Chewing on her lip, she tried Sylvia's number. Praying that Jake answer the phone, no such luck, the line was busy. She laid the phone down, played in her plate a bit more and then a thought came to her. She lifted the phone and dialled information.
"Um, can I get the number for a Gertrude McPherson? Hillsboro, Wisconsin please?"
"Just a moment." The call-taker murmured.
Vivian prayed their number was not unlisted, and that Gert's name was listed. It hadn't occurred to her to get her phone book, and she didn't know the number by heart.
"We have a Bartholomew and Gertrude McPherson listed." The operator informed her.
"That's it, that's the one." Vivian sighed in relief. She wrote the number down and hung up, taking a deep breath. She dialled it.
"Hello?" Bart answered.
Vivian sucked in, unsure, having never spoken to him before.
"Hello?"
"Eh - Hi - Hi... I'm uh... Vivian Cooke, is Gert there?" Vivian gulped, not knowing what to expect.
"Well, hello young lady, no she's not. She and Shanna, my youngest, are out shopping for her new home. I figure they'll be back in an hour or so."
"Oh... I see, okay... well -..."
"Something wrong? You sound funny? Everything okay?"
"Yeah..." Vivian lied, about to cry, his voice was very similar to Jake's, her heart was pounding.
"Yeah? You sure, young lady? Your voice sounds funny. I know I've never spoken with you on the phone, but - I've raised two girls, I kind'a know when something's not right. Something don't sound right with you."
"I'm sorry sir, I'm okay, really. Just... let Gert know I called."
"Sure I will... and you're okay? You're absolutely sure?"
Vivian gulped. Her throat clogged with tears. She didn't know him. But - he sounded so much like Jake... so much.
"Vivian? Has my boy done something to you?"
"No, sir! No! Not at all! No! He hasn't." She was about to start crying.
"What's happened then?"
"I just... Gert said, well - she mentioned, that if - well - I ever wanted to get away from here. That - well, I could probably come there. And - right now - I would really like to - to get away!" She started crying.
"Well, where are you then? What's happened?"
"Where am I? At a friend's. I ah... was mugged, someone took my purse, and - I know its sounds silly, that I should be grateful nothing else happened, but - I just-..."
"They took your purse?" Bart asked gently, "That mean you got no money?"
"I have money in the bank, but I had to cancel all my credit cards."
"Have your friends get you down to the train station then, there'll be a ticket waitin' for you. It's too late for tonight, but they'll be a train leaving tomorrow. I'll have Gert see to it soon as she gets in."
Vivian couldn't believe what she was hearing, she wiped at a tear rolling, "Are you sure?"
"Not sure I understand you. What's there to be sure about? You called. You wantin' to come, Gert invited you. What's there to be sure about?"
"If - if you want me there, I mean... are you sure?"
"Gal, you get to that train station tomorrow, get yourself up here, you hear?"
"Yes, sir."
"That mean you comin'?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good, don't wish to waste a ticket. See you tomorrow, you rest up, you'll be okay when you get here tomorrow."
"Thank you. Don't - please - don't tell Jake... please?"
"That suits me fine, bes' get to packin'."
"Yes... I will... thank you so much! I'll see you tomorrow." Vivian gasped happily.
Sheila walked into the kitchen looking at her, and the sudden smile on her face. "You take too many painkillers?"
Vivian shook her head, smiling brightly, "No... none. Can you take me to Amtrak tomorrow?"
"Why? Where you going?"
"I'm going to Wisconsin. Stay for the rest of the week through the weekend, I need to get away."
"Ah, shit! Here we go! Me and Dennis gone have to put the house up for sale! Ya'll ain't leavin' me here, by myself! Shit!"
Table of Contents
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Chapter 84
Chapter 85
Chapter 86
Chapter 87
Chapter 88
Chapter 89
Chapter 90
Chapter 91
Chapter 92
Chapter 93
Chapter 94
Chapter 95
Chapter 96
Chapter 97
Chapter 98
Chapter 99
Chapter 100
Chapter 101
Chapter 102
Chapter 103
Chapter 104
Chapter 105
Chapter 106
Chapter 107
Chapter 108
Chapter 109
Chapter 110
Chapter 111
Chapter 112
Chapter 113
Chapter 114
Chapter 115
Chapter 116
Chapter 117
Chapter 118
Chapter 119
Chapter 120
Chapter 121
Chapter 129
Chapter 130
Chapter 131
Chapter 135
Chapter 136
Chapter 137
BOMAW 4-6 Page 107
