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I remember having it last night and texting Niko before my uncle called me to dinner. And I took it with me to the table. But I don’t remember what I did with it after that.
Absentmindedly, I walk into the kitchen and check all the surfaces there, coming up empty. As I’m looking on top of the microwave, my uncle returns from putting the gardening things away in the garage. His shirt is soaking wet and slightly clinging to his paunchy frame.
“Looking for something?”
Remembering his slight outburst last night at the mention of Niko, I don’t want to bring it up. But at the same time, if I don’t, I may never find it.
“Have you seen my cell phone?”
His brows furrow, and his eyes drift as if he’s searching his memory. “No, I haven’t. You had it at dinner last night. Did you take it to bed with you?”
He slides off his wet shoes and tosses his keys on the counter where they slide to the middle before coming to a halt.
“Maybe. I’ll go check my room again.”
As I turn to leave, he calls after me. “Do you want some dinner first?”
I spin back around and find him regarding me gently with his hands on his hips. “I think I’m tired. I’m going to take a bath and get ready for bed.”
“You should eat. You did a lot of work today.” His eyes scan my dirt-clad body.
“I’m still full from breakfast,” I lie. I’m just desperate to be alone. And find my phone.
He clears his throat and walks to the fridge. “If you change your mind, I’ll leave some leftovers for you.”
“Thank you,” I mumble and slip off to my room.
My hands shake as I close my door gently and drop to my knees again in search of my phone. Why can’t I find it? What did I do with it? And then the painful thought of what will I do if I never find it? Will my uncle get me a new one? Even if he does, I don’t remember Niko’s phone number. I’ll have to see him, but in order to do that, I need to text him.
Oh, no. Tears spill down my cheeks. I hastily wipe them with the back of my hand. I’m sure it’ll turn up, but the thought of not being connected to Niko, even for a night, is killing me. I need to keep moving forward, and maybe tomorrow I’ll find it.
It’s with that thought that I gather my pajamas. A mint green nightgown is the only thing clean since I spent all day gardening and not asking for help doing laundry. I’m too used to Niko just knowing what I need and helping me, rather than having to ask for help. I add that to my list of things to work on and discuss with my therapist.
My therapist! I forgot to see my therapist!
With my pajamas in my arms, I throw open my door and deposit them in the bathroom before running to the kitchen. My uncle’s face pales as he sees me barreling toward him, but he doesn’t make a move away from the stove where he’s stirring something in a pot.
“I forgot my appointment today!”
At my words, he visibly relaxes on the spot. “Ah, shit, Rebecca, I’m sorry. I’ll call right now and reschedule.”
My shoulders slump. “Thank you.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s just one appointment. We’ll get you back on track.”
I bid him good night for the second time and wander back down the hall for my much-anticipated bath.
And after soaking for an extra-long time in the tub, I put on my nightgown and crawl into bed.
I’m thrown awake by a noise. I lie still, nearly holding my breath, straining to hear it again.
A creak.
Something shifts.
A scrape of metal on metal.
A groan.
