Enough

by Pacheco, Briana

  “Ah…happy birthday, Emily.” Liam said.

  “You finally called me by my name.” I said.

  “If you want me to call you prom queen again, I can.”

  “No, that’s fine.” I said as Kaylie brought us over to the swings. I do like the nickname but I’d rather he call me by my name. Doesn’t everyone?

  “Emily, push me.” Kaylie said sitting on the swing.

  “Kaylie, you know how to swing yourself.” Liam said with a cocked eyebrow. There was nothing mean about it. Damn, he really is a good guy. Everyone has the wrong idea about him. I had the wrong idea.

  “It’s okay.” I said walking up to the little girl giving me puppy dog eyes. I pushed Kaylie slowly at first but she was eager to go higher and higher. I didn’t feel comfortable swinging her too high so Liam took over. I sat on the swig beside her and swayed back and forth. I didn’t know I was even swinging until Kaylie pointed at me and ooh’d and ahh’d so I made myself slow down.

  We played for a few more minutes until Kaylie had enough. She was breathing hard from the game of cat and mouse. She made me be the mouse. Liam laughed at that the whole time.

  “Emily, come home with us.” Kaylie said.

  “What? Kaylie you know you can’t invite people you don’t know home.” Liam said shooting me an apologetic look.

  “How about I walk you home?” I asked trying to get her to smile again. She nodded and reached for my hand. She’s too cute.

  Their house is four houses down from Alex’s. Huh. I didn’t know that. Kaylie jumped up and down when a man walked out of a gate leading to the backyard wearing a baseball cap that covered his face.

  “Daddy. Daddy! Come meet Emily.” Kaylie said running toward him.

  “Sorry.” Liam said. “She’s usually not like this.”

  “It’s fine.” I said. It’s nice seeing kids happy.

  “Did you have fun at the park?” Their dad asked picking up Kaylie. His voice sounds familiar but I don’t know where from.

  “Yeah, Emily was pushing me on the swing then she went on and she went high. I want to be like her when I grow up, Daddy.” Kaylie said.

  God, I hope not. No one should grow up to be like me.

  “Well that sounds fun.” He said twisting his cap backwards and looking up at me. I almost chocked on the lump forming in my throat.

  “Miss Vasquez?” He asked surprised.

  “Officer Ryans.” I said looking anywhere but at him.

  Liam looked at the both of us. “You guys know each other?” He asked. Yeah, you could say that. I was left speechless.

  “Yeah…um…I’m sorry. I have to go.” I said turning around fast. “Bye, Kaylie. Officer Ryans. Liam.”

  “I’ll walk you back. It’s the least I can do.” Liam said. I nodded and left. I just need to get out of here. I like to run. I noticed that. We walked back to Alex’s house when Liam asked, “How do you know my dad?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it.” I said.

  Just keep walking. Just keep walking.

  “I hear ya. My dad always brings his work home and it’s crazy sometimes. Some girl got attacked this week and I guess the guy was after her sister. I think she was raped too. You should be careful. There are some serious creeps out there.” He said.

  I’m pretty sure he’s talking about me and Scarlett.

  “When did this happen?” I asked.

  “Wednesday night.” I stopped walking.

  Definitely me and Scarlett.

  “Do you know the girls?” I asked. Liam shook his head. Good. “Does your father know anything else on the guy who stabbed the girl?”

  “No. Wait, how did you know that the girl was stabbed? You were asking questions like you didn’t hear anything.” Liam said. Shit. I shouldn’t have asked him anything. “Emily, is that how you know my dad?” I was silent but Liam obviously got his answer. “What happened?” What didn’t?

  “My sister was attacked. I have to go. Thank you for walking me here.” I said starting to walk up Alex’s driveway.

  “Emily.” Liam ran up to me and grabbed my arm. “I can find out anything you need.” He said. I nodded. What can I say to that? “I’m sorry about what happened…to both of you.”

  “Thanks.” I said. Yup, he now knows. Perfect. He walked back to his house and I went back to Alex. He was in an office I haven’t seen in the back before. I was mesmerized by all the cars. Some were newer, some older but well taken care of. I can’t believe he has so many.

  “Did you have a good time?” Alex asked as he walked up to me with a clipboard in his hand.

  “Yeah, you know Liam. That was his sister, Kaylie.” I said. “What are you doing?” I asked.

  “I’m giving some of these away for auction. My lawyer, Dante, wants a list of which cars and then he’ll review it.” Alex said. Of course he give them up for an auction. This is the perfect guy.

  “Why do you want to get rid of them?” I asked.

  “I can’t keep them forever. Mine as well I give them away to someone who will care for them as if it was their child.” He said.

  “I see.”

  We spent hours going through all the cars and talking about his lawyer. Apparently, his lawyer is like family so they’re always in touch. Whatever Dante wants, Alex does. He’s like a father to Alex.

  When I checked my phone it was around seven pm. We spent the whole day here. I actually didn’t mind. Cars and a hot guy. Ooh la la.

  “Are you hungry? You didn’t eat all day.” Alex asked as he put the clipboard back in the office. I really need a tour of this place. We went up a few stairs that led to a door. The garage was still visible from this point.

  “Yeah, I guess.” I said. We walked through the door and it led into the house. “There are a lot of secret hiding places I don’t know about.”

  “You’d be surprised. I’ll show you them some time.” Yes! There’s going to be more times. He even said it. Calm down.

  We walked into the kitchen and the lights were out. I’m not okay with that because of my situation with power outages. I’m still freaked over things.

  “Where’d my family go?” I asked as Alex turned on the lights. Are they ignoring me or what? It’s my birthday and they didn’t call me or text me or–

  “Surprise!” Mom, Scarlett, Declan and Tiffany yelled.

  “What are you guys doing here?” I asked after I jumped.

  “It’s your birthday. Hello?” Tiffany said while walking over to hug me. “It’s a small crowd. Declan told me not to spread the word. Douchebag. But we always have next year, right?” I nodded.

  “Bryan didn’t come?” I whispered to her. She shook her head. I didn’t think he would if I had a party but it would have been nice to see him here.

  I looked over at Alex.

  “Did you know about this?” I asked. He nodded. That’s why he kept me in the garage. I walked over to where the rest of my family was. “I don’t want to talk about it. I talked to Bryan’s dad already. Let’s just have some fun. I only turn eighteen once.” I said before Mom could say something. I know her. Scarlett’s in a chair and my smile faded. “I’m sorry about this. If I were you, I wouldn’t want to be at a little party.” She waved it off.

  “Don’t worry about me. It’s your day today. Happy birthday, Em.” She said pulling me into her.

  All of us spent some time together until the cake was brought out.

  “Don’t forget about the wish!” Tiffany said a little too cheerfully. I glanced at Scarlett. If only a wish could make everything better. For eighteen years, my life has been up and down and back around but my family and friends were always there for me. I wish my life would get back to normal, Bryan will still be my best friend and that psychopath will get caught soon. I blew out the candles not caring that it was three wishes instead of one.

  We cut the cake and ate. Everyone was sitting at the kitchen table when the doorbell rang. “I got it.” Alex said standing up. Tiffany wiggled her brows at
me when I caught her eye.

  “I had a great time. Thank you. Oh and Tiffany, where’s your new guy?” I asked. She said I’d meet him.

  “He had a family emergency.” She said rolling her eyes. “You’ll meet him soon. Don’t worry.”

  Alex came back with a small package in his arms. “This is a special delivery for you.” He said handing me a small blue box.

  “I said I didn’t want anything for my birthday.” I said as I looked at everyone. I opened the blue box and inside there was a blue collar. I picked it up and it read Gizmo. I was confused.

  “We were going to get a dog before we moved but we had to postpone it. You can pick him up next week. So technically it’s not a birthday present.” Mom said.

  “What kind of dog?” I asked.

  “Shih-Tzu.” Scarlett said. I almost jumped up and down with excitement. I fucking love those dogs.

  “Okay, I’ll accept this…and the car of course.” I said putting the box down. I’m getting a dog. A dog! We spent the rest of the night laughing it up and having fun. I had a fun birthday. Only thing missing is Bryan, Mark and Christy.

  “Hey, what time do you need to go back home?” I asked Tiffany.

  She dug out her phone and frowned. “About right now. I’m already in deep shit for skipping out of school with Bryan the other day but it was worth it.” She said.

  “Do you need a ride?” I asked. “How did you even get here? I could drive you back.” She leaned in closer to me.

  “Declan got me.” She whispered. Then she called out over her shoulder, “Declan, can you drive me home now?”

  “Yeah, sure.” He called back.

  She wiggled her eyebrows at me.

  “He totally wants me. Just kidding. But you know he is super hot. I haven’t seen him in a while and he looks like he’s been working out and those lips, they are waiting for mine to–” I pinched her lightly on the arm.

  “Ew, he’s my brother. That’s weird hearing you say that.” I said.

  “Shut up!” She lowered her voice. “What about Bryan? He told me… That must really suck. You were totally into him. Now…” She trailed off and hugged me. “Don’t worry about it. He’ll get over it soon enough. We’ll be best friends again in no time.” I nodded my head. I hope she’s right.

  Bryan hasn’t talked to me since I told him.

  Declan walked over to the front door and waited for Tiffany to walk out. “Bye, Spencer.” She said hugging me one last time. Now that I think about it, Tiff doesn’t call me Vasquez. She’s been doing me a favor. I love her for it. She waved goodbye to everyone else and left. Alex closed the door and set the alarm. I just realized I didn’t know what the code is so I watched what numbers he pressed and tried to remember them: 1158392. I walked into the kitchen as my mom was helping Scarlett out of her seat.

  “Thank you guys for the party. Do you want me to bring you up?” I asked. Scarlett shook her head and Mom walked her out.

  I cleaned up the leftovers and put them in the refrigerator. As I closed the door, Alex popped up waiting there.

  I screamed then I put my hand to my mouth.

  “Alex! You can’t sneak up on me like that.” I said.

  “Sorry, I thought you heard me come in.” He said leaning against the fridge. “Had a nice night?” He whispered.

  “Night’s not over yet.” I whispered back.

  Ohmygod…

  I turned around and pretended to wipe down the counter. I need to shut up. I can’t be flirting with Alex with my family in the house. I’ll be tempted to do something and I don’t want to have to keep quiet when it’s happening.

  “Alex…thank you for tonight. For everything really.” I said.

  “Anytime.” He said right behind me. I froze as I felt his body heat on my back. His breath on my neck. His smell wrapping around me.

  I turned around and stared into his eyes.

  To say we grabbed each other would be putting it lightly. I’m pretty sure I attacked him. I crashed my lips onto his and hands were all over the place. It was the best kiss of my life hands down.

  We ended up in Alex’s room with the door closed but then we heard the front door open and we pulled away from each other. I’m actually amazed I can still breathe.

  Someone knocked on the bedroom door and Alex told them to come in as he walked to his closet.

  “Tiffany was pretty weird in the car.” Declan said poking his head into the room. “Thought I’d find you in here.”

  “Yeah, she’s like that.” I said. Alex came out of his closet and Declan didn’t say anything about it. My family’s acting strange. Declan sees me in here and he’s not telling me to leave. Maybe they trust me. I don’t know. Maybe they just feel bad for me.

  “Well, goodnight then. Oh and Emily, happy birthday. I know how you feel about gifts but my favorite sister only turns eighteen once.” He said walking in.

  “I heard that.” Scarlett tried yelling through her room beside ours.

  Declan smiled and handed me a little black box.

  “Thank you.” I said hugging him. He smile nodded a goodbye to Alex and left the room. I peeled the silver ribbon off and opened it. There was a beautiful bright blue rose on a silver necklace chain. It’s the color of my eyes and it’s also my favorite color. Every year my family would get me flowers for my birthday. This year, this is perfect.

  I smiled and closed up the box.

  I went under the blankets and counted the minutes until everyone went to sleep. I have to do something for a bit. And I have to do it alone.

  “Emily?” I turned my head towards Alex. “This is probably not the right time to ask this but tomorrow…would you go out with me…somewhere? Maybe a movie, dinner, anything you want.”

  It’s like he’s reading my mind and trying to stop me from leaving.

  “I would like that.” I said. Maybe any other time Alex could have asked me that I would have fainted from joy but not tonight. I’d love to spend some time with him but I have to get away and focus on how I could try and find the psychopath first. I haven’t forgotten him yet.

  “It’s a date then.” He said. “Night, Emily.”

  “Night, Alex.” I closed my eyes and waited.

  A few hours passed, I think it’s four, and I was sure everyone in the house was sleeping. I tried paying more attention to Alex but his breaths were too quiet. I slowly got off the bed and grabbed some clothes and from the suitcase. I got dressed quickly and walked over to Alex’s desk. I looked for a piece a paper and pen. The first drawer squeaked when I opened it, thankfully it was there. I began to write: Alex, Don’t worry about me. I just have to clear my head. Don’t tell the rest of them I’m gone, they’ll probably call the cops and just worry more. I’ll be safe. Emily

  I laid the paper on the pillow beside him, grabbed my purse and grabbed the necklace Declan got for me. I put it on, grabbed my phone and quietly went down the stairs.

  I put in the code to turn off the alarm, opened the door and reset it. I unlocked the car doors and checked the backseat to make sure there was no one in there. The car roared to life and I drove. I checked the mirrors every so often to make sure no one was following me.

  I feel bad leaving like that but I can’t focus here. I need to be alone and think things through.

  I got on the highway and drove to a familiar place I’d like to think of as home.

  9. Sure About This?

  Driving on the highway at this time of day was awesome. No one else was on the road, the sun was starting to rise and the music on the radio wasn’t that bad. The drive to my grandparents’ house always lifted my mood. Maybe it’s because I can be alone and no one will interrupt me. I always loved coming up to this place with my family.

  Every Saturday, Mom would throw us in the car and bring us up here. That was until both my grandparents died of heart attacks days apart. It was tough on us. The hour and a half drive up here would get boring. Scarlett would be texting her friends and ignoring us just
like all twenty-one year olds having a day off from college would. Declan would be playing on his PSP because that’s what every seventeen year old who gets stuck with a car full of women would rather do and I would sit in the back reading. Yeah, I’m a bookworm. Reading’s my favorite thing to do. Mom still jokes around by saying I was reading while I was still in the womb. She did read to me while pregnant so that could be it.

  My dad would always go to work or go somewhere else none of us knew about. He never wanted to spend time with us. He was the definition of a douchebag.

  My grandmother would be cooking while we were on the road so by the time we got there, the food would be done. My grandfather would sit outside smoking his cigars and taking care of the garden out back. He would always say, “The vegetables will grow only with a man’s touch.” I believed it. I use to come up here and try to take of the garden but school become harder and I needed to do more things. The garden died.

  I was driving through the center of the city and the Christmas decorations were already up and lit. I remembered that Christmas is Wednesday. Four days away.

  The reason I never want gifts on my birthday is because I get them on Christmas. They’re five days apart so I can wait. But Mom never listens and always gets me something anyways.

  The city’s quiet today. The only people I saw were the ones walking their dogs. The music that plays every year was off so maybe around the time everyone’s up it’ll be on. I can’t wait.

  My grandparent’s house is five minutes away from here. I can already see the smile plastered on my face in the rearview mirror. It’s really nice to be up here again.

  I kept driving until I saw the small family house hiding between a few trees. I pulled into the dirt driveway and put the car in park. I grabbed my purse and looked for the key. The door knob has always been jammed but a little practice from earlier years shows that when the key is in, you have to twist the knob the other way and it’ll open. It’s an old house.

  The door finally unlocked and the familiar smell of cherry blossoms and orchids filled my lungs. I guess I left the candles uncovered and out in the open.