Point of Departure

By Catherine Bannon

Neither Zachary nor Susanna had ever loved anyone else from the time they were babies. They were each the other's first date and first kiss and first sexual experience. They'd never even considered the possibility that they might not marry. Until Susanna got the email from Zachary br

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tea and Crumpets Books
• Release date: Apr 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9780997667554

Catherine Bannon

CATHERINE BANNON WAS BORN IN CANADA and lived there until her family moved to the United States while she was in middle school. Despite living in the US for most of her life, she still finds the mix of cultures confusing, which is why her characters fly back and forth across the ocean so much. Catherine likes to travel but doesn't have to time to do as much of it as she wants. She also is fond of classical music, which drives her classic-rock husband crazy. Catherine likes to cook, and her idea of hell is being stuck somewhere with nothing to read. She likes cats, but doesn't have any at the moment because her husband is allergic to them. Occasionally she borrows a friend's cat or dog just to get her "furry friend fix". Catherine is a Christian and sings in her church choir. The church that where Joyce and Kenneth were married is the same one she went to for many years before she got married herself and moved out of town. Catherine works in the Employee Benefits office of a university in Cambridge, MA. She is married to Brad Bannon, a political analyst and adjunct political science professor. They live in Marshfield, MA, which is just south of Scituate.

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Dedication

In 2014 I formed an online women’s support group because everyone needs a sisterhood now and again. This also served to bring all  the friends from the different parts of my life together in one spot.

Some decided not to participate but most have stayed with me all this time. This remarkable group of women have been my rock and my support all through the development of Point of Departure. They’ve assisted me with character names, job descriptions, creative ways to harass someone, and whatever other goofy questions I’ve asked them in the course of the writing.

So this book is dedicated to Aimee, Andrea, Anna, Bertie, Carol, Cheryl, Cindi, Connie, Connie (there are two Connie’s, what can I say), Elle, Emily, Gina, Heather, Isabella, Jan, Jane, Janelynn, Judy, Kim, Laura, Marie, Marilyn, Patti, Sarah, Sonia, Stephanie, Teresa, and Wendi. The roll call would not be complete without mention of  Catherine, Dannielle, and Patti (there were two Patti’s, too).

Ladies, I salute you.

Acknowledgments

It takes a village to write a book as well as to raise a child.

The women on the dedication page have been identified only by first names for reasons I will not specify, but they will understand. Another online group stated that they didn’t need acknowledgement but since they were such an enormous help, I’m going to at least thank them by their first names. Charles, Gig, James, Michael, Ron, Tom and Tony all helped me find any holes in the back story line so I could plug them and I quite literally couldn’t have done it without them.

I have a specific medication in mind as the one which was stolen and used to such devastating effect. I am not mentioning it by name for what I hope are obvious reasons. The pharmacy staff at our local CVS, all of whom also asked not to be identified by name, confirmed the symptoms that would occur, the rough timeline in which it would happen, and how it would manifest, particularly in someone who was particularly sensitive to it.

Maggie Brazeau, Carl  Davis, Laura DiJorio, Cynthia Gardiner, Gini Longarzo, Nancy Loftis, Susan Milano, Brenda and Megan Moore-Mattson, and Fred and Loretta Wish provided resource information and/or were beta readers. Every single one of them provided constructive information in one way or another.

Nancy Jones read every single draft, and Marilyn Van Note walked me through the story line multiple times. Both made valuable suggestions that improved the book immensely. Jack Feller pointed out what proved to be a regional difference that needed explanation, and helped me work out a complicated choice of which of two different lines to take.

I have the most amazing friends. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you.

Point of Departure

It had been a beautiful wedding. Rachel and Dylan were on their way to the airport and while the reception was still ongoing, I wasn’t much of a party girl and would rather go back to my room and relax. This was my first time back on the east coast for over two years and tomorrow, I was going to go north to visit my family; I wanted to save some energy for that; both the travel itself and the excitement of seeing them all for the first time in over two years. Besides, while I wouldn’t have missed being one of my college roommate’s bridesmaids, weddings in general were not a happy concept for me, knowing that I would never have one of my own. I had planned my own wedding a thousand different ways, many thousands of times but now none of those dreams would ever come to pass. I would never, ever in a million years, find someone else I could love the way I loved Zachary Clarke, but Zachary had cut me out of his life, for reasons I still didn’t understand. And I wouldn’t settle for less than I had had with Zach for those unspeakably happy years when we had lived together. Therefore it was permanent singlehood for me.

In the intervening time, Zach and his college roommate had started a travel blog full of hotel and restaurant reviews, suggestions for activities, and photos. It had gone viral and taken off, making them a fortune. Zach and Alex were now household names, so I was able to see his picture occasionally and keep up with his life. Unfortunately they never published ahead of time where they would be, so I couldn’t track him down. He seemed as if he were having a wonderful time without me; so I took comfort in the idea that at least he was happy.

I crossed the lobby, deciding that I needed a cup of tea before I settled in for the night. I could use some form of relaxant, and I didn’t want any more alcohol. I’d had three glasses of wine at the wedding and that was a lot for me. There was a Keurig machine over in the corner with at least a half dozen types of tea and coffee available to the guests. I considered my options, chose a blackcurrant flavor, made my tea and sat down at one of the small tables in the lounge, watching the other guests. The room wasn’t crowded but it wasn’t empty either. I saw a woman in a dress that I instantly coveted; all different shades of blue blending together. There was a man at the front desk who looked familiar. Granted, all I could see was his back, but the way he held himself; the length, style and color of his hair, his posture, all reminded me of Zach’s best friend and business partner, Alex Markham. I felt a stab of pain; Alex had been a good friend, and I lost him at the same time I lost Zach. Then he turned around, and I gasped. It was Alex. Alex Markham, the other half of A to Z Travel. Right in front of me.

If Alex was in Richmond, maybe Zach was too. I couldn’t let this chance go by. I called his name across the lobby, not caring who else might be disturbed. He turned and saw me.

Susanna Sheffield! he said, coming over but his voice less than cordial. What are you doing in Richmond?

My college roommate’s wedding, I said, indicating my jade green bridesmaids’ dress. I’m heading up to Boston tomorrow to visit with my family.

Where are you living now?

Seattle. I’m working at a children’s hospital there.

That’s nice. Well, it was good to see you, Susanna.

Alex always used to call me Sue. Though I was usually called by my full name by most people, the lack of the friendly nickname he had always used was telling.

Alex, please sit down for just a minute, I pleaded. I haven’t seen you in so long.

A server came over. Is there a problem here?

No, not at all. He’s an old friend that I haven’t seen in years. Alex, please, just give me ten minutes. Five. I want to hear about…everyone.

The server looked dubious but left. Alex remained standing.

You know that no matter what you do now, you’re going to have to tell him you saw me, I pointed out.

Alex sat down. You’re right. And he’ll have questions. Fine. What is it that you want, Susanna?

I want to know what I did wrong, I said bluntly. I want to know why you, and Zach, and Julia, and Aunt Grace, all of a sudden wiped me off your books as if I didn’t exist. If Zach doesn’t love me anymore, so be it; all I want is his happiness. But I need some kind of closure, and no one will talk to me to tell me why.

Alex stared at me. You know what you did. You hurt him badly, and he’s still not over you, if that’s what you want to hear.

But I don’t! I exclaimed in frustration. Alex, one day we were talking on the phone like everything was normal, and then suddenly he was gone.

You mean you were gone, Alex corrected me. You just left him with no warning.

"I left him? I couldn’t believe my ears. Alex, he walked out on me. I’ve been waiting all this time for him to come to his senses and come back to me."

When Zach got back home after the funeral, Alex said with feeling,  there was a letter on the table that you were leaving. You didn’t leave a forwarding address or any word where you could be found, and never returned any of his calls or emails.

I pulled my phone out of my bag and opened my email. I had put the one I was looking for behind a password to lessen the temptation to dwell on it, but I’d been unable to make myself delete it. As you know, because I talked about it in your presence, I did everything but get down on my knees and beg time off from work for the funeral and was denied. You also know, because you were invited to offer opinions, that I was in the process of choosing from among several new job offers, in part because of management that wouldn’t allow me time off for the funeral of a man I loved like my own father. I found the email I wanted. In one of the last, if not the last, phone calls I ever got from Zach, he told me he’d have to stay in Phoenix longer to settle his father’s affairs because his mother wasn’t up to it, and he told me to make my job choice and let him know which one. He’d talk to me about it if I wanted his help from a distance. I handed the phone to Alex. Then I got this email.

As he read it I continued, Even after receiving that, I still didn’t really believe it was over. So I made my job choice and moved out, but I left Zach a letter, on the kitchen table of our apartment, weighted down so he couldn’t miss it, telling him my new job, my new address and telling him that I loved him, he could take his time grieving and healing but that I would always be waiting for him when he returned. WHEN he returned. My voice broke. I’m still waiting.

Alex’s face had turned white. Sue…Zach never sent you this. I’d stake my life on it And the letter he got did not have any means of contacting you; it just said you were leaving and it was best if he didn’t try to find you.

My letter was handwritten. Was the letter you’re talking about? I assume you saw it.

Alex considered. Yes, Zach showed it to me and no, it wasn’t handwritten. It had been word-processed and printed out.

I handwrote every word in my own handwriting. And I never heard another word from him, I repeated. I called him over and over. I emailed over and over, both his personal address and through the blog. He never returned any of them. I called Julia. Julia, Zach’s twin sister, had been my best friend since we were all three years old. Julia wouldn’t answer or return my calls or emails either. I tried to call you but your phone and email came back as closed and when I called you at work, they said you’d quit and didn’t leave a forwarding address. I didn’t want to upset Zach’s mother since she was newly and unexpectedly widowed and in bad health but I did eventually. Her phone had been disconnected and my letter came back not at this address. Bridget and Noah had no idea where anyone was, or at least they claimed they didn’t, but they had twin newborns to care for and didn’t have much time for anything else. My parents were as bewildered as I was and Uncle Will and Aunt Molly had just left for Africa.

Mrs. Clarke gave up her landline when she moved to the assisted living center, which was just after Mr. Clarke died, Alex explained. With everything that was going on I seem to remember Zach mentioning that they almost forgot to do a mail forward and were late in doing so. My phone was hacked about a week after the funeral and I had to get a new number and a new email account. Sue, you know Zach. He’s always leaving his phone around and he never puts a password on it. I was Sue again, I noticed. That was a good sign.

I tried every way I know how to contact Zach, or failing him, Julia or you or Aunt Grace, I repeated. ‘Aunt Grace’ was what I had always called Zach’s mother. I don’t know what I could have done that I didn’t do.

I’m so sorry, Sue, Alex said. That email answers a lot of questions but it raises a whole lot more. I’m absolutely certain that Zach never sent you that email, but I can certainly understand why you thought he’d left you. But Sue, I was with him when he got back to your place. He knew that with you or without you, he’d be moving out and I came to help—He flew in from Phoenix, I flew in from Philadelphia, we met at the airport and came out together. I saw the letter he got saying you were leaving him; I can tell you that for certain. Someone did a really good job of pranking you.

I couldn’t believe my ears. Alex, I still love him, and I miss him terribly. Does he still love me?

Alex nodded. He’s been miserable without you, Sue. Listen, are you staying at this hotel?

I nodded. The wedding was earlier today and the wedding party is staying here.

Then I’m going to put you both out of your misery. Let me call him right now.

He didn’t even wait for me to nod but pulled out his phone and dialed a pre-programmed number. Hi, buddy, whatever you’re doing, stop it and give me your full attention. No, it can’t wait for the commercial, I don’t care if the Celtics are winning. Zach, I wouldn’t care if it was the bottom of the ninth in the last game of a tied World Series; you need to hear this now. Okay, have I got your full attention? Good. Zach, I have information about Susanna. I know where she is.

I couldn’t make out the words, but I could hear Zach’s voice expressing a great deal of emotion. What kind of emotion, I couldn’t tell.

Zach, listen. I’m going to tell you but you have to let me get a few words in. You two, you and Sue, have been the victims of a prank. Someone sent her an email that was supposedly from you, telling her that you didn’t have time in your life for her anymore and she should have a nice life. In turn, someone appears to have stolen the letter she left for you, telling you where she was, and substituted the one you received. No, Zach, I don’t have any idea who they were or how they accomplished it or how they managed to block your calls to each other, but I’ve seen the relevant email with my own eyes. Because she’s sitting right beside me.

The sounds from the other end of Alex’s phone became even more frantic. With a swift but affectionate smile, Alex handed me the phone. Zach wants to talk to you.

I took it. Zach, it’s Susanna. I’ve missed you so much!

Susy! His voice brought tears to my eyes. Susy, is it really you?

It’s me, Zach. Oh, Zach…

Susy, my love, where are you right now?

I’m with Alex, at the hotel…

The hotel where Alex is staying? Zach clarified.

Yes, I was here for Rachel’s wedding and I saw Alex in the lobby… I could barely speak.

I’m coming to you, Zach said firmly. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. Ten. What’s your room number?

Four twelve.

I’m on  my way, Susy love. You wait there for me.

I handed Alex his phone back.

You give me your number, Alex ordered gently.

I recited it to him and he put it into his phone. Then he gave me his and held out a hand to help me to my feet.

I’m on the fourth floor as well, he said. Room 427. I’m sure you want to change out of your bridesmaid’s dress before Zach gets here so let’s go on up. You can have your reunion in privacy and I’ll see you both tomorrow.

He led me to the elevator and pushed the button for the fourth floor. We reached the floor, he gave me a brotherly kiss on the cheek and went down the hall in the opposite direction from me.

In my room, I had just enough time to undress, hang up my bridesmaid’s dress and throw on clean underwear and a crinkle-cotton wrap dress that was old but comfortable and which Zach had always liked. It was white ground with a floral print in shades of blue, lavender and violet, and it displayed my figure to its best advantage. I brushed my hair, freshened my perfume, decided that bare feet were acceptable under the circumstances, and opened the door to the room as I heard the elevator stop down the hall.

Zach came down the hall to my open door; my heart was going triple time and I was finding it hard to breathe. Only moments later breathing was entirely unnecessary as I was wrapped in Zachary’s arms and my mouth wholly occupied by his kiss. I gave myself up to his kisses and returned them ardently. Being in Zach’s arms again was worth the entire world.

Zach pulled me a step into the room and kicked the door shut, without letting go of me in the slightest. Both of us were trembling. I couldn’t stop myself from pressing close to what was going on downstairs; there was a lot going on downstairs. I was completely lost in absorbing him with all my senses. Color was back into a black and white world. Music filled my personal silence. The world had righted itself on its axis, removing the slightly askew feeling I’d had for the last two years. Zachary was back with me, and that was worth everything. Zach was the other half of myself and I loved him with every molecule of me.

Finally, painfully, he pulled back slightly. That’s all I needed to know, he breathed, running a thumb down my cheek in a gentle caress. You still love me.

Of course I still love you, I said in what was almost a whisper. You’re my Zach. I’ve loved you since before I can remember. How could you doubt that?

Alex says you got an email supposedly from me, breaking up with you, Zach said, letting go of me slightly but still keeping an arm tight around me as he walked me into the room. He sat us both down on a loveseat under the window. I never sent you an email like that, Susy. You should know that. How could you possibly believe I did?

The evidence was right in front of me. And you should know that I wouldn’t leave you without some word of where I could be found, I countered. I left a letter telling you I was taking the Seattle job and that I’d be living at least initially with my mom’s cousin Lydia and her husband Fred. You remember Lydia and Fred; they visited us a few times and have two daughters a few years younger than us.

Zach nodded recognition.

The letter was on the kitchen table weighted down by the salt and pepper shakers on either side, and the butter dish at the top, I said. I even put the mail on the coffee table so the letter would be immediately obvious.

When I got home, Zach said, the letter I got was just where you say, but it was a laser-printed letter that said you had made your job choice, you were moving on to your new job, and you’d rather I didn’t try to follow you.

I stared. "That is not what I said," I said firmly.

Zach shook his head. I believe you, Susy, of course. Particularly since I know I never sent you an email breaking up with you. If they sent an email to you from my account, they could steal your letter and substitute another. Someone else must have done it, pranking both of us. But who in hell could have gotten into the apartment other than Martin or Angela? Martin and Angela had been our friendly landlords.

Or send me an email from your address? I added. I still have it, Zach, I couldn’t quite bring myself to delete it. Let me show you—maybe you’ll see something I didn’t.

I handed it to him, open to the email in question. Without taking his arm away, he took it and read it.

I will be damned, he said. Susy, I did write some of this. I remember now that I see it. I wrote the first part, where I told you I was going to have to stay in Phoenix for several weeks because my mother wasn’t able to deal with things and Julia only had a week off work. I remember now this part about taking my final exams online. I wrote you that I knew you would have to make your job decision before I got back and that you might well have to move out before I got home. But I did not tell you that you’d have to figure it out yourself—I said that I would always be there to talk to you by phone or Skype if you needed me.

I nodded. You had told me part of that in the last phone call we had.

And I most certainly did not tell you that I didn’t have room for you in my life. Susy, you are my life. You always have been. I’ve loved you since I was three years old and I’ve never stopped.  The last two years have been torture, Susy.

For me too, I said. But Zach, someone sent that email. Someone took my letter. How did they manage to stop you from returning my calls and email?

Zach turned to look me straight in the eye. Susy, my love, I never received a single email or phone message from you.  Not a single one. Which only backed up the appearance that you had left me. Did you change your number?

I shook my head. I have the same number and email I’ve had since I graduated college.

Zach pulled his own phone out, reciting my number off to me by memory as he did so. I nodded.

That’s it.

He looked at the phone. Susy, look at this. The five has been changed to a six and the one has been changed to a seven. Then your number was entered into my blocked list.

I gasped. The same with the email?

Yes. Your middle initial was changed from a R to an A, and then your actual email was blocked.

"So if I called or emailed you,