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As I weighed my options, my phone rang across the room. Shelby was the only one who ever called me, and we’d just spoken.
It rang twice more before I picked it up, not recognizing the number. I realized it might be Malia since I’d left my number. As I answered, my breath caught. It was Tara.
9
TARA
After lunch, I got back to my research. The more I learned about Landon, the more intrigued I was. I wasn’t sure I would have liked him pre-accident, at least not toward the end. It sounded like he’d been an ass, truth be told. It didn’t seem like he’d always been that way, though.
I’d stumbled upon an early interview with him, before his first best seller. In it I saw glimpses of the man I’d met in town. Something happened between then and the accident. It wasn’t the first time popularity had gone to someone’s head. Unfortunately for him, his demise was better detailed than his actual rise to fame. And something like that was hard to come back from, especially with the internet. Nothing ever really died, so to speak.
I remembered the book I’d picked up in town. The plot sounded interesting. I’d looked at a list of titles and realized it was one of his early stories. With a thought, I checked the time; it was a little past noon. I didn’t imagine my parents would be home for lunch, and even if they did, I would hear them pull in.
I scrambled off my bed and walked down the hall to their room. Scanning the bookcase by my mother’s reading chair, I found what I was looking for in the top row. As I pulled it out, I hoped she wouldn’t notice it missing, although it would be easier to explain now that she knew I was hoping for an interview with him. I grabbed a book from the end of his career. It was the next to last he’d written.
I was curious if his style had changed the more out of control he became. And if it had, had no one tried to stop him? Point out that he was headed for a breakdown, or worse? From everything I’d read, he was quite stubborn before the accident. Even if someone pointed it out, he might not have listened. Of course, if he’d turned off too many people, he might not have had anyone standing with him in the end. There were several interviews with so-called friends who mentioned how he’d disappointed them in one way or another.
Back in my room, I scanned the first book, reading for style, not substance. His writing style was good. I could see why he’d been popular. It was like reading a letter from an old friend. I was halfway through when my phone rang. I smiled, seeing my old coworker and friend Dawn’s number on the screen. It felt like forever since I’d talked to her.
“Hey! How are you? Miss me yet?”
“You know I do,” Dawn said. “The higher-ups are talking about you so much, though, it’s like you never left. Did you really tell Wendell he’d have to wait for your decision? Are you crazy?”
“I did. And maybe? What was the reaction?”
“Funny, actually. I hate that you weren’t here to see it. When Mr. Sullivan found out what happened, he stormed into Wendell’s office and told him exactly what he thought about it. He didn’t bother to shut the door.”
“That’s awesome. I feel kind of bad, though. I didn’t give him much of a choice.”
“Don’t you dare. He’s pushed you around enough. You deserve to be in charge for once.”
“You’re right,” I said. “I told him I needed at least two weeks, which he wasn’t happy with, but I think he realized he didn’t have another option. I mean, he’s already fired me, and it sounds like that wasn’t a popular decision. I bet he never thought I would be the reason he’d get in trouble.”
“Not at all. We’ve all been avoiding him as much as we can.” I heard her cover her phone, talking to someone. “Sorry, I was placing my lunch order. I really do miss you. Are you sure you’ll be gone for two more weeks?”
“Maybe more. I’m working on a story. And if it pays off, I might be able to strike out on my own.”
“I hate that for me but love it for you. Any hints to what it’s about?”
“Not yet. But I’ll share as soon as I can. Thanks for calling! It’s good to hear your voice.”
She said goodbye, and I hung up, feeling a tad lonely for DC. Dawn and I had started with the company at the same time. Of the friends I’d listed who would let me live with them if I needed to, she was at the top. No sooner had I hung up than the phone rang again. It was my mother this time, no doubt wondering what I wanted for dinner. Or I’d triggered some alarm in their bedroom and she wondered what I was up to. I giggled at the thought.
