A Life Unplanned

by Rose von Barnsley

  My mother giggled.

  "They were gossiping and stopped just short of teasing Trent when we discussed birth control."

  "Which did you choose to go with? Nothing permanent I hope."

  "Still pushing for the big family I see," I teased.

  "Well…Trent is a sweet man. He really seems to enjoy being a daddy, and you really are a great mom, honey. Not to mention your kids have pretty awesome grandparents."

  "That they do."

  "Speaking of grandparents, when are you coming home? I miss my little bug and his baby sister."

  "I'm not sure," I answered sadly.

  "Any word on Trent's transfer?" she asked hopeful.

  "No, there's a hang-up on it, but we're working on it."

  "The kids are young, honey. They'll adjust to separation, and it won't be forever."

  The problem was I wasn't sure I wanted any separation.

  "What's going on in that head of yours? I know something's up. I could feel it all the way up in Waco," she pushed. She was a great mom and always had a sixth sense about these things.

  "Mom, I really missed him when he was gone," I confessed.

  "Oh, sweetie, I'd be worried if you didn't. I'll bet he missed you, too."

  "He said he did…"

  "But you're not sure you believe him."

  "What if he's just with me because of the kids?"

  "Did you know he talked about you?"

  "What?"

  "When he was home in Livingston, he spent all his free time with Maylene and talked non-stop about you."

  "I'm sure he talked more about the kids-"

  "No, he was worried about you. He bragged that you're a great mom, and he was lucky to have you. He worried you were overdoing it and not taking care of yourself. He loves the kids, but knows you can handle them. He knows you'll make sure they have everything they need, but that self-sacrificing attitude that welcomed him and his family into your life is the same one that makes him worry that you aren't taking care of yourself and getting enough to eat.

  “He knows you prefer boneless skinless chicken breasts and kept bugging his mother for more recipes, insisting you needed more protein. He did a mess of research on water filters, because he wanted to make sure you had the best quality water all of the time. He was stressed that you were going to run out of bottled water and end up with tap. He didn't want you to get dehydrated. He confessed that he was scared you didn't need him or want him and were only letting him around the kids because of your sweet nature, not because you liked him personally."

  "But I do like him, Mom…a lot," I whispered the last part.

  "I know, honey. I could see it on both of your faces, that and you both look completely clueless. As if you didn't grow up in two-parent families with obvious good examples of relationships. You're a couple of awkward fools!"

  "Mom, I'm scared."

  "Of what, sweetheart?"

  "What if he can't move to Waco? What if he's stuck here? What if I have to give up my life, my job, my friends, my parents, and move to Livingston to be with him? I've never lived outside of Waco."

  "First of all, you'll never lose your parents. That's just not happening. Second, Maylene has a guestroom specifically designed for me and your dad. We have a standing invitation and will use it frequently. I'd miss you like mad, but we can talk on the phone and have weekend visits, baby. I want you to be happy. If Trent makes you happy, we'll be behind you one hundred percent."

  "And if it all goes wrong?"

  "You know we'd never turn you away. You're our baby, honey. We'll always catch you if you fall, not to mention you're tenacious. I doubt you'd be down for long. Though, I wouldn't mind keeping you to myself for a few months. If it goes bad, feel free to wallow."

  "Mom," I whined, and she chuckled in response.

  "I really don't think it's going to go bad. You both have a great support system, and he loves you, Clara. He really does. It's so obvious to everyone else. I don't know why you both don't see it. I know you love him, honey. Don't try to deny it."

  "I won't," I confessed, as the realization shook me.

  "You're a sweet girl and can make new friends, not to mention you can always come and stay with us to visit your old ones. I'm sure you could find a new job around there when you're ready, and I can guarantee Maylene would happily watch her grandbabies while you're at work. If you need to stay in Livingston, I know you'll be fine."

  "You really think so?"

  "I know so, baby. You always land on your feet, and this would be no different. Not to mention that everyone I've met in Livingston seems to adore you. I think you'll do just fine."

  "Thanks, Mom, that's what I needed to hear."

  "That's me, the all-knowing wise mommy. You know you can always count on me and your dad."

  "I know."

  "Good, now put that poor man out of his misery and tell him you love him and want to live with him. You're both driving me and Maylene batty."

  "Okay, Mom, I will."

  "Good girl. I love you, sweetie."

  "I know, Mom, I love you, too."

  I finally felt at peace. My mom always knew how to fix things. She always knew just what to say. I knew what I had to do. It was time to tell Trent that I wanted to be with him and was willing to stay in Livingston with him, if that was what we needed to do to be together. I held on to the hope that he really wanted to be with me as much as I wanted to be with him.

  I put Katie down in her bed and went to get some more water out of the kitchen. It was then I noticed the water filter attached to the faucet. There was a box on the counter, and it looked like he had a second one ready to install somewhere else.

  I sent him a quick text, and he called me instead of texting me back.

  "How are you settling in? Do you have everything you need?"

  "Yeah, the water filter on the sink is nice."

  "Good, good, I'm glad you like it. I have another one to put in at your place when I take you home…" he said the last bit a little sadly.

  How did I miss it before? "Trent, what would you think about me maybe moving to Livingston, instead of you moving to Waco?"

  "Really? Baby, do you mean it? Would you really be willing to do that?"

  "I've been thinking about it a lot, and I missed you, Trent, and so did the kids. I don't want to have to wait some unknown amount of time for you to only maybe get a job and be able to move to Waco."

  "I promise I'm doing everything in my power to do it. I swear I'm not putting it off or dragging my feet, Clara. Please believe I'm really trying. I really do want to be with you and the kids."

  "I know, Trent. I've seen how much it's stressing you out. I'd miss my friends and family, but…"

  "But what?"

  "I think I'd miss you more." I wondered if he understood how much he meant to me.

  "I wish you didn't have to choose. I wish I wasn't caught up in this damn mess," he grouched.

  "Since I'm quitting my job in Waco, I'll need to find one here."

  "Oh…okay…so you don't want to…I guess I…I'll help in any way I can."

  "What's wrong?"

  "Are you going to move somewhere else?" His voice sounded so small and sad.

  "I don't know. Do you want me to? I won't force myself on you. I know we're still kind of new to everything."

  "NO, no, it's not forcing. I want you to live with me, if that's okay. If that's what you want. I don't want you to feel like you have to, but I'd like it…a lot. I'd like to be able to be there for you when you need me, Clara."

  "You are, Trent. Thank you."

  "Thank you."

  It was amazing how much lighter I felt after my chat with Trent. I was downright giddy. My heavens, I was moving in with Trent, and he wanted me here! I burst into a fit of giggles and let out a little squeal. I had to call my mother and let her know how it went.

  I ended up talking to her for a couple of hours, as we planned our move and tried to figure out what to keep and wh
at to let go. I didn't have a lot of furniture, but I didn't think it would fit in Trent's house.

  I received a text from Trent saying he'd bring home Tyler and some dinner for us to celebrate. I hoped since I didn't have any spotting that he'd really be up to a full-on private party for two after the kids were asleep.

  It was starting to get late, and Trent hadn't made it home yet. Katie was up from her evening nap, and I was getting worried. I called Trent's cell phone, but there was no answer. I could only guess he was still talking with the hospital board.

  I was about to leave a message for him, letting him know I'd pick up Tyler and make dinner instead, when the house phone rang.

  "Hello," I wondered who was calling.

  "Clara, is Trent there?" McKenna asked.

  "No, I think he's still at the hospital."

  "Do you know what the hell he's doing?"

  "Talking with the board? Your guess is as good as mine."

  "Did you put him up to resigning, to walking out on me and Dr. Davis, leaving us with an overload of patients?"

  "No, what are you talking about? We just decided that I should move here instead of him going to Waco, so he could keep his job."

  "Then why the hell would I get a call saying he'd turned in self-incriminating evidence and resigned? He'll never be able to practice anywhere again!" McKenna snapped.

  "That can't be right. He hasn't done anything. Someone is setting him up. They must've planted the evidence or-"

  "He went back and handed them over personally. They weren't planted. I didn't think Trent would ever…"

  "He didn't…he hasn't. There's a group of bitches trying to ruin his life. I don't know what they said to him to make him turn that in, but they have to be blackmailing him or something."

  "Trent's a stubborn bastard. No one can make him do anything, except for maybe you and the kids. You're his only soft spot."

  My heart dropped. "I have to go," I barely got out, before I was on the phone, calling Maylene in a panic. I didn't even let her get her greeting out. "Do you have Tyler?"

  "No, I dropped him off at Trent's office for him. He's not home?" she asked confused. It was a little after eight o' clock. She knew we kept Tyler on a strict bedtime schedule.

  "I think something's wrong, Maylene. He's not answering his phone, and McKenna just called, ranting about him quitting and turning in incriminating evidence on himself. Someone has gotten to him. We have to find him!"

  "I'll call the police to go check on him and call his lawyer. If Trent planned to do anything, Brian would know about it," she tried to reassure me, but it wasn't working. I wouldn't feel better, until I had my boys home and in my arms.

  "I'm going to go to his office. I have to see if he's okay. I'll call you if he's there." I hung up before she could say anything and quickly strapped my daughter into her seat. Maylene must have been true to her word, because an officer was walking around the building. "Is he here?" I asked panicked.

  "His car is, but no one is answering when I knock on the door. I have a call in to Dr. McKenna to come down and unlock it. He's probably just lost track of time and is going over files or something."

  "He has our son with him. He wouldn't lose track of time. Tyler would be hungry and driving him nuts, because it's past his bedtime. Something's wrong!" I burst into tears, and McKenna came running up the walk and opened the office door quickly.

  "Trent?" we both shouted at the same time.

  "Tyler?" I tried. We started down the hall to his office, and I nearly lost it.

  "Jeb, get back here and call in backup!" McKenna yelled.

  He came running back, I was sure expecting a showdown or something, but all he saw was a shattered cell phone, a toy and a book on the floor. "What's going on?" he looked between us.

  "That's Trent's cell. He'd never leave without it," McKenna answered.

  "That's Tyler's favorite book. He takes it everywhere. He would've had a fit and made Trent stop to get the book if he could. Someone took them."

  "Do you have security cameras?" Jeb asked McKenna.

  "Yes, they're required for security purposes, since we have prescription drugs onsite."

  "Clara, Brian and I are here!" I heard Maylene call to us from the front of the office. I ran to her crying. "What is it? What happened? Where are Trent and Tyler?"

  "We don't know, but we're going to check the security cameras."

  I was a mess, and I could tell Maylene wasn't much better. McKenna was kind enough to take Katie from me, who was crying just as much as I was and didn't know why.

  We held our breath, as we watched Trent walk back into the empty office about six o'clock, most likely just after his meeting over in the hospital with the board, because the office closed at six. He looked up, and we saw him meet Maylene at the door with Tyler, where she kissed him goodbye, and we watched as my sweet little boy talked to his attentive father. They were walking back to his office, when they stopped suddenly in the hall. Trent pushed his son behind him and then put his hands up. He must have been instructed to hand over his phone, because he threw it down. He was pissed, and Tyler was crying. I was wishing there was sound. A woman finally stepped into view. She was holding them at gunpoint.

  "Holy shit," Brian swore. He whipped out his phone and called his wife. "Get me all the known addresses for Tiffany, honey. She's taken Trent and Tyler."

  I knew then that I might never see my boys again.

  Chapter 21- The Other Side

  We all watched with baited breath, as Tiffany slid a file over to Trent. She seemed to get more erratic and agitated by the minute. My heart jumped every time she pointed her gun at them, because she was mainly pointing it at Tyler. It was obvious she was threatening my son's life.

  Trent pulled a pen out of his doctor's coat pocket and quickly started signing the papers, as he knelt on the floor. She started yelling at him, jabbing the gun closer in his direction, and he held his hand up to show he was complying.

  She rushed him and kicked him over, and then she roughly yanked Tyler from behind him. Trent went to take a move towards them, but she jammed the gun in my baby's temple. I gasped through blurred tears, not wanting to watch, but too scared to look away.

  She started yelling at him again, and I was wishing once more there was sound. Trent gathered up the papers he'd signed and moved toward the door that connected with the hospital. He turned, and it looked like he was trying to calm Tyler. Tiffany snapped at him again, and he put his hand up once more, trying to calm her and show his compliance. He wasn't gone for more than a minute. He was slightly winded, so you could tell that he'd run.

  His state seemed to piss Tiffany off more. He pointed to the phone at the front desk, and she hesitated but then nodded. She must have insisted it be on speaker, because she covered Tyler's mouth, and we watched as Trent spoke to someone.

  It was obvious when he hung up, because he was quick to try and approach her, pleading with her to give him Tyler. It seemed to upset her even more. He was begging for his son's life, and since I knew the full background story, I knew why that was pissing her off so much. Trent was on his knees, and Tiffany looked from him to the exit several times. I didn't think she had planned that far ahead. She nodded toward the exit while holding the gun to Tyler, and Trent quickly complied. We watched in horror, as she walked them out the door and turned out of sight toward the parking lot.

  We had no clue where they had gone or even what they were driving. They were gone. Maylene and I both lost it, becoming a couple of crying messes. We were startled when Officer Jeb shouted, "HOG SHIT!" and ran out the door. We followed him out past the parking lot and across the street. He pounded on the door of a residential home. "Jack, do you have your hog shit footage from earlier this evening?"

  "The hogs don't come until the middle of the night or early in the morning."

  "But are your cameras running? Are they recording already? Do you have footage from 6:00pm to 8:00pm?"

  "Yeah, I should." />
  "Dr. Carrington and his son have been kidnapped from his office, could we please see the footage?"

  Jack's eyes about popped out of his head. "Why the hell didn't you say that in the first place?" he shouted, as he hurried down the hall.

  When he opened the door to his study, I was taken aback by the wall-to-wall monitors. He quickly pulled up a camera that wasn't aimed at the office or the parking lot, but it did catch part of the exit and the street to the left. Jack pulled up the footage and paused it, when the car pulled up to the exit and checked to see if it was safe to pull into traffic. It wasn't a rental car. The license plate was clearly visible, and we watched as they did in fact turn left and head toward the edge of town.

  Jeb had written down the plate and called it in, while Jack pulled up a second set of cameras. I watched as he caught the edge of the white car several times, as it progressed down different streets and finally exited town on the highway. I watched Jack, hoping he had a second set of cameras to pull up that would follow them, but the next set of cameras he pulled up were all forest floor. There was one that caught the edge of the highway.

  "This one is just past Mills Road. If they don't pass it, then we know they're still closer in. It'd cut down on our search radius," Jack explained. He upped the speed, fast forwarding carefully to present time. "They haven't passed it. She has to have them somewhere before that point. I'll watch the camera to make sure she doesn't and let you know if my other cameras come up with anything else, but they're all in the national forest. They don't cover any of the private land or cabins."

  "Thanks, Jack, you narrowed our search considerably." Jeb got right to ordering the search to begin. The state had to be notified about the missing person. They were the ones who owned and maintained the big search equipment, such as helicopters. They called in police from the close neighboring towns to help with the search. Because it was an armed and dangerous person, they wouldn't allow civilians to assist in the search.

  For being a cop in a small quiet town, Jeb sure knew how to run things with a smooth, precise calm.

  "Check other family names!" Brian snapped into his phone before he hung up. "She hasn't found anything under Tiffany's name in the area."