Fact Checking    

By Marilyn and Cal

She felt sort of numb as she stood on the porch of the boarding house watching Sid drive away. She had no idea what to do next. She wanted to find out more if she could. Maybe just confirm that what information Sid had found was true. But how? Thinking for a moment she remembered her lunch with Cal. Did she still have his phone number? She walked inside the boarding house and found a copy of the "Times" on the front desk. She looked through it until she found what she was looking for. Writing down the number she headed back to her room to call Cal.

Cal was just about to leave the office when the phone stopped him in his tracks. He debated if he should answer it or not. He gave in and turned to pick the phone up. Dropping it to the floor he bent over to pick it up.

"Sorry bout that. This is Cal McCaffery. Can I help you?"

"Cal? It's Ivy Braddock. I was wondering if you could help me with something..." her voice trailed off. She was finding it difficult to vocalize what she needed. "Can you verify if Jimmy has a fight in the next week?" beginning to shake she found it difficult to hold onto the phone herself. "Cal? Are you there?"

"I'm here, Ivy." he said then he paused. "I've not heard of anything regarding a bout, hon, but I can check the AP wires. What's this all about, Ivy? Did you hear something? Rumor maybe?"

Concern filled Cal's voice and it was fed by the same in Ivy's.

"I heard something...I just wanted to find out...." her shaking had turned to sobbing. This was harder than she imagined.

"Cal....I have to know," she finally managed to get out. "I couldn't think of anyone else who could find out for me, if this is too much to ask....I'm sorry." She felt drained but her sobbing had lessened to a steady trickle of tears.

His heartstrings were pulled taught from her tone. He couldn't help but wonder why Jim would conceal something like this from her and he sure didn't want to get in the middle of anything between them. Letting out a big sigh, he gave in. "I'll do it now, Ivy. I'll go check the wires, make a couple of calls. Will you be at the boarding house?"

"Yes...and thank you Cal." Ivy hung up the phone, the knot in her stomach somewhat lessened. She knew Cal was a good reporter, she would trust anything he came up with.

 Not knowing was the worst part she told herself. She would decide on a course of action after Cal checked the facts. For now all she could do was wait.