Virgin's Dirty Boss

by Nicole Elliot

  “Oh Cami, look at you. Oh my God, and a mini you,” she says, pulling us into her arms. Her Southern twang is much stronger than I remember.

  “Aunt Suz,” I reply with a smile. “Thanks for letting us stay.”

  “No worries, dear, we're family and that's what we do for each other. Oh, and your Uncle Henry got the spare room all cleaned out for y’all. Ella, why don’t you go inside and see what Henry’s making for lunch?”

  Ella looks at me for reassurance and I squeeze her tiny hand before she sprints off up the concrete steps. I grab our bags as Aunt Suz approaches me again. “Darling, I must address the elephant in the room. What Julie did was wrong, and I hope you know we don't support her behavior. She may be our niece, but she’s always done things her own way.”

  “I know, Aunt Suz, I know,” I say softly, hurt piercing my heart once again.

  The old house is much the same with its pristine white picket fence and pale blue shutters that frame the windows, which are lined with colorful, fragrant flowers. I notice as I walk inside the house that it still smells like blueberries and whiskey.

  “You really should go see your mama. She’s been all alone since your daddy died,” Uncle Henry says as he gives me a hug hello.

  “What? When did he die?” I ask, shock in my voice.

  “About two years ago. After a night of binge drinking, he was driving down by the river and lost control of his truck. They say he flipped at least eight times before landing in the river.”

  “Ella, go clean up, ok?” She nods and skips off to the bathroom. “Why didn't anyone tell me,” I whisper.

  “Well, darling, we thought we had. Ty answered your phone and said he'd let you know. When you didn't show up for the funeral, we just figured you just couldn’t handle another funeral. He’s buried on Peach near your brother.” A tear rolls down my cheek and I quickly wipe it away before Ella comes back.

  “Mama, look how clean my hands are and they smell so good. Like strawberries!”

  I smile and pull her in for a hug. “Great, let’s have some lunch!” I say. I can’t let her know how I feel. She’s my daughter, and I’ll protect her at all costs.

  The next morning, I’m barely moving. I didn’t sleep at all, my head spinning with what I’ve missed while I was attached to Ty.

  “Aunt Suz,” I begin after sitting down to breakfast.

  “Yeah?”

  “Would you mind watching Ella today so I can go look for a job?”

  “Certainly, I wouldn't mind at all. Isn't that right, Miss Ella?”

  Ella smiles a huge grin and runs over to Aunt Suz, wrapping her arms around her waist. “Aunt Suz says she's going to bake a cake today.”

  I smile and roll my eyes. “Aunt Suz, you haven't changed a bit.”

  She laughs and pats Ella lightly on the head. “Go finish your breakfast, my little love.”

  I'm sitting at the table, perusing job listings on my phone, when one jumps out at me. The hospital in town is looking for an experienced department secretary. “I think this one has potential,” I say, excitedly waving my phone around. Aunt Suz smiles as I pass her, running to get dressed.

  My nerves are thumping as I walk into the hospital to fill out the application. After twenty minutes and passing the developmental test, I walk out with an interview tomorrow morning. I’m on my way back to the house when I realize I missed my turn on the highway. Another hour will take me to my parents’ old house. Ella is being cared for, so what’s a short trip out of the way?

  15

  Cami

  Drawing in a deep breath, I make that ever familiar turn. Slowly letting off the accelerator, I turn down that old washboard street.

  As the old, run down cottage comes into view, I feel my insides buzzing with anticipation, but noticing that my father’s rusty old truck is missing out front makes bile rise. I missed his funeral. Ty did that to me. I’ll never forgive him for it. I put the car in park and step out onto the uneven ground. I watch as an aging face passes the window. Her graying hair is pulled back into a messy bun and there are circles under her eyes, deep and dark, but her eyes are still the same bright blue.

  I make my way up rotting steps, the door creeps open, and my mother steps out, butcher knife in hand.

  “Mama, it's me,” I say, holding my hands up in front of me.

  “Cami,” she says as she looks at me, and suddenly throws the knife into the grass, slinging her arms around me. She sobs into my shoulder and I hold her tightly.

  “Mama, I'm so sorry I left,” I say, fighting the tears in my eyes.

  “No, don't be sorry, everything your father and I put you through…” she says, her eyes looking me over. “When he died, I was almost, for lack of a better word, relieved. When I didn't see you at his funeral, I figured that you would never be able to forgive us. We were wrong, I know that now.”

  “It's the past. I’ve forgiven you, but I can't forget everything. And Mama, I didn’t even know he had passed until I got here. Uncle Henry told me.”

  She nods, clinging to me. The fragility of the once strong, vivid woman in front of me breaks my heart. “I haven't had even a sip of alcohol since you left,” she says, taking my face in her hands.

  I give her a weak smile, trying not to let the pools of tears that now fill my eyes fall.

  “Won't you come in? I'll make you something to eat,” she says, turning to go inside.

  “I can't. I have to get back to Ella, my daughter, but I had to see you.”

  “You have a daughter?” She asks, her eyes brimming with tears.

  “Yes. A little girl, she’s three.”

  “Three? Wow, so that’s Ty’s girl then?”

  I hang my head. “No Mom, she’s Jett’s.” It’s the first time I’ve ever said it out loud.

  “Jett’s? Oh my, I haven’t heard that name in years.”

  Before the bar, neither had I.

  “And he knows then?”

  “Sure, sure he does.” I lie. One thing at a time, I tell myself. I’m not ready for that talk just yet. I need to get Ella and I away from that lying cheating bastard Ty. Make us comfortable again. Then I can handle telling Jett the truth. Giving him a chance.

  She nods. “Will you bring her to see me someday? I’d love to meet her.”

  “I sure will,” I reply, fighting the tears.

  Walking away from my mother, seeing her standing there with tears in her eyes, is oddly comforting. Turning the car around, I look back one last time, promising myself I'll come back to see her soon.

  After I pull into the driveway, Ella comes running out to me, immediately noticing my puffy eyes. “Mama, are you ok, why you crying?”

  “I'm fine sweetie; I just stopped by and saw your Grandma.”

  She smiles. “Can I go see her one day?”

  “Sure can, but I have some great news! I have an interview in the morning.”

  “What's that? What's an innerview?” she asks, her eyes wide.

  “It's when they sit you down and ask you a lot of questions.”

  “Oh, so it’s like a test, like Miss Mary gave me at preschool?”

  “Yes, baby. That sounds about right. Now, let’s get inside so we can tell them the good news.” She grabs my hand, practically dragging me inside.

  “So how did it go,” Aunt Suz asks when she sees us.

  “Mama got an innerview at the hospital,” Ella blurts out before I can say anything.

  “Oh you mean an interview. That word has a ‘t’ in it.”

  Ella just giggles. “Interview.”

  “That's right, baby doll,” Aunt Suz exclaims, handing Ella a piece of candy. “Ella, can you go into the living room and play for a minute? Mama and Aunt Suz need to have a grown up conversation.” Ella nods and skips off into the living room.

  “Cami, your mama called right before you got here and she really wants to see the little one.”

  “I know she does. I told her I'd bring Ella over one day.”

  “Well
, I hope you don't mind that I invited her over for dinner Saturday.”

  “Of course not,” I reply with a smile.

  “Very good dear, now shoo. I've got to get dinner going.” I smile and hug her before heading to our room to pick out what I'm going to wear tomorrow.

  16

  Cami

  The smell of pancakes permeating through the house wakes me up, and I look over, noticing Ella is gone. I begin to panic for a moment, but then I hear her giggling. Getting up and throwing on my robe, I make my way to the kitchen. “Good morning, sleeping beauty,” Uncle Henry says with a chuckle.

  “What time is it, anyway?” I ask, yawning loudly.

  “It's six thirty. We're early risers around here.”

  I nod and take a seat at the table.

  “What time is your interview, dear?” Aunt Suz asks, piling way too many pancakes on my plate.

  “Nine o'clock.” My nerves are jumping as the minutes tick by. I really need this job so I can get Ella and me our own place.

  Uncle Henry walks me out to the car and I think he’s going to give me some advice, but instead he says something I never imagined.

  “Some local guys said they’ve some new fellows on motorcycles in town. You know anything about that?”

  “No. Why would I?”

  “One of ‘em asked about a Camryn Garrett. I can only think of one around these parts.”

  So Jett was here, and he was looking for me. Why?

  “I don’t know why they would be looking for me,” I answer honestly.

  “All right then, good luck at your interview.”

  I wave goodbye and speed off so I’m not late. I have to push Jett out of my head for now, I need to focus on getting this job.

  The drive to the hospital feels like it’s never going to end. As I race down the long corridor to the personnel office, my heart is about to jump out of my chest. My hand slips when I turn the doorknob, and I giggle, relaxing a little. I compose myself before stepping into the office. A slender woman with thick blonde hair and deep blue eyes looks up at me and smiles. “You must be Camryn.”

  “Yes, ma'am.”

  “Have a seat and Shelly will be with you shortly.” I nod and take a seat in the small waiting area. My phone vibrates in my pocket, and it’s from Aunt Suz—a picture of Ella holding a sign with “Good Luck Mama!” written on it. I can't help but smile. A petite woman with chestnut colored hair comes around the corner, and I immediately recognize her. “I thought that name was familiar,” she says, shaking my hand. “Well, come on, let’s do this.” I smile and follow her to her office.

  I'm thrilled as I leave the hospital after the interview, but I can't stop thinking about what my uncle had said.

  Ella and Aunt Suz are on the front porch with snacks and sweet tea when I get back. “You got it, didn't you?” Aunt Suz asks.

  “Yes! Happy dance.” Ella giggles and jumps up, joining me in my ridiculous dancing. “I start Monday. Aunt Suz, would you be able to babysit until I can get her in daycare? After school starts, it’ll be much easier.”

  “Oh you don't even have to ask, you know that.” She smiles sweetly.

  I’m lucky. Finally lucky.

  17

  Cami

  I have only been on the job a few weeks but I can already tell that I'm going to love it at this hospital. Everything is so neat and organized and because we’re in Nashville, the technology is just so much better. Memphis seems like a tiny town compared to the big city. But my job is easier here, I'm faster at it. And it doesn't take long before I find a nice preschool that Ella can go to during the day. We even snagged a tiny apartment between work and Aunt Suz’s place. Everything seems to be falling into place. The only thing that I've continue to ignore is that I haven't tried to get in touch with Jett. Every day I wake up and tell myself that I'm going to contact him that day, to ask him to dinner, to tell him the truth.

  But I don't.

  Instead I wake up and I go to work and take care of Ella. I tried to give a little money to Aunt Suz but she refuses regularly so instead I started stopping at the grocery store on my way home. Getting things that I think she might need. It's nice to watch her face as she opens up the fridge in the morning when I visit for breakfast with Ella and pulls out a full carton of milk, she put a roof over our heads, that's more than I ever could've asked for. I need to repay her somehow. So if this is the only way, then I’ll do it.

  I'm typing away on my computer, trying to fill out a new patient report when my phone starts vibrating. I ignored it the first couple times but it goes off again and again and finally I decided to answer it. It's text messages, not phone calls, or I would've answered immediately. It could be Ella school. But it's not.

  It's Ty. Fuck.

  I will find you.

  I'm getting my daughter back.

  Don't think you can hide for me forever.

  I know you're Nashville.

  The last one sends chills down my body. How does he know? I never told him about this side of my family. Actually we hardly talked about my family at all. We only ever talked about him. What he wanted. How he felt. My entire life had been wrapped up in his. And I hate him for it.

  I don't respond to the messages, I delete them instead and block the number that they came from. He won't find us. It's just a scare tactic. He's in the wrong and he knows it, he's not dumb enough to come after us. At least I hope not.

  I try to take deep breaths and calm myself but instead I realize I need a break from staring at the screen. I walk down to the cafeteria to grab a coffee and be around more people. It makes me feel safer, like he can't get me here.

  Just as I'm about to get in line for a drink a man catches my eye across the room. My heart stills in my chest, Jett is here. In my hospital. His imposing body is leaning against a doorframe where he’s talking to a guy in a vest. Someone from his club, or gang, whatever he called it. I watch carefully as he runs his fingers through his hair, and I try not to melt on the spot. God he’s sexy. But he’s here. And I’m not ready for him to be here. To see me.

  Why is it that my past is suddenly catching up with me today? Why can't I just escape it all?

  I turn on my heel and run out of the cafeteria before I’m spotted. I can't handle this all right now.

  I just can't.

  For the first time I realize I'm not strong enough. No matter how tough I think that I am I can’t handle Ty finding us, or facing Jett.

  Not yet anyway.

  Not yet.

  18

  Cami

  The drive home is not a peaceful one. In the last few weeks, I’ve managed to put all the worries behind me, and now this. Stopping by Aunt Suz’s to pick up Ella, I'm on the verge of tears.

  “Cami, are you ok,” she asks, slipping Ella’s overnight bag onto my shoulder.

  “No. I'm not,” I manage to say before the sobs take over.

  “What's wrong, dear?”

  “Ty. He knows where we are.”

  “Oh sweetheart,” she says, covering her mouth.

  “And Jett too,” I say.

  “Oh my, I knew it was only a matter of time until you ran into him. I'm surprised it took this long.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He moved back to town not long ago.”

  “Really? In almost six weeks, I've never seen him.”

  “Well, my dear, he’s changed quite a bit. He’s rather good looking, isn’t he?” I nod in agreement, the thought of all those texts from Ty gnawing at my thoughts. “Where did you see Ty?”

  “I didn't see him, he sent me some nasty texts,” I reply, pulling out my phone to show her.

  “Cami, do not underestimate him. Save those. Document everything. I don't want him thinking he can come here and try to take Ella without repercussions.” I nod and hold Ella closer to me, her angelic face peaceful as she sleeps. “Would you like to just stay here tonight?”

  I nod. “I'm off work tomorrow.”

  “Well
, let’s get you two to bed,” she says with a yawn.

  I put Ella down, softly kissing her forehead, and crawl in beside her. At least we're somewhere safe, I think to myself as I'm finally able to fall asleep.

  First thing I do when I wake up is call the phone company and have my phone number changed. My uncle is sitting at the table cleaning his shotgun when Ella and I come down for breakfast. The look on my face must speak volumes. “Mornin', Uncle Henry,” I say cheerfully.

  “Good mornin', ladies,” he says back.

  Ella smiles and runs over to him, crawling on his lap. “Whatcha doin',” she asks, her eyes wide with curiosity.

  “Well, baby girl, I'm putting my shotgun back together after cleaning it.”

  “Mama, aren't guns bad?”

  “No, sweetheart, they can be bad depending on the person who has it.”

  “Ohhhh. Uncle Henwy?”

  “Yes, Ella?”

  “You're a good guy, right?”

  Uncle Henry chuckles and shakes his head. “Yes Ella, I have no intention of hurting anyone unless they try to hurt one of us,” he says, looking at me.

  “Ella, that's enough, come eat your breakfast.”

  She kisses him on the cheek and walks around the table to her booster seat.

  “Yummmm… Aunt Suz, this bacon smells good!”

  19

  Cami

  I decide to take Ella back home and have a lazy day watching movies and maybe eating out. She’s been wanting to see the new Disney movie, and as much as I hate to admit it, I have too. Now I just need to see if it’s available on demand.

  I look at my phone to find a pizza place that delivers, then call to place an order. I glance at my watch and notice I've got about fifteen minutes until my pizza arrives, so I jump in the shower.

  I step out of the shower and dress quickly, wrapping a towel around my damp hair. Just when I sit down and turn on the TV, there's a knock at the door. Not thinking, I open the door and jump when I see his face and the anger his eyes hold.