30. Victoria
30
VICTORIA
A fter being outside most of the day, then taking a photo with the goats, which immediately went viral, I am now at my computer with my favorite music blaring.
I look at the flowers that Jasmine brought over today when she stopped by on her way home from the flower markets this morning. It was a surprise visit, and I was happy to see her.
Smiling, I look at the posey she brought me because I love flowers, even though red roses now give me the creeps. This week, I have removed any location-identifying imagery and information from my website and social media channels. I still mention Whispers, but I now will keep my specific location anonymous. Regardless, Josh's calls are still incessant, and I haven’t answered again. I have no idea when he will stop, but he needs to.
With a sigh, I shake off the heavy feeling and look around my abode. The house is amazing. It is looking better than I could have ever imagined. It smells like cookies because I made one of Marie’s recipes. I felt bad because I left Jasmine to babysit the goats in the shed earlier when I came in to get them out of the oven and onto the rack, trying to cool them down for a while before I took one out for her to taste. But she took an instant love to them, like we all have.
Now with the house in order and smelling like cookies, it is like my thoughts and Pinterest boards literally came to life, and in the flesh, the house just looks so much better. The new carpet is installed upstairs, and I have selected new light fixtures. I purchased a new bed and side tables, the main bedroom now going to be extremely luxurious. I still need to organize a chimney sweep, but the biggest thing to tackle is the kitchen. Seeing an email from Griffin waiting for me in my inbox, my stomach does a flip in anticipation as I click on it.
I still can’t believe that the country's best and most sought-after luxury builder is doing my kitchen. Tanner is obviously friends with him, and I am starting to understand that Tanner is friends with a lot of high-profile people.
Opening the email, I start to read, taking a quick breath. The quote is much lower than I ever thought possible. I frown, wondering how that can be. But I see he has offered a heavy discount for social media partnership opportunities, and even though I know my little place on the internet is popular, this discount is significant. Grabbing my cell, I look at my socials. My audience increases daily, and while I don’t know a lot about social media strategy, I can tell that my channels and blog seem to resonate well, and I have even had a few brands reach out wanting to collaborate already, something I have yet to navigate.
I am happy with Griffin's offer, but hesitant. I am not used to people being so nice or offering so much when my return offer seems so little in comparison. My bank balance is nearly zeros, and with no job prospects, I am running out of time and ideas. My eyes scan further and full-blown shock rolls over me. He talks about working on a new project in Whispers, a luxury ranch that is being built just out of town. The owner wants nothing to do with the design, and given my flair for interior decorating, Griffin offered me up to work on the project.
“Holy shit,” I whisper to myself as I stare at the screen, astounded. This is like my dream job. Working with the top builder in the country on a new build. I read further, seeing that I have a multimillion-dollar budget and the project also takes into account a high project fee to pay me in advance if I need it. Apparently, the owner of the ranch has seen my socials, likes my aesthetics, likes that I am a Whispers local, and wants me to do this for him. I sit back in my chair, dumbfounded. Ever since I left the city, my world has realigned. I am doing what I love with my interiors. I am living in a community that is welcoming and beautiful. I have a grumpy neighbor who gives me the best orgasms of my life and makes me feel special every day. I wonder if Tanner knows about this. He probably knows who the owner of the land is, at least.
Jumping up from my chair, I start to dance around, so happy and excited. I want to share the news with someone. I go to call Tanner, but balk because he is in the city this week on business, and I shouldn’t interrupt him. Then I go to call Mom, but it goes to voicemail. No doubt she is out for dinner with friends. I am too nervous to sit still and want to shout it from the rooftops, so I grab my keys, deciding to head into town. I have a feeling that Jasmine and Lacy are probably at the bar, and I will call them from the road. They’ll be excited, and then maybe the diner will still be open, and I can treat myself to a piece of cake to bring home later.
I quickly grab my things and head outside to the shed, looking at the truck. I am not sure how long it will keep going, but I can’t afford a new car right now, so it will just have to do. Ignoring the creaking door, I jump in. Nothing can dampen my excitement. My smile is wide as I reverse out of the driveway and hit the road. I haven’t driven in the dark a lot yet, but the truck doesn’t go fast, so it is okay. As I get onto the main road, I dial Lacy and put my cell on speakerphone.
“Hey, Victoria!” Lacy says, and I can hear the music in the background so I know she is at the bar.
“Hey! I have good news, and I need to celebrate!” I tell her, not able to hide my enthusiasm as I dance in my seat.
“Ohhhh, do tell!” she says, and I laugh.
“I want to tell you in person. I am so excited I can barely stand it!” I say, almost squealing. Turning the corner, I realize I am going a bit fast, so I take my foot off the accelerator and touch the brake lightly.
“I’m at the bar. Jasmine is here too. Come down.”
“No, no, no, no…” My whole body tenses, heart in my throat, as my foot pushes the brake pedal harder and nothing happens.
“Victoria?” Lacy asks, sounding concerned .
“The brakes don’t work! The brakes don't work!” I scream at her as I panic. The roads are dark and quiet, but my hands sweat as I grip on to the wheel, my foot pushing down on the brake, to no avail.
“Shit. Where are you?” Lacy asks in a rush.
“Oh my God. Lacy!” I scream, fright taking over because I don’t know what to do. I have hardly driven in the city, and I certainly never was taught how to stop a car if the brakes fail. I look up out of the windshield as I hit the brakes over and over, but nothing happens. The road is dark out here, nothing but my headlights leading the way.
“Victoria. We are coming!” I hear Lacy say, and it sounds like she is running.
“The corner! The corner! Lacy !” I scream as a sharp corner approaches, and the road starts to slope downhill, the truck picking up speed.
“Oh no! No, no, no!” I yell as I continue to slam my foot on the brake pedal. My body is shaking, and I sit up straight in my seat. I don’t know if I should take off my seat belt and try to jump out of a moving vehicle or if that will be worse because of the speed I am traveling.
Then it is almost like it happens in slow motion. My hands grip the wheel, and I brace myself as I turn the truck around the corner, going way too fast, but I need to try. But the old truck can’t take it. The rolling happens instantaneously, and there is nothing I can do.
“ Lacy !” I scream as the truck plows off the road and through a fence into the field. I can’t see anything as my headlights flicker on and off and the truck rolls. My body’s thrown around as I roll for a second time, the truck creaking, windows breaking, but as old as it is, the seat belt holds me tight. It pulls against my body, and I feel like I am in a washing machine just tumbling out of control before the truck comes to a stop on its side and the pain in my chest intensifies. My head thuds, the quietness now deafening as I look up and out the broken windshield. The full moon above shines bright, and I am looking straight at a small herd of cows.
“Lacy…” I say quietly, my eyes moving around the truck, seeing nothing but mangled and dented metal and broken glass. I have no idea where my cell phone is or my bag. I wiggle my toes and my fingers, and everything moves as it should. Then I roll my ankles and wrists before bending my knees and elbows. My body aches, but nothing is feeling severe, and even though there is broken glass, I don’t see any blood.
I take a deep breath in and feel pain in my chest from where the seat belt held me. As the shock starts to wear off, so does any bravado, and my eyes water as my hands shake. I turn my head, and the pain in my temple intensifies, so I remain still. I don’t have the strength to move. Knowing that Lacy will find me, I close my eyes and try to breathe out my panic and wonder how life can go from fantastic one moment to almost fatal the next.