I smiled at the name on the screen and answered. “Neal, how the hell are you man?”
“Good.” I could hear the smile in my old boss’ voice. He was a bear of a man with broad shoulders, thick black hair and the smell of tobacco wafting from his entire being. “I saw your story on that lawyer.”
“Really?” I knew Lacey promoted it on the paper’s social media pages, but even those didn’t have much reach or engagement.
“Yep, damn thing went viral and now the world is talking about women’s rights and sexist judges in small towns. Excellent work, my friend.” He coughed for a full minute thanks to his favorite vice. “Heard the legislature is calling for an investigation into the named judges.”
“Yeah? That’s great. I wasn’t expecting any of that, but it’s a good outcome. She was a very impressive woman, strong and not easily intimidated.”
“Can’t be, to stand up against a system that’s rigged against you and your clients.” Neal was impressed by her which was a feat in itself, because nobody impressed him. “You’re still doing good work Levi, please tell me you’re not satisfied in Podunk America.”
I laughed at his nickname for any place that wasn’t a city with at least a million residents. “This might surprise you Neal, but I am perfectly happy with my job and my life here in Carson Creek.” As I said the words, I realized just how true they were. Of course I wasn’t thrilled to cover a small town arts festival, but it was another activity to do with Mickey.
“That’s a damn pity.”
“Yeah, why is that?” Neal didn’t do anything without reason, so I just held my breath and waited.
“Looks like Caracas is burning and Venezuela is on the brink of civil war thanks to the failing economy and the new government. Thought you might be interested in the story. Guess I was wrong.” Neal let the words linger in the air, allowing the weight of the situation to sink in the way he always did as he waited for me to agree, the way I always did.
Always.
“You are wrong,” I told him. “Sorry, but I can’t fly off to Venezuela right now, but I think maybe I have someone in mind.”
“Yeah? Well I’ll touch base with you again in a day or two as the situation changes. Let me know.” Neal ended the call before I could say anything else, his way of letting the story burrow deep in my mind until I packed my bags and hopped a flight to the next world shit show.
I took a moment, possibly two, to talk myself out of doing just that, reminding myself that I had commitments here in town. Mickey needed me and we had plans for the coming weeks and months, I couldn’t leave. I wouldn’t.
Didn’t even want to.
I had Mickey and Michelle to think about.
And Lacey.
Lacey. Just the thought of her made me smile and cleared all thoughts of a new story from my mind as I stepped from the car and strolled casually to her front door.
Lacey opened the door with a sexy, welcoming smile that quickly died on her lips. “What’s wrong Levi? Is Mickey okay? Michelle?”
I smiled at her concern but it wasn’t a real smile, more like an affectionate grin. “ It’s nothing,” I told her a bit too easily.
“Don’t start lying to me now Levi.” She put one hand on her hip and motioned me inside with the other, a scowl on her face. “Just tell me what’s bothering you.”
“It’s nothing. Really.”
“Yeah? Then I must be losing my touch if I invite a man over for a hot meal and even hotter sex, and he shows up frowning.”
“Lacey,” I sighed because it wasn’t fair to let her think she had anything to do with it.
“Don’t give me excuses Levi, just give me the truth while I make you a stiff drink.”
Without waiting for my agreement, Lacey headed towards the kitchen and the most delightful smells blended with her floral perfume, intoxicating me as I entered. “I don’t need a stiff drink,” I assured her as she reached for a bottle in the freezer.
“Well that’s too bad.” She turned to me with a sweet smile. “Because you’ve got one, and it’s strong enough to loosen that talented tongue of yours.”
I smiled at her and took the drink. “Thanks.” The whiskey was ice cold as I sipped it, and it started to work immediately. “It’s silly,” I said and launched into Neal’s offer. “I turned him down right away, but this is the first time an opportunity has presented itself, and it feels strange to walk away from a story like that. But I did it, I said no and I meant it.”
Lacey stared at me, head tilted with an affectionate grin. “It feels like a loss because now it’s real. You put your family first instead of the story.”