No Place Like Home Ch 12 pt 3

Her had shook as she dialed the number.  It rang twice before the sweet sultry voice of  a secretary could be heard on the other end.1

“Reichert, Hecht and Fincher…How can I help you?”2

“Shawnee County Correctional Facility” the recorded operator said.3

“Shandrea Talmadge, I would like to speak with Bill Hecht” she said  putting her voice in the silent space left for her name and message, then waited while the recording asked the secretary if they would accept the charge. 4

“Hold on.” the line clicked as Shandrea was put on hold.  Her stomach was filled with butterflies and she calmed her nerves by chewing on her thumbnail and spasmodically tapping her foot, trying to keep her voice calm.5

“Bill Hecht,”  6

“Hi, this is Shandrea Talmadge, you gave me your card.”7

“Ah, have you changed your mind?”8

“Well…I’m afraid that without your help I may never get out of here.”9

“A Little cabin fever, huh.  I’ll see what I can do for you.  I thought you might call so I’ve been reviewing your case and I would like to discuss it with you.  I will need permission to talk to your current counsel and I would also like to speak to the resident psychiatrist.”10

“Sure…whatever you need to do.” Shandrea replied.  She was getting creeped out just talking to him and wanted to get off the phone.  Unfortunately, she knew that this was not going to be the last time she talked to him, and that for her own sake she’d better get used to it.11

“I may use Dr. Sandal as a witness to your mental state, and I would also like to speak with Rose Burkett..  As part of your trial the prosecutor is going to try and claim that you were in a sound state of mind and I believe that with proper medication and psychiatric care you are not a danger to anyone.  That should get you out of jail on bail until your trial, but you will be strictly monitored.  It is likely that you will be put in a halfway house and expected to undergo urine analysis, weekly.  12

“My husband can’t testify about my mental state.  It’s against the law.” Shandrea replied.13

“He’s not your husband, Ms. Sandal.  He’s your ex-husband.”14

Those words for some reason still hurt and Shandrea didn’t want to hear them, but she set up an appointment.  Her bail hearing was less than a week away and she was going crazier than normal, just sitting in jail.15

Rose was sitting on the sofa debating weather to go to the store and get a pack of cigarettes or go to the fridge and get a sandwich.  She wasn't pregnant anymore and nothing sounded better than a good book and a cigarette in her Postur-pedic bed.  The sun was setting and her house was quiet.  Charlie had gone home and Gilbert was safe at her mother’s.  She wrapped herself up in a blanket and grabbed the Book of Mormon,  and opened it up to the middle.  A lot of the verses had been marked with a highlighter by the previous owner and she thumbed through paying extra attention to the marked scriptures.  She wanted to feel a connection to the people who were haunting her dreams.  While she was reading about ancient peoples and their prophets she was shaken from her book by the telephone ringing.  16

“Hello?” Rose said.17

“Hi! It‘s me.  How’s my favorite pregnant mama. “ The person on the other line said.  Rose recognized the voice right away.  It was Cassie.  They hadn't’t spoken for weeks. Their relationship was strained because of what had gone on with Shandrea and Rose realized that Cassie didn't know that she’d lost the baby.18

“Cassie!” she said, excited to hear her best friends voice again.  “How have you been?”19

“We got a new house, it’s near Jeff’s job in Tecumseh.  I love all the space and the kids finally have the huge pool they’ve always wanted.  Money‘s tight, but Jeff‘s folks helped us out with a loan. How are you feeling?”20

“Like a cigarette!” Rose replied.21

“You can’t smoke!” Cassie shot back.22

“Yes, I can. I'm not pregnant anymore, something happened to the baby and I had a misacarriage."23

“I’m so sorry!” she heard Cassie pause and knew she was feeling guilty.  She didn’t want her friend to feel bad so she tried to stay positive.24

“It’s alright, I’m okay with it.  You know I’m not married to or even with David and I may cry from time to time, but only after I count my blessings.25

“What caused it?”26

“I don’t know.  The doctor is going to run some tests and when I return in six weeks, then maybe they can tell me something.  Until then I’m just taking it easy.”27

They talked well into the night and no mention of Shandrea or the impending trial came up.  In light of the recent religious materials she’d been reading Rose decided to get on her knees and say a prayer.  She prayed for strength to go on and in gratitude for the good things and people that continued to bless her life.28

The next morning, she woke up feeling renewed and refreshed.  For some reason the worries that had recently been troubling her had disappeared.  She was not going to be homeless or an unwed mother, Gilbert had found shelter across the street with her parents, her best friend was speaking with her again, and she was developing feelings for a potential new love.  It was a new year and life it seemed could not get better.29