Page 6 of A Tinsel Tale

“Says the famousdefenseattorney. I hope you haven’t lost your soft side, Evie. You’ve always been able to see both sides of any story. That sense of fairness is something I admire the most about you. It’s what makes you a brilliant defense attorney.” He pauses then says softly, “I’m not so sure he ever gave up. You want my opinion, he was waiting for you to finish school and come back. I think two hearts were broken back then.”

“If that’s true, there were a million solutions that would have been better than him breaking up!”

“You were both kids.”

I feel a moment of doubt but barrel on through it. “That excuse is not going to fly. While you’re busy sticking up for him, remember he’s the reason I couldn’t come back home!” I turn on my heel then head to my bedroom to change, shutting the door more firmly than necessary.

Get a grip. It’s not Dad’s fault.Don’t forget he doesn’t know the whole story. Nobody does.I don’t think anyone knew quite how devastated I was when I left for school without Jamie. Right after classes started, I was late with my period. Panicked, I immediately purchased a pregnancy test and sat on the toilet in sheer terror waiting for the results. When I saw the pink positive, I collapsed onto the bathroom floor and lay there for God knows how long. There was no way I could burden Jamie with it considering his injuries. Plus, he’d just broken up with me. But it was so hard! I was overwhelmed, homesick, terrified, and I’d missed him so much I thought I’d die.

For a torturous week I lived with the weight of my decision. I would pick up my phone to call Jamie and change my mind. I must have done that ten times a day. He was the person who always made things right in my world and now he was gone. I could barely eat or sleep. I couldn’t concentrate in class. I was wrecked. I never let on to Mom and Dad, my roommate or even my best friend, Dee, what I was going through.

I finally made my decision on another sleepless night… all alone at three am. I’d complete the semester, have the baby, and postpone my education for a year. Once I’d made up my mind, a calm enveloped me. I immediately bonded with the baby growing inside of me and although I dreaded it, I knew I’d have to tell Jamie. It was only right.

Several days later, I woke up in the middle of the night with excruciating pain and cramping. Multiply my worst period by a thousand and that’s what it felt like. My roommate was staying at her boyfriend’s, so I miscarried all by myself in the bathroom. I lost our baby.

Even though I was probably only about six weeks into the pregnancy it had gutted me. I had already been picking out names. I’d begun to dream. I’d always wanted kids, and it was just going to be earlier than I’d expected. Losing the baby had seemed like the ultimatescrew youfrom the universe. I’d lost one dream… the one where I’d grow old with Jamie, have a gaggle of kids, open a small law practice and serve my community, only to lose another.

I dove into school like it was my lifeline. While everyone else was partying and doing sorority rushes, I was studying. I dated a few guys casually until law school then there was simply no time. I immersed myself, joining extracurriculars in my second and third years to gain experience. I was driven. I tried out for Moot Court, since I wanted a litigation-heavy career, and was accepted. I also interned for a prestigious firm and gained a ton of experience which set me up well for landing a job with my current firm.

I look in the mirror and give myself a pep talk.You’re a successful trial attorney, enjoying an exciting career that you love, damn it. You live in a gorgeous apartment in a fabulous city and can take care of yourself. You don’t need anyone!Then why do I feel like I’m eighteen and living the breakup all over again?

4

JAMIE

All I can think about is my pillow. After a busy day at the station yesterday, we got called out in the middle of the night to fight a barn fire over at the Smith place. Thank God we managed to get the horses out in time. No lives were lost, but the barn couldn’t be salvaged. I’m dog tired after the 24-hour shift I pulled with little sleep, but the good news is I’ve got two days to rest up.

“You leaving us, Sunshine?” Deacon asks as I stow my gear in the locker. He throws a tennis ball and Huxley chases it and returns to lay the ball at Deacon’s feet. He sits down, looking at him expectantly. Deacon throws it again.

“You got that right.” I yawn. “I didn’t even get a nap in yesterday. I can hardly keep my eyes open.”

“No bueno.”

“Huxley is ready to break out of this joint,” Deacon says, watching Hux race to get the ball again.

“Yeah, I’ll probably drop him off at my parent’s farm while I catch a few winks. Let him blow off some energy.”

Deacon nods and scratches Huxley behind the ears. “Good boy,” he praises, then stands. “I’m gonna grab some grub before Tank eats it all. Catch ya later. See ya, Hux.”

The station has adopted Huxley as their mascot. I rescued him from a fire a couple of years back. Unfortunately, the owner succumbed to smoke inhalation and didn’t make it, leaving poor Hux homeless. He bonded with me immediately and the rest is history.

Sam rounds the corner from behind the fire truck. “Not staying for breakfast?”

“Naw. Too tired to eat.”

“I heard that barn fire was brutal. Bad enough to deal with the burn, but throw in twenty terrified equines,” he shakes his head, “glad I was off. Rumor has it you were like a damn horse whisperer. Good work.”

“Thanks, but I wouldn’t go that far,” I say. “Wasn’t my idea of a good time that’s for sure.”

“At least it’s not dead of winter. Hopefully they’ll be able to find accommodations for the horses before the weather turns. It will take some time to replace the barn.”

“For sure. Knowing this community, they’re probably already taken care of. I’m out of here guys. Have a good one. See ya in two.”

A chorus of goodbyes follow me out the door. I love my job and most of the guys I work with are great. It’s an exciting and rewarding career but not without drawbacks. Especially for family men with wives and children. Our shifts run 24 hours on, 48 hours off, and we often work on holidays and weekends. Emergencies are a given around the holidays; they never seem to get the memo.

I open the door for Huxley and climb in behind him. I lean my forehead on the steering wheel before taking off. The adrenalin rush from last night’s rescue is long gone and I could almost pass out right here. Huxley whines and licks my face, rousing me from my coma.

“Good boy, Hux. You’ve always got my back. Let’s go,” I say starting up the truck and heading to my folks’ house.

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