Kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscope

APRIL MARIE LIBS

DEDICATION

To all the incredible doctors and nurses that have been instrumental in my children’s lives, especially the staff at Kosiar Children’s Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, with a special thanks going to Dr. Carlos Saurez, my daughter’s guardian angel.

KALEIDOSCOPE

All right reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording, or by any information retrieval and storage system without permission by the publisher.

Names, characters, and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination, or are used in a fictitious situations. Any resemblance to actual events, locations, organizations, incidents, or persons- living or dead- are coincidental and beyond the intent of the author.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

In the thank you department, I would like to take a moment to recognize my friends who act as my support group when things get chaotic in my life, which is quite often in the last twelve months. Your friendship, your cheerleading, and your understanding hearts mean the world to me.

My two sisters, Tracy and Jill, I owe a debt of gratitude as well for being my first response team when it comes to my writing. Their input never fails to make my stories a better read and more believable.

I would also like to thank my editor my beta readers; Lisa Kaelin, Annette Kaiser, Rita Schuler, Shelly Person, Shelly Haworth, and Dawn Durbin. It takes a village to write my books and I appreciate their devoted support and the attention they give to my writing.

I also want to thank my best friend, business confidant, and the man I lay my head next to every night, my wonderful husband, Mike Libs. To paraphrase a quote from my book, I'd like to say, having him in my corner of life makes me feel strong and powerful which makes my heart blossom with gratefulness. Another thank you will always go to my three children, Haley, Lexie, and Logan for putting up with my excessive computer compulsion. I hope and pray you will each find a passion that fulfills you, as writing does for me.

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Epilogue

Kaleidoscope of Consequences

Other books

Prologue

THE WALL IN front of Piper was made of two inch thick, opaque glass. A solid wall in front, adhered to a translucent ceiling made of the same material above. She whipped her head in every direction and found the same glass barricade, each wall an arm’s distance away, closing her within an invisible box. Although the only sound she heard was her timorous breathing echoing throughout the space, Piper could see familiar people milling around her invisible prison. Seemingly the entire town inched toward her obscure predicament to gather close by, but still kept their distance as they gawked, cupping their mouths to whisper to the person standing next to them.

Piper took a tentative step forward and pressed both palms against the cool surface. She could see her family shuffling forward with rueful, wilting faces. She didn’t want them to be upset. She wanted to wrap her arms around them, to console them, but the stilted barrier kept her stationary.

Piper felt exposed, vulnerable, defenseless, as if she were standing on the busy street corner naked, although she was still dressed in blue scrubs from her work day. The air in the enclosure felt thick, stifling her intake of air. Her lungs didn’t have to crave for oxygen long before a blast of tepid air hit at her ankles. She stepped back into the gust, desperately needing air, dropping her chin to see where the plume came from. She found a quarter sized hole in the ground as the tunnel whooshed upward lifting her tresses, making the cranberry strands dance around her face.

Tilting her chin to look at the heavy crowd that had now conjugated outside her transparent cell, Piper wanted to plead with them to stop their whispering and snickering, when the air under her feet ceased, her hair falling in a limp blanket to cover her back. Panicked, her eyes sliced to her parents as their faces condensed in wretchedness, their red rimmed eyes spilling over with tears.

Piper wanted to console them, tell them everything was going to be okay. She was a survivor. She could get through anything, but she could feel the oxygen level sinking lower, making her lungs ache as she fought for each labored breath.

Dropping to her knees, Piper fumbled for the hole, poking her fingers into the opening, attempting to jump start the air again. When that attempt failed, she pounded her fists on the floor begging the evil soul that put her there to give her a chance to fight. Vaulting to her feet, she flailed against the glass with her hands, her feet, and her shoulders, kicking, bashing, and thrashing against the barrier until she had sore, aching limbs and tender, bruised muscles.

And while Piper fought for her life, the town continued gawking at her as her family physically grieved for her state of affairs.

Piper would like to think she was consumed in a horrendous, all-encompassing nightmare, but the truth of the matter was….this was her life. She was boxed in her home town, the circumstance of her situation making it difficult for her to breathe as the entire community gossiped behind her back. Her parents mourned for her loss, but could do nothing to help solve her discordance.

Piper felt the walls closing in on her. She needed to burst through the barrier before the enclosure sucked the life right out of her. Run, Piper, run, was pounding through her brain as she lurched out of bed, ripped open the closet and clutched onto her suitcase

Chapter One

PIPER WILKINSON DESPISED being stuck on night shift, although she really didn't have a right to complain since she jumped at the pediatric oncology position as soon as the opening was posted on the bulletin board in the nurses' lounge. It seemed like a wise decision at the time since her boyfriend, Philip, worked the late shift in the emergency room across the street. With both working the seven p.m. to seven a.m. shift, Phillip and Piper were provided the opportunity to spend the entire day together, strolling through the grocery, browsing a bookstore hand in hand, or leisurely making love, all afternoon long. They would ride to work together every evening and on the way home in the morning, would stop at a greasy breakfast diner before returning to his condo completely exhausted to crash into bed, only to be woken the next afternoon to begin the process all over again.

This crazed cycle engrossed both of their lives, from sun rise till sun set, like two hamsters jogging on a never-ending spinning wheel, but they were together, and to them, that was all that mattered. They could look past the fact the rest of their friends and family orbited in a different time zone. They thrived on being side by side supporting each other in their own sleep deprived world they had created just for themselves.

After three months of dating, Phillip asked for Piper's hand in marriage by renting a small aircraft to fly across the clear blue sky while eating outdoors at The Seafood Post, nestled right next to the Ohio River. In fancy script writing, the banner waved in the wind for all to see. Piper -- Will you marry me? Getting down on bended knee, Phillip flipped open the black velvet box he had hidden in his suit pocket, his smile widening as he watched Piper's face blossom and her hand rise to her chest when she caught sight of the diamond and sapphire ring glimmering daintily underneath the sun's impending rays of light. Before Phillip was even able to utter one word, Piper threw herself into his arms with glistening emerald eyes, her strawberry hair billowing behind her as she almost knocked him to the floor with her petite frame, squealing, Yes, yes, of course, yes! while the entire restaurant applauded their approval.

Piper moved into Phillip's condo at the Harbor's overlooking the scenic Ohio River the weekend following their engagement. Their life together became even more manageable and stress free, with Piper not having to run home to brush her teeth, grab a clean pair of scrubs, or change for a dinner engagement, but after only six weeks of living together, their blissful cohabitation came to screeching halt when Phillip's manager switched him to day shift to cover for a doctor who had to leave the country unexpectedly. Piper immediately put her name in the hat for a day shift position as soon as she walked through the doors to the oncology wing the following evening, but knew the possibility of that shift having an opening in the near future was minimal.

Before the next month even came to a close, Piper had become worn out and agitated at having to work the graveyard shift without Phillip, not only physically, with her lack of sleep, but also, emotionally as well. It exasperated her that now days, she and Phillip never spent any amount of quality time together, and when they were given a window of opportunity, Piper was so limp from exhaustion, she usually fell asleep during whatever task they were doing, watching a movie, riding in the car, or sometimes, even right before sex.

Phillip took Piper's sleep deprivation in stride, making it clear that he wasn't upset with her over her lack of stamina. Instead, when she inadvertently fell asleep on the couch, he would scoop her up and carry her to bed. After gently placing her on top of their fluffy down comforter, Phillip would push her long strawberry hair from her forehead and begin kissing her, starting with her toes, gradually moving his way up her body, tantalizing her with his tongue, his chestnut brown hair tickling her raw exposed skin, as he murmured reassuring words in between each caress; Stay strong, baby; it won't be for much longer, I promise.

But two months later, Piper was still blurry-eyed working nights, praying something would soon open up on day shift.

TAKING THE EXPRESSWAY on the way to the hospital, Piper phoned her younger sister, Gina. Piper and her sister were only sixteen months apart in age and grew up not only close sisters, but as best friends as well, not that Piper had any say in the matter when she thought about it. Gina had always been much more mature than the other children in her grade and out of boredom one day at Grayston Elementary, began following Piper around school like a shadow that wouldn't go away, even though the sun had long since disappeared. Always annoyed at having her runt of a sister always at her side, Piper often complained to her mother.

Please, Mom, make her stop. Gina's following me around school like a sick little puppy. You've got to end this right now, before it gets out of hand and she actually starts to hurt my reputation.

When she received no response from her mother, who continued reading the newspaper at their kitchen table, Piper asked, her tone rising an octave in agitation, Mom, are you even listening to me?

Still, she received no feedback from her mother, who in Piper's opinion, always took her sister's side.

Hammering her foot onto the tile with a loud thud, Piper demanded, Mom! Answer me!

Continuing to focus on the paper in front of her, her mother replied calmly, The only thing my answering you would accomplish would be to make you even more angry. She turned the page, still engrossed with its content. Therefore I am choosing to say nothing, but I hear you, Piper, as I always do, very loud and extremely clear.

Piper flung her fists onto her hips, and in a sarcastic tone, spat, Give it a go, Mom. Really, I'm dying to hear what you have to say.

Folding the paper onto the table, Piper's mother turned toward her eldest daughter. Well, honey, I think you should be thrilled your little sister looks up to you and wants to emulate you. You're the lucky one in this scenario; not all siblings feel that way about each other.

Exaggeratedly rolling her eyes in a huff, Piper stalked out of the room, barking, It never fails! You always take Gina's side! then stomped upstairs to her room, slamming the door behind her, rattling the framed photographs anchored to the wall in the hallway.

But Gina was persistent, never giving up on trying to fit in with Piper and her gaggle of friends, and eventually, was accepted as an equal into their inner circle. Gina even tagged along to Piper's high school reunion instead of waiting for her own gathering two years later. No one in Piper’s graduating class even blinked an eye at Gina’s appearance; some even assumed she’d graduated their same year, since she was involved in every one of their high school memories.

Piper and Gina's friendship had withstood time, from high school, to college, and into adult life. Piper didn't know what she would do without her sister in her life. She was always the first person she called when something upset her, or when she just wanted to gab.

Hey, G. It's Piper.

Hey, girl, Gina said enthusiastically. I just got back from the gym. What's up?

Piper could picture her sister's long frame in a pair of yoga pants and athletic bra with her bleached blonde hair tied into a high ponytail, sipping a bottle of Vitamin Water, as she always did after her workout. Although Gina was the runt in early grade school, she had long since passed Piper up in height and now towered over her older sister by four inches.

Just the same ol' stuff. Piper blew out an exasperated breath. I know I’m beating a dead horse here, but I honestly don't know if I can take this night shift crap any longer. It feels like I haven't seen Phillip in weeks. I'm really starting to think my fiancé is just a figment of my imagination.

Gina encouraged her sister. "Hang in there, Pipe. A day shift position has to open up sooner or later. I guess you're on your way into work now?"

'Fraid so.

Is Phillip working on Saturday?

Yes, he is, and it's the only day I have off. Seems to be the story of our life right now.

How 'bout we go shopping then. Retail therapy heals all wounds. We can make a full day of it.

That sounds like a plan. Piper smiled, grateful to have her sister to lean on, before adding, If you don't mind, I'd love to stop by Rebecca's Wedding Boutique to try on that gown I saw in their catalogue last week, and maybe we can find you a maid-of-honor dress while we’re there, too. I'd love to mark those two things off my wedding to-do list.

Sure. Whatever you want to do is fine by me.

Okay, great. I gotta go. I'll see you on Saturday, and by the way, you're the best. Thanks for always listening to my whining.

Gina laughed. No problem. Be safe, and I'll talk to you later.

Piper hit the end call button on her Bluetooth and immediately pushed the button again to phone Danielle Valent, her and Gina's third partner in crime. Danielle, a statuesque brunette, was a lifelong best friend of Piper's that lived two houses down the cul-de-sac from her parents and was considered a fourth child in the Wilkinson household. Throughout grade school, Danielle had always hung out at the Wilkinson house rather than her own. She ate most dinners at Piper's house, vacationed with the family, and more often than not, didn't even bother to let her mother and father know about parent's night at school, choosing to pull Piper's mom and dad around the classroom showing off her paper mache’ solar system, instead of her own.

Danielle answered on the first ring. Hey, Piper. What's up?

A whole lot of nothing.

Are you on your way to the dreaded graveyard shift? Danielle used a deep, gravelly voice, muttering, Mwahahhaha...

Piper wrinkled her brow. What in the world was that?

Danielle snickered. That's my spooky zombie impression. Get it? Zombies belong in graveyards.

"Ahhh, got it. Very funny," Piper replied dryly as she glanced in her rear view mirror.

Pipe, you are sooo grumpy these days. Can't say as I blame you though. I wouldn't last one week working the shitty hours you do.

Tell me about it, Piper said as she turned on her blinker to change lanes. Hey, I was calling to see if you had any plans this weekend.

Let me check my schedule. Danielle paused and then cackled out loud. You know I never do anything unless it's with you. So, what do you have planned, a little late night bar hopping? she asked hopefully, then added as an afterthought, Hey, maybe it's not too late and we can still get in on the pub crawl downtown on Saturday night.

Piper winced. Actually, I was talking about bridesmaid dress shopping.

Danielle groaned. Ahh, Piper. Can't you just pick something out for me? You know I don't care what it looks like, really.

Come on, Danni. I want whatever dress I pick to look good on you, as well as Gina.

Danielle huffed in sarcasm. Whatever you choose will look great on the Bean Pole, so just pick something out that's a little more tentish for me, and we'll both look fine.

Danni, we both know you're a six, now come on.

A size six, compared to your sister's size zero, is gargantuan.

Danielle, you're being ridiculous, and you know it. Piper veered her Volkswagen bug into the exit lane. "You have to come with us."

Danielle blew out a breath in surrender. Fine. Since you're so flipping determined to have my opinion on the subject, I'll go, but I'm not trying on a hundred friggin' dresses. I can promise you that.

Knowing she could talk her best friend into anything, Piper replied, Perfect! I'll call you back tomorrow with all the details.

Hey, before we hang up, my mom called today and asked me to give those white linen tablecloths back that she borrowed. Your mom said since you'll be the next one using them, just to drop them off at your place. I have them hanging in my car as we speak. Is Phillip going to be home tonight so I can go ahead and get rid of them?

I'm pretty sure he is, but text him before you head over, just so you don't make a wasted trip.

Sounds good. Have a great night, Pipe.

You do the same and give my boyfriend a big hug from me, would ya?

Piper veered into a parking spot on the seventh floor of the parking garage and yanked the visor down to look into the mirror. While she was weaving her long, strawberry blonde hair into a French braid, she gave herself the same pep talk she'd been giving herself for the last two months. I love my job. I love the sweet children I care for. I will have a good attitude today and every other day until I get switched to day shift. She sucked in a deep breath and swung open the door.

Within thirty minutes, Piper was back in her car, bubbling with excitement. The scheduling nurse had overbooked the staff that evening, which had never happened in the two years she had worked at the hospital. The nurses who had been called into work huddled behind the station desk to draw straws to see who received the night off, and low and behold, it was Piper. She had finally gotten a break, which she needed more than ever.

Although Piper tried to stay within the speed limit on her drive home, the elation she felt carried all the way down to her feet, making it nearly impossible to obey the law. She squealed her tires turning into the parking garage of the Harbor's and raced over to the elevator, punching the illuminated button numerous times until the doors finally squeaked opened. Once she had made it to their condominium, Piper paused to catch her breath, wanting to surprise Phillip with her unexpected night off from work. Trying to make as little noise as possible, Piper cracked open the door, peeked her head in to make sure the coast was clear, then began tiptoeing down the hallway to the living room, which had a breathtaking view of downtown Louisville.

As Piper inched down the hallway, she walked painstakingly slow to insure her steps were soundless, until she stopped dead in her tracks when she heard a bizarre grunting noise that sounded like a wounded animal. Fearful that Phillip may be having a heart attack, Piper hurriedly propelled forward into the living room and found herself standing a stone's throw away from Phillip's hairy white behind humping vigorously against the backside of an unidentified female. Although the lights were off and candles lit the area, there was no mistaking her fiancé's silhouette, or his stunned expression as he whipped around after hearing Piper's loud gasp.

Piper's first instinct was to run. She quickly spun on her heels, ready to retreat, when rage exploded within her, turning her back around to confront her cheating fiancé. She pushed him hard against his bare chest while he attempted to step into his trousers, knocking him sideways onto the black leather couch. Piper stood above him, her face red with uncontrollable fury as tears began streaming down her face, saturating her blue scrubs.

How could you? Piper screamed, her eyes narrow slits as she poked against his bare chest. We were engaged! Do you understand that terminology, asshole? That means we were going to get married! And you have the audacity to cheat on me? You are a lying, sack of--

Piper interrupted her own rant when she realized the woman, who had been cowering in the