Coming Home (13 page)

Chapter 9

“Damn. Damn, Damn, Damn!” I started hitting the keys
harder, but that didn’t seem to help.

“Be careful of those fingers.” Matt came in and was clearly
amused by my state of frustration. “What’s got you so ticked off?”

“I’ve been locked out. No, I take that back. My security has been
stripped.” I moved so Matt could look at the computer. “Are you here to give me
my walking papers and escort me out of the building?”

“Don’t be funny. I’ll call and clear this up.” He stood up and
looked at me. “Is there something you need from there right now?”

“No. I just wanted to get caught up on emails.”

“Well, I came to get you for a meeting that wasn’t scheduled. I
just got off the phone with a potential client, and he’s coming here between
meetings. I’m so glad you didn’t take off as I told you to.”

“What about the computer?”

“I’ll take care of it after our meeting. Can you grab your sketch
pad and be in my office in fifteen minutes?”

“Sure. Isn’t everyone going to meet with the client?”

“No. He’d like to keep this meeting a secret. He isn’t sure if he
wants to jump ship yet, but the company he has doing the work now is kind of
lazy according to him. He wants to see what we’ve got before scheduling a
formal meeting.” Matt walked towards the door. “Don’t tell anyone, okay? Just
come up in fifteen minutes.”

I nodded my understanding and cursed at my computer again after
he left. I straightened up my office with the extra time since I couldn’t check
the email. When that didn’t take fifteen minutes, I decided to grab my stuff
and head upstairs early. I could talk to Mandy until it was time for me to go
in. I kind of wanted to check on her anyway. I wasn’t supposed to ask her, but
I’d at least be able to see if she was better than she was the day before.

I got off the elevator and walked toward Mandy. I wasn’t sure
what to say because I hadn’t seen her since she ran by me yesterday, yelling
about needing air. I just figured I would use my meeting as an excuse and have
a little small talk. Small talk is natural, right?

“You can’t go in until forty-seven after. I have strict
instructions on that.” Mandy didn’t seem okay. She seemed snippy and rude.

“Okay. I know I’m early. I’ll just wait over there, I guess.” So
much for small talk. Apparently she wasn’t doing much better than yesterday. At
least she was still at her desk, though. Maybe I should have seen if Vicki was
back from the lunch with mom. “Mandy, is Vicki back yet?”

“If she were, you wouldn’t be up here.” Mandy didn’t look up from
her current task. I looked at my watch. “You still have three minutes.”

“Did I do something wrong?” I was back at Mandy’s desk. “If I
did, I’d like to talk about it.”

Mandy sighed heavily. “I’m just having a bad day. Don’t you have
bad days, Rebecca?”

“Sure, but I don’t think I’ve ever taken one out on you.” I
looked at my watch again. This was the longest three minutes of my life. I
started to move back to the chair and stopped when Mandy started talking.

“I’m just tired. I haven’t been sleeping lately. The man I love
doesn’t love me, and the roller coaster called Matt and Vicki is taking its
toll on me.” She finally looked up. “I’ll be fine in a few days. Maybe a few
weeks, but I’ll be fine.”

“I’d listen if you ever needed to talk.”

“I’m sure you would, but I can’t divulge the secrets I know. Matt
and Vicki have been too good to me to let the cat out of the bag.” She looked
at the clock. “You can go in now.”

I wanted to say more, but she dismissed me by making a phone
call. I wouldn’t ask her to tell the secrets she knows. I was curious, but I
only meant that I would listen to what was troubling her, not what was
troubling our bosses. I turned without another word and went to the meeting
Matt seemed so excited about.

~*~

I walked in exhausted and feeling as though I just left
this place. Actually, I kind of did. We worked all night to get the ad perfect
for the new client, and mom’s care package came in handy around midnight. I’d
get another batch of goodies for the boys later.

The client loved the quick sketches I did and was giving Matt
twenty-four hours to come up with a complete ad. It was a long and stressful
night, but the look on Matt’s face when he saw the final product made it all
worth it. I’d never been one to require a pat on the back after a job well
done, but I didn’t want to disappoint anyone here. In a way, they felt like my
family now in a home away from home kind of sense.

On my desk was a tall cup of what I hoped was my favorite calorie
and caffeine-loaded breakfast. I didn’t have time, again, to run to the coffee
shop before work, and I desperately hoped it was still a little warm. I picked
it up and inhaled the aroma of perfection that awaited me. It was perfect and
still hot. I was lost to the power that this container of liquid had over me
and didn’t hear Wade come in. I slowly turned to the sound of his voice.

“If you and your coffee are finished with your private moment,
could you please come to the conference room? If you’re not finished . . .”
Wade had a teasing smile as he ducked the note pad I launched at him.

“I just got here. There’s another urgent project already?” Wade
nodded. “Crap. I’ll be right in. Let me put my stuff away.”

“Okay. Oh and you can bring your friend with you.” Wade winked,
and I wish I had something else to throw at him, but it wasn’t going to be my
coffee.

I walked in and everyone was there this time—including Vicki. She
nodded at my surprised look as if she could read my mind and patted the seat
next to her. I glanced at Matt and he frowned. Maybe he didn’t want her showing
the others that she wanted me to sit by her. I hoped she wasn’t having another
off day. I took her offered seat and she immediately leaned in to whisper
something which caused Matt to frown even more.

“Great work last night. I told Matt I could have really been
useful to you, though. He’s not keeping me out of this anymore.” Vicki sat up
and then leaned back down. “I talked to Hillary yesterday over lunch about all
the wonderful work you’re doing here.”

“Thank you. I heard.” I suddenly yawned and slapped my hand over
my mouth.

“You must be exhausted.” Matt cleared his throat to get Vicki’s
attention. “Oh, sorry, I was just telling Rebecca what a great job you all did
on this ad.”

“Vicki’s right, team. It was great work and I need your greatness
again. It appears Rebecca has made an impression on our latest client, and he’s
let some of his friends know.”

Matt continued to talk about the next project, and I tried really
hard to pay attention, but I was just so tired. I kept drinking my coffee
wondering when the caffeine would kick in, but it didn’t. I must have drunk it
too fast because I started to not feel very well and tried to stand to excuse
myself.

Vicki had been looking at me throughout the entire meeting, and
she finally leaned over when I couldn’t stand. “Are you okay?” I just looked at
her and tried to focus, but she was too blurry. All I could do was shake my
head, and I didn’t know how much it actually moved. “Matt!”

I felt myself going forward, but had closed my eyes, so I didn’t
really see anything. I could feel someone’s body pressed against mine and
couldn’t figure out what they were doing. I opened my eyes briefly and saw Vicki
holding me up. Was she trying to hug me? I know they said they loved my work,
but really hugs weren’t necessary. A simple good job was good enough. That was
the last thought I remembered before it went black.

~*~

I woke up and my head was pounding. I hadn’t even
opened my eyes, and it was already way too bright. I groaned and tried to roll
over. I felt as if I had been hit hard by a truck or bat—repeatedly. I tried to
sit up and groaned again. I could tell I was in a bed and felt the bed dip, so
I knew I wasn’t alone, but I didn’t know who was there. I felt a cold washcloth
on my forehead and moaned as the coolness eased some of the throbbing in my
head. “Mom?”

“Um, it’s Vicki.” The bed shifted again and I felt her sit closer
to me. “Do you want me to call Hillary?”

“What happened? Was there an accident?” I opened my eyes just
enough to see Vicki and could tell she had been crying.

“Shh. I just want you to rest now. We’ll take care of you.” She
held my hand. “Do you need anything?”

“Well . . .” I really needed to go to the bathroom, but didn’t
know if I could do it on my own and didn’t really want to ask her for help. I
mean, how embarrassing is it to have your boss help you use the bathroom? The
look on my face must have told Vicki everything she needed to know.

“How about I just help you in there, and then we’ll see how you
are from that point. I’m only here to help you.” She took the washcloth off of
my forehead and helped me sit up slowly. Once we got my legs swung over the
side of the bed, she put her arm around my waist and stood me up. I was a
little shaky, but it was easier than I thought it would be. It seemed as though
it took forever to reach the bathroom that was just a few feet away, but once
we got there, we both agreed that I could handle it myself. “Take your time.
I’ll be right here if you need me.”

After I finished what seemed like the longest bathroom break of
my life, I walked—or shuffled—over to the sink to wash my hands. I told myself
I wasn’t going to look in the mirror, but I did anyway. Any time I got out of
bed, my hair looked like a wreck. Surprisingly, it didn’t look too bad. Maybe I
wasn’t out that long. I finally remembered that I was in a meeting before I fell
asleep, and it looked as if I were at Vicki’s home. I groaned, knowing I’d
never hear the end of this.

“Everything okay in there?” Vicki knocked on the door.

I must have groaned louder than I intended. I dried my hands and
opened the door. “Yes.” I had a hard time looking her in the eyes. “I’m sorry I
fell asleep in the meeting. You didn’t need to bring me here to sleep it off.
That was very unprofessional of me.”

Vicki looked away, and I could tell she was hiding something. “Do
you want to go back to bed? I’ll help you if you need me to.”

“Vicki?”

She looked back at me, but continued being the perfect hostess.
“Or if you’re hungry, I could help you downstairs and fix you something to
eat.”

“Vicki, what aren’t you telling me?” I started to get nervous,
and the room started spinning again just as it did before I fell asleep. I grabbed
the wall.

“Rebecca, please sit down.” Vicki led me to the chair in the
guestroom rather than the bed this time. “Are you hungry or do you want some
water?”

“Water would be nice.” The room stopped spinning, and I didn’t
feel as though I was going to pass out again, but something was still off.
Vicki brought over the water she had on the night stand. “Thanks. Please tell
me what you’re not telling me.” I took a drink of water. It was the best thing
I ever tasted and started to drink more.

“Whoa. Slow down. I don’t want you to get sick.” Vicki took the
glass from me. “Where did you get the coffee?”

“It was on my desk when I got in this morning. Why?”

Vicki’s eyes got huge for a split second, and then she looked
away. “It was just sitting there? Does that happen a lot?” She had composed
herself enough to look back at me.

“Not really. I just thought someone was being nice.” The
realization of why she was asking where I got the coffee sank in. “It was
drugged.”

She knelt down in front of me and took my hands in hers. “Yes, it
was. Do you know who would have given you that?”

I was scared and hurt and confused. I shook my head as the tears
started to fall. I always kept to myself, and the first time I actually start
to become a team player, someone hated me so much they tried to drug me. “What
did I do wrong?”

Vicki moved to the arm of the chair and hugged me tighter than
she should have. “You didn’t do anything wrong, sweetie.” I hadn’t realized I
said that out loud. “We’ll figure this out.” She held me as I cried.

I had gone back to bed at Vicki’s insistence. I wanted to go home
to my bed, but she didn’t want me to be alone. She wanted me to have someone to
help me if I needed it. This time when I woke up, I felt much better. Well, at
least my body did. I still felt horrible that one of my so-called friends would
have done this. I kept going over everyone I could have upset enough to do
something like this, and I hadn’t a clue as to who could have done it.

There was a soft knock on the door and it opened just a crack.
“Can I come in?” Ashley poked her head around the door.

“Sure. I’m up.” I sat up.

“Are you okay? I’ve never met anyone that’s been drugged before.”
She sat on the bed a little too hard and we both bounced. “Oh, sorry.”

I closed my eyes to stop the room from spinning. “It’s okay.” I
looked at her. “I’ve never met anyone that’s been drugged before, either. I’d
be a little curious, too.”

“Mom’s fixing dinner. Are you going to be okay to eat?” She
reached over and felt my head.

“Ash, she doesn’t have a fever, honey.” Vicki opened the door
wider. “Go get washed up for dinner and set the table please.”

Ashley looked back at me. “Will I be setting a place for you,
too?”

“She may want to eat in bed tonight.”

“No, it’s okay.” To my surprise, I did feel hungry. “I’ll come
downstairs if that’s okay.”

“Great!” Ashley jumped off the bed a little too quickly and
started me bouncing again. “Sorry.” I smiled and waved her off as she ran out
to set the table.

“I would love for you to join us, but you don’t have to if you’re
not up for it.” Vicki helped me out of bed again.

“I’m feeling better. Thank you for taking care of me. You really
didn’t have to do that.”