AllFreeNovel
Share Us
ELLA: No, Josh. We can talk when I get back, okay? Just give me the weekend and I promise we'll talk when I get back.
JOSH: Okay. I don't think we should wait, but I will if you really want.
ELLA: I do. I'll let you know when I get back.
JOSH: Please let me know what time your train is going to be in and I'll pick you up.
ELLA: Okay.
JOSH: I'll see you Sunday. I miss you.
ELLA: See you Sunday.
She didn't respond in the usual way, with XOXO and echoing my sentiments so I knew something was wrong.
"She's fine. She's at her parent's place in Concord," I said to Reg.
He shook his head. "She should have let someone know she was going out of town."
"She wasn't thinking clearly," I said, not wanting to get into the whole business. "You can take me back to the building. I'm going to drive to Concord tonight and stay there for the rest of the weekend."
"Do you want me to take you?"
"No, but you could trail me for a while to make sure I'm not being followed."
"Okay."
Reg took me back to the building where I packed an overnight bag and grabbed my laptop. Then, I left the apartment. I programmed in Concord's Marriott and drove off, with Reg following me for the first twenty miles until I was on the outskirts of the Bronx. He flashed his lights at me and then turned back towards Manhattan.
I didn't know what was wrong with Ella, but something was definitely up. I couldn't imagine it was merely the migraine stopping her from notifying security, not responding to my texts, and then returning to Concord without telling me or anyone.
Whatever it was, I was sure it had to do with our relationship.
I felt exhausted after a long day at work and my worry about Ella, but at the same time, I needed to drive to Concord and talk to her.
I didn't want to wait.
19
Ella
I slept late, not waking until eleven in the morning. I crept out of bed then I pulled on my robe and slippers and padded out to the kitchen, where my mother was sitting at the kitchen island reading the morning paper, a coffee mug in hand.
"Good morning, sleepy head," she said and smiled. "Feeling better?"
"Yes," I said and went to the coffee maker to pour myself a cup.
"Are you going to tell me what's wrong, so I can help you?"
I poured some cream in my coffee and stirred, delaying my response because I wasn't sure I wanted to tell her about Josh.
"Come on," she said and came over, slipping her arm around my shoulder. "You can tell me. What did he do to upset you? Did you two have a lover's quarrel?"
"No," I said, and it was then I felt my eyes tear up for the first time. "He cheated on me."
Then I broke down and covered my eyes. My mother pulled me into her arms and rocked me back and forth.
"Oh, my poor girl," she said and stroked my hair. "There'll be another man come along before you know it."
