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“Of course. Now, it’s about time for me to head out and get to work. I’ll call you in the morning to help sort this all out. Okay?”
“Yes.”
“Alright. Love ya, babes.”
“Love you, too.”
I tossed the phone to the other side of the bed, feeling a bit better. The Huffington State map I’d pinned against the ceiling was still in place.
Two months, I finalized, covering the top left portion of the map with my left hand in the air.Wherever it lands, I’ll go. I closed both eyes and twirled my right hand in the air.
Five. Four. Three. Two. One.After finishing my count, I held my pointy finger still and opened my eyes. Following its trail, I smiled once I’d reached the end.Berkeley.
The achiness in my chest returned. I swallowed hard, praying it subsided. As it did, I released a stream of oxygen and refilled my lungs with fresh air. The fear of the future clung to me, elevating my heart rate and pushing my mind into overdrive.
I sealed my lids, using controlled breathing exercises to help bring me from the ledge. Darkness scattered and was replaced with broad shoulders, a perfect set of teeth, and dimpled cheeks. With an obstructed view, I was unable to see any more of the face of the man who had taunted me for the last seven days. Visions of him resurfaced almost every time I closed my eyes.
Who are you?I pondered.
“Come ’er,” he called out.
And there I was, obliging. His wish was my command.
His large hands caressed my thigh as I sat on his lap.
“How’d you sleep?”
“Well,” I voiced, jarring myself from the vision.
Reality struck me twice as the decor of my bedroom became clearer in my line of vision. Taking a moment to gather myself, I maneuvered my head from one side to the other. The headache that was sure to follow led me to the medicine bag that hung from the door. After it was in my possession, I removed the bottle that contained the pain meds. Without a drop of water, I tossed a single pill down my throat, praying it kicked in before the headache intensified.
I pulled the blanket from the edge of the bed and covered my entire body in its thickness, praying sleep found me soon. My impatience was rewarding. Not much time elapsed before everything blackened around me and it wasn’t due to the setting of the sun.
TWO
Shit.I didn’t remember the tomato seeds until I was already out in the garden and ready to place them into the fresh holes I’d dug.
“Look, Daddy,” Aussie called out, sticking her soiled hands far too close to my eyes for me to see whatever it was she was attempting to show me.
“I can’t see, love bug.”
She took a few steps back and lowered her hands until I could clearly see the pile of worms she’d collected from the garden.
“Aussie, my love, we’ve discussed this, right? It doesn’t feel very good being uprooted from your home by a total stranger and airlifted to an unknown place when you prefer staying hidden underneath the soil and out of the way.”
“I love he, Daddy.”
“Them, Aussie. You love them and I’m sure they love you, too. However, we’ve talked about boundaries. You’re crossing one of theirs, okay?”
“Okaaaay,” she responded with sad eyes.
“Now, let’s go put them back where you found them. I’m sure they’ll be so happy.”
“Okay, Daddy.”
“Good job, my love.”
She bounced in the opposite direction, headed toward the other side of the garden where she’d been digging for worms. The pinging of my cell caught my eye, stealing my attention from my precious daughter. Just as I unlocked my screen to view the alert, the gravel sounded in the distance. Rocks maneuvered under the pressure of tires and the weight of a vehicle.
