Twisted Fate
Before the sun had gone down that night Taryn stared out the window of her skyline apartment. She could see past the tall buildings and the bright streetlights. She had been looking beyond that. The world that she had long since ignored since she left home at the age of sixteen. She longed for the simplicity of country life again. Fate didn’t listen to her when it came to that. Gage, her sometimes egotistical boyfriend had just left for the night. Just as he always had. Only the scent of sweat and Old Spice remained in her bedroom now. This was part of her escape staring out into space before she began working on her novel. She imagined that just once Gage would stay and be there for her. She sat down at her desk and began punching the key on her computer. Each time words flowed from her fingertips onto the screen in front of her. It was easy to write about him. The emotions were always raw and fresh. She loved him. At least that was how it was supposed to be. There were times when it felt like she just needed him more than she loved him.
Gage Davenport was a writer. He had been a journalist for many years. That was how they had met. He was the man who came to Palmen to write a story on her best friend’s murder. She never expected to fall for a city boy. He was a handsome man. Tall, and lean with jet black hair and deep green eyes. That wasn’t what brought them together. He was sweet then. Not like the cold, vindictive prick that he was now. He had sat for hours listening to her stories about Crystal and growing up in small town. He even had dinner with her family. After he finished his story he went back home. He never called.
It was a year later that a book came about the murder that reconnected them together again. She walked in a bookstore in Rochester and there he was sitting there signing copies of his book. She stormed over to his table.
“What the hell is this?” she asked slamming the book against the table.
“Taryn? Taryn Jacobs, Is that you? He said squirming in his chair. He started to get up and walking towards her.
She was angry. He knew better than to mess with her when she was angry.
“I should called you. I’m sorry.” he said putting his hand on her face. “The book was a surprise to me to.”
“How come I didn’t know about it before this?” she stared into his eyes. It was as if everything else had disappeared.
It was that day that they began their two year fling. It was never a real relationship.
His book had taken up most of their time. Every night he was on the phone talking to his editors, planning book signings and traveling back and forth to NYC to plan the next one.
She was never as important as his work.
The doorbell ringing had interrupted her writing. She walked over to the door. She put her hand against it.
“Gage, Did you forget your key?” She said as she opened the door. A single box was sitting there. It was her book. Finally she could be proud of something. She smiled as she opened the box. There it was.
Now she could finally show him and the world who the “real” writer was. She worked night and day listening to him brag about being a “real” writer. Not once did he ask if he could even glance at her novel. Taryn was certain that he had been oblivious to her dreams. It was her most cherished secret. She began writing after their first fight. The anger and raw emotion built up inside of her. It was a beautiful release. Gage had no idea. He didn’t even notice the nights that she stay away toiling at the pages of her book. His success was short-lived. That one novel that didn’t even make the New York Times Best Seller List. Only modest sales on the East Coast. She could only laugh just a little inside because the pain was still very real. She hated that he made her feel unworthy of success.
Her fingers gripped the newly printed novel tightly as she opened to the acknowledgement. A single tear left her eye as she stare at the page.
My words should never admit the real reason that I started this book. I believed for one brief moment in our lives we are destined for greatness. Some of us deny ourselves that greatness while others seize it. Those who seize their greatness inspire the next generation to grasp their glory or remain invisible in this lifetime. I
I have to thank one man for this book. His greed and selfishness inspired more than he will ever know. Gage Davenport, eat my words.
Her editor had sent back the book countless times for her to adjust this acknowledgement. She left it there just as it was. He deserved it. She picked up her pen again and started writing on the small card.
She couldn’t wait to share this book with him. Tomorrow, she would free herself from him. Taryn looked at the phone. She couldn’t call him now. She wanted to. It was going to be her moment finally.
The phone rang. She reached across the desk to answer it.
“Taryn Jacobs.” she said.
“Miss Jacobs, This is Detective Trevor Mitchell. R.P.D Could you come down to the station. There has been accident. The car is burned up pretty badly but we believe that it belongs to your fiancée, Gage Davenport.”
She slowly put the phone down on. She could hear the detective still talking on the other end. Gage was gone.
