Five Minutes Late (28 page)

Ellie tried to concentrate as she scrolled through the list of borrowers with overdue books, but her mind was on Cedric. Why hadn’t he called? She had left him two messages yesterday, but still … nothing.

“Ellie!” said Peggy, startling her just as she sat down.

Peggy was a smart woman and Ellie was sure it wouldn’t take long before she—

“Are you okay?” Peggy rubbed Ellie’s shoulder.
 
“Did something happen?”

Ellie tried to force a happy face. “I’m fine, just not feeling that well. Maybe it was something I ate.”

“Oh dear, I’m so sorry. I hope you feel better soon.” Peggy handed Ellie another manila envelope. “This just arrived for you.”
 

“What’s this?”

“I don’t know, open it!”
 

Ellie opened the envelope and pulled out the contents, which included a full-access pass for the annual American Library Association Conference, confirmation for five nights at the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco, and transportation to and from the event. There were even meal vouchers.
 

Ellie looked confused. “I don’t understand.”

“You are the most intelligent person in this building. I’m quite sure you do.”

“No. I can’t accept this. This was
a lot
of money, especially for the hotel.”

Peggy laughed. “For some odd reason, you are under the assumption that I bought this for you.”
 

“You didn’t?”

“I’m kind, but I’m not
that
kind.”

Ellie read the letter enclosed. “Congratulations, you’re one of three randomly-chosen librarians in Santa Clara County selected to attend our annual conference absolutely free.”
 

Peggy hugged Ellie. “This is wonderful!”

Ellie didn’t respond.

“Where’s your smile, Ellie? Obviously, this was meant to be. Look, it’ll be good for you to be there as the incoming Branch Manager.”

“They don’t give people a lot of notice, do they?”

“What’s important is you can go!”

“This is crazy. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I would love to go. I was
hoping
to go. But with the cost of Derek’s funeral services and his—” Ellie felt some strong emotions coming on quick and had to cut them off. She knew it wasn’t just about the conference or Derek. Cedric had her torn apart as well. She had to hold it together. “I just figured I would have to wait until next year.” Ellie glanced at the documents again. “This is tomorrow.”

“I can have your shifts covered. Take the rest of the afternoon off to go home, pack, and get ready.”

“It says there are two shuttles in the morning, one at seven and one at eight.”

 
“Great! Go and enjoy! Because once you get started as Branch Manager, you’ll be busy for quite some time. Don’t forget your toothbrush. Have fun!” And with that, Peggy walked off with a spring in her step.

Ellie couldn’t help but smile. Peggy was one of the most positive people she knew—well, besides Grandpa Frank. He and Peggy were a good match for each other.

Ellie was thrilled to be able to represent her county at the conference. Not to mention the amazing education sessions and author events she’d be able to attend. Just when she thought her life was turning to crap again, the universe threw something wonderful right in her lap.
 

Funny how things like that happen.
 

Why shouldn’t
she go? The conference was the perfect distraction that she needed to get her mind off Cedric. It wouldn’t be easy, but a week away with twenty thousand people from all over the country was definitely a good start.
 

Seven hours later, Ellie was packed, parched, and pooped. She took a sip of water and then slid into her bed, barely able to keep her eyes open. What a day. Disastrous and wonderful. She checked her messages for something from Cedric.

Nothing.

It was as if he just disappeared.

*****

The next morning, two chartered buses full of Silicon Valley librarians would leave San Jose, headed for the city by the bay, San Francisco. Ellie had arrived thirty minutes before the first bus so she could be in a front row seat, across from the driver—her preference so she could always see the road. Otherwise, she would get motion sickness.
 

After a smooth ride to the city, Ellie felt like a rock star, walking into the Hyatt Regency hotel, spinning around to admire the world’s largest atrium and looking forward to a week immersed in all things related to libraries and books. She took a deep breath and smiled before heading to the reception desk to check in. This was just what she needed.
 

Ten hours later, Ellie felt wonderful and exhilarated after her first full day at the conference. A day that included a morning welcome, two sessions on children’s books, an intimate networking luncheon just for library branch managers, and three afternoon author sessions.

Ellie made her way back to her room for a quick shower before heading to Eclipse, the hotel restaurant. The paperwork said the reservation for her welcome dinner was for seven, so she had exactly thirty-eight minutes. She hadn’t even had time to think about Cedric during the day and that was a good thing. Upon entering the restaurant at exactly seven on the dot, Ellie was escorted to her table.
 

“Enjoy your dinner.” The hostess gestured to the open seat at a table occupied by a man who looked exactly like—

Vlad
.
 

Pickles!

Vlad grinned. “Hello Ellie, I brought you these.” He handed her a bouquet of yellow roses.

“What is this?” Ellie asked, looking around, ready to blow a fuse.
 

“Flowers.”

“I know they’re flowers. What I mean is … what the hell are you doing here?”

“I come in peace.”

Ellie turned to walk away and Vlad grabbed her arm.

“Please, Ellie.”

“I’m leaving.” She shook her arm loose and turned to leave.

“It’s about Cedric.”

Ellie stopped and turned around with her hands on her hips, waiting for Vlad to say more.

Vlad held up a large envelope. “He’s not who you think he is and I have proof.”

Ellie tilted her head and stared at the envelope. “What are you talking about?”

“Have a seat and I’ll show you. You need to see this, to know the truth.
 

“Why should I trust what you say?”

“I told you at the fundraiser. I’ve changed. I’m a new man.”

Vlad was hung up on money and power and stature and there’s no way he could’ve changed overnight. His cruel behavior in the sushi restaurant proved that.

Still … what was in that envelope? She shook her head and slid into the chair. Maybe a little wine would be okay before she found out what was in the envelope and told Vlad to go screw himself. She held out her glass and Vlad poured.

“Thank you for joining me.”

“Please just give me the envelope.” She took a sip of wine.
 

“At least eat something. You must be starving, in that conference all day with barely a break.”

The waiter brought some fresh sourdough bread with garlic butter, and Ellie broke off a piece and buttered it. She took a few bites and ate it. “How did you know I was here?”

Vlad opened his mouth to answer.

“Never mind. It doesn’t matter, just give me the envelope.”

Vlad handed her the envelope. “I’m sorry you have to see this.”

Ellie untied the string around the clasp, opened the envelope, and pulled out the contents. Five 8x10 photos were inside. Photos of Cedric and a woman. In the first two photos, the woman and Cedric were talking. The second photo showed Cedric hugging the woman. In the last two photos, Cedric and the woman were kissing. The photos had a time stamp on the bottom.

With yesterday’s date.

Ellie was numb, almost as if she had no emotion whatsoever. “You could have Photoshopped these.”

“Seriously? Look at them, they’re authentic.”

Ellie shuffled through the photos a few more times, before putting them back in the envelope.
 

Vlad took a sip of his wine. “Have you heard from him recently?”

“No.”

“Well, there you go. I’m sorry you had to find out from me.”

“No you’re not. You’re enjoying this!”
 

“Please Ellie, there’s no need to get upset with me. I have no ulterior motives. I just want to be friends.”

“Friends?” Ellie laughed and took another sip of wine.

“I’m serious. Let’s go up to the room and talk about this in private. You’re probably tense from a long day. Take a hot bath and I’ll give you a massage.”

Ellie stared at him in disbelief. “We both know what usually happens after a massage. I should have known. You want to be just friends? Ha!”

The waiter returned. “Are you ready to order?”

“No thanks,” said Ellie. “Just the check for the wine.”

“Very well.” The waiter walked off.

“No need, it will be charged to your room,” said Vlad. “I mean—”

“Why would—” Ellie’s eyes widened and she studied Vlad for a moment. “Oh my God. You set this whole thing up? The conference?”
 

Vlad didn’t answer.
 

Ellie looked around the restaurant as she tried to piece things together. “I didn’t win the conference pass and hotel, did I? You paid for it. This whole thing was your elaborate plan to try to get me back. Admit it.”

“That just shows you how much I’m sorry and how much I want you back.”

“God, you haven’t changed a bit. You still think money can buy you whatever you want.”

“I still love you, Ellie. Give me another chance.”

Ellie stood up and dumped her wine onto his lap. “Not going to happen.”

She went up to her room, changed into a T-shirt for bed, grabbed her cell phone and texted Cedric.

Obviously you’re not into me anymore, but you don’t have the balls to tell me. Goodbye.

Then she turned off the phone and the light.

On Sunday afternoon, it was time for Ellie to head home from the conference. Considering the disaster that was her love life, she still had to admit the week was out of this world, thanks to the conference. She’d met so many people and learned things that she could apply when she took over as Branch Manager.
 

She had planned on going downstairs early and waiting in line to grab the front seat again on the first shuttle, but couldn’t find her phone. She emptied her suitcase twice and looked under every crack and crevice in the hotel room. Another glance at the alarm clock caused her to freak out—she was going to be late.
 

Ellie was never late.
 

She could always contact the hotel when she got home to see if they’d found her phone, but more importantly at the moment, she needed to get that first seat on the bus.

She flew through the sliding doors to the outside of the hotel, happy to see two buses waiting. Rolling her suitcase in the direction of the bus, she was sideswiped and passed by two young women obviously in a race somewhere.
 

How rude.
 

She wondered what could be so important that they would run into her and not even say a word. As long as they don’t get on the—
 

Pickles!

They were getting on the bus.

No problem. There are plenty of seats on the bus and they will probably—

Double Pickles!

They were making themselves comfortable in the front seats. What are the chances? Ellie could take the second bus, of course, but that would mean she’d have to wait an extra hour for it to leave.
 

She stepped up into the bus and smiled at the two women. “Good morning.”

“Hello,” said one of the women, the other was glued to her cell phone, not even bothering to lift her head and acknowledge Ellie.

“Did you enjoy the conference?” asked Ellie.

“Very much,” said the first woman as the second woman continued to surf the net for something. Ellie didn’t like the vibe she was getting from the two women, but still needed to get that front seat.

“Sorry to bother you, but do you mind if I have one of these front seats? I get motion sickness if I don’t sit in the front and it’s not a pretty sight.”

“Well …” The first woman looked to the other woman, shrugging.

“I’d rather not.” The woman finally found her voice, but didn’t give a reason. She turned her attention back to her phone.
 

“Oh,” said Ellie. “Okay, well take care.”

Ellie stepped down off the bus and headed to the second bus. She thought about the two women. If the situation were reversed, she would have given up her seat in a heartbeat. But what could she do, beg?
 

No. Not worth it.
 

There would always be selfish people in the world and she couldn’t change that. Luckily, she had another option. She’d have to wait longer to go home, but it was better than getting sick.

The driver of the second bus was reading a book, but when he saw Ellie approaching, he opened the door for her. She left her suitcase at the curb and stepped inside the bus.

“Hey there,” said the driver, smiling.

“Hi.”

“Let me guess … either you want the front seat or you want to experience my award-winning personality.”

“Both.”

“Smart lady. Make yourself comfortable and I’ll put your bag underneath.”

“Thank you.”

“My pleasure. We still don’t leave for an hour, though. Hope you brought a good book.”

“I’m a librarian, what do you think?”

The driver laughed. “Good point. What was I thinking?”

Ellie sat in the very front seat and took a deep breath. What a nice man, and it was no big deal waiting longer. Of course, if she’d been on time, she would have gotten the front seat on the other bus. She prided herself in being on time. Today’s tardiness was a rare occurrence.

An hour later, with the bus completely full, Ellie was enjoying the view on Highway 280, the interstate that connected San Jose to San Francisco. No matter what was going on in her life, it would be impossible to not enjoy what many believe is the most beautiful freeway in the country.