A Life Less Ordinary

by Bernadine, Victoria

  They sat back with a sigh.

  “Any leads?” Rebecca asked.

  Daisy shrugged. “The police are investigating now. The only thing we know for sure is that the money was stolen over a relatively long period of time – a couple of weeks for sure; possibly even a month. Whoever did it is pretty sophisticated, too – they’re still trying to find the trail.”

  “But – I mean, over six hundred thousand dollars, Daisy! You never noticed when it – I don’t know – dipped under four hundred thousand?”

  Daisy shrugged helplessly. “I only checked the accounts once a month at most even before we separated. Then savings accounts were frozen while we worked out a settlement. Well, I mean, the bank required both of our signatures before they would release any money to either of us. Honestly? I haven’t even looked at the accounts since I started divorce proceedings. Hub was the same way. And here we are.”

  Rebecca frowned, her eyes narrowed as she rolled the shot glass against her lips.

  “That’s pretty dangerous,” she said slowly. “Somebody stealing over a period of time, I mean, even if it’s no more than a month in total. They would have had no way of knowing when the thefts would be noticed. Unless...”

  “Unless it’s somebody who knows us,” Daisy said flatly.

  “And knows you well,” Rebecca agreed.

  They stared silently at each other.

  Finally Rebecca said, “What’s the other woman’s name?”

  * * * * *

  Day 127

  “TJ, I’m home,” Leah said hurrying into the bedroom. “You should have been up by now. The new nurse will be here any min -” She stopped short as she took in his flushed face and labored breathing.

  She frowned as she perched on the bed beside him and felt his forehead.

  “You’re burning up,” she said, concerned.

  “I think I’m having a relapse,” TJ croaked, his words coming in short, painful spurts. Leah’s frown deepened.

  “You sound awful,” she said.

  TJ leaned his head back. “I feel worse,” he sighed, his eyes closing.

  “The nurse will be here in less than half an hour,” Leah soothed. “Maybe she can give you something to help.”

  He barely nodded, a frown on his face as he concentrated on his breathing.

  Leah sat with him, watching his chest rise and fall, and the seconds crawled by as she waited for the nurse.

  TJ didn’t stir when the doorbell finally rang.

  Leah raced to the door, and she babbled all the information she had to the new nurse as they walked up the stairs.

  The woman, a comfortably cozy figure, soothed Leah as much as she could before she went into the bedroom. Leah waited anxiously as the nurse gently called TJ’s name. She straightened sharply when the nurse called TJ’s name again, and then again, each time louder and more urgent than the last.

  Leah burst into the room just as the nurse lifted her cell phone to her ear with one hand, her other hand on TJ’s wrist. The room spun as Leah heard the nurse speaking, but nothing made sense. Through a dull roar, she heard words like unresponsive and erratic and numbers like 104.5, and all she could do was stand there, feeling useless as her world trembled beneath her feet. The trembling built to a quaking as the ambulance arrived, the paramedics swarmed into the house, and TJ was finally wheeled out on a stretcher with an oxygen mask over his face.

  The nurse put a gentle hand on her shoulder.

  “I’ll drive you to the hospital,” she offered quietly.

  It took a moment for the words to sink in, then Leah jerked a short nod, gathered her purse and keys with shaking hands, and followed the nurse outside without a word.

  Episode 11

  Day 128

  “How bad is he?” Zeke demanded. He scrubbed the sleep from his eyes – what little he’d managed – and felt the rasp of stubble against his palms. He wondered if he looked as bad as he felt; the rental car wasn’t as spacious as the van.

  “He’s stable,” Leah sighed wearily. “He’s going to get worse before he gets better, but the doctors have assured me he’s in no danger of dying – at the moment, anyway.”

  “Leah -”

  “I’m sorry, Zeke. He’s very sick, but he’s going to be okay. I promise.”

  “I’m about an hour out of Orlando. I’ll head straight to the airport and catch the first plane I can get,” Zeke said grimly.

  Leah hesitated, then said, “No – don’t.”

  “What?” Zeke exploded. “TJ needs me! You need me!”

  “There’s nothing for you to do here, Zeke, except hold my hand.”

  “He’d want me to hold your hand! He’d want me to take care of you!”

  “I know,” Leah said fondly, “but while I would love to have you here, taking care of me – I don’t need you here taking care of me.”

  Zeke drew in sharp breath, hurt in his wide hazel eyes.

  “Zeke, I’m okay. He’s stable – and he’s been asleep more than he’s been awake. But he has been awake and talking to me. If you come home, all we can really do is sit and watch and wait for him to get better.”

  “I can do that.”

  Leah laughed shakily. “I know you can, but you have some fences to mend where you are.”

  “Manny? She doesn’t even know I’m still here, and I have no idea where she is right now either, since I stopped following her in order to get to Orlando faster. Whether I stay or go – it doesn’t make a difference. Not here.”

  Leah lowered her head, and pinched the bridge of her nose. She hadn’t slept since they’d taken TJ out of the house, and she had a pounding headache.

  “I would love to have you here, Zeke. To have you hold my hand as we watch him sleep. And TJ would be touched beyond belief.”

  “I’ll get on the next plane.”

  “Zeke...Manny’s the first woman you’ve ever chased after.”

  Zeke scowled as he stared out the windshield.

  “She means something to you,” Leah said gently. “I mean – she really means something to you. I think Manny’s the only woman you’ve ever actually liked – besides me, I mean.”

  “I like women!”

  “No – you’re attracted to women – but you don’t like them very much. You’re not even always sure about me.”

  Zeke hesitated, then muttered, “She could have been a friend.”

  “Do you still have a crush on her?”

  Zeke huffed a laugh. “No. You were right about that. But – I like her. And I don’t want her to think I – I just used her.”

  “Then find her. TJ’s stable. If that changes, I’ll call.” She laughed shakily. “You can be damn sure of that!”

  Zeke hesitated, biting his lip, scowling as he wavered.

  Leah sighed. “How about this? You talk to Manny and if you can’t get her to see the light, come home.”

  “Are you sure you’ll be okay on your own, Leah? I mean really okay?”

  “I’m sure. The doctors are optimistic even though they still don’t know exactly what’s wrong. I’m going to go get some sleep in his room and then head to the office for a few hours. See what’s happening there.”

  “Okay. I’m going to head into Orlando and find a place to stay. If anything changes, Leah – seriously. No matter the time – I’ll get home as fast as I can.”

  “You’re a good guy, Zeke,” Leah said softly, “and a good friend. I’ll call you later.”

  Zeke disconnected the call and blinked away sudden hot moisture from his eyes before he started the engine and continued on to Orlando

  ~~~~~

  Manny stared up at the motel room’s ceiling and tried to will herself to sleep. She was planning on spending the day exploring Disneyworld and she wanted to be rested before she braved the crowds and lineups.

  I’d be able to get to sleep if you would just shut up, she complained to Harvey.

  Harvey propped his head on his hand as he rested on his side beside her.

/>   You should read the blogs.

  No.

  You don’t know what he said about you.

  I know enough. I read the first few. I know what he really thought of me.

  Prudish. Repressed. Timid.

  Don’t remind me.

  To be fair – really, what did you think your image was like?

  Professional. Competent. Composed.

  You say potato -

  Shut up.

  Look, you could at least give him the benefit of the doubt – at least until you read all of the blogs.

  He used me! He used me!

  And you thought he liked you.

  Yes. Yes! I thought we were starting to be friends. I thought...God – I’m so pathetic. No wonder I hid from the world for the last fifteen years. I can’t figure anything out.

  What did you think?

  Just...there was the possibility of a little excitement in my life when I got back to reality. You know? Zeke’s – Zeke was interesting and mysterious and different. And it would have been...fun to have a friend like him when I’m once again immersed in work and...and I’m back in my world made of grey.

  Maybe he’ll still be a friend like that.

  Look around – he’s gone. And good riddance.

  Are you ever going to read his blogs? All of them?

  I don’t know. Now go to sleep.

  * * * * *

  Day 129

  Max shoved a cup of coffee in front of Daisy’s face and she jumped.

  “Jesus!” she yelped. “You’re as silent as a cat!”

  He smirked his crooked smirk, the deep grooves in his cheeks that weren’t quite dimples on full display.

  “I’ll put on a bell,” he promised in his quiet voice that still held an edge of danger no matter how gently he spoke. Maybe it was the bald head, she thought. “Come on,” he urged, “you haven’t done anything but stare at that computer screen for the last ten minutes. Come talk to me.”

  Daisy blinked, and glared at him. He raised one eyebrow, his green eyes intent on hers, and her shoulders slumped. She nodded as she took the coffee and followed him to the armchairs by the office doors.

  They sipped their coffee in silence for a moment, then Max said, very gently, “Just how much trouble are you in?”

  Daisy’s eyes slid away from his, and she shifted uncomfortably. She shrugged.

  “Daisy,” he snapped, and she jumped guiltily. His voice was no longer gentle. Instead he was in full investigative mode, putting the suspect on the run and getting answers. It wasn’t a tone he used often with her, and Daisy realized she liked it better when he used it on other people.

  She rallied and glared at him. “It’s not your concern,” she said with as much dignity as she could muster.

  They were in a standoff of wills, and Daisy wondered why she’d never noticed just how green and piercing his eyes could be.

  Max finally relaxed and sighed. “I’m asking as your friend, Daisy. I want to help – I mean more than just tracking down who took your money and where it’s at now. Do you need a loan? Are you okay to pay your bills?”

  Daisy’s anger melted. “You can’t help me, Max. You can barely afford to pay me – I know! I do your books, remember? I owe more on my credit cards than you make in a year.” She had a sudden, horrifying thought as she considered his dropped jaw and staring eyes. “And if you think for even one minute that I’m going to start embezzling, well, you can just kiss my lily-white ass!”

  “Huh? What -? Now you’re just being stupid,” he scoffed.

  Daisy began to puff up, eyes glinting dangerously as she opened her mouth to tell him where to go.

  “For God’s sake,” he snarled, “just shut up!”

  She snapped her mouth closed, and sat back with a huff, her arms crossed tightly across her chest.

  He leaned forward, his eyes intent on her face.

  “You’re not angry with me, Daisy. I didn’t put you in this situation.”

  She looked away, chagrined. “I know. I’m sorry. I just...” she shrugged. “Besides the sheer devastation of having our entire life’s savings stolen practically overnight, I’ve forgotten what it’s like to be worried about paying my bills. I don’t like feeling this vulnerable. I don’t like feeling like my children are vulnerable. At least Hub’s still making his big bucks, so I know – logically – the kids are secure – even though my heart is still terrified for all of us. One thing I do know for sure: I’ll be damned if I’m going to ask him for alimony!”

  Max nodded. “I can understand that.” He paused. “You don’t know everything about me, Daisy. If you need help, you’ll let me know – right?”

  She nodded, then frowned. “What don’t I know?” she asked.

  He simply smirked and sipped his coffee.

  ~~~~~

  Manny sighed as her cell phone rang and Zeke’s name and picture appear on the screen.

  Again.

  You may as well answer that.

  She glared at Harvey, looking handsome and smugly amused.

  Why?

  If nothing else, to get him to stop calling.

  She scowled at the phone until the call went to voice mail.

  Every hour on the hour, Harvey noted. The boy’s persistent if nothing else.

  Manny shrugged. I don’t care. Now, I’m at Disneyworld – let’s have some fun.

  ~~~~~

  Manny walked tiredly into her motel room and flopped face down on the bed.

  “I’m wiped,” she groaned out loud.

  Me too, Harvey sighed, flopping on the bed beside her.

  Considering you’re not real, I’m not feeling a lot of sympathy for you.

  Thanks.

  Anytime.

  Manny’s cell phone range and she groaned again, burying her face into the pillow.

  Talk to him – even if it’s just to tell him to fuck off.

  I’ve already told him to fuck off. Besides, he should be home by now. Why is he calling?

  You’re whining.

  I know.

  The phone fell silent, and Manny sighed then heaved herself off the bed and headed to the bathroom.

  I need a bath. Then food.

  Better hurry – he’ll be calling again in an hour.

  Only he didn’t. He didn’t phone in the next hour, either, or by the time Manny trudged back to her motel room, changed into her boxers and t-shirt and crawled into bed. She tried to read, the words swimming in front of her eyes, and even when she could make out the words, she couldn’t focus on the story.

  She tossed the book aside with an irritated huff, then hunched under the blanket and resolutely closed her eyes.

  Well, I guess you’ve done it. He’s given up.

  Manny frowned. I want him to give up.

  Do you?

  ...yes.

  Harvey sighed and sadly shook his head.

  You almost believe it, too.

  Go to sleep.

  * * * * *

  Day 130

  Manny started when her phone rang at ten in the morning. She fumbled for it, and cursed the rush of relief that turned her knees to water when she saw Zeke’s picture on the screen.

  She glared at Harvey, who simply smirked and raised a knowing eyebrow as he nodded at the phone, urging her to answer.

  She hesitated, biting her lip, then took a deep breath and picked up the call.

  “Hello, Zeke,” she said.

  There was a moment of silence, then, “Manny?” Zeke said, stunned.

  “Were you calling someone else?” she asked drily.

  “No. No! I just wasn’t expecting you to pick up the call.”

  “Why were you calling then?”

  “I...wanted to talk.”

  “We’ve already talked.”

  “Manny,” Zeke groaned helplessly, “look. Could we get together?”

  Manny frowned. “Well – I won’t be home for a while yet. So if you still want to by the time I get back – why are you laughing?”r />
  And what a laugh! Harvey sighed.

  Shut. Up!

  The shitty part was Harvey was right. Zeke was chuckling a low, husky sound that Manny was positive she’d never heard from him before. It was...intimate, that was the word, and it was doing strange things to her nerve endings.

  Hormones. I keep telling you -

  Oh, sweet mother of God...

  “I’m not at home,” Zeke told her.

  Manny blinked and refocused on the conversation.

  “Then...where are you?” she asked, confused.

  “Orlando.”

  Manny’s jaw dropped. “Did you follow me?” she said, her voice dipping into dangerous territory.

  “Well, I’d intended to,” Zeke admitted, “then I had to get to Orlando as fast as possible. TJ was rushed to the hospital two – three days ago now.”

  “Oh, my God! What happened?”

  “Massive lung infection. The idiot thought it was just the flu and downplayed everything to everybody. Anyway, it was a bit nip and tuck there the first night. I talked to him very briefly yesterday. He’s nicely stabilized now and once he’s more with it, he’ll be appropriately apologetic to both me and Leah for scaring the crap out of us.”

  “I’m glad,” Manny murmured softly, then paused, frowning. “So – wait – you followed me?”

  “Only part of the way,” Zeke protested weakly.

  “That’s...a little creepy,” Manny said.

  “So I’ve been told,” Zeke sighed. “Apparently it’s not considered romantic anymore.”

  Romantic? Harvey blurted.

  “Romantic?” Manny squeaked.

  “In the broad sense of the term,” Zeke hastened to assure her, “not in any feelings sense of the word.”

  Oh, Harvey pouted.

  “Oh, of course,” Manny said, relieved and disappointed all at once.

  “Anyway. Can we get together?”

  “Are you going to apologize?”

  “About the blog?”

  “Of course about the blog!”

  Zeke paused, and Manny held her breath.

  “I don’t know, Manny.”

  Now it was Manny’s turn to think.