Anna
"You really didn't have to take me to the airport Matt" I tell him.
The day has been full of reporters and photographers and putting on a show for both. I've had to get changed, three times, so that there were different 'looks' in the pictures. Mother had no faith in the clothes that I would bring so she had racks full of clothes ready for me. Of course, most didn't fit because I'm not a size two like her and my sister; but, we did find a few things that worked.
Objectively, the announcement went very well and my father is already receiving great press. Everyone agrees that he would make a great president, at least they agree for now. As always, you can be up one day and then torn down the next so we'll see what tomorrow brings.
At least the day is over and I can go back to Pittsburgh and put everything here behind me for now. Matthew, the chief of staff's son and a good friend, has been the only bright spot in the day. He's been more like a refuge, saving me when I think I may explode from the stress of being someone I'm not.
"Would you please stop saying that" Matt says. "You were great today."
"That's even sweeter" I tell him.
"We've got time. Want to stop for a coffee?"
"How about something stronger?" I ask.
He chuckles and replies "ok."
A few minutes later, Matt pulls over to the closest place, a sports bar. Once inside, we find a small table in the bar area and order drinks.
"Looks like they knew you were coming" Matt tells me and points to the TV.
I look over and Sid's face fills the screen currently cussing out the ref. I can clearly make out 'are you fucking kidding?' At least the team is winning.
"Oh boy, that's not going to go over well" I say.
"They're playing tonight but you still came here?" Matt asks.
"Do you think I really had a choice? Have you met my mother?"
Matt laughs and I quickly join him.
"Yeah, ok, I get it" he tells me. "At least it's only one day."
"For me, yes, but you need to stay here" I tell him. "I've always wanted to ask you something."
"Go ahead."
"Matt, why do you do this, work in politics and for my father? Or, I guess, technically you work for your father who works for my father."
He smiles.
"I love politics" he begins and notices the skeptical look on my face. "Honestly, I really do love politics and your father is not the typical republican. Like his education plan. No other republican would ever focus a campaign around education. It's going to give the democrats a run in the next election."
"Have you considered running?" I ask.
He shrugs which gives me the answer.
"You have thought about it" I tell him.
"I have" he admits and looks a little embarrassed or self-conscious. "It's not the time now, but later, maybe."
"I think you would be great" I tell him. "You were on city council before you joined my father's campaign and then staff, right?"
"Yeah, I worked as a lawyer for a few years and then I was on council. The job with your father was too perfect, a great opportunity, so I didn't run for a second term."
"You really do love it, don't you?"
"I do. I think I can make a difference" he confirms. "And you really hate it."
"Hate what?" I ask.
"Hate politics."
"Maybe not politics" I begin.
Matt tilts his head and looks at me pensively.
"Ok, if not politics per se, you hate living in the spotlight" he says. "Isn't that why you took a job on the other side of the camera? You're still involved in the media and the circus but you're not the ringleader."
"That's a great way to put it" I agree. "I hate being under scrutiny."
"With the press or with your mother?"
I'm surprised by his question.
"I'm sorry Anna" he says quickly. "That was way out of line."
"Maybe" I reply. "But it's not wrong."
"Even so, I should never have brought it up."
"I've learned recently that I should trust more than I do" I tell him thinking of Sid. "You've been a good friend to me and I've always appreciated it Matt."
I cover his hand with mine.
"Anna, don't beat yourself up. It's a difficult world that you live in both by circumstance and" he shrugs. "And other things. You need to give yourself a break and remember that I'm always here for you if you need it."
I never realized that Matt had become a friend, a good friend, over the past five or so years. He's always been friendly but I never really opened myself up enough to build a friendship with him. I have to credit Sid with opening me up to new relationships and see possibilities around me.
"Thank you Matt. I appreciate your friendship."
"Good" he says and squeezes my hand back.
He releases my hand and picks up his drink.
"Ok then" he begins. "To friendship."
I join in on the toast.
"How did I do when they asked me the question about Sid?" I ask him.
"I didn't completely agree with the speaking notes that they gave you" he admits. "If you're in a relationship then you're in a relationship and should be proud of it. Saying that you're good friends is just weird; but, that's what they wanted you to say and I think you handled it beautifully."
I smile and say "thanks. I agree with you but, when it comes to the 'speaking points,' I do what I'm told."
We both chuckle. Looking at my clock tells me that we need to get going.
"Ok, let's finish up so I can get out of here" I tell him.
We finish our drinks, settle our bill and then are on the way back to the airport. Once there, Matt retrieves my bag from the back seat and meets me on the sidewalk.
"Safe trip Anna" he says and hands me my back.
"Thank you Matt, for everything."
I give him a quick hug and then walk into the terminal. When I check in, I notice that I've been upgraded to business class. After double checking, the attendant says that it's correct and that I was upgraded this morning by Sid – it's his credit card that paid for it. That sweet man.
Once I'm ensconced in business class with another glass of wine, I check my phone and the game is tied now with three minutes left in the third period. Damn, I'll be in the air and won't be able to get a score until we land. I text Sid.
'Taking off now
tie game now but congrats (I know you'll win)
ty for the upgrade, I'm comfy and getting a little tipsy
see you soon xo'
Once in the air, I have another glass of wine which makes three so I'm definitely more than a little tipsy but not quite drunk. The altitude is contributing it to it too I'm sure. At some point, I must fall asleep because I wake to the attendant gently shaking my shoulder.
"We're about to land" she tells me.
Within thirty minutes, we've landed, I'm off the plane and outside. I asked Sid to wait for me outside so that he didn't have to deal with fans and, after some back and forth, he finally agreed. Of course that doesn't mean he'd wait inside the car, which he isn't.
Sid walks up to me, takes my bag and then pulls me into his arms for a deep kiss.
"I missed you" Sid whispers against my lips.
"I can tell" I say as I feel proof of his joy against my stomach. "Damn, I forgot to check the score when we landed. Did you win?"
"As you texted, of course we won."
"Of course" I repeat and kiss him again.
"Let's get home" he pulls me toward the car.
I notice that a couple of people have their phones pointed at us and I'm sure they're taking pictures or video or something but I put that out of my mind. I can't control what other people do so I'm not going to worry about it.
When Sid gets in, he starts driving and then reaches for my hand. I hold it in both of mine. It's only been a day but I've missed him so much. In one way, it's odd that I would miss him after only one day; but, in another way, it makes sense since I spend almost every day with him at work or when we have a day off.
"You're home or my home?" I ask.
"Mine is closer" he says.
"Then your place."
He grins at me and then moves his attention back to the road. I pull his hand onto my lap and hold it in both of mine. The stress of the day melts away with the feeling of his skin on my own.
"Did everything work out ok? I saw the presser on line and you looked gorgeous by the way" he tells me.
"Not that you're biased" I tease him back. "Yeah, it went fine. My mother had a million things to worry about so she wasn't able to bug me too much. Dad was happy with the way everything went and so were his advisors. The press has been positive."
"Yeah, it has" he tells me.
We drive in comfortable silence the rest of the way to his house. In his garage, Sid needs to pull his hand away from mine to park the car. Thankfully, we're quickly in the house and walk hand in hand up to his bedroom. Once there, he puts my bag down and pulls me into his arms. All of my thoughts about a shower and comfy clothes fly out of my mind. Right now I only want to be in his arms.
"Mmmm" I sigh. "I missed this."
Sid pulls away just enough so that I can look up into his eyes. They are dark and his expression unreadable.
"I need you" he whispers and pulls me into a tight embrace.
I don't quite understand his desperation but my instinct is to sooth so I follow his lead as he takes us under.
Sidney
"Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck!"
Part of me knows that I need to control my temper but that part is forced out by my frustration. I haven't had a point in four games. My game is shit. I'm actually a liability out on the ice right now with the penalties I'm taking. Johnson keeps sending me out and I keep fucking up or, worse, do nothing. At least if I'm fucking up it means that I'm doing something. Being absolutely useless is a nightmare.
I chase a puck back into our zone as the horn blows and the game ends. As I skate past our net, I slam my stick into the crossbar of the net and it breaks with pieces flying. Thankfully Flower has already skated to the bench. Half the team has left the ice and the other half part as I approach the bench to let me go by them. Everyone knows that I'm pissed and to give me wide berth when that happens.
I have to talk to the fucking media now. I could easily tell Jennifer that I don't want to talk to them, guys do it all the time, but I won't. As the captain, it's my responsibility to face the press as the team's leader and answer for our loss. It's a fucker.
I manage to get my helmet off and my hat on before the press come in the locker room. I barely notice the questions they ask. No sooner do I answer then I instantly forget it, like I want to do with the last four games. Thankfully, Jennifer pulls the plug and the press leave me alone. As I take off my gear, I see Anna across the room with Geno. He's finishing up his presser and she's managing the time just like Jennifer did for me.
I catch Anna's eye and she gives me a nod before continuing out of the room. She doesn't know what to do with me these days. I know that she's trying to help by keeping everything normal and maintaining our routine; but, it doesn't work that way. When I'm playing like shit, it feels like there is nothing that I can do to pull out of it. I always try everything, because it's better than nothing, but usually without success. Every player knows that you need to keep doing what you know how to do and the game will come back. It always does even if it doesn't feel like it at the time. The fucker is that you don't know when it will or what the repercussions will be for the team.
Anna and I drove in together so she's waiting for me when I walk out of the change room. She kisses my cheek and takes my hand then we walk out together. I do love how she knows that I don't want to talk about it right now. All the way home, she keeps a hand lightly on my arm but says nothing.
"Are you sure that you don't want me to drop you off at your place?" I ask. "I'm not much company right now."
"No" she replies quickly. "I want to be with you."
This is the hardest part of being in a relationship during the season. All I want to do is be alone but I couldn't possibly say that to Anna. She would think that it's her fault or that there is something wrong with her. Anna has come a long way to overcoming her insecurities since I met her but I know my girl well enough that she would think it's about her no matter what I say. This is the only time I've regretted my relationship with her and it's not really about her. I would feel that same way if it was someone else. Actually, no, I wouldn't feel the same way if it was someone else. I know that it doesn't matter what happens because this relationship with Anna is worth anything I have to do.
At my place, we walk into the kitchen and Anna goes to the fridge where she pulls out two bottles of water. She knows my routines after a game and does it for me.
"I know that you want to be alone" she tells me.
"Huh?"
"I know that you want to be alone and I would usually respect that" she says. "But I think you shouldn't be alone. I can sit on the sofa and read or we can simply go to sleep and not talk at all. Whatever you want we can do; but, I don't think that you should be alone to just wallow. So, I'm not leaving."
My girl is insightful and has a backbone.
"Ok" I tell her.
She looks surprised and asks "ok?"
"Yeah, ok."
"Ok then."
We stand there watching each other but not moving. Actually, I don't know what to do. I want to be alone but I also now want to be with Anna.
"What would you usually do if I wasn't here?" she asks.
"Um, probably get ready for bed and watch Sports Centre for a little while."
"Ok then" she takes my hand and pulls me with her.
We go up the stairs and into my bedroom. She moves to her side of the bed – when did I start thinking of it as her side? – and starts undressing. Confused, I can only watch her. After taking off her sweater and skirt, she picks up the remote and turns on the TV.
"What channel is Sports Centre?" she asks. I can only stare at her. "Sid, what channel?"
I tell her, she puts it on the TV and then continues undressing. In her bra and panties, she goes to my dresser drawers and takes out one of my shirts. Off come the remaining clothes and on goes my shirt. As she walks to the bathroom, she puts her hair up in a high pony tail.
"Are you going to undress?" she asks and then closes the bathroom door.
The Sports Centre theme gets my attention and I begin to undress myself. When I'm in my shorts, Anna comes out of the bathroom with a freshly washed face. With the tee shirt, high pony tail and clean face, she looks young enough to be in high school.
"All yours" she tells me and climbs into bed.
I go into the bathroom and take care of my own business then return to the bedroom. Anna is putting cream on her body as she watches TV. They begin to talk about our game tonight and Anna picks up the remote.
"No" I tell her. "It's ok. I was there. I know what happened."
She goes back to her cream and I sit beside her in bed. The reporters don't say anything that I didn't already know but it still sucks to hear it. I'm particularly pissed when they start picking apart my game, not just this one, but the last few.
Anna finishes with her cream and lays down under the covers with her iPad. Usually a girlfriend wants to talk about how I feel and asks how they can help me, which drives me crazy. Anna is doing neither. True to her word, she's simply here to be with me and is not trying to 'solve' me. I prop myself up against the headboard with pillows and pull the covers over me. Anna puts the iPad on the side table, turns off the light and then slides over next to me. She lifts my arm, lies her head against my chest and pulls my arm around her. After a few shifts, she settles in with a sigh.
I cuddle her to me and kiss the top of her head.
"I love you" I whisper.
"Me too" she tells me.
Quickly, her breathing slows and I know she's fallen asleep. It leaves me the time I need to reflect on the game and everything that's happened over the past two weeks. Every player goes these things but I'm not every player. My team is supposed to be able to depend on me every game. I should have adapted to the new system by now but it is more complex than I'm used to plays being. Sure, we don't have the stretch pass to start the rush which is different but there's now the need to set up a configuration before going up the ice. I'm half way up on a breakaway and the rest of the guys are in our end setting up. I can't seem to get any speed going in this system. I would never say this out loud but I'm doubtful of the new system Johnston has put in place. We aren't picking it up easily and, personally, I can't seem to get into an offensive rhythm with the way he wants to play. We always need to stop and do things as a unit which prevents good flow.
Oh great, Sports Centre now has an in depth look at my game. I don't need this shit so I quickly turn off the TV and lie down beside Anna. The good news is that I've learned how to will myself to sleep so I do so now.
The next morning, I wake up alone just a moment before my alarm goes off. We have practice and then fly to New York to play the Islanders tomorrow. It's only a one game road trip so Anna has her bag in my car. She's probably in the kitchen on her laptop right now. When we have these kind of practices before away games, no one who travels goes to the office first, instead everyone meets at the practice facility. I get up, shower and dress quickly then down to the kitchen. I can hear Anna talking.
"We can change that easily" she says and then is quiet.
I walk into the kitchen, Anna smiles at me and hands me my protein drink. She must have heard that I'd woken up and made it for me. It's really nice having her here in the morning. Hell it's nice having her here all the time. I keep telling her that she doesn't have to cook or make my drinks but she just smiles and goes back to her cooking. This time she goes back to the table and her laptop.
I sit opposite her as I drink and go through my phone. I've missed a few texts so far this morning but nothing important. I scroll through the news too as I half listen to Anna.
"Geno, you really need to get ready or you'll be late for practice" she says. There's few moments and then she laughs. "I don't take any responsibility for getting you anywhere on time. You're a big boy and you own a watch, a fancy one if I remember correctly, so get your arse there on time."
Only Anna speaks this way to G. They've formed a really close friendship beyond the great working relationship that they've settled into. No one has ever been able to help Geno with the media like this before. He actually seems comfortable in interviews. Anna should take more credit for his success. I know that G appreciates her.
"Ok, fine, bye" she says and disconnects. "Good morning" she says to me.
"Good morning" I reply. "Already giving G shit this morning."
"He hasn't even gotten out of bed yet" she says. "He's going to be late for practice."
"No he won't. He's always running late except for practice and games."
She shakes her head and goes back to her computer. I watch as the expression on her face changes as she reads her email. It's really interesting to watch.
"Have you packed?" she asks me without looking up from computer.
"You don't need to manage me" I tell her.
Anna looks up surprised and then smiles.
"Yeah, sorry, force of habit after talking to Geno" she tells me.
"No problem. It's not like you offered to pack for me." I glance at my watch and say "it is getting late though. I should pack."
I take my drink with me upstairs. I pack on autopilot. I only need a small bag since we're only there one night and I'll wear my suit pants and jacket there. As I'm finishing, Anna walks into the bedroom and gets her shoes.
"Left these up here" she says. "Ready to go?"
"Yeah, I have everything" I tell her.
I watch as she puts on her shoes. Just three months ago, I didn't even know Anna and now it feels like we've known each other for ever. We've slipped into each other's lives seamlessly, if you don't count her parents and a few bumps along the way.
"What?" she says catching me staring.
"I was just thinking how good we are for each other" I tell her.
Anna blushes and smiles at me.
"I'm a lucky girl" she says.
"No luckier than I am."
Anna
As we fly home, I keep replying Sid's points over and over in my head. He had two goals and two assists and it was clear that Sid elevating his game affected the whole team. Geno managed a goal and an assist too. When those two are clicking, is there any team in the NHL who can stop this team? No way.
When we land, Sid and I each go to our own homes for the night. Neither of us have clean clothes with us nor have we been apart for the night in a few weeks. Besides, in two days we have a day off and have planned to spend the entire day at my place. We may never get dressed. That thought sends a shiver throughout my body.
The next day, I head to Consol as I usually do only I catch myself humming. This must be what happiness feels like. Christmas will be hear in two weeks and I'm very excited about Sid's gift. It took me a long time to find it but I did, finally, and Sid's going to love it. As I think about the first edition, leather bound books telling the definitive story of World War II, I smile anticipating Sid's reaction.
Not long after I've booted up my computer and am sitting at my desk with a coffee, Adam rushes in and perches on my desk.
"I need dirt" he tells me.
I have to laugh because he makes it sound like it's as vital as breathing.
"What kind of dirt are you looking for?" I ask him.
"We haven't dished in a while, what's going on with you and Sid? I saw the pictures taken by fans at your last date."
"Then you know."
"I only know what these pictures tell me and they're public. I have an 'in' with this couple and I know less than a fan. Not fair Annabelle."
I regret him finding out about my given name.
"So, you know everything there is to know" I say teasingly.
"Oh come on Anna! Dish. I've seen him in shorts and a tee shirt. Is his body that good everywhere? I bet he's incredible in bed, right? Oh that smile on your face tells me I'm right."
"I'm not telling you anything" I tell him. "Except that I'm a very, very happy girl."
"Oh Anna, tell me more. I need to know more."
"Adam, I didn't like to talk about my personal life like that even before Sid. He wouldn't want me to either."
"Ok, I get it. But can't you give me anything?" he asks.
"I can tell you that he's even more wonderful than you can imagine. I saw a lot of his parents when they were in town. It's easy to see where Sid gets his innate goodness. Trina, his mom, in particular was really great towards me. I saw them every day that they were here."
"Your parents would like them, right?"
I think about it for a moment and he's partially right.
"They couldn't be more different in a lot of ways but they have some similarities. The Crosbys are devoted Catholics and my parents would like that they're Christian, even if it is Catholic. Do you know that Sid goes to church on Sundays when he's able to do so?" Adam shakes his head. "I didn't either until a few weeks ago and he asked if I wanted to go with him."
"A good Catholic boy, huh?"
"Not that 'good'. I mean, he's very ok with premarital sex" I joke.
"Thank God" Adam says.
"Yes, thank God. The Crosbys are also a very tight knit, family-first kind of people which is definitely like my parents. That's where the similarities end though. Everything else is really, quite different."
"Oh well, Sid survived your parents and you survived his so the family thing can be put behind you."
"The family thing?" I ask.
"Yeah, the family thing. If you're going to marry someone then it is so much easier if the family likes you."
"Who said anything about marriage?"
"That's where you're heading, isn't it?"
I pause because Sid and I haven't talked about it and I don't want the first time I talk about it to be with Adam.
"I don't know right now Adam. We'll figure it out. Right now we're enjoying the process, getting to know each other, having lots of fun."
"And lots of sex" he adds.
I know that I turn red, bright red, but I'm saved from having to respond when a few more interns come into the office.
"We will continue this later" Adam tells me and goes back to his desk.
We didn't have long to talk but it was so nice to talk to a friend about my relationship. I haven't had that before. There have been friends of course but no one that I've been able to be completely honest with and share everything. I guess Sid is the first person that became my friend, my true friend, and then so much more.
I immerse myself in emails until my calendar alarm goes off and it's time for the post-practice presser. Geno has decided to participate so I need to get downstairs.
A few of us head downstairs together chatting about the win last night. It's obvious that they are specifically avoiding talking about Sid's game because I'm with them. These days, any time Sid's name comes up, I can feel all eyes on me to see how I respond. I don't say anything of course but everyone stares at me until the subject changes.
When we get to the locker room, I'm surprised to see Geno is already there and he's talking in Russian to a man the same height and colouring. When they notice me, they turn at the same time and each give me a lopsided smile. That's when I instantly know who the man is.
"Denis, right?" I ask as I walk up to them and hold out my hand.
Denis takes it and, instead of shaking it, kisses it.
"Da" he says. "I'm Denis."
"It's wonderful to meet you" I tell him and then look at Geno. "How come you didn't tell me that your brother is in town?"
"Surprise" Geno says and then speaks to his brother in Russian.
Denis responds to him and then drops my hand.
"Did you have any trouble entering the country?" I ask.
"No, it easy" Denis says. "Thank you for help."
He has the same lisp as Geno and it's equally adorable.
"You're welcome but I didn't do that much" I tell him.
We all turn when we hear talking and see the media coming in.
"Go away" Geno tells his brother.
Denis smiles and leaves the locker room while Geno goes to his stall. I follow Geno and the presser begins. Geno is clearly in a good mode because he's even funnier than usual and has everyone laughing.
When we're done, Geno gets out of his gear and then tells me to follow him. We find his brother in the player's lounge. As we approach, Geno and Denis fire Russian back and forth at each other. I don't understand a word of it of course but it's clear that they are teasing each other and, at one point, I hear my name. Geno shakes his head, says something back to Denis and then Denis shrugs. Ok, that's over, whatever it was.
"You work with my brother? Try to make him sound good." Denis says and laughs.
"He sounds good on his own. He doesn't need me" I reply and Geno starts laughing.
"See" he says to Denis. "I told you I good."
They start going back and forth again in Russian. I wonder if I'm still needed here.
"You come for lunch" Denis says to me suddenly.
I know how much work is waiting on my desk but both he and Geno look at me expectantly. It's too much cuteness and I find myself agreeing.
"Sounds good" I tell them. "When do you want to go?"
Geno looks at his watch and says "an hour?"
"Ok, I'll come back down in an hour" I tell them and leave to go back upstairs.
Once I'm back at my desk, I send Sid a text.
'Going to lunch with Geno and his brother'
'He asked me too' he replies.
'Great, I'll see you in an hour'
'Ok'
The hour flies by and I'm almost late to meet the guys in the lounge. Everyone is there, well, everyone except Geno of course. When I approach the group, Sid takes my hand and kisses my cheek. This is very odd. I'm at work but having lunch with my boyfriend and his friends who are also my clients. We're going to lunch, so it's my own time, but we're still in the 'office'. This is a crazy situation.
Lunch is hilarious. We go to a restaurant near Consol and take over an entire section. Denis is currently telling us stories about Geno as a boy and with the same sense of humour as his brother. It seems that Geno was as gawky as a young boy as I thought he would be. We are all laughing so much that the hour has gone by before I realize it.
I look at my watch and say "wow, I have to get back guys."
They all tell me to stay and take the afternoon off but I know that I really can't.
"Some of us have to work for a living guys" I tell them and then receive a chorus of boos.
Sid says goodbye as well and walks me back to Consol. It's nice to be alone with him and walk down the street hand in hand like normal people. Too quickly, we arrive at the arena and go in the employee entrance.
"I'm going to have to stay a little late tonight" I tell Sid. "But Jen confirmed that we have the day off tomorrow."
"Awesome" he says and kisses me quickly. "Text me when you're leaving."
"Ok" I tell him.
After one more kiss, Sid smiles and then leaves for the parking garage. I go back to my desk and daydream a little about tonight.
Sidney
"I need some sleep woman!"
Anna giggles beside me. We've been in bed all night and all morning and basically had sex the whole time with a few naps in between. Even though I'm tired, I've also never felt better.
"I wasn't the one who initiated the last, um, round" she tells me.
She's right. I woke up and saw Anna lying beside me with her hair spread out over the pillow and the sheet at her waist displaying her beautiful breasts. I couldn't help myself.
"Ok, yes, this one was on me but it was fun" I turn my head to look at Anna.
She's looking back at me, radiantly, and with a huge smile.
"Don't look at me like that" she says.
"Like what?" I ask.
"You know what I'm talking about" she says.
She's about to say something else when there's a knock on the door. Anna gets out of bed, puts on a robe and goes to the hall. I guess we won't be having our next round directly so I might as well dress. Once in my jeans and tee shirt, I go out to the living room and find Anna on the sofa scrolling through her phone.
"Is everything ok?" I ask. "Who was at the door?"
"Um, it was the doorman. Apparently my parents have been trying to reach me all morning and called the front desk as a last resort."
I can tell that she's worried.
"What do they want?" I ask.
"The messages all just say it's urgent and to call them."
She dials their number and the call is picked up quickly.
"Hi M" Anna says and is cut off. After a few moments, she says "ok, hang on, let me turn on my laptop."
Anna disconnects her phone and goes to her dining room table with her laptop.
"What's going on?" I ask.
"I don't know. My mother said that there's a story in the press and she needs to know if it's true. Then she said to get on Skype."
When her computer is on, Anna connects to Skype and waits. She gestures for me to sit beside her but out of range of the webcam.
"There you are, finally" her mother's shrill voice comes over the computer. "Where have you been? We've been trying to reach you since 6am. Don't you keep your phone with you?"
"It's my day off so I didn't have it with me" Anna says softly.
"It doesn't matter now" she says. "Last night there was a story on line that we need to refute quickly but you need to tell us it is untrue before we do."
"Ok" Anna replies looking both confused and aprehensive. "What is the story?"
"They are saying that you had an abortion Anna."
I watch all of the colour leave her face and she is as still as a statue.
"Anna? Anna, why would they be spreading these lies" her mother shrieks over the computer.
Anna whispers something but it's too quiet to hear clearly.
"Anna, speak up for God's sake" her mother yells.
"It's true" Anna whispers but louder this time.
"You what!" her mother cries out. "You're lying, you have to be lying."
Anna shakes her head. I can't move. I can barely breathe. I can't believe what's happening in front of me. Anna looks like she could pass out and her mother is yelling and screaming at her through Skype.
The yelling continues even though I can hear others trying to calm her mother down. Anna covers her mouth with her hand and runs away from the dining room. I hear the door to the guest bathroom slam closed.
"Anna, get back here!" Mrs. Stanton yells.
I decide quickly and sit in front of the computer.
"She's in the bathroom Mrs. Stanton. Let me see if she's ok" I tell her and don't give her any chance to argue because I leave the dining room.
When I'm in front of the bathroom door, I can hear Anna vomiting and my heart breaks for her. Regardless of what I think about abortion, I'm sure Anna had a good reason for what she did and her mother should behave like a mother and not a bitch.
"Anna? Baby, are you ok?" Silence. "Anna?"
The toilet flushes and I hear water running; but, when the water stops, Anna doesn't come out. I give her a few moments but still I hear nothing.
"Anna, I'm coming in" I tell her.
I give her a few moments to protest but, when none comes, I open the door. Anna is sitting on the floor opposite the toilet. Her knees are pulled up and her head is leaning against them. I can't see her face. Slowly, I sit down beside her.
"I'm so sorry" she whispers. "I should have told you."
"Anna, it's ok. We don't know everything about each other. You would have told me when you were ready" I try to reassure her. I can hear her mother screaming from the computer in the dining room. "Do you know how this got out?"
"I have no idea. I used a fake name and paid cash so it couldn't be traced to my family."
"No one knew?"
"No one."
This can be figured out later. Right now I'm scared for Anna. When she looks up at me her eyes are huge and her face deathly pale. Her eyes are wet with unshed tears and there is pure terror in them.
"Ok" I begin. We need to focus on the problem. "Let's go back and hear what you're mother has to say, of rather yell, at you."
I don't get the chuckle I'd hoped for but she does nod so I stand and pull her with me. If she wasn't moving I would wonder if she was even aware of what's happening around her.
I quickly think of how to manage this conversation with her mother. I know that they are pro-life but surely something Anna did as a scared kid can't be held against her? Who knows how young she was but being pregnant, young, and part of this Christian Conservative political family would cause her to deal with it alone and in a very definitive way. Surely her Mrs. Stanton can be a 'mother' just this once.
We sit in front of the laptop and I tilt it so that we're both in the frame this time. Anna will not go through this alone this time.
"Finally" her mother says. "Anna, just when I thought you'd brought this family enough disgrace, you find a way to make it even worse!"
"This is hardly productive Mrs. Stanton" I begin but she cuts me off.
"This is not your business Sidney. In fact, this has been made worse because of Anna's little job there."
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"Who is Meagan?" she asks.
Holy fuck! Is that who leaked this and how would she know?
"You know who she is Mrs. Stanton."
"Don't get sassy with me Mr. Crosby" she says in a very haughty tone. "After the news of this, incident, was made public, this girl, Meagan, was interviewed. She has said some very unsavoury things about my daughter and your relationship. What might have been contained is now a nightmare."
I look at Anna and she's clutching her hands tightly in her lap and looking down at them. It isn't clear if she's even listening right now.
"Anna!" she doesn't move when her mother says her name. "Anna!" she yells louder and Anna looks up at her mother. "You will be booked on the next flight and we will figure out how to clean up your mess. You will not speak to anyone, not the press, not the Penguins, no one. Your poor father is destroyed by this young lady."
"But my job" Anna say softly.
"What job? There are paparazzi waiting for you at your offices. They haven't figured out where you live yet but it's only a matter of time. Get home so that we can clean up your mess."
With that, the image disappears and Skype disconnects.
I turn and take Anna's hands in mine. They are ice cold. I'm really beginning to worry about her but don't know what to do to help. Maybe I should call Mario. He and Nathalie helped us before.
"Anna" I begin and wait until she looks up at me. "I'm going to call Mario."
I pat her hands and then get up. I'm half way out of the room when I hear her.
"No" she says softly.
"No?"
"Don't call Mario. He can't fix anything. I have to leave."
Now I feel cold seep into every bone in my body.
"Why?" I ask.
"I have to leave" she repeats.
"Why?"
She turns and look sat me, tears are rolling down her cheeks now.
"This isn't your fight" she tells me sounding defeated. "It will just be worse if I stay. I can't work with the media if I'm creating the stories. How can you do your job with all of the questions you'll be asked about me? About us?"
I shake my head.
"They know not ask about my personal life. Besides, this has nothing to do with me" I tell her.
"How can you say that?"
"I know we're together but, other than that, what could they ask me? I wasn't involved so I can't comment. That's all I'll say."
Anna looks confused.
"That's the point" she says and looks away. "You weren't involved."
"I'm not following you" I ask, confused myself now.
"They're going to want to know why you weren't involved."
"Anna, you've really lost me now." I search her face for an answer and it isn't until I see stark panic come into her eyes that a terrifying thought enters my mind and goes out of my mouth. "The baby was mine?"
Two years later …
Sidney
All the breath leaves my body when I see her come out of the patio door at Mario's house. I almost don't recognize her at first. She's thin, very thin, and no longer has the softness in her face or her body. Her hair is pulled back severely from her face and she's wearing a conservative cocktail dress. It's been two years since I last saw her but it could be even longer, she seems so different to me.
I watch her look to her left and follow her gaze. Beside her is a man, probably in his mid-thirties, who is smiling lovingly at her. He takes her left hand in his and kisses it in a familiar way. That's when I notice the large engagement ring on her hand.