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Ivy
I taped the last box and scribbled the word books in black marker along the side then pushed it against the wall. I looked out the corner of the window where I’d spent the last three days worried about being watched.
My reflection in the glass couldn’t hide the fact that I was on edge, sleep deprived, and frustrated with the events of the day before yesterday. I’d thrived at my job, and now things were heading south in a massive hurry.
I hated to leave my patients, let alone with no warning. I’d secretly worked all yesterday morning to clear my schedule. I’d worked damn hard to become a psychologist, and after being promoted to the position I was in with the US Army, it was like a dream come true.
“Is this the last of it, Dr. Knight?” I jumped in surprise at the sudden voice and felt my head tingle from the rush of nerves that came over me. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” One of the younger men from the office had offered to help me with the move. I thought he was still outside, so his sudden appearance made me jump. He gave me a sympathetic smile.
“Yes, that’s it. Thank you so much for your help, Lawrence.” I leaned my hip into the windowsill and concentrated on my breathing, in and out. Once I was settled, I’d let myself feel disappointed. I wasn’t sure how I felt about this move, but I knew I couldn’t stay here. Not until…I shifted my gaze to the dent in the wall and felt my heartbeat in my throat. I pressed my hand against my chest and pushed the memory away. Not now.
“Well, as agreed, I’ll meet the moving truck day after tomorrow and get everything to the storage unit for you. Are you sure there’s nothing else I can do?”
“No. You’ve been such a help.” I smiled at him, but as I did, I couldn’t help the need to look past him over his shoulder to make sure the two officers were still posted at the door.
“Okay, well, I wish you the best, and thanks for all the stuff you gave me.” He gave a wave and went out the door. I heard him speak to someone on the way out.
“Hey, you okay, kiddo?” My uncle stood in the entrance looking stylish in a snappy suit and a pair of designer sunglasses. I smiled at his name for me. I was, after all, a twenty-eight-year-old woman, but I loved when he called me that, and I was glad he was here.
“Yes,” I lied and shook off all the negative thoughts. “Oh, Frank called about something. My secretary took the message. Any idea what it’s about?”
“He just wanted to wish you luck and to remind you it’s not permanent.”
“Mm.” I hoped that was true. I wasn’t a huge fan of the country. Even though I was born in a rural area, my parents later moved us to the city. The idea of disappearing for a while felt like a wise idea. Plus, any extra time I could soak up with my uncle was just a bonus.
“No other news?”
“No.” He shook his head, looking grim. “Not yet.” I swallowed and felt the uncomfortable lump in my throat. It had lodged itself there and hadn’t moved since… “Your mom called me on my way over. She’s worried.”
“I know.” I knew my mom would call her brother when I didn’t check in this morning. Which also meant I’m sure she called Frank too, and that meant my uncle would have heard it from him as well. They had a friggin’ phone tree whenever it came to me. My uncle and Frank went way back, so there were never any secrets; they told each other everything.
“You should call her.”
“I will.”
He moved into the room, leaned on a pile of packed boxes, and crossed his long legs at the ankle. I had to shake my head at his natural good looks and easy personality. His hair had gone slightly gray at the temples, and it only added to his looks. I could tell he wanted to probe me with more questions, but I’d already cleared a psych test that morning, and it proved I could handle the storm I’d found myself in. At least I was good at selling that I was.
“Ivy, no one is going to think less of you for leaving. What happened here wasn’t all right at all.”
“I know,” I reached for my purse and tugged it up over my shoulder. “We should probably leave, as we’re going to hit traffic and our flight won’t wait for us.”
“Ivy.” His voice held a parental tone.
“Uncle Reid.” I barely used the word uncle anymore, only when I really wanted him to hear me. “I’m not okay, but I’m okay enough. I know what happened isn’t right, so that’s why I agreed to make this move. I just need to take it moment by moment, and I promise if I feel like I’m about to slip, you’ll be the first to know.”
He gave me a satisfied smile. “You know when we get there you can’t call me Uncle Reid, right?” He switched topics, and I loved that he always knew when to back off.
“I only use Uncle Reid when I need you to hear me.”
“And it works.” He chuckled.
“I know it does, Dr. Roberts.” I laughed as we headed for the car.
* * *
By the time we flew into North Dakota, we’d switched SUVs two times, and it wasn’t until we crossed the Montana border that I finally stopped scanning faces. My stomach was in a knot the entire trip, and I felt a little nauseated as I got farther and farther from home. I hoped I wasn’t going to be sick. I loved my life in Washington. My family was there; my friends were there. I even loved the little old man who always parked in my spot by the office every Tuesday. He drove me nuts, but he’d made me smile every time, as he’d toss his hands in the air and make his apology. Then he’d hand me a banana muffin wrapped in paper, saying his wife made them. She probably made them on Monday, because he gave me one every Tuesday. I was going to miss those muffins.
I sniffed and a whole new wave of feeling sorry for myself came over me. I shook myself out of it. I needed to try to start a whole new life, even if it was just temporary. I had to find daily things that would make me happy. I knew the most difficult part would be to familiarize myself with a whole new batch of patients.
