Free Stay Tuned by Lauren Clark

that’s—”
    Drew cleared his throat. “Oh, and thanks for getting on set tonight. It was the right decision,” he continued gruffly. “You’re filling in. Two weeks, minimum.”
    It took a second to find my voice. I forced my hands into my lap. “Maybe there’s another option we could explore?” I managed, my thoughts immediately jumping to our stable of young reporters. Surely, Drew hadn’t watched every single DVD in the garbage can.
    Joe elbowed me to shut up. I flushed, bent my head, and played with my watch. It glinted and winked at me like it knew a secret. My head started to throb. My stomach churned.
    “I don’t think so. You’ll be fine,” he continued. “Of course, you’ll continue to produce both shows, keep things rolling, right?” Drew asked but didn’t wait for a reply. He kept talking.
    Of course, I would say yes. I always did. Enthusiastic employee, super-mom, and supportive spouse. Organized-living queen and steadfast friend. Throw in psychologist, accountant, and chef. Mix with slightly insane schedule. Subtract vacation time and tan lines.
    Candace teased that my life was a cross between June Cleaver and Martha Stewart, sans prison time, of course. This, however, wasn’t juggling groceries and paying the bills.
    In the midst of my silent worrying, everyone else swarmed for the door. I looked over at Drew. Was he finally finished talking?
    “Melissa,” he called out. “A word?”
    A few employees lingered by his desk. I shrugged and smiled as I walked over. Probably some detail or reminder about tomorrow’s show. In typical Drew fashion, he didn’t waste any time.
    “Boss?”
    Drew gave my outfit a thorough once-over. “Just so we’re clear. Don’t even think about wearing that on-air again.”
     

Chapter 15
     
    At six the next morning, I unfolded the Telegraph .
    In full color, Alyssa and Tim’s huge, smiling head shots stared back at me, along with a massive headline:   Anchor Brawl Top Story at WSGA-TV .
    Knots forming in my stomach, I scanned the article. The seven paragraphs contained a play-by-play description of the knockout punch and conjecture that the fight stemmed from Alyssa and Tim’s long-standing romantic involvement. The story said that both anchors resigned. Drew was quoted at the end.
    He called it an “unfortunate incident,” and wished Alyssa and Tim “the best of luck in future endeavors.” Drew was quoted further as saying, with the change in on-air talent, WSGA-TV would be moving in a “new direction.” No surprise there.
    In the last part of the article, the reporter speculated on who would replace Alyssa and Tim. A few names were mentioned, including mine as a temporary stand-in. Anticipation of Chris’s surprise bubbled up in my chest.
    “Honey,” I interrupted and held up the newspaper. “Chris, take a look at this!”
    The WSJ wavered the slightest bit, pushed by the light breeze from the ceiling fan.
    “Chris,” I repeated.
    My husband finally dropped the paper. Brow furrowed, he set down his coffee cup, making a puddle of brown liquid slosh over his fingertips.
    “Damn.” Chris frowned at the mess and started mopping it up with his napkin. “I’m sorry, what happened?”
      “Alyssa and Tim got into a fist fight during the show.”
    Chris did a double take, as though he hadn’t heard me correctly.
    “They’re gone. Drew let them resign so he wouldn’t have to fire them,” I explained. “I have to fill in on the anchor desk. I’m a little worried.” I paused and gathered my courage. “I was trying to ask what you thought.”
    The words didn’t exactly spill from my mouth in the smooth, silky way I had intended. More like boulders bumping their way down a mountainside. In a thunderstorm.
    When he didn’t react, I spelled it out. “I’m going to be doing the six and ten o’clock news, at least for a while.”
    Chris hesitated. “Um, okay. Good.” He gave me a little smile. “You’ll be fine.” He toyed with the