When she was finally and blissfully releasedfrom the imprisonment of the stuffy bus, Elizabeth had to get asoda to calm her churning stomach. She was kicking herself for notdriving up, but Teddy was so excited to ride the bus with her.While she was getting her soda, she noticed that Kristy was next toher in line. She turned, making small talk about how riding aschool bus was bringing back traumatic memories from childhood.Kristy had replied that it wasn't so bad, since she and Nicoletalked the entire way up. Elizabeth saw her opening.
"Did I hear you talking about Nancy's ex'sbook? Have you started reading it?"
"Oh my God, yes! Did you?"
"Um," Elizabeth shifted nervously, "not yet.I'm planning on reading it."
"You totally have to!"
"I take it, it's good?"
"Oh my God," Kristy gushed again. "It's like,so freakin' hot. Your husband better brace himself, because if thisdoesn't put you in the mood, then nothing will."
Elizabeth's brow furrowed. "Is there anyplot?"
"Oh yes, definitely. I don't want to give itaway, but you HAVE to read it."
Elizabeth nodded. "Oh, I'm gonna. I just can'tbelieve that we sort of know someone who wrote a book."
"I know. It's crazy, like the six degrees ofseparation or something."
"Although," Elizabeth said cautiously, "I'm notsure how I would feel about my ex writing a book. I would be afraidat how I would be portrayed."
"Far as I can tell, although I'm not that farinto it, Nancy's not in it. She's certainly not the main character.The main woman is a brunette."
Elizabeth mulled this over. She wondered ifNancy was going to be pissed off. She guessed yes. Elizabeth wouldbe if she was led to believe that she was going to be in the book.Teddy was now pulling her in one direction, while Kristy's daughterwas wanting to go in another, so that was the end of thediscussion. But Elizabeth had made up her mind. She woulddefinitely be purchasing the book as soon as she wasable.
CHAPTER SEVEN: May 23,2012
Peter had the kids on Wednesday night.Elizabeth went to the big-box bookstore, where she got herself acup of tea and curled up on the sofa to read, "Hold Her Down." Evenin the bright lights of the store, she knew she would be able tofocus and read uninterrupted, which would not happen at home. Herdownload was complete and she swiped to the firstchapter.
Ben was going crazy, he could feelit. He was trapped up in his mountain house, with nothing but ablack lab and the pressure of a deadline looming. He had promisedhis agent something new, something hot. A total departure for him.But he had nothing. He needed some inspiration. He was in a dryspell like no other. How could he possibly write what he wassupposed to when he could not even remember what sex was like? Whathad made him convince his agent to sell this idea before a word waswritten? He needed someone to fuck. His last girlfriend was stillin the city, which was three hours away. Even if she weren't withsomeone else, he probably couldn’t convince her to take anothershot at him. He'd blown that one, but good.
Ben poured himself anotherwhiskey. He wasn't headed anywhere. He was alone, with his writer'sblock tormenting him. Taunting him. Dangling failure in his face.He stared at the amber liquid, begging it to take away his block.Jesus Christ, he had been an arrogant fool, running his mouth offthat he could write a titillating, scandalous book even better thanthe one currently burning up the best seller list. Why had anyoneeven listened to him? There was certainly no one listening now.Just silence. Mocking, jesting silence.
Just when he thought he couldstand the silence no more, the dog alerted him to a noise at thefront door. He stumbled slightly upon standing, righting himselfquickly. He lumbered towards the door, nearly tripping again asHarold cut him off. Damn dog. He grabbed the chocolate lab'sscarlet collar as he opened the door slowly, icy sleet pelting him.It was dark and the sleet and freezing rain had converted to snow,not atypical for October in the mountains. The roads would beimpassable soon anyway, with the storm moving in. Ben opened thedoor to find a filthy, soaked and frozen woman. She looked as ifshe were about to drop. She raised her head, and her dark hairparted, exposing the face of the woman who had haunted him foryears. He could not have predicted a more surprising visitor.Nellie Grogan.
Elizabeth was startled by the vibration of hercell phone in her pocket. Without thinking, she answered it,concerned at why Peter was calling. Her "hello" garnered her adirty look from the disheveled man on the chair next to her, whowas reading some sort of graphic novel. She flipped the coverclosed on her e-reader and headed out of the store, trying to keepher voice low.
"What's up? Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, um, no."
Elizabeth grew panicked. "What'swrong?"
"Teddy just wants to talk to you. I guess hehad a bad day or something, but he keeps telling me I wouldn'tunderstand."
"But is he okay?"
"Grumpy, but fine. Do you want to talk tohim?"
Elizabeth had exited the store to have theconversation. She hadn't even realized she was headed to the car."Tell him I'll be home in about fifteen minutes and we can talkthen. Will that be all right?"
"You don't have to come home."
"It's fine. I'm already in the car. No bigdeal. I'll be out again tomorrow, so I don't mind being there tosay good night to the kids. It'd be nice to catch up with youtoo."
"Okay, I guess I'll see you in afew."
By the time Elizabeth got home, Teddy'sapparent mood issues were well on their way to being resolved.Peter had solved whatever
