Page 15

CHAPTER 15

MIRIAM

Sitting at my desk with the folder from my obstetrician filled with pamphlets and forms to fill out at my side, I open my computer to finally connect with the guys.

I debate who I should try first and settle on Tatum. Of everyone there, he seemed to be the friendliest and easy to talk to. The peacemaker of the group. Comfortable with that idea, I begin searching on social media.

Tatum Cadelle is a very unique name, so it’s only a minute before I’m staring at his profile picture. A picture which shows a years younger Tatum Cadelle. Glancing at the date, I purse my lips when I see the date of his last post or photo upload. It’s been over three years with no activity.

Not wanting to feel defeated, I send him a friend request and a message anyway.

Hi Tatum,

I’m hoping you’ll remember me, but this is Miriam, the girl from the cabin two months ago. Funny thing, I might have blocked, then deleted all of your phone numbers, never thinking I’d have to get in touch with you again. You know, because you guys were complete assholes, but here we are.

Umm… If you see this, which I’m not sure you will since it doesn’t seem as if you’re very active online, would you message me? I’d say to give me a call, but I don’t know how to unblock a number I’ve deleted. Phones and I aren’t the most compatible.

It’s really important I get in touch with you. I hate the idea of saying why over message, so I’ll wait until I hear from you. Thanks in advance. – Miriam

Reading over my message, I groan, then delete the line where I call them all assholes. It’s probably not the best way to encourage someone you insulted to get in touch with you.

Moving on, I do an online search for Captain Kevin Cooper to find out what precinct he actually works for. Multiple news articles pop up describing his heroic acts of civil service, along with cases he’s issued statements to the public.

Seeing photos of him standing behind a podium in uniform, firm and foreboding, does something to my body, so I quickly click out of the photos. Fuck this guy for even suggesting I go with him to meet his friends, but he’ll probably respond the quickest. While he’s a rigid man, he also gave me the sense of sticking to what’s right.

I search the number for his office but can’t find a direct line. Instead, I call the non emergency line, biting my lip to stave off the nerves of speaking with him again. The phone is answered by a male officer, but I don’t catch his name.

“Hi, I was wondering if I could be transferred to Captain Kevin Cooper’s desk?” I ask, tapping my fingers nervously on my thigh.

“ I’ll transfer you to his office. Please hold. ”

Without waiting on me, elevator music streams through the phone and I wait for a minute before a woman picks up.

“ Captain Cooper’s office. This is Sandra. How may I help you? ”

Allowing my shoulders to fall, maybe a touch in relief that it’s not his voice I hear right away, I do my best to sound professional.

“Good morning. My name is Miriam Delgado and I’m looking to speak with Captain Cooper, if he’s available?”

“ Is your call business or personal? ” I jerk my head back, surprised at the tone of annoyance lacing her words. Maybe she’s just busy.

A touch confused, my answer comes out as a question. “Personal? But it’s very important I speak with him.”

“ I appreciate the urgency, but unfortunately at this time, the captain isn’t accepting personal calls. I’d be happy to take a message and have him call you when it’s convenient for him .”

Irritated, I ask, “Can I have his email, then? I’ll just reach out that way so he can respond when it works within his schedule.”

Her answer is quick, and I can’t help but think she’s gatekeeping his calls. “ I apologize for the inconvenience. That’s not information we release to the public. Again, I’d be happy to take a message if you’d like. ”

My eyes fall back to the police station’s contact page and right fucking there, under his name and photo, is his email. “I think that’s wrong considering I just found his email online. It won’t be necessary to leave a message. Thanks for your time.”

Hanging up the phone, I click on the link and a new email window opens up. With frustration over Sandra’s bullshit riding me hard, I quickly type out an email, then hit send.

Dear Capitán,

I’m sorry for contacting you this way, but it’s really important that I speak with you. I would have called your cell, but clearly I’m my own worst enemy and blocked, then deleted your phone number.

I have something I really need to discuss with you in person. If not, at least over the phone. If you give me your number again, I’ll get it unblocked on my phone and call if that works, or maybe you can let me know a good time to call you at your office? Maybe Sandra can put me on your appointment schedule or something.

Again, sorry for reaching out this way, but I wouldn’t unless it was urgent. -Miriam

I sneer at Sandra’s name when I type it, but the little dig makes me feel better, even if he has no idea. I’m not in the business of calling someone out unless it’s to their face, and it’s entirely possible that he is busy and asked her to field his calls.

Hitting send, I feel sick. I’m past the point of no return now. I could go back and delete my message to Tatum, but I can’t unsend this one.

Dreading the idea of reaching out to Richard, I instead choose to search for Ezra next. I pause after typing his first name, unsure if his last name is Hill or Hall. I can’t quite remember, but I’m fairly positive it’s Hall.

After searching for a solid twenty minutes, even in connection to national parks as well as search and rescue affiliations, nothing shows up for him. I do it all again with Ezra Hill, but still, nothing.

Giving up for now, I sit in front of my computer, unable to bring myself to search for Richard’s contact information. I know he won’t be difficult to find. There can’t be more than one Richard Leigh within a five hundred mile radius who’s also a lawyer.

I just don’t want to get a hold of him. I was hoping for anyone other than him, but if I don’t try now and start this process, I’ll keep dragging my feet. Ignoring my phone as it buzzes with a text message, I glare at my computer. “Alright pendejo . Where are you?”

Same as Kevin, it only takes a minute to find Richard’s law office and I’m staring at his phone number and extension. I see a text from my brother when I pick up my phone, but pull up the screen to dial numbers.

Not wanting to think about it any longer, I punch in the nine digits, then wait for the prompt to dial Richard’s extension. As soon as I do, the line only rings once before I hear it pick up.

“ Richard Leigh. ”

I shudder, hearing his voice again and my throat closes up for a moment. Fuck him for rendering me silent. Although, it’s probably more nerves than anything. Before I get a chance, the phone clicks and I hear nothing.

“Did you seriously just hang up on me?” I ask the phone.

Pressing the number again, I reenter his extension and an exasperated, “ Richard Leigh ,” comes through after three rings this time.

“This is Miriam Delgado. I need to speak with you for a few minutes.”

Instead of greeting me or asking what I’m calling for, he snaps out, “ Did you just call me a minute ago? ”

“I did, but you hung up before I got a chance to say anything. Listen, I’m very sorry for bothering you at work, but I didn’t know how else?—”

A loud sigh filters through the phone. “ Look, I’m going to be as kind as possible, but Miss Delgado, it’s highly inappropriate for you to be calling me at my place of business. I’m sure we all made it crystal clear that ? — ”

I cut him off, not wanting to listen to a lecture.

“I’m very aware of what’s appropriate or not, but I promise you, calling you was my last option. I’ve found myself in a bit of a situation and?—”

“ If you’ve found yourself short of cash, maybe you should have stuck around long enough for your check. That’s on you, not me. I’d also like to remind you of the NDA you signed the first day we met, which explicitly outlined that there would be zero contact after our visitation time was exceeded and you’re violating that. So, if you’d like to find yourself with more of a financial burden, I suggest you hang up the phone now, otherwise we can have a very different conversation. ”

This motherfucker has exhausted my last nerve. I hate that tears well up, but this time they’re out of anger, which infuriates me even more because I am not a crier!

“I’m preg?—”

“ Good day, Miss Delgado. ” The phone goes silent again.

Yelling into the void, I scream, “I’m pregnant, you fucking asshole!” I throw my phone to my bed and flip it off with both hands, then lean back into my chair to stare at the ceiling.

And that’s the way it goes for the next two weeks. I attempt to call Richard once more at his office, only to be hung up on the moment he hears my voice. Tatum receives a few more messages on all the social media accounts from me, but all remain unread. I can’t blame him too much since he obviously isn’t active on any of them.

Five more calls to Kevin’s office, only to be stonewalled by his receptionist, and three more emails all go unanswered. I’m not sure if he’s reading them, but if he doesn’t answer my last email, that’s on him.

Dear Kevin,

I need to speak to at least ONE of you. I’ve tried multiple times to get in contact, but keep hitting walls. This is my last ditch effort, and I really didn’t want to tell you over email, but I don’t know what else to do.

I’m pregnant.

Over eight weeks now. I’ve attached a photo of my first sonogram with the date so you can be reassured that I’m not lying about it.

Please, contact me.

-Miriam

After hitting send on what I’ve decided to be my last email, I close my laptop, then rush to my bathroom and throw up the breakfast sitting like a brick in my stomach. Planting my ass on the cold tiles, I grab some toilet paper and wipe my mouth, leaning against the cool bathtub and do my best to accept that I’m one hundred percent on my own with this.

My eyes find my cell phone balanced precariously on the edge of the sink. Reaching for it, I blow out a breath and decide it’s time to tell my dad. I’ve been putting it off, wanting to tell him with someone sitting next to me while I deliver the news, but obviously, that’s out the window.

Sniffing back my emotions, I press his number and curse all of them for being absolute disappointments until my papá answers.

“ Hola, mija. ”

My lip quirks up at his easy greeting, then falls when I know I’m about to lay something heavy on him. Taking a deep breath, I straighten my shoulders and fortify my nerves before potentially breaking his heart.

Disappointing your dad is never easy, and I know this is going to deliver a blow.

“Hola, papá. Listen, I need to tell you something and you should probably sit down for it…”