Page 50 of Drake Eternal

DRAKE: I accidentally left my cell at the bar when we left in a hurry, and I didn’t realize it until I got to the hospital. Someone probably found it at the bar and will sell it at a local pawn shop. I bought this burner phone at the hospital gift shop and hoped you would at least check your texts and read this even though it’s a different number. I hope you get this soon. I didn’t mean to make you afraid. I love you. Drake XOXOXOX

Then I listened to the next voicemail, which was longer and was sent in the morning, Nairobi time.

“Hi, my love. Just calling to fill in the details and hoping to hear your voice, but of course, I know you have your cell set to block unknown callers, and only let my cell through at night. The reason I didn’t call sooner is because Miranda, Michael’s assistant (and I’m sure his main squeeze — more on that later) inhaled a large olive and I had to perform the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge it from her airway. She passed out from lack of oxygen, so we had to call in emergency services. I went with Michael to the nearest hospital ER and sat with him while they checked her over. I sent a couple of texts to you, and left a message, but I know you won’t get them. Anyway, sorry about the confusion, but know that I love you more than anything and miss you and Sophie. Can’t wait to see you when you get here. Will Skype later today as usual.”

I felt a huge sense of relief after listening to his messages and reading his text and sent one back right away. Relief that at least, he wasn’t dead in the floods.

How could I word my response so that I didn’t sound doubtful about his story? It could be true, but then, who sent me the photo of him naked on a bed with a woman beside him?

Sam?

Some other woman?

KATE: I’m so glad you texted and called me but wish I would have got them sooner. I was worried for a while last night that something had happened to you. We’ll make up for it tonight when it’s your bedtime, and then soon, we’ll all be reunited. Have a good day and don’t work too hard. Love Kate XOXOXO

I sent it, torn about what to say.

Then, I got up and started my day, feeling confused and mixed about the message he’d sent. Yes, it did explain why he hadn’t called, but it did nothing to allay my fear about the photo I had been sent. I had a quick shower and checked in on Sophie and Elaine, who were busy in the kitchen. Sophie was back coloring and Elaine was removing freshly baked scones from the oven.

“Good morning,” I said and kissed Sophie on the top of her head. “Those smell so good.”

“They’re all ready to go. Would you like coffee or are you still so British you want tea?”

I laughed. “Coffee, please. And a scone. Is there some blueberry jam?”

“Strawberry or raspberry, I’m afraid. And no clotted cream.”

“Raspberry!” Sophie said, smiling.

After breakfast, I was searching on my laptop for anything I could find about RiotGrrl in the hopes that I could figure out who sent the photo of Drake. I examined the image closely, trying to decide if it was recent or an older photo. It was hard to tell because the photo wasn’t very high quality, and Drake’s body looked the same as usual.

It could have been from the day before or a decade earlier for all I knew.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Sophie’s voice.

“Mommy, are we going now?”

I glanced up from my laptop and saw that she was standing at the entrance to the kitchen, her sunhat in hand.

I closed my laptop and exhaled heavily. I had promised to take her to the beach in the morning, and so my sleuthing would have to wait.

“Sorry, sweetie. I was just doing some work. Let’s go.”

I grabbed my own sun hat and slipped on my sandals. After gathering my things, I found the beach umbrella and then took Sophie’s hand, leading her out the back patio to the beach below the house.

My mind was whirling while we walked the beach, looking for a good place to stop. Had Drake lied to me? Had he slept with someone — maybe Sam and she was getting back at me?

She must know that I’d check with Drake and learn the truth. Did she want to break us up?

With those thoughts swirling in my mind, I walked the beach, searching for a spot. Finally, I found a nice location that was near some larger dunes that would provide protection from the wind. “Let’s stop here. I’ll put up the umbrella. You can play in the sand.”

Sophie found her own spot and plopped down with her pail and shovel. She seemed delighted just to be able to dig and build a sandcastle, but I couldn’t find the necessary energy to join her.

I sat on the beach towel and felt my misery fill me up.

Why would Drake do it?

Had our sex life become so boring, so limited that he would turn to a woman like Sam Cuttington to pass the time? He got her fired…

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