I sit on the patio with a notepad jotting down each and every phone call that I have to return. Most of the messages are from my agent, Jack, who I’m sure has all but given up on me. There were four messages from Jonah, begging and pleading with me to return his calls, and then there were a few surprises—Elaine, my old boss at WXZI here in Wilmington, and even one from Jess. I plan to speak to Jonah and Jess in person, so I don’t immediately call them back.
My finger hovers over Jack’s name in my contact list and I hesitantly tap it, pressing the phone to my ear. My heart thrums nervously as the phone begins ringing.
“Jack O’Toole,” his gruff voice answers.
“Hey, Jack. It’s Lindsay.” There is a moment of silence while he registers who’s calling.
“How are you?” he immediately asks.
“I’m doing well. I’m sorry I haven’t returned your calls sooner. I finally turned on my phone today for the first time since I left Phoenix.” He mumbles something inaudible and I can hear the tension in his voice. “I just wanted to call to tell you that I know I screwed up, Jack. I know you put your neck on the line to get me that job in Phoenix.” There is a deep sigh on the phone and the rustling of papers in the background. “I also understand that I broke my contract and I’m not calling you to ask you for any favors. I’m simply calling you to say I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry too, Lindsay. I know I pressured you to take that job in Phoenix and I knew you had reservations. I was selfish for pushing you, but I truly believed in your talent—I still do.”
“I’m headed back to Phoenix to clean out the condo, and I would like to stop by and apologize to Rob, unless you feel that it would be a bad idea.”
“No, I think that’s an excellent idea. He’s been asking about you.”
“Good. I’m headed there Sunday. I’ll make sure to stop by, probably on Monday. One last question, Jack. Do you have any idea why Elaine is calling me?” He grumbles again.
“Just call her, Lindsay. Today!” he barks at me before disconnecting the call. Since he’s still barking orders, I’m going to assume he hasn’t fired me as a client. I shake my head in confusion and cross his name off the list on my notepad.
I spend a few minutes calling and pushing out next week’s doctor and therapy appointments to the following week when I return from the west coast. I pull out my laptop and log in to American Airlines to book a ticket to Phoenix and spend a few minutes returning the insane amount of emails staring at me from my inbox.
I close the screen on my laptop and pick up my cell phone, searching for Elaine’s name in my contacts and press her name. She answers on the second ring—prompt as always.
“Lindsay Christianson, about damn time you called me back.” She laughs. Her laugh is more of a cackle. She is the tiniest person I’ve ever met, but her personality and voice are huge.
“Hi, Elaine. I’m so sorry it’s taken me so long to return your calls. I finally turned on my phone today after it’s been off for months—it’s a really long story,” I blurt out, trying to explain my lack of response without going into detail.
“No need to explain. Jack’s filled me in. Let me cut to the chase. I have something I’d like to talk to you about. In person.”
“Sure, um… I’m headed to Phoenix on Sunday to wrap up a few loose ends, and I’m planning to return Friday afternoon, but my brother is getting married, and I have the rehearsal and dinner Friday night.”
“Tonight, Lindsay. I know it’s last minute, but meet me for coffee tonight.”
“I can do that. Do you know the new Starbucks down on Main?”
“I know exactly where it’s at. Meet me there at seven.”
“I will.”
“Perfect. See you there.” I hang up, anxious to see what she wants to talk to me about, but more importantly, I only have an hour and a half to shower, clean up, and get there. Hurrying to my room, I pull a black three-quarter sleeve, button-down dress out of the closet along with a pair of open-toe wedges. It’s not too dressy, not too casual. I shower and style my hair into long, loose waves and actually put on make-up for the first time in months. I feel good and I’m happy with how I look. Grabbing my clutch and the keys to my new car, I head out the door by six thirty so I have time to park and be on time.#p#分页标题#e#
I push the heavy glass door open to the smell of freshly brewed coffee. The smell of coffee hangs heavy in the air and I inhale deeply, taking in the aroma I love so much. I see Elaine waving at me from a table in the center of the coffee shop with her cell phone pressed to her ear. She’s in a dark pantsuit with large-framed black-rimmed glasses. She’s insanely trendy for her age, and I can’t help but smile at her. As I approach, she stands up on her tiptoes and pulls me into a hug while finishing up her phone call.