Chapter 19 - Girl Talk
1246 Words
Chapter 19
Amelia’s P.O.V.
The next morning, I am sitting at work, and I call Jordan, “I need to talk. Can we meet for lunch?”
“Amelia, what’s wrong?”
“I can’t talk here. Can you meet for lunch?”
“Sure, our normal place at 11?”
“The deli by my office? Yes, that sounds great, and Jordan thank you.”
“Amelia, are you sure you are alright?’
“I am fine, something just happened last night, and I need advice.”
“Okay dear, I’ll see you then.”
I hang up the phone and start breathing again. I try to put the dinner out of my mind and focus on work. 11 o’clock can’t come soon enough and I manage to fumble through work and be somewhat productive. When it is time to leave I bolt out of the office and head to the deli. I beat Jordan there by about 15 minutes. I exhale as I see her enter the deli. I have been holding so much tension I can feel myself vibrating with it.
“So, you going to tell me what is going on?” She asks as she seats herself across from me.
“John invited William Craddick over for dinner last night.”
Jordan physically tenses, “And?”
“He hit on me when John left to answer a phone call. He told me John was a small potatoes and I could do better.”
“In your own home?”
“Yes, I didn’t know what to do. I froze and then I excused myself to get more wine. Do I tell John?”
“What? No, I am not even sure he will believe you. He’ll probably just tell you that you misunderstood him.”
I harrumph. Jordan is probably right. John would more likely believe William over me especially if he wants something from him.
“Is William staying in town long?” Jordan asks.
“No, just this week.”
“Good. Just avoid him till then.”
That was what I was planning on doing, but it was nice to have some conformation on the subject.
Jordan examines me and c***s her head to the side, “Is everything else alright?”
I debate telling her about Jessica and my suspensions, but I feel so stupid. If it is true than I have been blind to my husband cheating on me and if it is not than I am just some super suspicious women. Either was something I didn’t want to be.
“No, I am fine, just tired.”
Jordan nods at me and then goes to order her lunch she turns to me before she steps too far from the table, “Have you ordered yet?”
“No.”
“What do you want? It’ll be my treat today.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
Jordan waves her hand, “It’s nothing, what do you want.”
“The turkey special. Thank you.”
She goes up to the counter and orders our lunch.
As I wait for Jordan to return my phone pings an incoming text.
Unknown Number: Sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable last night. I just do not like the way your husband is treating you. Please know that I am here to talk if you need a friend. Sincerely William.
“What you are your reading?” Jordan asks as she sits back down at the table. I hand the phone over to her and she reads the text. Her brow furrows as she finishes up reading. “What in the world?”
“I know, right.” I tell her as I reach out for my phone. Jordan hands it over and shakes her head.
“The nerve of some people.”
“I am going to delete this.”
“How did he get your number?”
“I have no idea. I have never spoken to him until the other night. Maybe he got it from John?”
“Why would your husband give out your number to another man?”
“I have no idea why John does half the things he does.”
I save the number as SPAM and delete the text. Our lunch is delivered, and we eat and talk about other topics that have nothing to do with my crazy marriage. Once lunch is done, I head back to the office. William’s text and saying he does like the way John is treating me keeps replaying in my head. Once back at the office I pull out the scrap of paper with the PI information on it. I decide I will call and meet with him sooner than later. I will find a way to pay him, so John does not suspect anything, but I need to know what is going on.
The phone rings a couple of times, and an older gentleman answers the phone. He has a rough voice and is very abrupt.
“Johnson, what do you want?”
“Yes, Mr. Johnson, my name is Amelia Smith and I need to hire a P.I. to look into my husband,” I pause to think of the right words, “extra-marital activities.”
“Think he is screwing around on you?”
“Um, yes.”
“That’ll be $2,000 up front to just look into the case. I will give you a breakdown of what everything else costs if you decide to proceed after the initial consult.”
“Okay, that seems fair. Do I just drop off the payment to you at the office?”
“Yeah, or I am high tech, and you can fill out the data sheet and pay online if you prefer.”
“I fill out the data sheet online and send you payment that way.”
“That works. The bill will show up with Johnson Fine Jewelry. I find it helps keep your ‘research’ private.”
I laugh on the phone and agree with him.
“So, what made you decide to use my services? I always like to know if I am a referral.”
Oh, I guess that make sense he would want to know what marketing is working for him.
“Your name was one of the first ones that showed up on my internet search. You also had some good reviews, and I am a little bit of a nerd and I like the alliteration in your ad.” I chuckle at myself.
Mr. Johnson mummers something I cannot make out and states, “I guess that extra search fee is actually paying off.” I hear him clicking away on a computer and then he states, “Sounds good, give me about a week. I will see what I find and call you to set up a meeting to show you what I have found. If you need more information than what I provide then, we can make arrangements for additional work.”
When I hang up the phone I proceed to his website, find the data sheet and fill in all the information it requests on John and then I submit the payment. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I am taking control. Even if Mr. Johnson does not find anything I know this is the start to something I need in my life.
- Writer
