Spring City
I’m jolted awake by the sound of my phone ringing, the morning sun already spilling through the bedroom window. Groggy and disoriented, I fumble for it on the nightstand. Geneva’s name flashes on the screen, and I immediately feel a sense of foreboding.
‘Geneva?’ I answer, still half asleep.
‘Elena, are you still in bed?’ she asks sharply.
‘What’s going on?’ I mumble, trying to wake up fully.
‘Listen, I’ve got news,’ Geneva says urgently.
‘What is it?’ I ask, now sitting up straight.
‘I just got off the phone with that anonymous woman,’ she tells me.
My heart skips a beat. ‘She called again?’
‘Yes, Elena, that’s what I just said,’ Geneva sounds impatient. ‘Duke backed out. He’s not going through with it.’
‘He’s not?’ I can’t hide my shock.
‘That’s right. He called the whole thing off. He’s out,’ she says, almost sounding pleased.
‘What happened?’ I ask, curious now.
She speculates, ‘He must’ve gotten suspicious. I think Aisling’s giving him a hard time at home.’
I nod. ‘Aisling’s been acting strange, keeping things from us. It’s been worrying me.’
‘Did she confront him or something?’ I ask.
But what could she have possibly said or done to influence this decision?
Geneva sighs. ‘She hasn’t said anything. But he must’ve sensed something to suddenly cancel.’
‘You’re right. Something must have happened,’ I agree, trying to piece it all together.
‘This might be good news, Elena,’ Geneva adds.
‘But I’m not so sure,’ she hesitates. ‘It’s not over yet. He’s still involved with that girl.’
My heart sinks. ‘Yeah, I guess you’re right.’
‘She’s his mistress. Until he ends things with her, it’s not really over,’ she says gravely.
‘And they’ve been together for a while,’ I add, remembering Aisling’s revelations from the night before.
‘Did you find out anything new?’ she asks.
I take a deep breath. ‘I talked to Aisling last night. She said Duke’s been involved with this girl for quite a while.’
‘Aisling told you that?’ Geneva sounds surprised.
‘Yes,’ I confirm.
‘But how did she find out?’
‘She met with Heather yesterday,’ I explain, recalling the details Aisling shared.
Geneva processes this. ‘I remember calling her, and she was at Heather’s.’
‘So Heather told her everything,’ I say, feeling a sense of relief that we’re finally getting somewhere.
‘Really?’.
‘Yes, Geneva, a lot,’ I confirm.
‘How did Heather get involved?’ she asks.
‘Heather’s friend works with Simone’s cousin in Knoxville. She’s been secretly passing information. Simone’s cousin has no idea,’ I explain.
Geneva’s awe is evident in her voice. ‘Isn’t it amazing how things work out? The right people show up just when you need them.’
I nod. ‘It always amazes me.’
‘Why didn’t Heather speak up earlier?’ Geneva wonders.
‘Fear, mostly,’ I say, understanding her reluctance. ‘She was wary, given her position. But she did give us some clues, even if Aisling didn’t realize their significance.’
‘Is Aisling at the cafe today?’ she shifts the topic.
‘No, she’s staying home. She said she won’t be going to the cafe this week.’
‘That’s unusual,’ she notes.
‘Yeah, she even sent her housekeeper and assistant on a break,’ I say. ‘Something’s definitely going on.’
‘Why would she send them away?’
‘I think she’s trying to keep them out of whatever’s going on. The tension at their house must be worse than we thought,’ I say.
Geneva agrees. ‘It must be. Duke calling off the procedure has to be connected to whatever Aisling’s caught up in.’
But my fears run deeper. ‘I’m scared, Geneva.’
‘Scared of what?’
‘I’m afraid Aisling might do something drastic to Duke. She’s hurt, she’s angry, and people can do terrible things when they’re in pain,’ I admit, the fear evident. ‘I don’t want her to end up in jail.’
Geneva is skeptical. ‘I can’t imagine her going that far.’
‘But she’s acting so differently,’ I argue. ‘Usually, she’d come stay with us, avoid him for days. She’d confront him.’
Geneva acknowledges this. ‘That’s true.’
‘And she wouldn’t cook for him,’ I add.
‘But she shared a bed with him?’ Geneva’s question catches me off guard.
‘What?!’ I exclaim, my heart skipping a beat.
‘Didn’t she tell you? They slept together the night she came back from our place,’ Geneva reveals, her voice filled with disbelief.
I’m shocked. ‘That’s not like her at all. It’s alarming.’
‘I was surprised when she told me too,’ Geneva says.
‘I’m worried her anger could lead her to harm him,’ I express my deepest fear.
Geneva tries to reassure me. ‘I don’t think Aisling would go that far.’
But I’m not convinced. ‘Geneva…’
She interrupts me. ‘Elena, people grow through challenges. Aisling’s becoming stronger, more resilient. That’s what I see happening.’ Her voice is firm, trying to infuse some confidence into our conversation.
