by Holly Hood
I cleaned up the dishes as Evan went to change into shorts. He said it was warmer than earlier and needed to get out of his pants. Looking around the house, I was starting to understand what he meant by this was another step to us being together. It felt like our home. No more Kenny and Ari living with us. We had privacy. We could do as we pleased. And the plus was that Ari still was in walking distance of me to confide all my worries and concerns with.
“Okay, you want to walk down four houses or you want to drive?” Evan asked, looking serious, then broke into a smile.
“Walking will be just fine,” I said, tossing the sponge in the sink.
It was exactly four houses from ours. It looked the same as ours from the outside. I could see Ari bounding around on the inside from the window as we approached.
Evan knocked on the door. Kenny opened it, walking away-his usual Kenny greeting, which was nothing. I felt a poke on my back and turned around to see Mark standing there.
“Hey, figured I’d stop as well,” Mark said beaming. Evan nodded walked in first. Mark accepted a beer from Kenny, standing in the kitchen, chatting it up with Kenny and Evan.
Ari spotted me in seconds and practically ran across the room tackling me. She dragged me out the front door and almost knocked me over outside.
“I’m so glad you’re here! How do you like your house? Did you see the bedroom?” she said excited.
“It’s amazing. I was blown away,” I said, holding her hand in mine, trying to act as if I didn’t already know.
Ari and I sat down on the steps chatting it up about the houses and all the things the guys had made sure to add to them. She said she loved her closet and how her bedroom had a Betty Boop clock in it. She said many things, but never once did she make a comment about the big rock on her tiny finger. I was confused at why she didn’t say anything.
“So, I think I will like it,” I continued in our discussion. The sun was starting to go down as we sat on the porch. Ari nodded looking off. “That’s a great looking ring,” I spit out.
Ari’s arm shot to her chest. She stared at it with barely any emotion. “Thanks,” she said in a low whisper.
“Honestly, I thought you were going to be happy.”
“I was, but not anymore,” she said, looking at me and touching my ring.
“Why not?”
“Because no matter how much I care about Kenny, I really don’t feel like he cares about me. I think it’s all just forced,” she said sighing.
“What do you want to do?” I asked.
“There’s nothing to do but go along with it. We discussed this already.”
“I just don’t understand. If there is no other choice, then why doesn’t he try harder to make it work?” I was saying this more to myself than to Ari.
“I don’t know. Because Kenny is selfish and what was good enough at the time, isn’t anymore.”
“Have you ever tried to leave?”
“Yeah, I left. Tried to go to school in New Mexico where my dad lives now. I was there for a couple days and Kenny came and made me come back.” She scratched her arm. “I told him I was going to visit, and when he found out, the whole crew came to get me.”
It made goose bumps creep across my skin. “You just left?” I asked in alarm.
“Well, no. I told Kenny I wasn’t coming and I snuck out of my dad’s house through a bedroom window, but let’s just say Kenny was way worse than anything I’ve ever saw before. My dad tried to make him leave and ended up in the hospital. I thought he was dead. The craziest part, well, that was not remembering how I even got back here,” she said looking at my expression and me.
“What do you mean you don’t remember?” My body felt woozy. The thought of something like that happening to her, worse than anything Kenny had done before, what more could he do to Ari?
“It’s like you’re a vital organ, think of it that way. Once you guys make that bond, once that lock is created, you’re like a vital organ. Like a heart. And if you take someone’s heart away, they can no longer go on. So what do you think someone is going to do?” she asked me.
“But,” was all I got out.
“But nothing Eve. They’re going to fight like hell to get it back. I’m sorry you don’t want to grasp that, but just be happy that Evan loves you and he is doing it all right,” she said, getting up and going inside.
Chapter 30
Sanity
It was morning in Piper; everything looked so lively and awake. I stared out the kitchen window clutching a cup of hot tea. This was the first day officially being here in the house. Evan left earlier to go play golf with Mark and Kenny. I hadn’t heard from Ari, so I was alone for the day. There was nothing to clean because the maid kept all that up. I was starting to feel a little out of place and bored, so I went out on the front porch to people watch.
Although that was the plan, there weren’t many people to watch. Thoughts of me losing my mind started to drift into my head. And the thought that my parents would probably kill me if they knew I was no longer in town and had packed up and left without telling them. I felt odd and not right.
Everything at one time seemed so simple to me. I felt I was in love with the most amazing guy ever, and that’s all I cared about. But now I wasn’t sure if it was love that got me where I was. I was starting to wonder if it was a destiny of sorts, and I had no way out. I knew Evan was nothing but good to me. Sure, he had a temper once in a while, but he was so kind and caring. He did everything to make me happy. He lived to please me. So what more could I need?
I wasn’t sure I couldn’t wrap my brain around whether or not my life could still be the way I wanted, or was it going to be created by a group of the undead? Did I have the same life still? Was I even the same person? All these things battered my thoughts. I didn’t know how to word it all to Evan; he only knew how to love me. He didn’t see those things as I did. And maybe that was my problem.
The same blonde that I had seen the day before was jogging along the sidewalk; she came to a slower pace as she noticed me. Her expression wasn’t that friendly or inviting. I caught her glance, going back to the magazine I had been staring at. I was hoping she would get the hint and keep walking. There was just something about her that made me feel I wouldn’t get along with her or like her.
“Hello?” she called out, pulling her glasses on to the top of her head to get a better look at me.
I closed my magazine wondering if it would be possible to pretend I was deaf. At this point, I didn’t think it would work to well.
“Hello,” I said. I wriggled my toes inside my shoes in angst.
“You’re new here. I’m Jade.” She extended her hand, her shiny polished nails the first thing I noticed. I stared at her and she stared at me, neither one of us knowing what to say next. “How long have you and your husband been together now?” she asked, looking past me as if she was hoping to see him.
“We aren’t,” I said, catching my words. “We aren’t married yet, just engaged,” I said, flashing my hand in front of my face. The wind whipped my hair sending it flying lazily everywhere.
“Stunning, and congrats,” she said, nodding her head.
“What exactly is it you do?”
“What is that suppose to mean?” I asked, sensing her nosiness.
“Do you work, or do something during the day to pass the time?”
I tossed the magazine down beside me getting up; I had enough of this trivial interrogation.
“I’m sorry, my friend is expecting me,” I said walking down the sidewalk.
“Oh, well you never said your name,” she said, astonished that I had been so quick to jet off.
“Eve,” I said dryly, running up the steps to Ari’s. I banged my fist against the big red door. Ari came quickly looking half asleep.
“Morning sunshine,” I said coming in, feeling as if I’d just escaped the enemy.
“Morning,” she mumbled, setting up the coffee pot.
“I don’t know
how I feel about all of this. I think I am going crazy,” I said, pulling my hair up in a messy self-made bun.
“How so, and why so early?” she said coughing. Now that I looked at her, she didn’t look so good.
“I was sitting outside trying to enjoy myself and right off the bat, I had someone bombarding me with all these questions.”
“That’s how humans get to know each other,” Ari suggested.
“That’s not me though. And she didn’t seem like a good person,” I said.
“Who was she?” Ari asked, pouring a cup of coffee.
“She said her name was Jade.”
Ari nearly spit her coffee out. “Oh yeah, your best bet is to keep doing what you’re doing. She’s a little wacky.” We both laughed.
“See, I knew I was right,” I said, staring off.
“She is with Guy. Total meathead. Not that bright. I don’t know, very materialistic and shallow is how I peg her,” Ari said with an amused look.
I decided to hang out with Ari for a little while. There was no sense sitting at my house with no one there to talk to. Just then, my phone buzzed in my pocket, bringing me back to reality. It was Vanessa. I hadn’t talked to her since the shopping trip. I hadn’t even called her back that night, and I felt bad about that.
“Hello?” I asked, hoping she wouldn’t lash out at me.
“Hey there.” Her tone was her usual.
“What’s up?” I asked, feeling paranoid that Vanessa knew I had moved away.
“I was wondering what you were doing tonight. I kind of wanted to hit up a party and it’s been awhile since you came along. Evan wouldn’t mind would he?” she asked teasingly.
I didn’t think he would, but I wasn’t sure how trusting he was of me going off alone to a social gathering such as a young group throwing a party.
“I will talk to him about it. I’m sure it’s fine. Besides, I’m not a kid,” I said half laughing. I bit my lip, looking at Ari who cast me a worried look.
“Alright, well meet me at my house at seven then,” she said hanging up.
As I put my phone away Ari came closer. She obviously thought something weird was going on.
“What was that all about, and why do you look so worried?” she asked, taking a seat at the table.
“That was Nessa. She asked me to come along to a party,” I said, looking Ari over for some sort of indication that I was wrong.
“Okay. And you’re going?” she said, tapping the table.
“I think so. I need to get out and take a breather from all the newness, ya know?”
Ari just nodded.
“Newness, eh?” Mark said coming in the door along with Kenny and then Evan. They all were hot and sweaty.
“Hi,” I said, blushing.
Evan cracked open a soda, downing it, and then staring at me with a concerned expression. “How you been?” he asked.
“Fine. I’m fine,” I said, getting more uncomfortable as the three of them looked at me.
“What newness? What does that mean?” Evan asked.
“Nessa called and asked if I wanted to go out with her,” I explained.
“Oh. Well, go where?” Evan asked me, looking a little uneasy. Kenny let out a sigh and headed out of the room. Mark followed shortly after.
“What is all that about?” I asked, thinking everyone had just become really odd suddenly.
Ari was the only one left sitting. She caught on finally and scrambled out quietly as well.
“She wanted to go to a party,” I said.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. Do you?” he asked me. My face felt warm and I was ready to blow up. I wasn’t a child. And I truly thought that Evan would be alright with it.
“I wasn’t asking you Evan, I was telling you,” I said in a low voice. Low because I was ready to scream at him.
“I know that, I just don’t think it’s a good idea. You shouldn’t be drinking,” he tossed out as if to make up for what he had done.
“I didn’t plan on it.” I turned away, looking out the kitchen window. This place was feeling more like a jail.
“Are you feeling trapped?” he asked, poking into my thoughts again. He had a weird way of doing that.
“Sort of. I just wanted to get out of here and be around the familiar. Is that so bad?” I asked.
“Take Ari out. I’m sure you and her could have fun.” He brushed his hand across my cheek.
“Yeah, I guess so,” I agreed. It was no agreement whatsoever. It was to get him to leave it be. I wasn’t going to give in, I was still going, whether he liked it or not.
I turned to face Evan, getting on my tiptoes to kiss him. I hugged him tightly.
“It’s the first real day. Things will get normal after a while,” he assured me, smoothing my hair.
“Oh, I’m sure it will. I think I’m going to head home and take a nap. What are your plans?” I asked.
“Mark wanted me to help him with some yard work, so if you’re lying down I guess I can tell him I can do it. I told him no because I wanted to spend some time with you,” he said falling into my trap.
“Yeah, that’s fine. Mark seems like a nice guy. I’m glad you get to spend time with him. Have fun.” I kissed him again, long and hard, knowing doing all this would leave him to believe that everything was alright.
Evan smiled at me, a strange expression across his face. “I think so too,” he laughed.
“Who thinks what?” Mark said coming into the kitchen.
“Eve thinks you’re a nice guy,” Evan said laughing.
“Well, what’s so funny about that? Aren’t I?” he asked, looking concerned.
“Yeah, of course you are. Who would think otherwise?” Evan said, raising an eyebrow.
“Well, I’m heading home now. Have fun with the yard work guys,” I said turning to head out the door.
“Yard work?” Mark asked.
I stopped in mid stride turning to look at Mark and Evan.
“Yeah, I told you I couldn’t, but she’s taking a nap so it’s cool, I’ll help,” Evan said.
Mark just nodded.
Chapter 31
Window
I stared at myself in the mirror; the girl looking back at me looked puzzled. Her face one of worry again. It had been a long time since she’d worried. I took some deep breaths debating on taking off without letting Evan know. It was a little upsetting to think about deceiving him, but at the same time, I needed a release. I had gone along with so much and I was feeling suffocated.
I tapped my feet on the floor as I sat at the edge of the bathtub, nervous. I figured the best way to make my way out without anyone seeing me leave was out the bathroom window. And there I sat, waiting for it to get closer to six so I could head out. What would Evan even do? Would he yell? Would they send a bunch of goons after me? I wasn’t sure. I didn’t think it would be something that bad; I was, after all, coming back.
“You can do this. It’s fine,” I said, my heart racing.
I leaned over the sink trying to catch my breath. It was like escaping prison. And then I started feeling upset with myself. Why should I worry about going to see my best friend? It’s not as if I was doing something wrong. I grabbed hold of the handle, pulling the window open, the warm air hitting my whole body as I shimmied through. My jacket caught on something, keeping me from dropping. I sighed, turning to slip halfway in to undo it. Maybe it was a sign.
“No, it’s just a freaking jacket, Eve,” I said to myself.
I got loose, running down the side street and making my way to the gates. My flip flops making plenty of unnecessary noise as I kept a quick pace. The man at the gate didn’t look twice as I headed out of Piper Valley.
I ran down the road some, going into a group of trees before I pulled my cell phone out to call Vanessa. I had to tell her to pick me up. There was no way I could walk all the way back to town.
She agreed to meet me, not knowing or even questioning why I was all the way where I was. I pulled m
y jacket on over my long flowing sundress and sat on the ground waiting for her car. I was sure no one would see me here. Little by little, it was getting easier and easier to be free from there. I already felt tons better. I would have been completely fine if Evan would have been right next to me. I knew I couldn’t ask him to go against Carlo or his life, so I was just going to have to find a way to make mine work with this new one. It wasn’t Evan’s fault we fell for each other, and it wasn’t my fault he was who he was.