Olivia

In the spring of 2005, a publisher suggested that I give myself a break from my historic trilogy and work on a short story to submit. An idea came to mind a few months earlier for a twist in a story. The problem was that I didn't have a story to go with the twist. But, I thought about it and worked on some character sketches, and a rough outline for the story began to form. My work on the fundraising short story interrupted my work on Olivia's story, but I look forward to getting back to it in May 2005. I've included the prologue and chapter 1 for you. This is my first story set in a small town in Virginia. I look forward to submitting this in the near future.

Olivia’s Story -

Prologue –

Olivia lowered the ’65 mustang’s ragtop and we climbed into our seats. “Mom, when we get to the coffee shop, you have to stay out of sight. How unprofessional, if they knew my mother would be there.” Olivia rolled her bright sapphire eyes. Her smile played across her face.

I patted her arm and blocked the sun with my other hand. “I’ll buy some coffee and keep my distance.” Laughter rumbled in my chest. I was grateful that she wanted me close.

She nodded her head. “He can’t know you’re with me.” Her expression turned serious. “I’m not ashamed of you. It’s better if he believes I’m a strong and independent woman of the world.” She didn’t hide a chuckle.

“I’ll be within earshot if you need me.” I tapped my fingers idly on the top of the door. “Do you know how much I love you and how proud I am of you?”

Olivia waved her hand, but she gave me a sweet smile. “I love you too, mom. Who else would I ask to shadow me on my first real assignment?” She smiled at me, “My first real by-line. Isn’t that exciting?”

“Since you’re a part of the reunion class, you are the perfect choice.” I shook my head. “I still cannot believe the mayor wants to include the entire town in your reunion.”

Olivia smiled. “The biggest excitement in this town was the year we won the state championship.” Her eyes focused on the road ahead of us. “Do you remember the celebration that fall and winter?”

“I sure do. The boys on the team were town heroes and everyone loved them. The other day in the beauty parlor, several women were talking about them. No matter what they did, nobody cared. I wonder how many traffic tickets they avoided that year.”

Olivia tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and turned to me. “Those boys got away with everything short of murder for a long time. The boys who left town will return and make sure it’s a big party all week. But, that means there will be more people in town to read my feature article.” Her eyes twinkled.

We laughed and our cares evaporated in the afternoon sun. I held my hair in place as she hastened, but it was useless. I shook my head and savored the breeze blowing through my unrestrained. Olivia’s hair was cut short and barely moved in the breeze. Mine would be disheveled when we arrived.

I pointed toward the curb. “There’s a spot past the windows. He won’t know I’m there.”

Olivia nodded in agreement and swung the car into the parking space. I reached for my purse and handed her the notebook from the back floorboard. “You go in and I’ll be there soon. It wouldn’t look right to walk in together.” I winked at her. She unfolded her lanky legs and shook her head to arrange her honey blond hair. She walked toward the coffee shop. A self-assured look filled her face when she grabbed the door and yanked it open.

The interview would be her big break with the paper. Years ago, she had a crush on Rory, when they were in school together. Maybe knowing the subject would make the interview easier for her.

I glanced at my watch and five minutes later I climbed from the car and walked to the storefront. The coffee shop was busy and there was the din of conversation in all directions. Looking from side to side, I spotted Olivia at a small table with a handsome man. I had no idea he would still be that good-looking. Casually, I took a seat across the room.

A young man brought my coffee from behind the counter. I tapped the plastic coffee stirrer on the tabletop and sipped my coffee. I wondered what they were saying, but couldn’t hear them over the rumble of voices in the shop. Olivia tossed her head back and her laughter carried across the room. It did my heart good to see my daughter happy. Rory leaned forward and reached for her hand. She smiled at his touch and his expression changed.

Within moments, Olivia closed her notebook and stood. Rory followed suit and shoved both hands into his pants pockets. I scurried out the door and walked past her car. The bus stop was near the parking spot. I took a seat on the bench.

Rory walked with her to the car. Their laughter filled the air and my heart skipped a beat when I heard her. After her nasty divorce, it was great to see her happy. I couldn’t wait to hear the details of their interview.

“Good-bye Rory, I’ll see you this evening.” Olivia’s singsong tone was hard to miss.

“I’ll pick you up at six o’clock.” He stepped over the curb and grabbing the roll bar, jumped into a Jeep Wrangler. With a wave of his hand, he raced down Main Street.

Leaning to one side, I made sure he was out of sight before I walked to Olivia’s car. “So, how did the interview go?”

Olivia glanced up from her notebook. “It went well. He answered all my questions and I answered some of his.”

“Did you learn anything interesting?” I inquired and took my seat on the passenger’s side of the car.

The blush on her cheeks shone in the sunlight. “He’s in town for the reunion and was

recently divorced. Time just seemed to rush by, and he asked me to dinner tonight.”

My smile spread. “From the look on your face, I assume you agreed to go.”

She tossed her head back and grinned. “We are going to Martino’s tonight. He’s busy with reunion events every other night, but tonight we can have a quiet dinner.” She slowed for the light. “Do you think it was a bad idea?”

My seat belt drew tight against me when I moved. “It’s wonderful and I hope you have a great time. But, I want to hear whatever details you want to share tomorrow.” Olivia rolled her eyes in answer to me.

The orange, yellow and red leaves blurred as she drove along the narrow streets near the house. Olivia dropped me at the house and I waved as she sped home. She hadn’t dated anyone since her divorce and I wanted to see her happy, even if only for a few days. Looking back, it’s a shame the happiness only lasted for a few hours.

Chapter 1

My hands dug deep into the damp dirt flowerbed alongside the front porch. Several bulbs lay on the stepping stones nestled in the mulch. One more bulb and the last tulip would be in the ground. Birds sang over my head and rustled the leaves in the trees. It was the most peaceful afternoon I’d had in many months.

Worry about my daughter, Olivia, made the last two years stressful. Any time she needed me, I’d be there for her and her precious little boy. Just the thought of Joseph curled the corners of my mouth into a smile. It had been a long, tough road back to peaceful times. We had earned some relaxation and I planned to enjoy it.

The harsh ring of my kitchen phone interrupted my thoughts. Tossing the small shovel into the dirt, I stood. Three rings, four rings, the answering machine would pick up in a minute. Racing in the back door, I grabbed the phone from the wall in the kitchen.

“Hello.” I kept the irritation from my voice.

The next words brought back all the heartache of the past twenty four months.

“Of course, I’ll be right there.” I remembered that Joseph was sleeping upstairs. “I need to call my neighbor, Mavis, to watch my grandson and then I’ll come in. Please call my cell phone if there is any change. The number is …” I rattled off the number without thinking. “Watch over her, and I’ll be there.”

The flowers were forgotten as I pressed the number two on my speed dial to reach Mavis. She was only two doors down the street. Her phone rang a second time. It would almost be quicker to run to her house.

“Hello.” Her chipper voice greeted me.

“Mavis, I need you to come right over and watch Joseph for me.” Panic echoed in my ears.

“Kat, what’s wrong?” Mavis hesitated for a moment. “Never mind that, I’ll be right there.” The phone went dead and within a few moments, and the screen door slammed behind her. “Kat, where are you?” Mavis called out.

Dirt and debris from the flowerbed fell to the floor, when I changed from my gardening clothes. “I’m upstairs getting changed.” My feet slid into the sandals and I reached for my car keys. I took the stairs two at a time and my foot slipped off the last step.

Mavis grabbed my arm and steadied me. I wrapped my arms around her shoulders and then took a step back.

“Olivia’s car ran off the road. A state trooper found her. The paramedics took her to the hospital.” I shoved my keys into a black purse and placed a hand on the kitchen door. “I have to go.” I wiped the back of my hand across my cheek to catch several tears as they fell.

Mavis pushed me toward the door. “Do you know how she is?”

“They haven’t told me anything.”

“You go. Joseph will be fine. When he wakes, I’ll take him to my house.” Mavis kissed my cheek and closed the car door for me. “Call me when you know anything.”

With a distracted wave, I put the car in reverse and backed into the street. A blaring horn sounded and I stopped. The truck passed and I proceeded along the tree lined street. I managed to put the car in drive and started toward the intersection that led to the highway. It was about a twenty minute drive to the hospital. Could I make it in ten?

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Last modified: 08/06/10