In Time

By Tania Lee Premo

Allison had the life that women dreamed of. Living life on the shores of North Carolina, people envied the pedestal her husband Joey had put her on. Allison did not need to work, since Joeys business was so profitable. She was able to stay home and care for their daughter, Olivia Rose. What people didnt see when they looked at Allisons life was that pedestal she was on, was not real. The walls around that perfect life were brittle. Collapsingpiece by piece. When the wall finally did collapse, the truth came out. The truth was much more than Allison, or anyone had ever imagined. In one day, the life Allison had been living was changed forever. Choices had to be made.

Moving back to her hometown in New York State was her only option. She had family there, and she was going to need help putting her life back together. It is here, Allison would face some of her greatest fears, fight to keep her and Olivia safe and hopefully heal from the damage Joey had done. She hoped to find herselfIn Time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781493196722

Tania Lee Premo

Tania resides in New York with her 3 sons and her two dogs. She enjoys photography, a good cup of coffee and warm sunny days.

Book preview

Copyright © 2014 by Tania Lee Premo.

Cover design by Brian Premo

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Rev. date: 04/10/2014

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris LLC

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

612173

Contents

A message from the author

Prologue

Allison

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Authors Note

You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you’ll discover will be wonderful. What you’ll discover is yourself. ~ Alan Alda

A message from the author

We all have a story to tell—whether it be fact, fiction, or maybe a little of both. I will tell you that the story you are about to read is just that-fact and fiction. SOME of the ideas for this book are based on one woman’s life, her side of events that she actually experienced. All names and locations have been changed.

I dedicate this book to all the victims and survivors of domestic violence. There is no excuse for domestic violence, be it physical or mental. There is help-get it. Stay strong. Believe in yourself.

This book is also dedicated to the victims and survivors of brain cancer. First and foremost my brother Scott, who passed away at age 32 after a nine year battle with the monster we call brain cancer. Also, to my son, who has now survived two brain tumors and is an active, healthy teenager. I have met many people over the years that have dealt with or are still dealing with this monster called cancer. If we can raise awareness, if we can do one thing that can make a child smile while dealing with cancer, then we are making a difference. Contact your local hospital or awareness organization to see how you can make a difference today.

Enjoy!

Tania Lee Premo

Prologue

Allison found herself walking through the cemetery where Dante’ had been buried, alone and scared. She didn’t know why she was there just that something had told her to go. She had just been to Dante’s grave that morning. The sky was dark, but not yet night. There was still enough daylight so she could still read the names on the headstones. What was it that drew her here she wondered. Suddenly, she felt a chill. Wrapping her arms around her trying to brush off the chill, she saw something up ahead. There was a young boy kneeling on the ground, he was sobbing. Looking around she didn’t see anyone else. Why was he alone? Where was his mom or dad? Walking closer to see if he needed help, she was careful not to startle him. Excuse me, she said. When he didn’t respond she could see that he was kneeling in fresh dirt. She turned to look at the headstone and started to scream-it was hers and it was right next to Dante’s grave. The name engraved in the stone was Allison Brady Milano. Turning his head to face Allison, he laughed. Looking from the stone to the little boy she saw Joey’s face on a little boy’s body. She started to run, she ran until she fell . . .

Allison woke up not able to move. Looking around she realized it was just a dream. She was in her bed. Lying there, trying to catch her breath, she told herself it was just a dream Joey was in prison. She was safe.

Allison

North Carolina

Allison Milano woke to find her husband Joey had not come home the night before. After stretching and rubbing her eyes, she looked up at the ceiling thinking it was kind of nice not having him there. She didn’t love him. She thought she did at one time. They met when she was nineteen and some would say pretty naïve.

Allison had had a couple boyfriends in high school, but both had ended up cheating on her. She blamed herself for being too shy or not pretty enough-or maybe because she wouldn’t put out. Growing up in a small town in New York State also limited your options. Tired of being the third wheel all the time, she was thrilled when she met Joey.

He seemed nice enough, but her instincts kept nagging at her to stay away. There was something odd about him, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. Joey appeared to be the perfect gentleman. He showered her with gifts like, Gucci watches, Louis Vitton purses, paid for her to get her hair and nails done and he drove a nice car. Now, Allison wasn’t a materialistic person by any means. She told Joey she didn’t need all the gifts but he insisted. So Allison accepted everything he gave her, but eventually she figured out why her instincts had told her to stay away.

It wasn’t long in to the relationship that Allison knew something was seriously wrong. Joey had alienated her from her friends and family. There were times he would steal her checks and forge her name, often times depleting her account. That’s when things started going from bad to worse. She wanted out, but he wouldn’t allow it. Every time she would try to leave, he got angry. He told Allison so many times that she would be nothing without him. He had given her so much. She was ungrateful. He would throw things at her or make threats against her family. Since Allison’s family had lived a quiet life, she didn’t want them to suffer because of her. He had stripped her of her confidence and she was afraid. So, she stayed.

To everyone around them they seemed like a happy couple. She couldn’t tell anyone the truth about how things really were. They would never believe her. Not able to find the courage to leave, they eventually got married, a couple years later they had their first child, a son they had named Dante’ Joseph. He was so perfect, his button nose, his ten tiny fingers, his full head of dark hair and the sound of his first cry. Since he was in the breach position, Allison was unable to deliver him naturally. She needed a cesarean. As the doctor stitched her up Joey held Dante’ near her head so she could see him and touch him. Looking at the little person that just entered the world, she cried and laughed unable to believe that this day had finally come. Since her first pregnancy had ended in a miscarriage she was nervous through the entire pregnancy. Now he was here. Allison kissed his tiny hand and then something went wrong, he started to turn blue. She started screaming and the nurses took him away.

Dante’ was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. The left side of his heart did not develop completely, which meant that his heart could not send enough blood to the body. When they had finally taken Allison to see him, she cried. There was her beautiful baby boy hooked up to a ventilator, waiting to be taken into surgery. He was so tiny, and surrounded by all those big, noisy machines. It broke her heart.

The doctors explained that the only chance he had to survive was if they could build a new aorta and put a shunt in place to maintain blood flow to the lungs. Dante’ died, the next day while the doctors tried to correct the defect in his heart. It wasn’t until two years later and after another miscarriage did they welcome their daughter Olivia Rose into the world. They had relocated to North Carolina by then. It was how it had to be. Joey couldn’t make things work financially for them in New York-or so he led everyone to believe. Allison hoped that maybe, just maybe, Joey would change if they were able to start fresh somewhere else.

Now as Allison got out of bed, showered and dressed she went about her daily routine. Since she wasn’t allowed to work, her days were filled with grocery shopping, doing laundry and taking care of Olivia. Her daughter was her life. Olivia Rose was a four year-old bundle of joy. She had hair the same auburn color as her mother, but naturally curly and eyes of sapphire. She had dimples that reminded Allison of Shirley Temple and a giggle that was contagious. At four she was quite precocious and often had people thinking she was at least six. Looking at her now, sitting there with jelly all over her face, Allison had never seen a more beautiful sticky messy little girl. Sending her off to wash her face Allison began cleaning up their breakfast mess, and was interrupted by a knock on the door. Looking out the window first, as she always did she saw that police had surrounded her house, and had their weapons drawn-she knew something was terribly wrong, Joey still hadn’t come home from the night before and she hadn’t heard from him. As they knocked and said, Police, open the door, Allison felt as if she were in a scene from a movie.

The investigator that was with the police explained to Allison, they had a warrant out for her husbands arrest and a warrant to search the house. For the next two hours Allison was questioned about her husband’s business activities, which she knew nothing of. She had learned not to ask Joey questions because it always got him angry-when he was angry he was mean. They assured Allison that they knew she wasn’t involved with the business but needed to know if she had any information that could help them. She was they told her, a victim just like the many others.

After her home was searched and they took what ever they thought might be evidence, including her car, they left. But not before handing her a business card with the investigators contact information, should she come across anything that might be of some help. Allison was mentally exhausted. As much as she hated being married to Joey, it was still a shock. She cried so hard, she wasn’t sure if it was out of fear, relief or both.

Her husband had been accused of stealing millions of dollars from numerous people. His vacation rental business was a front, they had told her. He had been taking money from people in their hometown, promising them a Big return on their investment in various businesses. Most businesses, she had never heard of, but yet her name was on the paper work. Come to find out, the money people sent him was what they had been living on. That alone, made Allison feel sick to her stomach. The clothes she wore, the home they leased, and the food they ate, all came from people who had trusted him. Not only did he make her fear him so she wouldn’t ask questions, he lied to her about everything. She knew then, he didn’t love her. She was nothing more than his arm candy. Nine years of marriage and she had never really known him at all.

Joey never came home that day. The police arrested him as he was closing his bank account. In the back of his car they found a suitcase containing clothes, an airline ticket to Texas and money. He was going to run. He knew they were on to him. They of course seized all bank accounts, even the ones with her name on them, so now Allison had no car, no money and could not afford to stay in the home they had been leasing.

When Allison was able to visit him in the county jail, Joey had been delusional. She didn’t want to see him, but she needed answers. He looked pitiful. He had begged for Allison to forgive him and wait for him to make bail. He said he loved her more than himself and he would do anything for her. He wasn’t guilty. This was all a misunderstanding. They would run away to Cozumel, start over and be a family. Allison told him he was crazy, she would not become a fugitive nor would she do that to her daughter. She was leaving, she had told him. Her daughter needed her family. So for the next two weeks Allison had packed, explained as much as she could to Olivia and was ready to leave for home, in New York. During those two weeks she had learned that Joey had charges pending in North Carolina and New York. Visiting him at the courthouse before her trip back to New York was bitter sweet. She had grown so accustomed to living in chaos with Joey she was scared to be without him-it was all she knew. On the other hand she was free, and from what the lawyers told her he could be gone for up to fifteen years. Joey’s lawyer handed her an envelope and instructed her that she was not to read what was inside until she left the courthouse, those were Joey’s wishes.

Sitting in her car, she opened the envelope and pulled out its contents. She read:

Allison,

I cannot bear the thought of being locked up. I am not guilty of what they say I am. I was set up. Believe me when I tell you, everything I did I did for you. I wanted you to have everything you wanted. You deserved it. You’ve been there for me and now I can’t be there to take care of you or Olivia.

When you came to see me and I asked you to wait for me so we could go and be a family somewhere else, you told me no. The look in your eyes told me you don’t trust me. I don’t know who you are now and it’s only been a short time that I’ve been gone. I’ve never hurt you so I don’t understand. If you won’t come with me then I have no reason to live. Today was the last time you will see me. In three days time I am to be extradited to New York. I will not be transported in an orange jumpsuit, handcuffed like I am a dangerous criminal. The thought of spending my days locked up in a cage like an animal is something I cannot do. Therefore, in three days, I will have taken my last breath. If you change your mind and will wait for me, call my lawyer so he can relay the message to me. Goodbye Allison. I did all of this for you.

All my love,

Joey

PS: make sure you tell Olivia her father loved her

He was going to kill himself. Allison sat there for a moment, tears streaming down her face, trying not to faint. How could he, she thought. How could he do this to her? She wouldn’t do what he wanted and run away. But how could she let him take his life? It wasn’t her fault she told herself over and over as she drove home. She did everything she could and it was never enough, or it was never good enough for Joey. She knew he was playing mind games with her now, telling her he did it all for her and that he loved her. On some level he believed he did love her, just not enough to do what was right. She wouldn’t wait for him, if he chose to take his life then that was his choice, not hers.

The house she had been calling home was now empty. Most of the furniture had been sold, except for the few pieces she could take with her. Clothes were packed neatly in boxes. It all happened so fast, she thought. Two weeks, was all she had to pack up the lives of her and her daughter. She had to sell the majority of the furniture just to be able to pay for the moving truck.

As she walked through the house, one last time, she ran her hand ever so gently along the walls as if absorbing the memories. She stopped in each room, closing her eyes, as if she were imprinting a picture in her mind. There had been laughter in this house, but there had also been many tears.

Such a beautiful house she thought, a southern brick home on the coast of North Carolina. Large windows, that almost reached ceiling to floor. Polished hardwood floors, crown molding and the most beautiful marble fireplace she had ever seen. Just down the street, walking distance, in fact, was the Atlantic Ocean. The waves she thought sounded like whispers, as eerie as it was at night-she found it very peaceful during the day. She would miss the smell of the ocean air and the gentleness of the breeze, but maybe someday she would come back and visit.

Walking out to the front porch, she sat. Since her porch swing had been sold, she sat on the steps. She wouldn’t cry. This was for the best she knew. But, it hurt. For so long people that knew her thought she lived the life of a princess. Spoiled, they thought, by a wonderful husband, who loved her. She had it all. Jewelry, designer clothes, a fancy car, trips to different places and she didn’t have to work. What they hadn’t known was—she had never wanted any of it.

Now they knew. She was now the wife of an accused felon. She was the mother of that accused felons child. She was the wife of a man that lived a secret life and she was the wife of a very sick man. The town embraced her when the news broke about her husband’s arrest. There were offers to help if she wanted to stay, but she knew her daughter would need her family, she had to leave.

As she stood, tears rolled down her cheeks. Turning to lock the door behind her, she could only wonder where her life was heading.

Chapter 1

Toby! Get back here… now! Damn it Toby! Ugh. Allison Brady stood with her hands on her hips having a stand off with Toby in the middle of the road. It wouldn’t have been so bad but it was raining, she didn’t have an umbrella and Toby well, he was a dog. As if she didn’t have enough to do being a single mom, she had insisted on getting a dog! It was for piece of mind she told herself. He was for protection. Dogs barked when people were around right? She figured having a dog, she could let Olivia play outside and she could actually go inside and take a pee without worrying about her daughter being kidnapped by some pervert. And, when she was alone at night a dog would be a deterrent against burglars. She could have picked out a Boxer or even a Retriever but no, she ended up with Toby. Toby was a very cute howling Beagle, who at this moment was going to end up sleeping in the doghouse if he didn’t listen and get back in the yard. Since he believed he was of the human species he had pretty much taken over Allison’s bed, he had never spent a night outside in his own house. Allison took one step closer and Toby looked at her as though he were laughing and proceeded to take off after a cat.

Clenching her fists and gritting her teeth Allison realized she would never catch him without something to entice him. She turned and went back inside in search of a gourmet goody. Finding her bait, she walked back outside, in the pouring rain. Allison was now armed with steak. Toby was still considered a puppy but he was almost one-and boy could he run. She couldn’t, not go after him. As much as she was cursing him right now, she couldn’t live with herself if something happened to him. Walking down the street, she was a woman on a mission.

Following the sound of his howls, she spotted him. He peered out from around some bushes as if he were playing a game. Come here you crazy dog, I’ve got some steak for you. Allison said as she waved a piece of the steak in front of her. He was sniffing the air, he could smell the steak, but wouldn’t budge. He thought she was playing. Breaking off a piece Allison threw it in his direction, but not right to him. He came out from behind the bushes, ate it and sniffed the ground looking for more.

Oh no Toby, you need to come here if you want more. Come on you can do it.

She threw down another piece, this time closer to her. As Toby came to get it Allison pounced on him. He squirmed almost getting out of her grasp. She hooked his leash on his collar and then peeled herself gracefully off the side of the road. Thankfully it wasn’t a busy street. She was hoping no one had seen her they would have thought she was crazy, a woman wrestling with a beagle in the middle of an alley, in the pouring rain. Looking at herself, soaking wet from the rain, she brushed her long auburn hair out of her face with her free hand. At that moment, just when she thought she had everything under control, Toby spotted a man and decided to run towards him. Allison ended up being pulled forward, tripped and landed with a splash in what had to be a puddle the size of Lake Erie. Toby ran like hell dragging his leash behind him. Wanting to scream Allison, thought about trading him in for a fish!

Kevin Taylor sat in his car at the end of the alley. He was on his way home when he saw a dog in the middle of the street. Afraid the dog would run in front of him he stopped, he tried to see if it had any tags. He could see that the dog was wearing a collar. Obviously he belonged to someone, but where was that someone? Just as he was about to get out of his car, he spotted the woman. She was standing there as wet as the dog, offering him some sort of treat. She looked like she could use some help, the dog was obviously not making things easy for her. She hadn’t seen him, he knew. She had been so focused on her dog. Pulling his car over, he parked, grabbed his umbrella, got out and started to walk towards her. What a day to have to be chasing a dog he said to himself.

When he got close enough he said, Miss, it looks like you could… It was all he got out when he saw her lunge toward her dog, wrestling with him until she had his leash securely attached to his collar. Finishing his sentence to himself he said, . . . use some help.

The dog saw Kevin then and ran, just as the woman stood up the dog pulled her into a mud puddle. Running straight to Kevin, as if he were his long lost friend, Toby left Allison behind, so embarrassed she thought she’d like to stay in the puddle.

Kevin bent down and picked up the dogs leash. Well, big guy. It looks to me as if you will be sleeping in the doghouse tonight. What do you say we go see if your mama is alright? Toby looked at him wagging his tail-then licked him right on the lips. Listen, I appreciate the kisses but I think you better save them for that pretty lady over there. Kevin stood up and walked the dog over to his mama.

Excuse me, miss? I think this big guy here belongs to you. Kevin said.

Standing there now dripping wet, with mud covering her from head to toe, Allison looked up into the eyes of the most attractive man she had ever seen. Allison couldn’t help but notice how handsome he was, eyes a deep shade of green. Mysterious. They pulled you in. He had short dark hair and a grin that probably had many women panting at his feet like love struck fools. It was the scent of him that affected Allison the most. Oh, the scent of a man. Damn, she thought, I hope I don’t start drooling like Toby when he smells a roast! And there she was standing looking as if she had just rolled in the mud with some pigs. Suddenly self-conscious, she tried to fix her hair and brush some of the mud from her shirt. It only made things worse. Looking down she found that her pale yellow t-shirt was not only soaking wet and muddy, it was now clinging to her like plastic wrap on a Jell-o mold and she wasn’t wearing a bra. She felt herself blush. Looking up at him, she saw his eyes were focused on her breasts, a typical male. Ugh!

Thank you for catching him. Toby and I are going to have a long chat on the way home. She said looking up at the man as she reached for the leash and started to walk away.

It was really no trouble, he came right to me. Kevin said walking next to her.

Great she thought. My dog leaves me in the mud for a man. Well, thank you any way, even if he is a traitor. She said accusingly looking at Toby.

I’m Kevin Taylor, he said as he stopped extending his hand.

Allison stopped and wiped her free hand on her jeans hoping to clean it as much as she could, shook his hand and said, "Allison