What Once Was

By Chris Taylor

Ridley Halep was living the American Dream, a beautiful wife, two promising girls, and the financial stability that any family desires. Then a tragedy hit that turned Ridley’s life upside down.

He found himself facing challenges that many people couldn’t understand. Unsure of what to do next, Ridley decided to hit the road and work towards answering the many questions that were piling up.

His spontaneous new nature takes him on a cross country adventure that leads him to build new relationships and connect with the life that he was now faced with.

Along the way, Ridley meets a troubled, but a hilariously lovable and energetic independent writer who convinces him to capture his story to not only benefit himself but for others as well. Their friendship and reckless chemistry cause them to test their limits while figuring out what their next step in life should be.

Anyone will enjoy this fun-hearted, yet emotionally gripping novel that takes the reader on an adventure through beautiful communities along the east coast from as far south as Florida all the way up to Maine and beyond. The characters in the book will remind readers of people they have known during their own adventures in life, making it irresistible to put down.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 9, 2020
• ISBN: 9781796081244

Chris Taylor

From an early age, Chris devoured romance books. After graduating University as a lawyer and working nearly fifteen years in the legal industry, her thirst for criminal intrigue was well and truly whetted. She's managed to successfully combine the two in her gritty, fast-paced Australian romantic suspense novels.Chris has authored more than thirty books and still writing! Her hugely popular Munro Family Series has been downloaded more than half a million times. She has also written the Sydney Harbour Hospital Series and the Sydney Legal Series, calling on her past experience as a nurse and lawyer.Chris is married to Linden and together with their five children live on a small farm in rural New South Wales, Australia.

Book preview

What Once Was

Chris Taylor

Copyright © 2020 by Christopher Taylor.

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.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 03/09/2020

Xlibris

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Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgment

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

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Dedication

This book is dedicated to Alison, Ben, and Hadley.

Acknowledgment

I want to thank Alison, Ben, and Hadley for the support as I wrote this story. I know it was hard to have me distracted throughout the writing process.

Benjamin, I am so proud of the young man you are becoming and to your commitment to reading and the relentless pursuit of your passions. You will be a great scientist one day.

Hadley, you make me smile every day and you have the most spirit of anyone I know. The world would be a better place if more people had your energy level and enthusiasm for life.

Alison, thank you for supporting my goals, no matter how crazy they may be. Thank you for being the first reader of my work and for giving me the feedback I needed to improve. Most importantly, thank you for being a great mother to our children.

Sometimes events happen in life that make us put everything in perspective. I want to acknowledge my brother Don. During moments of great adversity, he shows a commitment to fight and never gives in when it seems like the world is pushing down hard. He is an inspiration to many.

Thanks to Dad, Mom, Don, Kate, Steph, Jay, Rich, Debbie, Barb, and Dan. I couldn’t ask for a more supportive family.

"At the end of your life, you will never regret not having

passed one more test, not winning one more verdict or

not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent

with a husband, a child, a friend, or a parent."

Barbara Bush

Chapter 1

"Sometimes, we never know what we have until we lose it. It’s not a house, or a car, or any other possession.

"No, that is not what truly matters.

"It’s family.

"I had a family once.

"A beautiful, hard-working wife whose blue eyes mesmerized everyone who looked in them.

"It was hard to control my jealousy every time I went anywhere with her because the men in the room would give her a once over. I wanted to break many noses, but she stopped me every time. I guess that makes her stunning and practical.

"She worked hard, but at the same time, never lost sight of our family. She made many sacrifices in her career- for the sake of our family. She had an excellent job as a nurse in the most sought-after doctor’s office in town. She turned down job after job at the hospital and could have been a supervisor making almost twice the amount of money. But that meant she would have missed too many of the kids’ events by working uncontrollable hours.

"She sacrificed her career, a job that she loved, for us.

"We first met in college. In a freshman English class. She had a serious boyfriend then, and it took me two years of trying to get her to go out with me. Hell, I almost got my degree in nursing to be around her.

"Ironically, it turned out that the medical classes I took to see her lead me to my career selling medical equipment.

"When she finally let me take her on our first date, at that stupid bar downtown, we connected. Truly connected. Like one of those foolish romance movies. We sat in that overhyped, overpriced bar and talked forever.

"That was the night she let me give her our first kiss.

"And that was the night I gave her boyfriend a bloody nose.

"We married the summer after graduation and were lucky enough to find good jobs in the same town.

"We spent the next few years working hard, traveling, and remodeling an old home we bought.

"Then, we found out that she was pregnant.

"We were never happier. I swear we completed the nursery within a week of finding out we were going to be parents.

"We put together the crib, created a nursing area complete with an old rocking chair that we snagged from our favorite antique shop. The chair looked like mothers used it since the civil war.

"Our daughter was born that spring, and all of our attention focused on the baby. My mom once told me that we had to put the baby down, that we were spoiling her too much.

"But we didn’t care. She was our precious baby girl, and all we wanted to do was to hold her and play with her.

"It seemed like the first three years of her life could not be any better.

"Just as we were getting used to dance classes and managing our work schedules, we learned that our little family was going to grow again.

"When our second little girl, who was almost ten pounds at birth, became a welcomed member of our family, we finally felt complete. Not only as a family but also as individuals.

"As the girls grew, we were amazed by how different the two girls could be despite being sisters growing up under the same roof.

"Our eldest was a fantastic dancer and spent most of her young life in a studio perfecting her moves.

"Our youngest was one hell of an athlete and spent her time on a basketball court or softball field. She would have been an all-star even if they had allowed her to play with the boys.

"Often, my wife and I had to split up. I would go to the sports practices, and my wife would go to the dance studios. But we made it work.

"We adjusted our lives. I was lucky enough to be in a town large enough where I could work without much travel. My wife was the top nurse at an orthopedics office and worked regular hours.

"To think that the worst thing we had to worry about was a messy house.

"We were lucky. We certainly had it all.

"Two beautiful and active kids. Great jobs. A house that we made our own with our hard work.

Then, in an instant, it was gone.

Chapter 2

Come on, Elisabeth, we are going to be late for your performance, Caroline yelled to her eldest daughter.

Why do you make me do this stupid dance thing, anyway? Elisabeth yelled back even louder. I swear you just make me do it because you couldn’t dance as a kid.

That’s right, sweetheart, I make you do it so I can live vicariously through you! Get over yourself and get ready!

This ridiculous leotard makes me look fat! Then I do that stupid Chasse’ and everyone will be looking at me while my jiggly butt shakes. What if Gabriel is there?

I am pretty sure that Gabriel will not be there! I am sure he has plenty to do besides watch you dance.

What if somebody posts it on Facebook, mom? Did you ever think about that?

You have fifteen minutes to be in the kitchen. If you are not ready, you will be grounded for two weeks, including losing your cellphone. Am I clear?

Caroline turned her back as Elisabeth’s door slammed loudly. She walked down the short hallway of their one story, 3-bedroom home.

When she entered the kitchen, Caroline said to her husband, Ridley, Can you remember the exact moment that teenaged demon entered our daughter? What happened to that little girl that begged to go to jazz class? Now she is just acting like a crazy girl.

Maybe she is getting too old for it? Ridley responded. It is not like she will have a career in it.

Ridley was working on his laptop on the messy table, full of mail that still needed to be sorted.

I know, but it keeps her busy. When she is dancing, I know she is not out doing something stupid like…

Like getting high? Savannah asked as she walked into the kitchen. She grabbed her cup from the corner of the countertop and filled it up with water from the refrigerator dispenser.

Savannah, you are thirteen years old. What do you know about getting high? Caroline asked.

I maybe thirteen, but I am not dumb. I hear things at school, you know. Sam’s brother got in trouble and had to go to jail or something. He wears this weird ankle bracelet on his leg.

You just spent the last two Saturdays there. I can’t believe you were in that house. Did you…

Don’t go into cornea arrest, mom, I know better.

Her eye is going to be just fine. You mean a cardiac arrest, honey, Ridley said.

Thanks, daddy, she said with a sweet smile before returning her scowl at her mom. But seriously, mom, I would never do that, and Sam wouldn’t either. We are smarter than we seem. Now, other people we know would take a hit in a minute.

Savannah! Caroline said.

Sorry, mom, I’m just telling the truth.

I don’t want you over Sam’s house for a while.

That is unfair mom, Savannah said as she set her Taylor Swift mug back on the counter.

Why is everyone fighting with me today? I just want to get everyone to the recital, and then we can have a lovely dinner. Is that too much to ask for?

Sorry, I am not your little princess that dances, like your favorite daughter, but sports are just more my thing.

Are you saying that dancing is not a sport, you virus? Elisabeth said as she walked in, wearing a jogging suit. I bet you couldn’t last two minutes on the dance floor with me!

Have you ever thought about me at these recitals, mom? Savannah asked. I mean seriously, I will be sitting there for two hours watching these girls trying to be like Taylor Swift.

Savannah! Caroline yelled.

Ridley was chuckling softly when Caroline said, You are not helping Ridley!

I’m sorry that we all can’t be like your gay crush, Taylor! Elisabeth said to her sister.

Elisabeth! Caroline said firmly. Is it too much to ask to spend a nice Sunday afternoon with each other without fighting?

Girls, your mom is right, Ridley said. Let’s cut it out and get this thing over with.

Just get it over with? Elisabeth erupted. Why do you always take the viruses’ side, dad? Elisabeth’s face turned red.

Think before you speak, Ridley, Caroline said. We are not taking anyone’s side. We need to go. Elisabeth, Savannah, get your shoes on. Ridley go get the car started. Everyone better be in that car in one minute!

Without saying another word, the family dispersed and did as they were told.

On the drive to the auditorium, Elisabeth said, Mom, I don’t think I want to do this anymore.

What are you talking about, sweetie?

Dancing takes way too much time, and I just don’t have fun anymore. It feels like work.

Plus, you suck! Savannah added.

Savannah! Caroline said.

The younger sister’s eyes looked immediately out the window, watching the houses pass by.

Elisabeth, let’s talk about this tonight.

That means no!

That does not mean no, it means we will talk about it. I promise I will have an open mind.

Why do you let her quit everything, mom? Savannah chimed in, using her best brat voice.

Honey, she has danced since she was three. Besides, I just said that I would have an open mind. That doesn’t mean I am going to give in.

I told you! I knew you would say no! Elisabeth hollered.

Ridley, are you going to help here? Caroline said as she rubbed her hair.

Last time I tried to help, I was told to shut up, Ridley said.

You have always been terrible with timing.

Yeah, dad, like how it took you like two years to move in on mom, Savannah said.

The comment actually drew a slight laugh from Elisabeth.

Hey, I can’t help it that your mom just wanted to see me suffer, Ridley said with a smile of his own.

That’s because she was with what’s his face, Elisabeth said.

How does she know about what’s his face? Ridley asked, immediately losing his smile.

You know, sometimes girls talk, Caroline answered with a sly smile.

I’m sorry, dad, we just don’t see you like the cute type, Savannah said honestly.

What is that supposed to mean? Ridley said as he raised an eyebrow in the mini van’s rearview mirror.

It just means you were a little nerdy, Elisabeth clarified. Mom said what’s his name was kinda cute.

Did she, huh? Did she also tell you that I broke cute boy’s face?

Look at you, dad! Savannah said. I never knew you had it in you.

It was only his nose, Caroline said. And I just didn’t realize how special your dad was. I mean, it was a little creepy at first when he kept taking the same classes as me.

Hey, I wanted to be in those classes!

You were a business major, what were you doing in my Promoting and Maintaining Wellness course?

I wanted to, ah, learn how to live a better life.

Laughter erupted in the car. Both parents were relieved that the tension was broken.

What? It’s true!

Yeah, right, dad! Elisabeth said. You are full of it.

Alright, alright! You got me. I can’t help it that I was so much in love with your mom!

Stop now before I gag, Savannah said.

They pulled into the parking lot of the local high school. The recital was in the school’s auditorium that contained a large stage and enough room to hold almost two-thousand people.

After the recital, the young family walked to the car.

What is that hanging out from your sleeve? Ridley said with a chuckle.

Ah, nothing, dad, Savannah said as she tucked in a wire under her sleeve.

Elisabeth grabbed her arm and pulled out the end of an earbud from her sister’s sleeve.

What the hell is this? she asked.

Look, I get bored when you are not dancing, so I put the earbud in my hand, lean my head against my hand and rock out.

Elisabeth’s face turned red.

I promise I don’t do it when you are dancing. I mean seriously, watch a bunch of girls I don’t know dance for a whole two hours is like torture. It’s not like they are competing.

You little…

Elisabeth! her mom said.

Elisabeth stomped her feet as she went to her side of the van and took her seat.

Get in the car, Savannah, Caroline said. And take those wires out of your shirt. And you, she said, pointing her attention towards her husband, I better not see a smirk.

The corner of Ridley’s mouth began to curl upward when Caroline added, I’m warning you! with a smile of her own.

~~~

The family ate dinner at the Italian Grill to celebrate the end of the dancing season. Ridley and Caroline enjoyed a much-needed glass of wine as the girls played with their straws in their glasses of water.

When the garlic bread arrived, Ridley was tired of the long awkward silence at the table and wanted to break the ice. He knew that his girls were close and that when push comes to shove, they will look out for each other.

Last year when Savannah was the object of a practical joke that humiliated her in front of the school, it was the quieter Elisabeth that came to the rescue.

Just like most middle and high schools, the most popular girls were always cheerleaders. They won queen of all the dances, they won all the superlatives, and had the best table in the cafeteria. The girls who played sports were the second tier. Ridley could never understand this because the jocks could kick the prisses butts any day. But that was the mentality of school-aged girls.

During softball conditioning, Savannah was running sprints. To dab the sweat from her forehead, she lifted her shirt and used it as a towel. Just as she lifted her shirt, Nellie was walking with her fellow cheerleaders and took a picture, capturing Savannah’s stomach and the bottom of her sports bra. Not something that most adults would care about, but to immature boys, it was a big deal.

The picture went viral on social media within minutes, which left Savannah devastated.

Ridley and Caroline went to the principal of the school and insisted that he take action for the embarrassment of their daughter. The girl was suspended from school for two days and was forced to take the post down, but that only made matters worse.

When Nellie returned to school, she instituted a boycott of Savannah. No one was to talk or interact with her until Nellie said it was over. Even most of the softball players refused to talk to Savannah, fearful of the wrath of Nellie. Sam was one of Savannah’s only friends to stick by her.

Hearing about the boycott, Elisabeth had enough. As Nellie walked out of the school, Elisabeth punched her in the stomach and threw her against the wall. Elisabeth demanded that she stop the boycott immediately or face hell.

Nellie quickly complied and never looked at Savannah again.

Despite being suspended from school for three days, Ridley was proud that the sisters had a close bond that allowed them to protect each other.

As everyone took a sloppy bite of the garlic bread, Ridley said, What was the name of that girl that used to come to our house? The awkward one who fell all the time?

Nora! Elisabeth blurted.

Remember when she fell walking down the hallway to your room! Savannah said, laughing. She was laughing so hard it was hard to understand her. There was nothing in her way! She tripped, hit the floor face first, and cracked her lip. When she got up, she had the nacho cheese sauce all over her white shirt! The color of red blood and yellow cheese mixed was something the world never saw before!

Maybe a hardware store should use it for their new paint color! Elisabeth said.

Haha! They can call it Bloody Nacho! Savannah added.

I was so embarrassed when her parents came to pick her up, Caroline said. Her shirt was bloody, stained with nacho cheese, and she had a cracked lip.

I don’t think she has been at our house since, Elisabeth said.

Did you two lose touch? Ridley asked.

No, we still hang out at school, but I don’t think her parents will allow her back over.

She gave a good performance today, but as she was walking off the stage, thankfully it was out of sight of most, she tripped and landed on the floor, Ridley said. I couldn’t believe it! It was everything I could do to keep from laughing out loud.

It was a good thing my music consumed me then because I don’t think I could have held it in, Savannah said.

The rest of the dinner held a great conversation. The family laughed and shared stories of the amusing times they had together.

Families were different that way. They could fight like crazy, but the good ones stood up for each other when it counted. And at the end of the day, they laughed together.

Ridley knew his family had a great bond. They fought, but they laughed and enjoyed each other’s company more.

Chapter 3

The day started just like any other. The kids were fighting over the shower and bathroom sink.

Caroline was arguing with the kids about getting ready while at the same time yelling at Ridley for not helping.

What do you want me to do? Ridley asked.

Something! Just do something, Caroline said.

Come on, girls, hurry up! You have five minutes…

Three, Caroline corrected.

Three minutes to get down here. Ridley turned to his wife and said, Happy now?

Throw some toaster tarts in the toaster really quick.

Four minutes later, the house was quiet.

Ridley drew a breath of relief as he watched his girls hop in the minivan. As they pulled out of the driveway, he went to the bathroom to take a shower.

He got dressed in his slacks, long-sleeve button-down shirt and a tie.

He left for his office to pick up his files before heading to the field. He had four stops that day. He knew that two of them would buy, the other two would not, but that was part of the medical sales business.

His first stop was at a urologist’s office in downtown St. Petersburg.

He was packing up his old brown leather suitcase when the cell phone rang. His ring tone was the theme song for SportsCenter that Savannah bought for him as a Christmas present.

He flipped over his phone and didn’t recognize the number.

Realizing that is was not the school district, he was in too much of a hurry to pick up the phone from someone he didn’t know. If it were important enough, the person would leave a message, and he would call back later.

He unloaded his belongings in the car and began driving towards his first appointment, forgetting about the voicemail.

He weaved in and out of traffic while worrying about being late. He hated being late more than almost anything.

When his phone rang again, he looked, and the call was from the same number he missed earlier.

What the hell, he thought.

Hello, this is Ridley Halep, he said over the vehicle’s speaker system.

Mr. Halep, this is the Tampa General Hospital.

Ridley’s stomach dropped. Why is the hospital calling me? Do I have an appointment today that I forgot to put on my calendar?

OK. How may I help you?

Sir, this is Dr. Tran. There has been an accident. You should make your way to the hospital immediately.

An accident? What do you mean?

Sir, your wife and daughters were involved in a car wreck this morning. They are here at Tampa General and you should get here soon.

Tampa General? I don’t understand. We live in Treasure Island- too far from Tampa General. Then he realized that Tampa General was used as a trauma center. Are they hurt?!

Ridley was overcome with fear. His body went numb.

It was like he was driving on autopilot as he drove towards the hospital. His heart was racing.

How could this happen? he thought. They only left a few hours ago to start their day.

Sir, how far away are you? Dr. Tran asked.

Ummm, I don’t know, 20 minutes?

OK. I will see you in the trauma center.

When the call disconnected, Ridley was only left to his thoughts.

What could have happened? They can’t be hurt too bad, right?

God, please let them be safe. I will do anything! Anything! Please, God, let my family be safe.

This can’t be them. They must have the wrong person. There is no way they are in trouble.

He tried to call Caroline’s cell phone, but he only got her voicemail.

Ridley looked down and noticed he was driving more than one hundred miles per hour as he headed towards Tampa on I-275.

He kept his speed even as other drivers honked their horns and yelled profanities at him.

As he pulled into the emergency room’s parking lot, he took up two parking spots, threw the car into park and ran towards the door.

The receptionist was an older, skinny lady that greeted him with a smile.

How may I help you, sir? she asked.

I received a call from a Dr. Tran. He said he needed to see me right away.

And what is your name?

Ridley Halep. Now please get the doctor.

The lady flipped through a directory and picked up the phone and dialed a series of numbers.

I just paged him, sir, she said to Ridley, He should call back in a few minutes.

I don’t have a few minutes. I need to talk to him now!

Sir, he really will call down in a minute or two. Paging him is the fastest way to get a hold of him. Now, if you could, please have a seat over there.

You don’t understand, Ridley said, pulling at his hair. The doctor called me with an emergency about my family. Please, let me talk to him now!

Again, he will be here soon, she tried to give him a reassuring smile, but I will need you to take a seat right over there. He will be here in a minute.

Reluctantly, Ridley stepped away from the reception desk when the old lady said to the next person in line, How may I help you?

The man was slumping over and staring at the floor with a look of pain in his eyes. I think I broke my wrist. I was climbing on a ladder and fell. I heard a bone crack.

I will need you to fill out these forms and return them to me.

Ridley could not help but think how ridiculous it was that a man with a broken wrist had to fill out handwritten forms.

Ma’am, the doctor? Ridley asked again.

He has not called back yet, but I am sure he will soon.

Please page him again.

More pages will not make him call back any sooner. Now, if you could just be patient.

Patient? My whole family was in a car accident. How can I be patient?

Please lower your voice.

I just want to talk to the doctor now!

Hearing Ridley’s voice rising, the armed security guard started to make his way over to the reception desk.

Is there a problem over here? he said to the receptionist.

I just need him to step away until I hear back from the doctor so I can help the next person.

Sir, please step over here, the security guard said, pointing to the corner of the room.

My family has been hurt, Ridley said, fully aware that his voice was too loud, I just want to see if they are safe!

Raising your voice won’t help, now if you would please…

I’m Dr. Tran, a skinny Asian man said as he walked out of the triage area of the E.R.

Thank goodness. This is Mr. um, the receptionist said. I’m sorry, I forgot your name.

I am Ridley Halep. You called me and said my family is in danger.

The doctor pursed his lips.

Yes, Mr. Halep, right this way.

Can you please just tell me what the hell is going on!

Sir, this is your last warning, this is not the place to lose your temper, the security guard said.

It will be fine, Dr. Tran said. Mr. Halep, please. He motioned to a door, and Ridley reluctantly followed him to an empty office.

A woman in her forties joined them in the room.

This is Dr. Knutt, Dr. Tran said. She is a hospital psychiatrist.

Before Dr. Knutt could say anything, Ridley said, Why the hell do I need a psychiatrist? Ridley’s eyes were beginning to tear. You better tell me what the hell is going on right now.

Have a seat, Dr. Knutt said.

Tell me now! Ridley yelled.

Dr. Knutt shut the door.

Mr. Halep, Caroline and two girls were in a terrible car accident this morning. They were brought here via helicopter shortly after.

Those two girls are my daughters!

Dr. Tran sighed and looked down at the desk of the small office. It was a bad collision with a semi-truck. Your wife’s minivan was T-boned on the driver’s side. It appears that the truck driver ran the stop sign. He was going quite fast.

Ridley now took a seat. He found that it was hard to breathe. The room was caving in on him, and his head was spinning.

He hardly heard the doctor’s next words.

Mr. Halep, your wife and youngest daughter were killed on impact. They were both sitting on the driver’s side.

Ridley began to dry heave. Both Dr. Tran and Dr. Knutt put their hands on his shoulders to help him regain control.

What about Elisabeth?

She is on life support. She has a machine breathing for her. We don’t think she is going to pull through. She has severe head wounds and is bleeding internally.

Ridley threw up.

Chapter 4

Would you like to see her? Dr. Tran asked.

Dr. Knutt handed him a tissue to wipe his mouth.

Ye….Yes.

She is in bad shape, Ridley. Dr. Knutt said. Her face is swollen and there is a breathing tube down her throat. Are you sure you want to see her like that?

Of course, I do! She needs her father. Ridley said as he ran his hands through his hair. Tears were flowing down his cheeks.

OK, let’s go see your daughter, Dr. Tran said.

Elisabeth. Her name is Elisabeth.

"I’m sorry, let’s go see