Chapter One She reached the phone on its second ring. This is Tami! She confidently answered. She knew who she was. Honey, guess what? I sold them! Ive got the job! In Phoenix, Aaron? Yes! Its beautiful here! Ninety degrees in November. Blue sky. This place is booming. Well sell our house, there! I dont want to sell my home! Tamis mind screamed in silent protest. While she didnt utter a sound, her reality whirled as her husband continued to talk. The company wants me on my job next Wednesday. Ill be on the plane back, tomorrow. Pick me up, SeaTac at 4:35. Ill be on Southwest flight 722. I booked before calling you. Dont try to come inside. Be at the departures terminal, you know, where you dropped me off! But, this is Wednesday! How... Dont you worry about anything! Weve got a week, Tami. We can do it. I love you. Aaron, wait! Please dont hang up. Tell me all about it. Just a moment, I need to get something to write this down... Now, how do you know that we will be able to move there? Weve got this house. Trevors in first grade. We... We agreed before I came here, Tami. Remember? Yes, but... Ive got to report to Human Resources, now. Theyre waiting for me. Ill get all of the information. Well make sense out of it when I get back. You got 4:35 down? Yes, Aaron. But, call me tonight! Okay? I will, if I get a chance. Got all this information on the company Ive got to read too. They want to see me here at 7:00 AM, before I fly back. I love you. I love you, Aaron! Please promise youll call me back tonight! Got to go, now! Bye. Dazed, Tami stared at the receiver. She knew hed be too busy to call. Thats why he didnt promise. She loved Aaron, but she loved her house, too. All of her friends were envious of it. It was an extension of herself. This was her home. Shed made Aaron buy it even though there was talk of a lay-off at Boeing. She was tired of the small apartment theyd rented since Trevor was born. Theyd looked at dozens of houses before theyd found this home, almost ready. The builder had it finished to her buyers specifications. Hed even said he admired her good taste. Her home had everything her friends had always wanted. The emerald carpeting didnt stain when six-year-old Trevor spilled his food eating in front of the TV. Green was her favorite color. A stay-at-home mom, Tami Tanner spent her days primping in the mirror, supervising the soaps, and charging on the card her orders from the two channels that offered exclusive articles of fine jewelry. Shed never had to work. Aaron didnt want his wife to work. Hed said so before shed married him. That was just fine with Tami. But, since Aaron has been laid off, Tami has resented the fact that she has had to curb her spending. Tami eyes embraced her kitchen, its tile countertops reflecting forest hues of the perfect curtains shed found. The built-in microwave was the best. Aaron said that she deserved the bestso long as he got his three-car garage. The oversized refrigeratoricemaker in the doorwas the envy of her best friend, Heather, who said shed trade her boyfriend for an icebox like that. Tamis builder couldnt order the frig. They were behind on their credit card payments for it and she couldnt even charge jewelry. Tami knew she was supposed to be happy Aaron got the job. But, why did it have to be in Phoenix? What about her home here? She decided to call Heather. As she waited for Heathers voice mail message to conclude, Tami played with the ruby anklet which matched her toenails. Aaron would never have approved her little indulgence. Heather? This is Tami. Please call me back. Pick up, if youre there! Aarons got a job. Please, call when you get this message! Im home. All right? Bye. Wait, Tami! Dont hang up. Im on. Heather! Aaron took a job in Phoenix. What am I going to do? Youre going to move. Thats what. I dont want to move, Heather. I want to stay here! In my house. We dont always get everything we want, Tami. I know, but But nothing! Grow up, Tami! Quit playing dumb! Its me, remember? Youve a husband and a son to think about. God, you dont know how good youve had it! I know. Youre right, Heather. I really do have it good, dont I? Do you think you could come over? Im bored blind. Aarons been gone since Sunday night. Could you, please? My officer 167 Ted Rasmussen will be here for dinner. He likes to eat when he arrives. I havent even thawed out the chicken. Please, Heather! Alright, Tami! Quit whining! Ill see you, tonight when Teds away. Hell have two beers with his dinner, want sex, and to take off with his off-duty cop buddies until around midnight. Ill come after he leaves. Thank you, Heather! Ill put Trevor to bed by 8:00. Ill see if I can get a sitter. We can go dancing! Okay? No way, Tami! Your husbands out of town, but my Ted could find out. Im not risking my relationship just so you can get your jollies teasing some horny hound dogs. Ill come over and we can just talk. Im not getting high either! You got that, Tami? Okay! But, come over. Well just talk. Okay? I said Id be there, Tami. See you around 7:30. Tami carried the receiver with her up the oak staircase to the second floorpausing near the topto admire her beautiful living room with its bayed windows and gas-log fireplace. The custom carved mantle was just like the one in Home Beautiful magazine. It was perfect. Plush emerald carpeting extended from the green slate entry, through the open dining room to the breakfast bar where Trevor had his Super-Heros Cereal every morning. The thick Seattle phone directory, atop his stool, made it the perfect height for her six-year-old son. Home from school, Trevor was watching TV, eating lime wiggly, in the family room. Last nights dishes and Trevors breakfast bowl were in the dishwasher, frozen lasagna in the oven for another hour and ten minutes. Tami had time to bubble bathe. Glass pipe in hand, she could relax, smoke a little dope, and consider how she would tell Trevor the news: Daddy has a new job; we have to move to a new home in Phoenix; youll get to go to a new school. Immersed in a euphoric high, she indulged the sodden moments her jetted bathtub offered, amid awful thoughts of losing her ideal home, her connection, and her elegant identity. [End Chapter One] To continue reading, please click the link below which will take you to Chapter Two. http://books.iuniverse.com/viewbooks.asp?isbn=0595287034&page=4 |
