There was an unpleasant moment when we went to the local shops to get groceries and I thought I saw Tony. I was sitting in the car hyperventilating with Jake trying to calm me down. It was then he insisted I get in touch with Dr. Townsend and book an appointment. I reluctantly did for Friday morning.
She was a lovely middle-aged lady who tried to medicate me for the panic attacks. I said I would prefer not to use medication. She then advised me that if I ever have one again, there were some steps that should be taken. I was to focus on something non-threatening, take slow deep breaths, and to try and think of something positive. She even suggested that if I feel I see Tony again, I should look properly at the person. I will soon see that it can’t be him and that he can’t possible hurt me anymore.
We scheduled for another appointment the following week and I then concentrated all my energies on the impending dinner that evening.
Jake and I got all the ingredients from the supermarket. I insisted that I make everyone’s favourite Chicken Cacciatore and bought a Pecan Pie for dessert. It was important that I kept busy and Jake had no arguments when he saw what I was going to cook. The meal with Cindy was very pleasant and both her and Matthew were elated that school had finally finished.
Talking with her was very easy and she seemed to have her head screwed on. She wants to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a Lawyer. Both Matthew and Cindy looked smitten and it was a joy to see such happiness surrounding the dinner table.
Sunday soon came around and Jessie’s visit was short, but it was nice to finally see her again after so long. She spoke about what was happening at work and that nothing much has changed, apart from the fact this new guy, David Willis. He managed to sleep with one of the Police ladies there called Diana, and didn’t speak to her after. That seemed to be the new hot gossip going around the station at the moment. Sounds like I was right on first impressions then. I bet he and Tom are the new best friends. I wonder how Michael feels about that.
Monday came as soon as Sunday had, and everyone at work was so supportive. It was good to finally return to work and get back into the swing of things. The reporters had finally managed to find out that the girl in question works at the station. They were hanging around outside trying to get more answers after that—or a possible glimpse of who was involved.
One of them eyed me suspiciously which only just spurred on another panic attack. I had to quickly run to the toilets to try and ride it out. Jessie noticed and ran in after me and tried to calm me down. I was a mess for the rest of the day but tried my hardest not to think about it anymore.
A couple of days later, this same reporter cornered me on the way to my car and tried to ask me questions. I screamed at him to fuck off and leave me alone. I drove off, but not before he managed to get a snapshot of me. I rang and told Jake and he was furious. He tried looking for this reporter but he was nowhere to be seen. He most probably escaped when he thought he had what he came for.
The next day my picture was posted in the Daily Newspaper. It had a caption that read, ‘Is this the woman who captured the heart of a psycho killer?’
I was mortified and again I couldn’t go to work for a few days after. I had to try and hide from the incessant press breathing down my neck.
Jake spoke to a lawyer to see if we could sue the papers, but we both felt it necessary to leave well alone. Pursuing this may only cause more tabloid headlines. I definitely couldn’t deal with that right now. It was a hard couple of weeks, but just like always, it all died down when some other story about a senate having an affair was soon the biggest news everyone was talking about. I didn’t care, as long as the pressure was finally off me.
Chapter 31
September was here before I knew it and I was in a much happier place. Jake and I have been in love as ever and wounds were healing physically and mentally. Dr Townsend was a big help and life seemed pretty damn awesome. The heat was getting a lot more bearable, but at the same time I was starting to feel a little depressed that summer was finally over. I was keen on getting back on track, so set up a date with Jessie and Mandy at Sam’s one evening. It was enjoyable apart from the fact that Jake was texting me every five minutes. He wasn’t happy until he picked me up and took me home. He was right about one thing, some things never do change.
On the last day of the working week, I was with Jessie and thoroughly looking forward to my dinner with Jake that evening.
“So why are you here, but the boss man isn’t?” she asked.
“Well, he’s taking me to Leandro’s tonight and wanted to have today off so he could prepare.”