Joules had also called multiple times. Taylor listened to Joules's messages. Joules was the closest thing to a sister and real family Taylor had left. The two had been friends since the third grade. Later, they were roommates and sorority sisters at the University of Arkansas. They supported each other in good times and bad. Taylor had been there for Joules when her parents had divorced her senior year of high school, and Joules had been the one to help Taylor through her miscarriages. Joules had been Taylor's maid of honor and had been an integral part of both of Bennett's campaigns.
A political science major in college, Joules worked hard to be the change she wanted to see in the world. Joules had graduated at the top of her class at Fayetteville and the Clinton School of Public Service. After graduation, she became a significant player in the political fishbowl of Little Rock, not as a politician herself but as an influential and respected campaign manager. She had directed Bennett's two campaigns for the US Senate and was now his Chief of Staff.
Taylor was sure that by now, Joules would be in complete damage control, killing herself to figure out how to undo the damage Bennett had done. She also knew that even though she would be neck deep in spin mode, Joules’s main concern would be her. So, Taylor picked up her phone and called Joules back.
Joules answered on the first ring. "Thank God. Where are you? I have been calling you non-stop.”
Fresh tears filled Taylor's eyes the second she heard Joules's voice. Until this moment, she had been in this alone. Now she hadsomeone to help her through it. Swallowing back a sob, she said, "I see you have heard about Bennett's little escapade at the club."
"Yeah," her friend huffed angrily. "If I weren't working my damndest to save his sorry ass, I would kill him with my bare hands!"
At that, Taylor snorted at the image of her tiny friend, who was not five feet soaking wet, taking down six-foot muscleman Bennett. Then, the laugh turned into a sob that Taylor could not stifle.
Anger turned to complete empathy as Joules said, "Oh, TJ, I am so sorry. Tell me where you are, and I'll have someone come and get you."
TJ stood for Taylor Jane. It was the nickname Taylor's brother Tatum had given Taylor when they were children. It was what Joules always called her.
Doing all she could to keep it together, Taylor croaked, "I know you would, but I am okay."
She was trying so hard to be strong, but she sounded fragile, even to her own ears. It was past time she took control of her life and stopped depending on others to the degree she had in the past.
"I will get through this. I knew we needed a change, but I didn't think it would be so public and involve so many other people. I mean Poppy Thompson, for heaven's sake. Who would have thought it?"
"Yeah, I know. I was shocked, too," Joules replied honestly.
"Did you remember her? I worried I had not been kind enough to her in the past. At least, I did, right up until I found her screwing my husband in the middle of the country club. Now, not so much. Judging by her son's age, they must have been at it for years,” Taylor said.
After a pregnant pause, Joules said, "Yeah, I remember her. She is my little brother's age. He just turned twenty-eight, so she's a few years younger than us."
Trying to steer the subject back to steady ground, Joules said, "Now, listen, I know you are upset, and your pride is hurt. But we need to get out in front of this thing. Where are you? I have a team ready to come and get you."
Taylor knew her friend was just doing her job. But, right now, she wanted her friend's comfort and empathy, not rationalism and handling. "More than my pride has been hurt!" Taylor snapped back. "How can you say that to me? The whole town just saw him with his pants down with that…that…whore."
Joules had never heard Taylor use such vulgar language. To her knowledge, Taylor did not even use swear words. Gasping at her friend's use of the slur, Joules said, "Okay, slow down and take a deep breath. I know you are hurting, but that is a bit rough. Maybe you don't have all the facts? From what I heard, it never got that far."
"Have all the facts? Really? As far as how far it got, I can assure you that had we walked in five minutes later, it would have been much worse." Taylor's voice rose to a piercing level. "And why are you defending her?" Of all the people in the world, Taylor needed Joules to take her side. Anything else would be a total betrayal of their friendship, but this was the day for flagrant betrayals.
"I'm not defending her. Everyone needs to calm down before anything else happens to make this situation worse.”
"Calm down! Calm down?" Taylor was basically yelling. "Why don't you tell Bennett and that woman to calm down? They are the problem, not me!"
"I agree. And I have," replied Joules in a soft voice. "What do you think I have been doing for the last two hours? Damage control. Now listen, I think we have contained the story here. Edna Stone and her crew are sworn to secrecy. They want the art gala to be a success and are willing to help quash this situation to make thathappen. I need you to tell me where you are and let me have someone come and get you."
The part of Taylor's rational and reasonable brain knew that Joules was right. But something monumental had shifted inside her today.
Her foundation had been rocked once again, much like it had been eleven years ago. Back then, she had lacked the courage and strength to stand on her own two feet and had allowed others to think for her. Not today. Even if it was the wrong decision, Taylor was determined to face this on her terms. Having made up her mind, Taylor shook her head and said, "Well, no, I don't think that is going to work for me. I need time to process this myself."
"What are you even talking about?" demanded Joules, losing patience. "Look, I know you are hurting. Let's get you home where I can help you."
"You want to help me?" Taylor snapped, "Find me a quiet place to hang low for a few days. I can be in Gulf Shores by midnight. Get me a place to stay at the beach. That would really help me."
Taylor had no idea she wanted to go to the beach until the words left her mouth. But once she had uttered them, she knew she was onto something. A few days of solitude, just her, the sand, the waves, and the sun, were exactly what she needed. It is time for her to think and decide about her future without someone trying to do the thinking for her.
"The beach? Gulf Shores? What are you even talking about? Have you lost your mind? You can't just disappear off to a beach? Bennett and I need you here. Do you hear me, TJ?" barked Joules.
Betrayal could go two ways, thought Taylor. Yes, it would be easier for Bennett and Joules if she ran home with her tail between her legs, let them figure out her life, and gave her the words to make it all okay for the public. But, after today, that ship had sailed. Without any real plan, Taylor said, "I can go to the beach, and I am.Figure it out, Joules. A safe place for me to hide out for a few days. That is all I am asking for. After today, I think Bennett at least owes me that much. Call me when you have it all worked out and not before."
With that, Taylor hit the end button, effectively hanging up on her friend, who was still demanding that Taylor come home on the other end. Turning her phone back off and tossing it in her purse, Taylor pulled out of the Quick Mart and headed for the beach. As she drove, Taylor cranked up her radio and drove. Every time the images from earlier today tried to overtake her mind, she forced them out by singing louder with the songs on the radio.
