Page 51 of Kisses

“Why me? I’m still a new reporter.”

She sighs, “Yeah, that is the one part that is going to suck.”

I question, “Why?”

“He wrote a book about your mother’s killer.”

“Now I see why.” I shake my head in annoyance. This is so typical. Any time there is something about Gregory Maddox, my name comes up. My editor feels that since I lost my mother to this asshole, I would have a good angle on all stories related to him. I mean, she is right. No one can understand what I went through. To be honest, every day I wish my name wasn’t associated with him. Just like the rest of the survivors. Unfortunately, it is what it is.

Marty pries, “You’re going to do it, right?”

I answer, “Why wouldn’t I? Regardless of if it has to do with my mother’s assailant, it is still an opportunity for a story. So many people think they know, but they don’t. Why not use me to the paper's advantage?”

Marty smirks, “Thatta girl.”

I laugh to myself.

My editor makes her appearance and says, “Keaton, I need to speak with you.”

Marty mouths, “See I told you.”

I roll my eyes at Marty, get up from my desk and head to my editor’s office. I walk into her office and shut the door.

She tells me to sit down. Like a good subordinate, I do exactly that.

She starts, “I know your little sidekick has told you already. Is this going to be a problem interviewing the author who wrote about your mother’s murderer?”

I answer, “I don’t see why it would be a problem.”

“His book is a little controversial. You’re the only one I know who could read through the lines and determine if it is true or not.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She points to a book on her table. She states, “I would start reading his book now. I need you to have your A-game on.”

“Okay,” I answer. I look over to the book on her table. My body becomes tense with anxiety. The book she is referring to is “The Life of a Demented mind - a Silent Killer. Written by Sullivan James.”

What the actual fuck?

I remain calm and say, “I will start as soon as I can.”

She demands, “Don’t worry about the scanners. I need you to read. The conference starts tomorrow. You need to finish this book today and prepare. Is that clear?”

“Yes, ma’am,” I answer. I

pick up the book off her table, walk back out to my cubicle and take a deep breath. My ex-boyfriend wrote about my mother’s killer, and I have to find the discrepancies. I don’t know how I feel about this.

As I open the book, I read the dedication ?To the one who got away. You know who you are.

Are you fucking kidding me? He dedicated the book that is about my mother’s murder to me? Who the fuck does that?

I open the book to the first chapter. The chapter’s name is “My mother. My hero.”

I slam the book shut and I am ready to explode. He did not.

Marty peeps her head over the cubicle again. She asks, “Everything okay?”

I take a deep breath and say, “Everything is fine. I’m going to demolish Sullivan James tomorrow. He will have no idea what is going to hit him.”

“Woah. You’re not even five minutes into the book and find discrepancies? This is going to be great,” she says as she twiddles her fingers.

I cannot believe he used my paper in his book. This is bullshit. I open the book and begin to read what is written. All I can say is that I am beyond furious.