” Chantel’s voice rose an octave. Another not-so-good sign. Her finger came between them as though she wanted to shake it at him. “Tyler, you accused a prominent and favored politician of emotionally neglecting his daughter–and in an election year, no less.” A hardness glinted in her hazel eyes, something he hadn’t noticed the other three thousand times she’d yelled at him. Yelling wasn’t necessarily bad when it came from Chantel, but that steely look was something new.

  “I’ll retract. I’ll make an apology. I’ll write something more favorable.”

  She shook her head. “There aren’t enough apologies or excuses left in the whole world. He’s threatening to sue.”

  With a sickening twist in his stomach, Tyler realized the situation was far more serious than he’d thought. For a year he’d interned at the paper, working every free moment, and then after finishing college a year ago, he’d been hired full-time by the Deseret Morning News. Now his diligence and all the overtime had been for nothing.

  “I’ll write you a recommendation,” Chantel said, not quite meeting his eyes. “You’re a talented guy. I’m sure you’ll find another paper. Maybe at the Trib. Or maybe you’ll want to go out of state. You might find more sensational journalism in, say, New York or California. Though I hope you’ll stay away from badgering popular politicians.”

  We’re the ones who make them popular! he wanted to yell. It wasn’t exactly true, but at least partially. By getting their names in the newspaper, politicians received free publicity. He swallowed hard, feeling something that resembled sand scratching at his throat. “Please, Chantel.”

  Her face was impassive. “I’m sorry, Tyler. You’ll need to get your things now.”

  It was too late. He had used up all his chances at the paper.

  Chantel walked with him to the small cubby he had worked in for the past year. He moved slowly, as though in a dream, taking down the year-old photographs of his family, the more recent one of his friend, Savvy, standing with him at a restaurant after she’d returned from her mission, the small wallet-sized pictures of his seven nieces and nephews, and the glamor shot LaNae had had taken at some mall.

  LaNae Fugal.

  For the first time he thought of his girlfriend and how this would affect their plans. LaNae was hinting at marriage, and to be honest, he was leaning that way himself. Since his older brother Mitch had been married last September, after waiting a year for his fiancée, Cory, a new member of the Church, to obtain a temple recommend, Tyler was the only Huntington sibling who hadn’t taken the marital plunge. His mother was on his case about hurrying up–one of the few things she and LaNae seemed to have in common.

  That LaNae wouldn’t be excited about his new circumstances was putting it mildly. She worked in Orem at Utah Valley State College as a guidance counselor, but she was always talking about how happy she would be to quit once they got married and started a family.

  Chantel allowed Tyler to delete or forward his personal files from his computer, though he didn’t keep anything there except a few e-mails. His gaze fell on the notes he’d taken during the early morning press conference called by the governor, loose pages waiting to be typed up before press time. Someone else would do the story now. He left the notes next to the keyboard.

  Theo Brewer, the aging editor of the sports page, appeared at his elbow with a slightly dusty cardboard box, the kind that had once held ten reams of copy paper. Tyler had always liked Theo, though he’d refused an offer to transfer to Theo’s department because he didn’t enjoy sports. Now he wondered if that offer might be still available. He opened his mouth to ask, but another steely glare from Chantel lodged the plea in his throat. It was just as well. He had enough pride left that he didn’t want her to see him beg. Besides, sports was a last resort, and he wasn’t that desperate–yet.

  “I’m going to miss you around here,” Theo said, proffering the box.

  “Thanks.” Tyler dumped his personal belongings inside. Pens, four pencils, a half-eaten box of Milk Duds, three pads of paper, the pictures, his personal paperclip holder, two books on journalism, his spare Book of Mormon, several paper files crammed with story ideas he’d collected over the past few years, a few quarters and dimes, four music CDs, a new pad of Post-it notes, and a Star Wars novel. That was it. That small box represented his whole life at the paper. He suddenly wished there’d been time to accumulate more, that he’d moved up enough to have space for accumulation.

  “Won’t have anyone to bounce my crazy ideas off,” Theo said, giving Chantel a pointed glance. Theo had a lot of ideas about everything–mostly strange ones about politics and conspiracies, but none of that ever interfered with his passion and expertise in editing or writing his sports columns. “I’ll walk him out,” Theo added.

  Nodding, Chantel gave Tyler a last conciliatory glance. “I’ll send your letter of recommendation. Good luck.”

  The walk out to the parking lot was long. Tyler felt the stares of his fellow reporters as an almost physical touch. Most were sympathetic, except for that of a round-faced intern who regarded his passage with poorly concealed glee. With Tyler gone, there would be room for another full-time employee. Tyler forgave him, remembering how it was to want to be a reporter so bad that it ate into every waking thought or sleeping dream.

  To tell the truth, he still felt that way.

  And he was right, darn it all! How did a politician think he could run a city if he couldn’t control his own child?

  “Give it a while,” Theo said as they stepped outside. The turgid clouds overhead were dark and dangerous-looking, a late summer storm on its way. “This thing with the politician, it’ll blow over. When it does, I’ll request you in my department.”

  Tyler forced a grin. Theo knew of his dislike for sports; they had talked about it often enough during their debates on the mysteries of life and pro wrestling. But their disagreements hadn’t hindered their relationship in the least. “Thanks, Theo.”

  “Unless you have a job by then. I’ve no doubt you’ll find something. I’ve got faith in you.”

  Tyler started for the new green Jeep Cherokee that had replaced his battered green pickup when he’d been hired. He’d had no worries about making the payments then, and the gas mileage was better than with his old truck. Now he wasn’t so sure the decision had been a good one.

  “Uh, Tyler.”

  Tyler turned back to face Theo, who had stopped on the sidewalk in front of the door. “Look,” he said. “I feel kind of responsible. I shouldn’t have talked to you the way I did the other day.”

  Tyler let his breath out, without realizing he’d been holding it. He had wondered if Theo would bring th
at up. Their discussion about inept and lazy parents had been much deeper and more pointed than anything Tyler had written in his article. “It has nothing to do with you. You were right, I was right. If parents aren’t responsible, who will be?”

  “Maybe it’s not my place to judge.”

  Tyler cradled the cardboard box to his chest. It didn’t matter now if the dust rubbed off on his blue dress shirt. “You’ve raised six children, all of them upstanding citizens.”

  Theo rubbed his jaw with his mottled, age-spotted hand. For a moment his blue eyes looked haggard and sad. “Well, in retrospect I think that had more to do with their mother than it ever had to do with me.”

  Tyler dipped his head. He’d met Theo’s wife, and she was impressive. “I wrote the article,” he said. “I’m responsible. Don’t worry. I’m young. I have time to find my niche, as you have yours.”

  Theo nodded, the lines around his eyes relaxing, making him appear younger than he had a minute before. He extended a hand. “Well, good luck. Call me if you need something or if you ever want to talk.”

  Tyler shook his hand, smiling widely. He held the smile until Theo was back inside the building. Then with a loud sigh, he walked heavily toward his Jeep, shivering at the cooling breeze that ran up his back and around his neck. The breeze reminded him of Savvy and how for one of her advanced astronomy classes two years ago she’d had to go up into the mountains and look at the stars through a telescope. She’d invited him along, and he’d accepted because he enjoyed watching her work. She came alive when she talked about or studied the sky. That night, as they shared a picnic under the stars, they had come up with a plot for a science fiction novel–a really terrible plot, but one that made them laugh hysterically.

  He hadn’t thought of that night in a long time, not since he’d finally come to terms with Savvy going on a mission. Yes, he could admit now that he’d been against her going. The idea of not having her around to bounce his ideas off had been unfathomable. Who else would endure all those foreign films or his latest sci-fi plot? Who else would offer counsel for his latest romance? What would he do without her?

  Savvy had been in his life forever–well, that wasn’t really true. It just felt that way. Actually, Savvy and his sister Amanda had been friends long before Tyler met her. Though Savvy was four and a half years younger than Amanda, she’d been mature for her age, and the two women had become fast friends in their singles ward, almost as close as sisters. With the intent of making her a real sister, Amanda had set Savvy up with Mitch, Tyler’s older brother, but the two hadn’t hit it off romantically. Amanda had tried again with Tyler after his mission to Bolivia.

  Tyler had loved being with Savvy from the very first minute, and they dated for six months. But eventually they became just friends, dating others but always staying in close touch. His upset reaction at the time Savvy announced her mission plans still puzzled him. He’d been hurt and angry. He’d felt his heart breaking. Why? There was no explanation.

  When he tried to tell her how he felt, Savvy admitted to harboring feelings for him that ran deeper than friendship. He had been stunned with the revelation and began to wonder if he really did love her; but after a few months, he decided that he simply missed her friendship. If he hadn’t dated the first year she was gone, it didn’t mean anything. He’d only been concentrating on his studies. Of course, they’d kept in touch with many letters, and though it wasn’t quite the same as having her around, it was enough.

  Before he knew it, she was home and gone again within a few months, back to her beloved mission area near San Francisco–Berkeley, to be exact. She transferred her college credits to the University of California at Berkeley, where she planned to finish her education and then teach. Tyler still missed her–more than he would admit.

  Reaching the Jeep, Tyler saw his reflection in the window. He looked thinner than he remembered, and his sandy blond hair needed cutting. He’d have to tell LaNae. She liked cutting it for him, though she really didn’t do as good a job as the girl with the black spiky hair at Collar Cuts. His face was pale–or was that only in contrast to the grim, roiling clouds above his head? His green eyes disturbed him most of all. They were scared. Not angry, not offended, but scared and depressed. Glaring at his reflection, Tyler opened the door and slid inside, setting his box on the passenger seat.

  Glancing at the dash clock, he saw it was well after ten. In less than two hours Savvy would be home for a visit. Her sister had called to let him know she was picking her up at the airport and that the family would be gathering at their parents’ home in American Fork to welcome her. Tyler was planning to stop by, but it was too early to head there now.

  He passed Sandy without getting off at the freeway exit for home. He was living in his brother’s house and paying the mortgage while Mitch, his wife, Cory, and their three-year-old daughter, EmJay, were in the Australian outback, snapping pictures and writing facts about exotic animals for a children’s book and documentary they were putting together.

  As the first drops of rain splattered on the windshield, Tyler pulled into the visitors’ parking lot at UVSC. He put several coins in the meter and dashed down the sidewalk, feeling the raindrops on his head. They were colder than he expected for August.

  He walked into the counseling center, past all the cubbies that resembled all the other crowded cubbies in the world, until he reached LaNae’s desk. She wasn’t there, so he sat down to wait, noting that her computer had been idle long enough for the screen saver to come on–a series of geometric shapes skittering across a black background.

  His eyes fell on a picture of him and LaNae together. She was of average height and thin–something he’d always loved about her. Her makeup wasn’t thick but it was noticeable, and her blonde hair, cut short and sassy, had darker streaks underneath. Her face was narrow, her jaw slightly too small for perfect balance, though no one ever noticed after seeing her warm, wide smile. Her eyes were a pale blue. Tyler puzzled about that for a moment. Why had he always thought they were more the deeper color of the sky on a hot summer day? In all, she was a striking woman, and he felt a rush of what might be a hint of pride.

  “Tyler!”

  He looked up to see LaNae coming toward him. Standing slowly, he tried to discern what was different about her voice. Must have something to do with the man at her side. The stranger was tall and big like a football player. He wore canvas pants and a button-down shirt with short sleeves, and his hair was spiky on top but in a reserved sort of way. The same look Tyler himself usually sported when his hair wasn’t too long.

  LaNae looked as beautiful as ever, dressed in an olive flowered skirt and a matching short-sleeved sweater. Her ankles were attractive in dressy, high-heeled pumps. “This is a surprise,” she said. She touched his arm, but she didn’t give him a hug or kiss as she normally did. Of course, this was her workplace; he certainly wouldn’t be hugging and kissing her in front of his co-workers at the paper, either.

  His former co-workers, that is.

  Tyler looked from LaNae to the football jock, expecting an introduction, but the guy thumbed over his shoulder. “I’ll see you later,” he said. “I’ve got someone coming for a consultation.”

  Tyler waited until he was out of earshot. “He works here?”

  “Yeah, that’s Rob. He’s new.”

  As an unreasonable jealousy surged through him, LaNae grabbed his hand and sat down, pulling him into the chair opposite hers. “I’m glad you’re here. I’ve been wanting to talk to you. Did you come to take me to lunch?” He’d surprised her like that occasionally, when he’d been able to get away from the paper.

  “Well, uh, actually . . .” He trailed off, not wanting to admit that he planned to spend the afternoon with Savvy and her family. Though he assured LaNae repeatedly that they were just friends, old friends, she didn’t like Savvy.

  LaNae’s eyes narrowed. “Well, if not that, then why did you come? And why is your shirt so dirty?”

  “I lost
my job.” There. That bit, at least, was out in the open.

  Her eyes widened as she gave a little gasp. “What . . . why? Was it that article you were telling me about?” Her tone went from surprised to sympathetic to accusing faster than Tyler could have thought possible. Sitting tall in her chair, she put her hands on her hips. Tyler nearly groaned. Why did women do that?

  “I was right,” he said stubbornly. “The least you can do is be sympathetic. That’s why I came here, you know. Looking for comfort. It’s not like I won’t get another job.”

  LaNae clucked her tongue, reaching out to take his hand. “I am sorry, Tyler, and I know you’ll find another job, but I sometimes wish you’d consider the consequences before you act. I was just thinking we should make some solid plans about our future. But this puts a hold on everything. You know how my dad feels about you being able to support me.”

  He knew. No job meant no official engagement. Why didn’t he feel more sorry?

  “Don’t worry about it,” he said. “Things will work out.”

  He was a hard worker–there had to be something available. Maybe at the Salt Lake Tribune, as Chantel had suggested. Or perhaps in another state. Take California, for instance. When he’d talked to Savvy on the phone last month, she’d mentioned that some Berkeley students were picketing against gay rights. There were several clashes, and after a little research, he’d written up a story about it for his newspaper that had gone over really well. If he freelanced a few articles like that, he could begin to make a reputation for himself. In fact, maybe he’d drive to California next week and feel out the area.

  “Let’s go to lunch and talk about it,” LaNae said. “We can even go by the Daily Herald to see if they have an opening.”

  Tyler shook his head. “I’m not ready to work for a smaller paper–at least not yet. I’d rather try the Trib first. Besides, now’s not exactly a good time. I’ve got plans.” He swallowed hard before adding, “Savvy’s coming home for a visit today. I thought I’d stop by and say hi.”