Greetings everyone! 

It’s been a while and I have to say I’ve missed my creative work!  Today I’m jotting down my idea for moving forward with a character I created in the last post. 

Much love to all, 

Nancy 

She couldn’t be more shocked.  

Nina McIvor brushed one long dark strand of hair out of her eyes and looked at the clock.  It was almost 2:30.  Where was she?  

The call that came two days ago had come as a total surprise.  Shock was more like it.  But given the situation, she glanced down at the ridiculously large yet fabulously beautiful diamond ring on her left finger, Nina knew that if she brushed the woman off, she’d always wonder.  Always.

Just as she was about to give the woman she’d only spoken to once on the phone a call, the doorbell rang.  

“Jaycee, I presume?”  Nina smiled and relaxed a bit when she saw that a totally nice, not-out-of-her-mind-looking woman stood in front of her.  

“Yes.  And you’re Nina.  Nice to meet you.”  Jaycee extended her hand.  

“Come in.  I’ve made coffee, or there’s iced tea.”  Nina glanced sideways at Jaycee.  “I have a nice bottle of Pinot Noir if you’d like.”  

Jaycee sat down on the sofa, facing the big glass doors, and quickly took in the rather pricey condo.  Having high-end digs herself, courtesy of an unexpected inheritance, she knew that the price tag for living in a place such as this was high.  Beachfront property always was.  “I’d love a glass of wine, thanks.”  She knew what she had to say.  And the wine would help her get through it.  

A conversation that changed everything. 

“I’m not insane.  And I have no interest in Arlan Truss.  I have no reason other than telling the truth.”

Nina sipped her second glass of wine after re-filling her guest’s glass.  “Claire is a good friend?  I guess  she must be.”  

“Like sisters.  We have a great relationship.”  Jaycee paused.  “When I saw the newspaper piece about your engagement to Arlan Truss, I hesitated to come forward.  I mentioned it to Claire, and she told me to stay out of it.  But, given her history with Arlan, I knew she just didn’t want to open up old wounds.”  

Nina wiped away a tear.  “This is just so crazy!“

Jaycee leaned forward to move closer to Nina, who sat in a chair across from her.  “I waited two weeks before coming forward.  And I haven’t slept in all that time.  It’s been nerve-racking.  And I feel like the villain here.”  

“If what you’re saying is true.”  Nina stopped to swallow hard.  “If what you’re saying is true.  You have nothing to be sorry for. It’s all on Arlan.  And you’re sure about the phone hacking and using her?  He spied on your friend like that?”  

Jaycee nodded.  “Yes.  It’s all true.  I can’t offer you proof, but, there’s no way I would be here if I didn’t have a serious reason.  I just don’t want to see another woman get hurt by that asshole.”  She heard the chime of her phone ringing, and saw Claire’s name pop up.  “It’s Claire.  I did not tell her I was coming here.  But I can ask if she wants to talk to you.  Okay?”

Nina nodded.  “Yes.  I’d like to hear it from her.”  

Jaycee answered Claire’s call and quickly brought her up to speed on what was going on.  Claire was not totally surprised, knowing Jaycee, and said she’d be happy to talk to Nina.  

“Claire?”  Nina tried to keep her voice from trembling.  

“Yes, Jaycee just now told me where she had gone.  I had no idea.  I know this must be really hard for you.”  

Nina braved on.  “Just tell me right away.  Did Arlan Truss hack into your devices and spy on you?  And it was done without your knowledge?”  

‘Yes and yes.  Arlan played the role of a Peeping Tom for a long time, years, and frankly he’s done it to other women as well.  I’m not the only one.  He’s admitted it to me.”  

“My God!  I can’t believe he’s that bad!” Nina unconsciously started toying with the diamond ring on her finger.  

“Nina, I hate to tell you, but he’s done far worse.  There’s a long list of women he’s hurt and abused.”   Claire took a deep breath before going on,  “He did it to me.  And he will do it to you too.  It’s what Arlan does.”  

At that point, the reality of the situation hit home, and Nina dropped the phone, covering her face with her hands.  Something about Jaycee and Claire sounded so truthful and real that she couldn’t deny it.  She had been a fool.  When she met Arlan she was lonely and clueless.  Barely knew the man. And right now Nina was ashamed of the fact that she actually believed that he was in love with her.  Oh God! 

Jaycee reached down and picked up her phone, said good-bye to Claire, and stood up.  “I wish there was more I could do for you.  But, I can offer you one thing.”  Nina uncovered her face, revealing red, swollen eyes and shook her head in question.  “I can offer you friendship.  We don’t know each other, but I am sure I can speak for Claire when I say we’d love to include you in our little circle.”  

Nina smiled, somehow, through the misery.  “That’s kind of you.  I don’t know what to say.”  

Jaycee smiled back.  “You don’t have to say anything.  Claire and I will be here tomorrow morning.  We will arrive with coffee and breakfast in hand.  Then?  We can go out somewhere if you like.”  

Nina nodded.  “Yes, that would be great.  I don’t have many friends.  I’d like to find some.”  She stood up to see Jaycee to the door.  “Come as early as you want tomorrow.  God knows I’ll be up.  And I look forward to meeting Claire.”  The two hugged good-bye and didn’t say anything more.  

Alone again, Nina knew what she had to do.  Immediately.  And get it the hell over with.  Before she could change her mind, she slid the bold diamond ring off her finger and then reached for her cell phone.