by Vivi Holt
“I’m sorry. That’s harsh.”
She grimaced. “Thanks.”
“When was this?”
“Two years ago.”
“Wow. Do you think you’re over him?”
She took a long breath. “Yes, I’m over him. I don’t know if I’ll ever get over what happened, but I’m trying.”
“Did you love him?”
“Of course. What about you – ever been in love?”
He stared out over the pool for a few long moments. “I guess.”
“What does that mean?”
“I had a college girlfriend, Katrina. I cared about her.”
Molly straightened and set her drink on the small round table beside her deck chair. “That’s not the same thing.”
“I cared about her a lot.” He grinned.
Molly chewed the inside of her cheek. “Yes, but that’s not love – falling in love is different. It’s … well, it’s like you meet a person and there’s something about them that just attracts you. You’re connected in a way you’ve never felt before. The more time you spend together, the more you want to, until finally you can’t bear to be apart. You fall down this glorious rabbit hole hand in hand and you never want to emerge again. You get married because there are no other options than spending the rest of your life as one. And when it happens, when you fall in love, you’ll definitely know it.”
He eyed her, a smile playing around his lips. “I see.”
“So you’ve never been in love?”
He shook his head. “Never.”
“Then you’ve got something to look forward to.” She grinned and reached for her glass.
“We could take the angle that the brother was to blame,” suggested Vicky, chewing absently on the end of her pencil.
Molly shook her head and her nose wrinkled. “No, there’s not enough evidence to support it. We’ve got to stick to facts.” A local business had been raided by police, and rumor was that drugs were involved. They’d been working on a story for the past three days, but still didn’t have their approach nailed down, mostly because Molly couldn’t get anyone at the Atlanta PD to confirm the facts or give a statement. She sighed and stood, stretching her arms high above her head. “We should get some sleep. We’re not getting anywhere.”
“Tomorrow’s our deadline,” said Vicky with a groan. “We’ve got to get it finished or we’ll have wasted most of the week, and Amanda won’t be happy about that.”
“If we don’t make the deadline, I’ll push for it to go on GTOnline. Then tomorrow we can go back to the neighborhood and interview more people. Someone knows what’s going on down there. Maybe we can even find someone at the police department who’ll give us something.”
“And maybe pigs will fly.”
“Molly?” Her mother’s voice carried through the office.
Molly jumped. “Momma – hi! I wasn’t expecting to see you … was I? Did we have plans?”
“No, my darling, no plans – I just wanted to see you. Is that a crime?” She laughed, a high-pitched cackle that put Molly’s nerves on edge. Something was up.
“Hi Mrs. Beluga,” chimed in Vicky. She offered a shy wave.
“Oh Vicky, I didn’t see you there. How are you?”
Vicky smiled. “I’m fine thanks.”
“Wonderful.”
“I’ve got to get back to work. Nice to see you, Mrs. Beluga.” Vicky ducked back to her desk.
“What’s going on, Momma?” Molly sat in her chair and pulled up another for her mother. Her mother sat, tugging at her brown-and-gray headband. “Is that new, Momma?”
She nodded and patted it. “Do you like it?”
“It’s lovely.”
“Thank you. I just came by to see how you’re doing. That’s all – nothing’s going on.”
“Uh-huh.” Molly turned to her computer screen and began shutting it down for the night.
“It’s just that I was talking to Mandy earlier, and she mentioned that you went over to the Holdens for dinner a few nights ago. And I was wondering when you’re planning on bringing Tim over to our place.”
Molly sighed. “I hadn’t thought much about it yet.”
“Because it doesn’t seem right, you two having dinner over there when we haven’t even met him yet.”
“Okay, Momma. We’ll come over as soon as you can have us.”
Her mother brightened. “Wonderful. How about Friday next week?”
“That sounds great – I’ll ask Tim if he’s free and let you know.”
After her mother left, Molly stared at her dead computer screen for a few long moments. She was gathering her things to leave when Vicky stuck her head over the partition between their desks. “Sounds like things are getting serious between you two.”
Molly grimaced. “It does, doesn’t it?”
Vicky scurried around the wall and sat in the chair recently vacated by Molly’s mother. “You don’t seem very happy about it. I thought you liked Tim.”
“I do like Tim. It’s just that … can you keep a secret?”
Vicky’s eyes widened. She glanced left and right, then pulled her chair closer to Molly’s. “What is it?”
Molly took a quick breath. “We’re not actually seeing each other. We’re just pretending so our families will finally get over their grudges.”
Vicky squeaked. “I did not see that coming.”
“We came up with it that night at the bowling alley. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier – I’m embarrassed about it, actually. All that stuff you said about me not being able to hold down a real relationship – I wanted to prove you wrong. Only now we’re stuck. That photo in the Chronicle outed us, and now we have to follow through with it. At least, it seems like Tim wants to … I don’t know.”
“You could just pretend to break up.”
“I know, but I’d like to see if maybe it’ll work. And I do like spending time with Tim. If we break up I’m afraid he’ll disappear from my life and I won’t get to see him again.” Molly frowned and shook her head. “I know, it sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it?”
Vicky leaned back in her chair and linked her hands behind her head, her eyes twinkling. “Just ridiculous enough to work.” She chuckled. “And kind of fun too. I have to admit, I’m disappointed. I thought perhaps you really had found someone you cared about. Anything I can do to help?”
“I’ll let you know.” Molly sighed and rubbed her face. “The whole thing’s going to give me an ulcer before it’s over.” She glanced around the newsroom. People were packing up, chatting over coffees in the kitchen, making their way toward the elevators. A newsroom never slept, and some reporters would be staying behind, but most were on their way out to see family and friends, leaving the stress of deadlines behind them for at least a few hours. “Let’s get out of here.”
Vicky nodded and hurried off to grab her purse. “Maybe we could get a Coke downstairs at the bar before we go?” she called over her shoulder.
Molly laughed. “That sounds perfect.” She slung her handbag over one shoulder, her laptop bag over the other, and head down, made for Vicky’s desk. They’d walk out together the way they often did. She was grateful for her friend and glad they roomed together. Vicky’s sense of humor and fun often helped her enjoy life more and worry less. Which didn’t come naturally to her.
Side by side they walked to the elevator. “Oh, and by the way, we’re pretending to be engaged as well – just so you know.”
“You’re what?” Vicky guffawed.
“Shhh … we haven’t told my parents yet, so it’s still on the down low. We’ll tell them next Friday night.”
Still laughing, Vicky held a hand over her mouth, her eyes watering. “That’s priceless. A pretend fiancé – it’s just what you’ve always wanted. Those real ones can be jerks – a fake one is just the thing for professional women like us.”
Molly couldn’t help laughing. “You might be right. This fake relationship is the best one I’ve had in year
s.”
The elevator doors dinged open just as Vicky linked one arm through Molly’s. “Well, your secret is safe with me. Don’t worry, I …”
Before she could finish her sentence, a man dashed from the elevator and grabbed Molly’s free arm. Sweat rolled down the sides of his red face, his shirt was half untucked and his red-rimmed eyes seemed not to focus on anything in particular, but flitted from side to side. “Is this the newspaper office?”
She frowned and nodded. “Can I help you with something, sir?”
He pulled hard on her arm, sending Molly’s laptop bag to the ground. She cried out as he flung his other arm around her neck and yanked her against him.
“What … Molly!” Vicky yelled. “Security! Sir, what do you need? Just tell us what you want and let her go.”
He shuffled backward, pulling Molly with him. “This paper ruined my life!” he yelled, eyes brimming with tears. “Ruined everything!”
Molly could barely breathe, his arm was so tight beneath her chin. His breath stank of liquor and cigarette smoke. “I’m sorry, sir,” she croaked. “Whatever it was, I’m sure we can work something out …”
“No, it’s too late! You wrote a story about me, said I was embezzling from my company. I didn’t do it, but no one wants to hear the truth – everyone just believes you! You can make up anything you like and ruin innocent people’s lives!” He pulled out a long knife.
Molly’s heart thundered and her stomach roiled. What could she do? Security were on their way, but what if he decided to use the knife before they got there?
“Molly, what’s going on?” Amanda stood a few feet away, frowning, her fists clenched at her sides, her shirtsleeves rolled up.
Molly struggled against the man’s hold. “Mandy, stay back.”
“Who are you?” he shouted. “I want to speak to the person in charge! Someone has to pay for what you did. Because of you I lost my job and my house, my wife left … I’ve got nothing. You wrote a story about me, you didn’t check the facts, and now I’ve lost it all!” His voice broke and his hold on Molly’s neck loosened.
She ducked, but he grabbed her arm again. “Let me go,” she cried, trying to wriggle free.
“Not until you take me to the person in charge. I want them to suffer!”
Molly’s eyes filled with tears and her throat tightened. She didn’t want to die like this. Her family flashed before her eyes. She didn’t want them to lose her this way. Then she saw Tim in her mind’s eye – he laughed and reached a hand toward her. Tears began to stream down her cheeks as red-hot anger flooded her. How dare this guy treat her this way? She gathered her strength to break free.
Amanda charged the man, her face written with determination. She sent him flying, breaking his grip, and landed on top of him as he fell to the ground. Other staff members scrambled to hold him down as security ran through the door and joined them.
Now free, Molly clutched at her neck, gasping for air. “Mandy!”
Vicky hurried to Molly’s side and threw her arms around her. “Molly, are you okay?”
Molly sobbed against her friend’s shoulder, then pulled away and wiped her eyes with her sleeve. “I’m fine. What about Mandy? I can’t see her, there are so many people …” She took a step closer and squatted. Amanda lay on her side, gasping. Molly rested a hand on her back, even as security wrested the man to his feet and led him away. “Mandy?”
Amanda rolled onto her back, her eyes wide. Her sweater had a growing dark patch on one side. Molly’s throat tightened. “Mandy!”
Tim leaped from his Harley and ran toward the large glass doors of the emergency room entrance, tugging off his helmet as he walked in. His boots squeaked on the white tiles.
A receptionist peered at him over a counter covered in stacks of papers. “Can I help you?”
“Yes, I’m looking for Molly Beluga. I heard she was brought here by ambulance.”
The woman ran her finger down her computer screen, tapped a few keys and frowned up at him, until she realized he was wearing an Atlanta FD uniform. First responders had carte blanche at hospitals – otherwise, only family members were allowed to visit patients. “Miss Beluga is down the hall to your right in bed eight.”
“Thank you!” He trotted down the hall before she could stop him, his heart hammering in his chest. He’d been at the station when the call came in – a stabbing at the Georgia Times Building. When he called his paramedic friend for an update, she’d told him a Ms. Beluga had been stabbed by some crazy who’d stormed the offices in retribution for a story they’d printed. Since then, he’d been praying: God, please let her be okay.
He’d just met her, but couldn’t halt the fear that tugged at his heart. If she died, he’d never get to know her better like he wanted. She was fun and kind, beautiful too – she was someone he could imagine falling for if they had more time together. He’d felt it the first moment he’d laid eyes on her, though he hadn’t been willing to admit it when she was trying to wheedle her way out of evacuating her office building. Something about her drew him in, made him wish he knew everything about her.
He reached bed eight and paused – the curtains were drawn, and he heard the murmur of conversation behind it. He hadn’t even thought about whether he might be intruding. Perhaps her family was there – they might not want to see him. He paced in front of the curtain, running his fingers through his hair, then leaned against the far wall and rested a foot against it.
After a few minutes, the curtain parted and Molly stepped out. Her eyes met his and widened in surprise. “Tim, what are you doing here?”
He frowned. She looked fine – no stab wounds. Her blouse and skirt looked a little wrinkled but otherwise unmarred by blood or anything else that might indicate violence. His friend must have been mistaken. Relief flooded through him and he smiled. “I thought … I heard over the radio … anyway, I thought you’d been hurt.”
“No, I’m fine – it’s my sister Amanda. But it was only a flesh wound, thank God. She got a couple of stitches, but he missed anything vital and it wasn’t deep.” She stepped closer.
His arms tingled with longing to hold her close and never let go. He wondered where that had come from, then shook it off and took a quick breath. “I’m glad she’s okay.”
“You thought it was me?”
He cupped her cheek, then let his hand drop back to his side. “They said ‘Ms. Beluga’ – I just assumed.”
Her cheeks flushed. “Easy mistake to make.”
He chuckled. “Yeah. Well, I guess I’ll go …”
“You’re welcome to stay. I’m just about to call my parents to see where they are – they said they’d meet us here.” She waved her phone, her eyes on his.
He shrugged and shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’ll stay if you need help. Otherwise, I should get home. I just finished a twenty-four hour shift and I need a shower.” He sniffed beneath one armpit and winced.
She chuckled. “In that case, go ahead. You should get some rest. Amanda is fine, I’m fine and …”
“Molly, there you are!” cried a woman’s voice. He glanced up to see an older, familiar-looking couple hurrying down the hallway. He guessed the woman was her mother. Molly’s father strolled behind his wife. Tim had never met the couple, but had seen their photograph in the paper often enough to recognize them — though they looked somewhat different in the flesh. Both of them embraced Molly, and Tim shuffled out of the way, preparing his escape.
But not quickly enough. “Mom, Dad, this is Tim Holden,” said Molly.
Both spun toward him, surprise on their faces. His cheeks burned. He hadn’t been thinking when he barged into the ER – now he was intruding on a private family moment and felt completely out of place. Her parents looked like they were thinking the same thing. He steeled himself and stuck out a hand. “Pleased to meet you both.”
Her father moved first, shaking it. “You as well. I’m Stan Beluga – I know your father, of course.”
H
e nodded. “He speaks very highly of you, Mr. Beluga.”
Stan chuckled. “I doubt that.”
“And I’m Penny, Molly’s mom. So nice to meet you.” She shook his hand, then faced Molly with a frown. “I don’t want to be rude, but darling, could you please take me to my Mandy?”
“Of course, Momma, come with me.” Her parents nodded farewell, then followed their daughter.
Tim watched them go, and just as they disappeared behind the curtain around their daughter’s hospital bed, Molly poked her head out to shoot him one last smile. He waved, then walked away, her smile still lingering in his thoughts and warming his heart.
7
Molly squinted, sweat getting in her eyes. Daisy was relieving herself against the trunk of a tree in the dog park, and Molly was leaning against the fence waiting for her.
“Is Amanda going to be okay?” asked Vicky.
Molly bent and reached for her toes, stretching out the backs of her legs. “She’s fine. Just a flesh wound.”
Vicky nervously chewed her lip. “I know, but I can’t help thinking about what might’ve happened. I mean, it could’ve been so much worse.”
“Thank God it wasn’t,” admitted Molly with a nod. “I know I let my sister get to me sometimes, but I’d be devastated if anything happened to her.”
Vicky smiled. “Awww … I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say something so nice about Amanda before.”
Molly’s eyes rolled. “Don’t get used to it. No doubt we’ll be back at work, swords crossed again in no time.”
“Did you ever find out what the man was so upset about?”
“I think so – his name’s Dave Youngblood. Apparently the Times published an article a few months back about him embezzling where he worked – Artec Electronics. He seems to think that the article is the reason his life has gone down the tube, instead of the embezzling itself.” She used her sleeve to wipe the sweat from her forehead.
“Still, it’s sad he lost everything because of it.”
