after reading kikis new fiction post i knew i needed to get back on the writing wagon.
i just haven’t been feeling inspired lately, haven’t been allowing myself to really process emotion.
so this is raw and was written in one sitting – which means there most definitely are going to be flaws.
flaws make things relatable right? i hope so.
if you haven’t read any of bailey’s story – go here.
>>>><<<<
::4 weeks prior::
the tv was on louder than she normally kept it.
anything to help drown out the silence while isaac was away.
this was the fourth business trip in three months.
she knew what she signed up for when she married him, his job took him away here and there, but lately it seemed a little much.
a bowl of half-eaten popcorn was next to her, her hand mindlessly reaching in while she soaked in another romantic comedy.
it’s cold in here she thought.
isaac’s flannel shirt hung loosely over her frame.
she pulled the throw higher over her chest and settled into the couch a little deeper.
the ringing woke her.
she must have fallen asleep in the middle of the film, with popcorn still in her hand.
she fumbled to find the phone in the sea of blankets.
…er..uh…hello?
she was answered with a click.
well that was weird she thought.
she began to pick up the popcorn pieces, turn off the tv, and glanced at the clock.
11:24pm, she was normally in bed an hour ago.
the phone rang again.
hello she whispered.
why was she whispering?
hello she said again, more firmly.
bailey? it’s rachel.
rachel had been a close friend since college, they often went out dancing together.
rachel, is everything ok? it’s late.
she heard shuffling, or muffled voices she couldn’t tell.
uh, yeah i’m fine, i mean…im ok…where are you?
at home bailey responded…do you need me? are you sure you’re ok? whats going on?
she heard rachel mutter a curse. rachel never cursed.
is isaac there?
no…why? he’s out of town.
another mumbled curse followed by a muffled i told you it was him.
rachel what is going on?!
she heard what sounded like a door close, the muffled voices were gone.
B, hannah and i drove over to brunswick to go swing dancing – you know that new place we talked about – it’s really awesome – anyways we’re here, dancing, and i swear i thought i just saw isaac, but it couldn’t be him. i don’t think its him but i can’t be sure, it really looks like him.
the flannel shirt slipped down her shoulder.
she pulled it back up while trying to figure out what exactly rachel was saying.
he’s here B, i’m almost positive it’s him…and he’s not alone.
doubt rose, then anger, then more doubt.
no, isaac is away on business, not at some dance spot.
rachel, isaac is out of town on business, he wouldn’t be there…
no…bailey…i’m pretty sure it’s him. i mean i don’t want to be the one to start anything but i’m almost positive its him.
heat rose up her throat.
take a picture rach, i need to know. or just facetime me and i can see for myself.
rachel sighed – are you sure?
yes. she muttered.
ok hold on.
the notification came up on her phone and she accepted it.
loud music pumped through the phones speaker, people were dancing, lots of people hovered the bar.
her eyes kept scanning trying to locate them.
she saw rachels finger enter the screen and point to a location.
she squinted but couldn’t make anything out.
that couldn’t be isaac.
who could tell?
rachel ended the facetime and called again.
did you see him?
uh – no – it’s all fuzzy. i don’t think it’s him rach, maybe you’e had a little too much to drink.
no, B, i’m almost positive it’s him – i have an idea, does isaac know hannah?
she was thoroughly confused, no…why?
i’ll call you right back.
click.
she stared at her phone.
her mind was going 1,000 miles a minute.
isaac couldn’t be in brunswick, he was in decatur for business.
she fumbled through her phone and started a text.
the house is quiet without you here, i can’t wait for you to get home
she typed out to him.
she waited.
after what seemed like an hour those three little dots appeared…
i miss you too Bay, a boring business trip has nothing on on you babe.
she breathed a sigh of relief.
isaac was in decatur, on business, and he missed her.
rachel was probably tipsy and seeing things.
everything was fine.
she carried the bowl into the kitchen and folded up the blankets.
while washing her face she heard her text alert go off.
B- watch the video.
she opened the box and watched as hannah took the phone from rachel.
all she saw were hannah’s shoes, cute shoes at that, until she stopped at a table.
she couldn’t make out what was being said over the music.
the camera awkwardly moved up.
her stomach rolled.
isaac was in the frame, smiling and shaking hands with hannah.
the camera moved awkwardly again.
it landed on a woman across the table then went back to hannah’s feet.
maybe their wrong she thought.
but she knew they weren’t.
i saw it she texted back.
there’s something else… rachel responded.
i don’t want to hear it she texted back.
she wasn’t sure how much more she could take.
they’ve been holding hands, and kissing B, KISSING, they are looking like they are about to leave…i’m so sorry, but i thought you should know, i’m so sorry! do you want me to come over?
she sat there.
stared at the phone.
watched the video again.
and felt the vomit creep up her throat.
no, not tonight. thank you for telling me – please don’t mention it to anyone yet, i need…i need to think she hit send and ran for the bathroom.
wiping her mouth she sank onto the floor.
it couldn’t be isaac.
but it was.
and he was with her.
what did this mean?
>>>><<<<
happy writing friends.
Wow. This one actually left me a little speechless! So good but it makes me anxious haha I always love seeing these pop up in my feed!
Uhh, my heart hurts for Bailey.
dang, this is so good!
Oh my goodness, you got my heart beating. Seriously, you know how to get a reader to evoke empathy and raw and true emotions with your writing (both fiction and non-fiction!).
AMAZING.
I cannot wait to read what happens next!
p.s. I could totally see this as a movie. The whole time I was reading I was envisioning actors and actresses, lighting, and music that would so fit this story. It's THAT good. 🙂
Amy you've done it again! Let's just say, you twist a GOOD tale. 🙂
Loving these Bailey pieces….Even when I'm feeling sick right along with her!
Bailey is definitely my favorite series of yours. The awesome thing about putting yourself into her place as you read is, even though what is happening to her is heartbreaking, you can really feel and go through the emotions with her. I love that.
That opening scene was all too real for me. That's pretty much how I'm feeling and what I'm doing whenever my husband is gone.
My stomach is in knots for Bailey. I feel like she's one of my friends and I want to comfort her.
Ugh! I am so drawn into Bailey's life. Like, I just pictured all of this in my head perfectly. Poor B. (Btw, I LOVE that her friends call her that.)
You. Are. So. Good.