The Impostor, A Love Story Read online

  The Impostor

  A Love Story

  by

  Tiffany Carmouche

  Table of Contents

  COPYRIGHT

  A Love Story

  Tiffany Carmouche

  ©2012 Copyright Tiffany Carmouche

  *This is a work of fiction. Elements inspired by a true story.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems—except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews –without permission in writing from the author.

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Copyright ©2012 Tiffany Carmouche

  Published by C&C Legacy

  Cover Design by Earthly Charms

  Interior Design by Benjamin Carrancho

  Copy Editing by Snadra Udall

  Author Photo by Creative Flows

  To find more about Tiffany Carmouche

  Web Page: http://www.tiffanycarmouche.com

  Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/TiffanyCarmoucheAuthor

  Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15747559-the-impostor

  Email: [email protected]

  Twitter://twitter.com/tiffcarmouche

  Next book in series Obsession and Sacrifice http://tinyurl.com/c7xrpe2

  Dedication

  To my beautiful daughters Rochelle and Martina,

  There is no way for me to express the love, the pride, the respect, and the pure joy, I have in the two of you. You have given my life meaning and hope in dark times, and filled me with happiness with our “coffee time” talks! (Which is any hour of the day, and sometimes doesn’t involve coffee-the only thing important is that we are together.) Watching the two of you grow into the amazing young ladies you have become has been such an honor. I am so proud of who you are and all you strive for. You are my best friends. You are my life.

  Rochelle- My Blue Eyed Princess. When you were born, I had no idea how I was going to give you all the things in life you deserved. Escaping to Alaska with you is a memory that will always be etched in my mind. We traveled the world together, we’ve shed many tears, and we have witnessed the joy that only life can bring. Everything you have set out to do, not only do you accomplish—you excel! You are such a blessed therapist, such an amazing author, and most importantly… such a loving and wonderful mother. I am so proud of your upcoming novel and so happy you are pursuing your dreams.

  Martina- My Brown Eyed Angel. Your birth brought new meaning to me. My miracle baby! When the world became stale—you gave it life. Your fascination with the moon made me appreciate the beauty in the world again. Your unwavering faith, your compassion and your amazing talents have been such a blessing to those who know you. You were born with a song in your heart and you are such a gifted musician! Please continue pursuing your passion!

  My angels, you have seen that sometimes life brings darkness and struggles but the strength, the talent, the love and compassion in each of you is like a beacon. Always shine, because your light illuminates the world! I am so honored to have been blessed with the two of you! Dream Big! Laugh Often! And Love Much!-Mom

  “The things I thought were important to me have somehow been turned upside down,

  and all that matters now is you.”

  -Dylan Richardson,

  The Impostor, A Love Story by Tiffany Carmouché

  Chapter One

  We were on our way. Exhilarating? Yes. Insane? Absolutely! I shuffled through the airport with my best friend Emily, both of us lugging our huge suitcases. Emily walked ahead of me through the terminal. Her light brown hair blanketed her shoulders, falling halfway down her back. The suitcase she dragged behind her appeared larger than she was. I smiled at the sight.

  We were both finally old enough to drink, but the adventure awaiting us intoxicated us even more than our first shots of tequila.

  We checked in and were ready for the unknown—a little nervous, but really excited. Emily’s brown eyes lit up. “Nicole, this is the craziest thing we have ever done.” Her dimples revealed themselves.

  “Probably,” I paused. “No, I have to say, most definitely!”

  We soon boarded the plane, and I gazed out the window. Maryland had been all we’d ever known, and I couldn’t help thinking about the reason we finally had the nerve to do something so radical as leave it.

  The sound of the engines racing filled my ears. A tiny shiver prickled up my spine. As the plane lifted off the horizon, I reminded myself that I was flying away from the heartache, the regret, and all of the disappointment in my life.

  I glanced at Emily as the clouds washed over the plane. The sun danced as it illuminated the soft white, and a smile sprang to my lips. Each beam of light gave me hope.

  Staring out the window, I began thinking about the events that changed my life forever.

  I had gone to pick up my daughter, Jessica. Exhausted, I approached the sitter’s home—the home where my Jessica spent most of her time. I knocked on the door and waited for Lucia to open it, inhaling as I tried to let go of the stress from the day.

  Lucia greeted me and led me to the playroom.

  “Mommy!” My princess was four years old. Her beautiful dark hair flew behind her, and her blue eyes sparkled as she ran to jump in my arms. “Mommy, you’re back!” She embraced me, putting her head on my shoulder. I thanked Lucia and carried Jess to the car.

  When we arrived at our musky basement apartment, I tried to camouflage how tired I felt. I breathed in. My Jessica danced around, so happy we were together. She didn’t seem to notice the water-damaged ceiling the landlord had never repaired or the horrible plaid sofa that I bought at a yard sale.

  Watching my daughter prance throughout the room, I noticed that her outfit was getting too tight. I somehow had to save up and buy her some new clothes, but with what money? Feeling defeated, I plopped down on the ugly couch and breathed in slowly. The smell of mildew made my nose twitch instead of relaxing me. Letting the air out, I stared out the tiny window. Night had come upon us. Working long hours and weekends had to stop, but I could barely afford to put gas in my beat-up, secondhand car and rent a room in this suffocating basement.

  After dinner, I lay on Jessica’s bed beside her, reading Cinderella. Her big eyes lit up as I told her the story of a poor girl finding her prince charming. “And they lived happily ever after.” I kissed her forehead as the story ended and tucked the covers tightly around her. I turned off the light, thinking sadly that love and happy endings only exist in fairytales.

  The next morning I met Raven while sitting in the crowded Motor Vehicle Administration waiting room. She was my age, early twenties, and belonged on the cover of a magazine. God knows how we ever started talking. It might have been the long wait, the two of us surrounded by sterile walls, and the sea of people all impatient to get out of there.

  The hours dragged by. I’d just met Raven, but she changed my life forever when she told me where I could make more money than I ever dreamed.

  “Alaska? Raven, that’s where Eskimos live!” I raised my eyebrows.

  “Nicole, you idiot.” Raven laughed at me. Her long, bleached-blonde hair cascaded around her shoulders, complementing the form-fitting top and stretch jeans, which accentuated her
curves. Thigh-high boots with four-inch heels helped her tower over my five-foot frame. Striking. So striking, it was sickening— a living Barbie doll.

  She went on describing Alaska. “They have cities just like we do here, but most importantly, they have bars. If you work as a bartender or waitress there, you can make in a night what you make here in a few weeks.”

  The rings that adorned Raven’s perfectly manicured hands sparkled when she gestured. I thought about how Jessica needed some new clothes. I didn’t need diamonds, but the possibility of spending more time with Jess got me thinking.

  Alaska? I graduated from high school a few years ago and always dreamed of traveling, but I wanted to go to Italy or someplace exotic. Not Alaska. Who goes to Alaska?

  “It’s really cold, isn’t it?”

  “So buy a winter coat. There are more men than women there, and a pretty girl like you could make so much in tips.” Pretty? I blushed at the compliment. I peeked down at my khaki pants and uniform top, shaking my head.

  “I don’t know.”

  Raven and I walked out of the MVA together.

  “I can give you the number of the bar I worked at. They will pay your way there, and you can work off the airfare. Once you are settled and have a place to stay, you can have someone bring your daughter. Go for just a month and try it out. If you hate it, you just come home a lot richer. But I bet you will want to stay.”

  She walked toward her car—get this, a bright-red Mercedes. I stared at the phone number in my hand.

  “Maybe I could,” I began. Then I realized all the things I’d have to do if I were going to try something so crazy.

  I sighed. I could never go to Alaska. I’ll never go anywhere. I put the paper in my pants pocket. I waited for Raven to drive away and then got in my version of a red-hot Ferrari. Truth is I didn’t want to be seen getting into the piece of junk I drove, or heard for that matter. My car needed an exhaust, and I couldn’t afford one, so a friend got a part at the junk yard. The muffler was held up by a coat hanger and some duct tape, but at least the car ran.

  I got in and turned the ignition. The rumbling spit loudly as it backfired, embarrassing me more than ever. I glanced around to see who was watching as I proceeded out of the parking lot.

  Raven exhibited perfection. I wanted to be her. I wanted her life. I wanted to travel. I didn’t need to drive a fancy car, but I wanted more for my daughter.

  A week later, after a long day at work, I sat and stared at a pile of bills on the coffee table. I went to my room and picked the pants up from my hamper. I pulled the crumpled paper out of my pocket, thinking about the possible opportunity it held, and put it on the dresser as I picked up some dolls for Jess. I stopped, turning back. Should I call? Just to find out? I shook my head.

  “Here are some toys, Angel. Mommy’s going to take a shower.”

  I turned the knob and watched the water trickle out. While I waited for it to warm up, I stared in the mirror, scrutinized my hair pulled in a ponytail, and inspected my clothes. The uniform hung off of me, but it was comfortable so I never asked for the correct size.

  If I at least put on eyeliner, it would hide the fact that I didn’t sleep anymore.

  I took my hair out of the ponytail, messed it up a little, and combed it with my fingers. My chocolate-colored hair spilled down my back in gentle waves. In the bathroom light, the auburn highlights from the sun danced with each curl. I should wear my hair down more often.

  I tried to think back to a time I picked out a sexy outfit to wear somewhere. I tried to think back to a time when I took the time to wear makeup. I breathed out, exasperated. I tried to think back to a time I didn’t look like shit. Damn, that sucks. I look like this all the time!

  Undressing, I stepped in the warm water. As the droplets kissed my skin, I closed my eyes and tried to let go of all the stress, but my sanctuary only lasted a moment.

  I grabbed a towel and walked back into my room, thinking of how together Raven dressed and decided I’d put on something that didn’t look like it was rejected from the Salvation Army.

  “Hello, Angel.” I entered the room and saw Jessica’s sparkling eyes. I picked her up, swung her around, and gave her a big kiss.

  “Can we go to the park, Mommy?” Mommy. I was barely old enough to be a mom, but my daughter had become my everything.

  I peeked out the window. “Honey, it’s going to get dark soon.”

  “Pwease, Mommy.” Her big blue eyes opened wide as she pouted her little lip. Irresistible.

  “Okay, sweetie, we’ll try.”

  I grabbed the keys and decided to make the best of our little bit of sunlight. We pulled into the park at twilight.

  When we arrived, we were transported to a place where princesses, good queens, and villains lived. We climbed through the playground as the moon illuminated the sky and all that mattered was this precious moment in time when “happily ever after” was real.

  As darkness finally fell upon us, I picked Jessica up and started to carry her back to the car, disappointed our magic had to end.

  That’s when I saw his car. My heartbeat increased as I scoped the parking lot to see how close my Prism was. Jessica’s dad, Ronald, walked toward me. He was back in town. I flashed back to the beer bottles littering the room, his slurred speech, and the worst part—his anger.

  “Nicole.” He rushed toward me.

  I tried to hurry and get Jessica in the car before he got to us.

  “Nicole, you haven’t answered any of my calls.” All of a sudden, this dead-beat dad started showing up places unexpectedly. He promised he had changed. I had heard that before.

  For years, he thought chasing girls and drinking alcohol was more important than spending time with his daughter. What happened this time? I wondered.

  Ronald had been my first—my only. Enamored by my high school sweetheart, I thought we would last forever; but once he acquired a love for alcohol and drugs, his inhibitions all disappeared. Because of an injury, he never made it to college football, and thinking back, that is when his addictions started to get really bad. He became someone different—negative, verbally abusive, and lethargic. Before long, he started using his fist.

  “Jessica needs her daddy,” Ronald began. He probably just needs a place to stay, I tried to remind myself, so I wasn’t hurt by him again.

  “Come on, Nikki. I love you, honey. Think of it. Jessica needs a family.”

  I wanted to believe he loved me, and I wanted our little family to live happily ever after. I fell in love with him when I was fifteen and still believed in storybook endings. I still wanted to. But I remembered the bruises, and somehow this time I managed to be strong enough to say no.

  His facial expression contorted as color set in his cheeks. My heart began to race even faster as I stared at the closed driver’s door.

  He grabbed my arm and I flinched. His grip cut off my circulation.

  “Jessica needs her father.” His voice changed; it became harsh and demanding. I could smell the beer on his breath. His fingers dug into my arms as his eyes bulged. “She needs her father.” He shook me hard. I felt my brain shake in my skull, and I started to feel light-headed. It was dark. There was no one around to hear me scream.

  Jessica watched us from inside the car. I couldn’t let her see me get beaten again. Biting his hand, I surprised him, and then I kneed him in the balls. As he doubled over, he released my arms. I opened the door and jumped in my car. Slamming the door, I locked it quickly. He grabbed at the handle as I started the car and sped away.

  I carried Jessica into my apartment still feeling uneasy. After tucking her in bed, I walked to my dresser and examined the piece of paper Raven had scribbled the number on, and decided to call my best friend, Emily.

  The first time I had talked to Emily about Alaska she responded as if I was crazy. “Why the hell would we go to a place covered in six feet of snow?”

  “Ronald’s back from prison, Em. He’s harassing me to get together with
him again.”

  “I can’t believe he’s already out. You have to be careful. You put him there. He is not the kind of guy that forgives easily. I have seen you fall for his lies over and over again. It always ends the same. Does he know where you live?”

  “Not yet. He found me at the park, but I lost him before he was able to follow me home. He said he’s changed, Em. He said Jess needs her dad.”

  “He just wants to control you again. If he wanted anything to do with Jess, he would have been giving you child support. You can’t trust him. I know he is the only guy you have been with and so you still care for him, but think about what he did to you. You can’t keep forgiving him, Nikki. You can’t keep being so naïve.”

  “I know. I know better. Why is it I want to believe he’s finally for real?”

  “You’re never going to break the spell he has over you until you sleep with someone else. He’s no good for you!” She tried to convince me, “If he’s back, you need to get away. He will find you like he did last time. I’ve been thinking about that idea you had about going to Alaska. It may be fun. I need to find a way to move out of my parents’ house anyway. I could use a job where I could actually make some money. Let’s do it, Nicole. Let’s go!”

  This time Emily understood. It wasn’t just about us making more money and getting out of dead-end jobs.

  We were both searching for more. Before I knew it, we were escaping to Alaska.

  A patch of turbulence shook me out of my memory. I tried to blink so Emily wouldn’t see the tear escaping my eye. I had never left my daughter before. My parents agreed to watch Jess until I could bring her to Alaska or run back home—whichever came first.