Tailspin Read online

  "Well, that's to be expected, little one," Doc said. "So, did they say when they'd have the test results?"

  "Just the usual 'in a day or two'," Cat commented dryly.

  "Well, that is unacceptable. Why, they should be able to have results within an hour," Doc exclaimed. "That is totally unacceptable. We'll just see about that," he huffed. "I'll call you later, daughter. My love to you all," he added and then hung up on Cat.

  Cat raised her eyebrows to the phone.

  "What?" Billie asked.

  Cat reached over and placed the phone on its cradle. "Me thinks heads are about to roll," she exclaimed.

  ***

  At eight the next morning, the shrill of the phone rang through the Charland household. Cat, having not slept well the night before, was up and sitting at the kitchen table. She was still clad in her night shirt and panties as she read the paper. As it turned out, she was alone in the house. The kids had spent the previous night at Jen and Fred's to give her some peace and quiet while recuperating from her surgery.

  Billie was out on her morning run with Jen—a daily tradition they resumed within a week of Jen losing the baby. They both found the exercise to be cleansing and energizing, and, it was valuable medicine in treating Jen's broken heart over losing her child.

  "Hello?" Cat said into the phone.

  "Good morning, Cat. This is Dr. O'Brien."

  Cat's knees turned to jelly. "Patty!" she said brightly into the phone. She hoped her tone of voice masked her nervousness.

  "Cat, I have your test results," the doctor said.

  "So soon? I didn't expect results until Monday," Cat commented.

  "Well, your father being the Chief of Surgery has its benefits," she chuckled. "I understand he walked into the Breast Center yesterday afternoon and turned the place upside down," Patty explained.

  Cat reached out to the wall for support as she prepared to ask her next question.

  Before the question came, Billie sprinted through the kitchen door. "Yes! I beat Jen home again!" She grabbed a paper towel to wipe the sweat from her face, and then bent over at the waist to catch her breath.

  Billie stopped short when she saw Cat on the phone.

  "So what do the results indicate?" she asked. She extended her free hand to Billie, who took it instantly and held it close to her heart.

  Cat closed her eyes tightly as she listened to Patty relay the test results. Her body trembled uncontrollably as tears coursed down her face.

  "Okay, okay. Thank you, Patty. Yes, I will. Okay. Thank you again. Bye," she said, barely able to talk through her tears.

  At this point, Billie was a nervous wreck. "What did she say?" Billie watched Cat's trembling hand reach forward to hang up the phone.

  Cat turned to her slowly and looked into her eyes. She looked so vulnerable it tore Billie's heart out.

  Billie held her by the shoulders, lowered her forehead to Cat's and repeated the question. "What did she say, sweetheart?"

  Cat took a great gulping breath. "Benign. It's benign," she replied. The damn suddenly broke, freeing the river of fear it had been holding back.

  Billie could hardly see Cat through her own veil of tears. "Benign? Thank, God!" She pulled Cat into her embrace.

  The two women held each other in desperate relief, as they released the penned up emotions they had been restraining for the last two weeks. Both sobbed uncontrollably and were unaware of a presence in the doorway between the kitchen and living room.

  "Mom? Mama?"

  Billie released Cat and they both turned toward the sound of the voice. Tara stood in the doorway…an expression of extreme anxiety on her face.

  "Mama?" Tara said again.

  Cat opened her arms to her daughter. "It's okay, baby. It's okay. It's not cancer."

  Tara ran into her mother's arm and clung desperately to her. "Thank, God," she cried. "Thank, God."

  Billie rubbed Tara's back for several moments while Cat held her. "Thank you for being there for Mama, Tare…and forgive us for not trusting you from the beginning. We love you so much, sweetie."

  A sniffle drew Billie's attention to the kitchen door. She turned to see Jen standing there with her arms wrapped around her middle and tears streaming down her face.

  "Jen, how long have you been standing here?" Billie asked.

  "Long enough to hear the good news," Jen struggled to say between sobs.

  Billie went to her, knelt on the floor in front of her and placed a gentle kiss on Jen's abdomen and then wrapped her arms around Jen. "Thank you little one. Thank you for your sacrifice. We will always love you."

  Cat and Tara added their arms to the group hug as the love and warmth they all felt for each other permeated the room and they clung to one another in a bittersweet celebration of life.

  Life would never be the same in the Charland and Swenson households. They were truly changed by all that transpired that summer. Unspeakable sorrow and sacrifice, maturation and a blossoming of womanhood, and realization that when all is said and done, what really matters is love of life, love of family and love of friends. All in all, they knew beyond doubt that they were truly blessed.

  They had pulled out of the tailspin and landed safely.

  They had made it through the storm.

  Photo Credit: Song of Myself Photography

  See Karen's author page at www.karendbadger.com

  About the Author

  Karen D. Badger is the author of On a Wing and a Prayer, Yesterday Once More (a 2009 Golden Crown Literary Award winner for Speculative Fiction), In a Family Way, Unchained Memories, Happy Campers, Collective Identity, Sweet Angel, and Relative-ly Speaking and Tailspin (Books I, II, III, IV, V, VI and VII of the Commitment Series), The Blue Feather, All My Tomorrows (sequel to the 2009 award winning Yesterday Once More), and 1140 Rue Royale (a 2017 Golden Crown Literary Award winner for Paranormal Fiction). All of these works have been released by Badger Bliss Books, which Karen co-owns with her wife Barbara Sawyer (aka "Bliss').

  Born and raised in Vermont, Karen is the second of five children raised by a fiercely independent mother, who remains one of her best friends. Karen earned her B.A. in 1978 in Theater and in Elementary Education, and in 1994, earned a B.S. in mathematics. In addition to her novels, Karen is the author of many technical papers on photomask manufacturing, which she has presented at numerous semiconductor industry conferences, and is the holder if fourteen technical patents. Karen is currently in her 40th year as a Principal Member of the Technical Staff with a prominent semiconductor manufacturer in Vermont.

  Karen and her wife, Barb (a retired Lt. Col., US Air Force) live in the beautiful state of Vermont—home of Ben and Jerry's. They spend their spare time with family as well as doing home improvement projects on both their homes in Vermont and New Mexico. They also enjoy camping, kayaking, motorcycling and singing Karaoke.

  Please take a moment to visit Karen's author website at www.karendbadger.com, or the Badger Bliss Books website at www.badgerblissbooks.com. Also like us on Facebook!

  TITLES BY KAREN D. BADGER

  www.badgerblissbooks.com

  On a Wing and a Prayer

  First edition published by Blue Feather Books, Sept, 2005

  Second edition published by Badger Bliss Books, Sept, 2014

  Third edition published by Badger Bliss Books, August, 2016

  ISBN 13: 978-1-945761-01-0, ISBN 10: 1-945761-01-6

  Yesterday Once More

  First edition published by Blue Feather Books, July, 2008

  Second edition published by Badger Bliss Books, Sept, 2014

  Third edition published by Badger Bliss Books, August, 2016

  ISBN 13: 978-1-945761-02-7, ISBN 10: 1-945761-02-4

  2009 Golden Crown Literary Society Award - Speculative Fiction

  In a Family Way – Book One of the Commitment Series

  First edition published by Blue Feather Books, March, 2010

  Second edition published by Badger Bliss Books, Sept, 2014 Th
ird edition published by Badger Bliss Books, August, 2016

  ISBN 13: 978-1-945761-05-8, ISBN 10: 1-945761-05-9

  Unchained Memories – Book Two of the Commitment Series

  First edition published by Blue Feather Books, Oct, 2011

  Second edition published by Badger Bliss Books, Sept, 2014 Third edition published by Badger Bliss Books, August, 2016

  ISBN 13: 978-1-945761-06-5, ISBN 10: 1-945761-06-7

  Happy Campers - Book Three of the Commitment Series

  First edition published by Blue Feather Books, Sept, 2013

  Second edition published by Badger Bliss Books, Sept, 2014 Third edition published by Badger Bliss Books, August, 2016

  ISBN 13: 978-1-945761-07-2, ISBN 10: 1-945761-07-5

  The Blue Feather

  First edition published by Blue Feather Books, July, 2014

  Second edition published by Badger Bliss Books, Sept, 2014 Third edition published by Badger Bliss Books, August, 2016

  ISBN 13: 978-1-945761-04-1, ISBN 10: 1-945761-04-0

  Collective Identity – Book Four of the Commitment Series

  First edition published by Badger Bliss Books, January, 2015 Second edition published by Badger Bliss Books, August, 2016

  ISBN 13: 978-1-945761-08-9, ISBN 10: 1-945761-08-3

  All My Tomorrows – Sequel to Yesterday Once More

  First edition published by Badger Bliss Books, May, 2015 Second edition published by Badger Bliss Books, August, 2016

  ISBN 13: 978-1-945761-03-4, ISBN 10: 1-945761-03-2

  Sweet Angel – Book Five of the Commitment Series

  First edition published by Badger Bliss Books, June, 2015 Second edition published by Badger Bliss Books, August, 2016

  ISBN 13: 978-1-945761-09-6, ISBN 10: 1-945-761-09-1

  Relative-ly Speaking – Book Six of the Commitment Series

  First edition published by Badger Bliss Books, March, 2016 Second edition published by Badger Bliss Books, August, 2016

  ISBN 13: 978-1-945761-10-2, ISBN 10: 1-945-761-10-5

  1140 Rue Royale

  First edition published by Badger Bliss Books, September, 2016

  ISBN 13: 978-1-945761-00-3, ISBN 10: 1-945761-00-8

  2017 Golden Crown Literary Society Award – Paranormal Fiction

  Tailspin – Book Seven of the Commitment Series

  First edition published by Badger Bliss Books, December, 2017

  ISBN 13: 978-1-945761-22-5, ISBN 10: 1-945761-22-9

  COMING SOON FROM KAREN D. BADGER

  AND

  BADGER BLISS BOOKS

  www.badgerblissbooks.com

  Flashpoint – Book Eight of the Commitment Series

  Expected release: 2018

  Life at the Chraland's has been a challenge. All that had transpired over the past year transformed them in unimaginable ways. Between unspeakable sorrow and sacrifice, the maturation and a blossoming of their older daughter into womanhood, their son testing the limits of peer pressure and their friend's heartbreaking situation, they were ready for life to be easy again.

  The Charlands plan a family vacation in beautiful Yellowstone National Park, but soon realize they are getting more adventure than they planned as Mother Nature decides to join them on their trip. They battle the odds against them and risk everything as they face the challenge of staying together as a family while their world falls apart around them. There is much at stake in this suspenseful and dramatic turn of events. Read this exciting seventh book in the Billie/Cat Commitment Series to see if they survive what Mother Nature has in store for them.

  CHAPTER 1

  "My God, you're going to kill me one day," Billie struggled to regain her breath.

  "Whaddaya mean?" Cat rolled onto her back and stretched her arms high above her head.

  "Just when I think you've outdone yourself, you hit me with something like that and totally blow me away."

  "I don't know what you're talking about." Cat acted coy.

  Billie rolled over and pinned Cat to the bed. "Don't give me that innocent act, Red. I haven't experienced a climax like that since...since..." Billie struggled to remember the last time they had enjoyed such uninhibited love making.

  Cat tucked a stray lock of hair behind Billie's ear. "Since before the breast cancer scare?" she suggested.

  Billie's eyes softened and she recalled the past couple of weeks of anxiety and strife. She nodded slightly and smiled. "Yeah, since then." Billie rolled onto her back and thought for the billionth time about how lucky they were that the lump was benign.

  During those tense two weeks, Billie spent countless agonizing hours fretting over what life would be like without Cat. Sure, she would go on. After all, the kids needed her, but without her soul...without her heart...without Cat's presence in her life, it would barely be worth the effort. Luckily the lump was not cancerous. She sighed deeply and thanked the heavens above once more for smiling down upon them and for giving them more time to live...and to love.

  Cat watched a faraway expression cross Billie's face. She was convinced Billie was recalling the past two tumultuous weeks of waiting, wondering and agonizing as they lived through a crisis that could have changed their lives forever. For the first time, Cat noticed the worry lines around Billie's eyes. She leaned in to kiss them away and felt Billie's eye lashes flutter against her cheek as her lips made delicate contact.

  "Hmmmm. That feels good," Billie murmured.

  "I'm sorry," Cat whispered softly.

  Billie's head snapped up. "For what?" she asked.

  "For taking you to hell and back," Cat replied.

  Billie rolled onto her side and ran the back of her fingers across Cat's cheek. "Kitten, that wasn't your fault. You have nothing to apologize for."

  "I know, but still, it was a nightmare neither of us needed."

  "Agreed. But it's over, and with a little luck, we'll never have to live through that again. One thing the experience taught me was to enjoy every moment we have together and not to fret about the future. Cat, we made it through...and we came out stronger in the end. Together we are invincible. Our love makes that possible. Promise me you'll let it go," Billie demanded passionately.

  Cat closed her eyes and allowed a lone tear to escape and she silently nodded her promise. When she opened them again, her heart nearly stopped at the love she saw overflowing from cerulean eyes. A smile immediately graced her own china-doll features.

  "There! That's my girl!" Billie said happily as the smile crossed Cat's face. "So, what would you like to do today?" she asked.

  Cat's brow creased as she considered the possibilities. Suddenly a thought came to her. "I know! Let's plan a vacation."

  Billie was a bit taken back by the suggestion. "A vacation?" she asked. "What did you have in mind?"

  The excitement began to grow in Cat's chest as an idea took shape. She sat up and crossed her legs in front of her. "I'm not totally sure yet. Something fun. After all, we have my test results to celebrate. Let's do something that will make us appreciate life. Maybe something with a nature theme," she suggested.

  Billie immediately scrambled off the bed and stood with her feet apart and hands on her hips. "No way am I doing the camping thing, Cat. Happy Trail Campgrounds is still pretty fresh in my mind. I will not live that nightmare again!"

  Cat threw her head back and laughed.

  "I fail to see what is so funny," Billie stated indignantly.

  "You are just so damned cute!" Cat replied.

  "Cute? Cute?" Billie exclaimed. "I wasn't so cute at Happy Trails when I was covered with poison ivy and mosquito bites! That camping trip with Jen, Fred and their kids was a total disaster."

  "Billie, it won't be like that," Cat defended.

  "You're damned right it won't, because I'm not going!" Billie paced back and forth across the room.

  Cat tried hard not to smile. "Not even if we rent a fully furnished cabin?"

  Billie stopped pacing. "Cabin?" she asked. "A cabin is good."

&
nbsp; "Fully furnished cabin with running water, cooking facilities, a bathroom. You know... rain-proof, bear-proof and disaster-proof." Cat tried hard to entice Billie with the comforts they would enjoy.

  "Disaster proof?" Billie's eyebrows were perched high on her forehead.

  "Disaster proof. I guarantee it! So, how about it?" Cat asked.

  "I'm listening." Billie sat on the edge of the bed to wait for the details. She looked at the blank expression on Cat's face for a moment or two before she became impatient. "Well?" she asked.

  "Well what?" Cat replied.

  "Details?" Billie waved her hands in front of her impatiently.

  "I don't know. The thought just came to me a moment ago. I don't have it all planned out yet. We need to do research on-line before we settle on a destination."

  "Okay." Billie rose to her feet once more and collected the clothes she had discarded around the room at the start of their lovemaking session earlier that morning. "I'll go power up the computer." She pulled a T-shirt over her head and headed for the bedroom door, only to stop in the doorway. "Oh, what time did Jen say she'd send the girls home?" she asked.