Escapade

By Sherene Buffa

Veronica Blume is a recently divorced 29-year-old woman whos down on her luck. She has a meaningless job and no real friends to turn to. Her only savior is her sister, whos happily married and busy raising her own family. Veronica feels isolated from happiness. Everything that represents her life is a disappointmenther job, a failed marriage, even the threat of another cold Michigan winter.
But fate takes a hand and Veronicas humdrum life changes instantly when she wins 11 million dollars from the Michigan Lottery. Realizing there is nothing left for her in Michigan, she hightails it to sunny California. Thereafter she arrives, she finds solace and even meets the man of her dreams. Shortly after happiness finds her, though, Veronica learns that someone is watching her, and that someone might want her dead. But who is it, and what do they want?
After hiring a private investigator, she feels even more threatened when he warns her to be on guard and to trust no one, not even her dear sister. Once again, it seems Veronica Blume is all alone.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jun 10, 2011
• ISBN: 9781456755157

Sherene Buffa

Sherene Buffa is a former student of acting and music, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts. This is her first novel. Sherene lives in Southeastern Michigan with her husband and two dogs.

Book preview

Chapter 1

I woke to the sounds of birds chirping outside my bedroom window. Glancing to the clock, I saw that it was 8:18 a.m. I closed my eyes again. Ugh, too early for a Sunday, I thought. Throwing the covers back over my head and closing my eyes, I saw it. Instantly it flashed before me, like a faint memory. The two dollar bill…again. I remembered holding it in my hand, clear as day. Again, same dream as the night before. But what did it mean?

Yesterday I forgot to check my dream dictionary, but today I grabbed it from my nightstand with the memory still fresh in my mind. I flipped through pages of the trusty book hoping to find some reasonable explanation. Don’t our dreams offer insight to our everyday problems? They had to. The reoccurrence of a two dollar bill, though, was so odd; they were so rare. I wouldn’t have known they even existed except my great aunt used to give them to us as kids. The subconscious mind knew more than our waking mind. At least I was told that once. Maybe my aunt was trying to tell me something, from the spirit world? Money: it read; "changes are taking place now or very soon." Well, that was spot on. Not only was I recovering from a massive debt of attorney bills, but I was alone now.

After five years of courtship and another five years of marriage, I really never had been alone. Hudson and I, once inseparable, had drifted apart. He found another woman−a woman who met his material needs more than I could. I didn’t blame myself anymore, realizing he had changed. I knew he was falling out of love with me. I tried to salvage our marriage, but it takes two to make it work. Maybe that’s why I keep dreaming of this two dollar bill. Two to tango! Oh hell. Disgusted, I shut the book and went to the kitchen to make myself some coffee.

I picked up my cell to call Anna, my sister, hoping she didn’t have much going on today. I sure could use the company. Yesterday was such a long day.

Hi Ann, what’s going on? Do you have any plans this afternoon? I had been leaning on her so much these days. When I had told her of Hudson’s affair, she was dumbfounded. She had often referred to us as soul mates. I guess at one point in our lives that was true.

Hey, Sis. Well, I was planning on going to the mall later. Sophie needs some new shoes…she’s growing like a weed these days. Wanna join us?

Sure. I’d love to join you two, I said.

Sophie was my only niece. The child I would never have. She was a blessing for not only Anna but me as well. When she was born, I thought it would be good practice for me−mommy hood and all. Any time Anna and Dave went out, I’d offer to babysit. I think having Sophie around made Hudson nervous; I never could understand why. Then again, I suppose I didn’t know him as well as I thought. We had tried early in our marriage, but never conceived.

I was so grateful to have a sister. Anna had always been there for me as my older sister, and even more so this past year. Still, my loneliness was the worst at night and in the morning, much like a bad cold. Suppose I could get a cat now. Hudson had been allergic. I think he was allergic to children, too. Anything with responsibility attached to it.

Oh, well, Dave is coming too, V, she said almost apologetically.

Oh…yeah I guess I should’ve guessed that. Dave was such a good dad and husband. Dave was just all-around good. Can’t imagine he’d want to spend his Sunday without his girls. Hmm…guess I wasn’t thinking.

Listen, V, I am not going to let you wallow in self-pity. Now, you are more than welcome to come. As if you need reinforcement. But, I don’t want any sadness today. Okay? she said defensively. I’m not trying to be mean. I know it’s been a rough week and all. I just, well, let’s just say today…has been nice.

Nice? Whatever. Today had barely begun. Then again, I wasn’t a mom. Anna’s days started much earlier for her on the weekends. Okay, no pity party. Got it. What time do you want to go?

Let’s meet up at one o’clock by Macy’s. Sound good?

Perfect. I’ll see you guys there. Love you, bye.

See you soon, V.

It wasn’t perfect. I really didn’t want to go to the mall. I had absolutely no money to shop. I just didn’t want to be alone. Seeing my sister happy, with her beautiful family all together−I knew it was wrong to feel jealous, but I did. At least Sophie would put a smile on my face; she always did.

Finishing my coffee, I decided to check my email. A bunch of junk, of course. Who would bother sending me anything anyhow? I had no friends to speak of. And such negativity, Anna was right. I needed to stop feeling sorry for myself. It didn’t do anybody any good. If I was going to spend the day with Anna and her family I would have to cheer up somehow. I looked at the time. It was dragging, only 9:30 a.m. Guess I could go for a run. I haven’t worked out in almost two weeks. My motivation for self-beauty had faded with each passing day. I had to do something because I still had a few hours to kill. I quickly changed clothes and headed out the door.

Breathing the fall air into my lungs, I decided that this was not such a good idea. I really wasn’t in the mood to run, let alone jog. I slowed my pace to a fast walk. I made it almost a mile and decided to turn around. This wasn’t working for my mind or my stomach. I had skipped dinner last night and the cold air aching through my bones triggered the need for a warm meal.

Of course, I hadn’t gone to the store in more than a week. Entering the kitchen, I felt so beaten and old inside. I rummaged through my cupboards, only to find oatmeal.

After taking the first bite, I had no desire to eat, despite my hunger pangs. Forcing the food down my throat, I barely even tasted it. Which flavor is this? Cinnamon, I guess. I scanned the channels for something decent to watch on TV, but there were only crappy reality shows and boring melodrama movies. Blah, I just wanted to unwind. I downed my oatmeal in less than five minutes.

As I rinsed out the bowl of sticky goo, I noticed the leaves had started to fall from the trees just as I was looking out my kitchen window. Weird how I hadn’t noticed on my run−er, walk, rather. The warm water felt comforting against my skin. Lately I always felt so cold. Suppose I could take a nice, long, hot shower.

As I stepped into the tub, tears started to well up. Thinking of how hopeless my life was, my body slid against the tile, as I was sobbing now. My life was shit. Not only was I a divorced twenty-nine-year-old woman, I also hated my job. On top of that, I really had no friends to speak of. I’d lost contact with everyone from high school and college. Hudson had been my life for the past ten years. The two closest people to me now were Anna and my wacky friend at work, Jane. It felt like neither could relate−Anna happily married, Jane happily single and dating. I dreaded the thought of dating. Just the thought of that word made me cringe. Get a hold of yourself−the repetitive phrase I mentally said whenever I allowed myself to languish in my own misery.

I finished rinsing the soap off my body and climbed out of the shower. I had no energy to blow out my long, brown locks. I rarely ever did my hair for work anymore. Damp and curly is how I left the house these days.

I grabbed the first warm thing from my closet; a warm fleece and my favorite tattered jeans. A perfect outfit for the chill in the November air−a far cry from my days of putting together a fun, trendy outfit. My jeans seemed quite loose on me. Didn’t I wash these? Usually they are a bit snug when I first put them on. I went back into the bathroom and weighed myself. Hmm…the scale now read 123. I was always a good 135. Guess I lost some weight.

I threw my hair in a pony and started some laundry. One nice thing about living alone was never cleaning up after someone else. Hudson was like a big kid. I was always picking up after him, doing his laundry. Shit, I’m better off without him. I hoped his new girlfriend Lorraine would enjoy that. Of course, I’m sure he’d play the good boyfriend role for a while. After all, she was his boss. I laughed hysterically, thinking of the day when she would get bored with her toy and move on. Cougar, I think, is what they call women like her. Hudson was an attractive man, but a woman with her power and money could have any man. He was still just starting out in his career. I gather that’s the hook she had on him. There were probably others lined up on the side if he didn’t work out. I should be feeling sorry for him. "Ha!" I chuckled to myself.

As I threw the load of clothes into the washing machine, my mind wandered to Lorraine. She and I met at a number of corporate functions. Most interesting were the Christmas parties. She would always flirt with the men, the younger ones especially. I bet Hudson didn’t notice how oblivious Lorraine was to me and the other wives at all the events. And then, as if overnight, he moved up in the company. Sure, he was talented, but not nearly qualified for the position as Director of Sales and Marketing. Ridiculous.

It didn’t take me long to put all the pieces together. More and more time spent at the office, late meetings and dinners a couple of times each week, going into the office on Sunday. Really, he thought I was so naive. Not to mention the fact that he barely touched me the last year of our marriage, which I was grateful for. Even thinking of him making it with Lorraine made my head swim. As I folded the towels on the table, I tried to take my mind off of the past. I turned VH-1 on and listened to some music videos.

-

I arrived at Macy’s early and browsed the shoe selection. Shoes had always been a weakness of mine. I had no excuse now since I closed the majority of my credit cards. Mental note: Another good reason for failing marriage; no more credit card debt. Because our credit was joint, all the debt we incurred had to be split. The majority of our debt stemmed from Hudson’s expensive taste. If he wanted something, he just charged it. Before Lorraine, he was barely paying our bills on time. Well, Mr. Big Shot took it upon himself to pay off his portion of our debt. Made me wonder if he was stashing money on the side, or maybe Lorraine gave it to him? Either way, it was his way of making a clean escape from me. No attachments. The only thing left for him to contact me about were some things in storage−nothing too important he couldn’t live without. I knew there would be a day he’d call. I’d have to build up enough courage to face him once again without losing it.

Auntie V, Auntie V! Sophie ran towards me shouting.

Hi sweetie! How’s my big girl? Sophie was growing more beautiful by the day. Anna was right. It seemed she sprung up another inch since last week.

Auntie V, are you okay? Mumma says you sad. Seeing her beautiful blue eyes made tears spring from mine. Ugh, not again. I wiped the tear from my cheek before Anna could see.

Oh Sophie, I am more than okay now that you are here! Did you guys eat lunch yet? Auntie V was hoping to take you for some pizza!

Yay, pizza! Let’s get some pizza, Mumma.

We have not eaten lunch yet. By the looks of it, V, you need a good home-cooked meal. Have you lost weight since Monday? Anna asked, astounded.

Well, I lost a few pounds, but it’s the jeans, too. They are so old.

Good thing we are shopping then, Dave added.

Oh, no, I am not buying anything. I came to get out of the house, I hope he didn’t sense the discouragement in my tone. I was really trying to remain upbeat.

Veronica, it’ll be our treat. We can start by getting you some new jeans. You know with a butt like yours, you won’t be single too long, Anna teased. She was always giving me compliments on my body. She said it was because hers would never be the same since she had Sophie. I thought she was nuts. She was shorter than me, but never looked better. She grew her sandy blonde hair out since she became a mom. I guess it was easier to tie up than to style every day. She had always wished for longer legs, but her petite frame was all too cute. In our cheerleading days, she had always been the flyer because of her height. I always wanted to be the flyer but was too tall. Guess we always want what we can’t have.

I’m not going to argue because I know it’ll get me nowhere. So, I will let you treat me this time. But, remember, I owe you one.

I already owed them a lot for all they had done for me. Anna and Dave had listened to my neurotics many nights when I started putting the pieces of the affair together. They always supported me and offered me their home when I was going to leave Hudson. I never had to take them up on it since I asked him to leave, and he did so willingly.

We spent the rest of the afternoon walking the mall, browsing the stores. We ate at the Pizza Station, and, of course, I had to buy Sophie cookies from Mrs. Field’s. I imagined for a second what this would have been like if I had a child Sophie could play with, a cousin. If Hudson and I…oh, there I go again! Get a hold of yourself!

Why don’t you come over for dinner, Veronica? Dave asked, cutting me off from my mental pity party.

Oh, you know Sunday and all. I don’t want to hog all your family time. I think I’ll just go to the grocery store from here and make myself some chili for the week. I desperately need some groceries.

You’re always welcome, Dave replied. I knew he meant it. My sister was blessed with a wonderful man. For that I was thankful. I also knew Dave would always be there for me in a pinch. He was a rarity.

Thanks, Dave. I should be going. I said my goodbyes and headed back out into the cold.

As I get older, it seemed the cold weather bothered me even more. The only thing keeping me in Michigan now was my sister and her family. If I had it in me, I would move in a heartbeat. I can’t bear many more winters here. I could kiss the person who invented remote starters. I waited a few minutes for the engine to warm and heat to kick on. I threw it in reverse and started preparing the grocery list in my head.

-

Monday went by without a bust. Work was as normal and boring as ever. We had our weekly meeting and I tuned out much of what my boss, Bill, was going on about. He mentioned something about the monthly figures being low. I really needed a new job. I had been here five years−four years too many. The first year was exciting. Now everything was getting stale. There was no room for growth as an executive assistant. I made travel arrangements, booked appointments, typed memos; I was pretty much a glorified secretary. I didn’t go to school for this, but the job paid well at the time and I told myself I would stay long enough to get some office experience. It paid better than my retail job, but I yearned to work somewhere more creative. Every week I pushed and told myself one day. And then when things took a turn for the worst…what choice did I have? I had dreamed of working in the fashion industry. But the market in Michigan was GM and Ford, not Kate Spade. This was my cruel reality.

Jane had asked me to go out with some co-workers for drinks after work Wednesday night. At first I declined, but she reminded me I had nothing to go home to. She was good for that. I had learned that our finance director was sleeping with the receptionist. Interesting; I wonder if his wife was aware. I wondered if she’d even care if she’d known. Most didn’t. I guess I was the exception. Hudson didn’t have the money Lorraine did, but even if he did, it wouldn’t change my feelings. Cheating is wrong, regardless of the bank account. I could never share my spouse under any circumstance.

I wasn’t much of a drinker. Jane always had a great time at office get-togethers. I started wondering what Jane would do if she’d been offered the opportunity to sleep with our finance director; would she take it? I didn’t want to think she would. But lately she was more outgoing. Dare I even say promiscuous? I doubt she’d tell me of all her infidelities.

If nothing else, these work get-togethers were always good for people watching. Give the most uptight people in our office a couple of drinks, and before you know it−they’re loosey goosey.

You’re single, huh? Tobey, our newest assistant asked me with drunken red eyes.

Single. But not looking! Hopefully he got the point. What the hell was he thinking anyway? He worked in Human Resources. He could get canned for flirting with his co-workers.

I walked away, leaving him with some dignity. I definitely was not on the market. The farthest thing on my mind was hooking up. Ugh, and with a co-worker. No, thank you.

The night was drawing to a close, and as usual, I ended up driving Jane home. She was much too inebriated to drive. Maybe that’s why she always had me tag along, to have a chauffeur at the end of the night.

Come on, Jane. You have to help me. I tried lifting her out of my car, but she was dead weight.

Hahahahaha! She started laughing in hysterics.

What the hell is so funny? I asked annoyed.

You can’t lift my fat ass! she said.

Well, then, pick your fat ass up.

Just as I was pulling her upward, she tripped over my leg and fell to the cold ground. At this point, we were both laughing. I didn’t know how she was going to make it to work the next day. I finally managed to help her inside. I’m sure she’d be clueless tomorrow when she woke with a huge mystery bruise on her thigh.

When I got home I wasn’t tired at all. It was almost midnight, nearly two hours past my normal bed time. The glass of wine from earlier should have made me a little sleepy, but no. I was wide awake. I washed the makeup off my face and brushed my teeth before I went to