Free Fallen for Her by Ava Armstrong Page B

the envelope in front of Ray. “Great, I’m going to Maine.” Ray was now talking to himself, as Stephens had already left the room.
     
    ~ Ella ~
    She woke from a night of fitful sleep. Ever since the news of her father’s death and funeral service a week ago, Ella couldn’t sleep or eat. Her own mother wouldn’t speak with her. She had no one to turn to except her best friend, Cassie. She always seemed to know what to do. Right now Ella felt like a boat floating in the ocean without a paddle. It was the worst timing for Bob to be out of town. She missed her father more than she ever thought possible.  Why couldn’t Bob be there when she needed him most?  It seemed this was the theme of their relationship.
    John Wakefield had been a strong and steady presence in Ella’s life since birth. Being an only child, she was very close to her father. The divorce of her parents five years ago shocked her. She thought they had a loving relationship, but later learned that her father had a girlfriend in New York. She wasn’t just a girlfriend but a mistress. Ella’s mother left the house and moved into a condo in Southern Maine on the beach. She never spoke to Ella about her father’s affair, as if it didn’t happen.
    The phone rang and she saw Cassie’s number, “Yes…” she murmured.
    “Hey, Ella, what’s up?” Cassie seemed wide awake.
    “I’m just getting out of bed. Did you want to meet for breakfast?” Ella yawned.
    “Sure,” Cassie said, “Let’s meet at Gillespie’s diner.”
    “Okay, I’ll pick you up in an hour, and I’m buying. I need to take a shower.” Ella replied.
    Just as Ella dropped her robe to get into the shower, her phone rang again. This time she did not recognize the number.
    “Hello.” She answered, wondering who’d call her on a so early in the morning. Then realized it could be Bob.  He was on the road this week.
    “Miss Wakefield?  Is this Ella Wakefield?  I’m Ray Adriano, an attorney representing your father’s estate.”
    Ella froze for a moment, then slipped her bathrobe back on. “Yes, what can I do for you?”
    “I’d like to meet with you to go over your father’s trust; would you be available this weekend?” the attorney asked. “I’m taking the train to Portland.”
    “Sure.” Ella murmured, “Where do you want to meet?”
    “That’s up to you, ma’am.” The attorney replied.
    “How about breakfast?  There’s a place here on Main Street called Gillespie’s.” Ella offered.
    “Great. I’ll see you at 9:00 AM on Saturday.  Would that suit your schedule?” the attorney asked.
    “Yes, I’ll see you then.” And she ended the call.
    As Ella stepped into the hot pulsing shower, she washed her shoulder-length brunette hair and soaped her body from head to toe, taking time to shave her legs. All the while she was thinking of the attorney’s voice on the phone. He sounded old, maybe in his forties or fifties. Possibly old enough to be her father.  Every lawyer she had ever met had been excruciatingly boring.
    She wondered why the firm was sending a man to Maine instead of having her fly down to New York City. But then surmised it was possible that the attorney would want to go over her father’s properties, maybe to obtain appraisals.  She wasn’t sure what the protocol would be. Ella was still trying to cope with the idea that her father was gone forever.  John Wakefield was only 63 years old and full of life.  A car accident changed everything in a heartbeat.
    After Ella dried her thick dark hair she carefully traced a soft rose lipstick over full lips. She tried to smile in the mirror but it didn’t look genuine. Since her father died, she felt she had lost the ability to smile, along with the ability to eat, drink, or sleep. Breakfast with Cassie would be helpful.  At least Cassie made her laugh at the everyday absurdities in life and she needed that more than ever.  It seemed the slightest thing made her cry lately, even