Lost Star

Chapter 1

Two weeks is just a speck of dust in the course of one's life. It's a flicker of thought, a moment in time, a fleeting memory. It's a notice we give when we want to quit a job, or the amount of time some people wait to get paid. Blink, and it's over, just like that.

There are some things in life that are impossible to prepare for, no matter how much time we're given. Unimaginable, wondrous things that steal a piece of us somehow. Like losing him...

Six years have passed, yet he still imprisons even the smallest part of me. Not that he knows it, nor would care if he did. Yes, his leaving was one of those things that I would classify as unimaginable, and regrettably, I never saw coming. Him coming here to Indiana, and walking back into my life after all these years, another unforeseeable moment in time.                                                                                         

                                                                                           ****

Holding a blue fly swatter, I hover over a smart fly that may be the best escape artist among all flies. This biting pest is about to join his other comrades if he ever sits still long enough.

It's Indian summer in Northern Indiana and the warm September morning brings out millions of flies in droves. They're immigrating to the office today while the conference table is being delivered, making our new boardroom finally complete.

I only wish they didn't need to keep the doors open for the last hour. Lost in concentration, I jump when my phone rings. Picking up the receiver, I press it to my ear as I keep a watchful eye on flydini.

"Hello, this is Vivienne."

Silence.

The caller doesn't speak or hang up, only listening. I hear faint breathing proving someone indeed is on the other line, and this is not a disconnected call. Just like all the others for the last several months.

"Hello?"

Still nothing.

"Okay, we'll have it your way. I thought today's the day you might actually say something, but it's okay. As you know, I'm a good talker and you are obviously a great listener. What can I talk about today? I talked about today's weather yesterday, so...oh, I know.

You're going to love this. Since it's Friday, I went to the coffee shop this morning, like I do every Friday morning, and you wouldn't believe what happened to Chief Greer today. Well, he was drinking his coffee, minding his own business when his ex-wife came in-"

"Hi Vivienne!"

I pull the phone to my chest when I see little Oliver Peterson walk in with a rectangular metal tin in his hands. His crooked little smile always brightens my day and lightens my wallet. His dad works in our office, and Ollie is his little replica. Not just physically, but tenaciously as well.

"Good morning, Ollie. Ready for school?"

"Yeah, I guess. But, I wish I could hang out here with you all day. I can't wait for fourth grade to be over."

"Over? The school year just started." I laugh. "Did you bring me my latest sugar fix?"

"Pecan caramel clusters, just like last time. I should have another order form in a couple of weeks so you can order more." He sighs. "They came in yesterday, but dad had appointments."

I rest my chin on my hand, amused at his frustration hanging all over that last word. Ollie is all business when it comes to his fundraising and doesn't appreciate his dad's career interrupting his product distribution.