After a list of instructions, they left. Anna was cranky at the beginning, so I distracted her with a new toy that Mom had brought for her.
While I fed Anna dinner, she grabbed the spoon and tried to feed herself. The high chair got smeared and baby food was everywhere, even in her hair. The more I laughed, the bigger the mess she made. I reached for my cell and took photos as Anna scowled at the camera.
She desperately needed a bath, so I carried her at arms length out of the kitchen. She had so much fun splashing around with the toys, but when I noticed her wrinkled fingers, I pulled her out.
I put on her jammies and read her some books including my favorite, “Goodnight Moon.” I noticed that the pink dream catcher, a Native American object used to ward off bad dreams, I bought Anna was hanging on the doorknob. When I was young, I had a lot of nightmares and when someone told Mom about dream catchers, she got me one.
Mom had made up a song and sang it to me every night while rubbing my back. Tonight, I sang the same song to Anna at least six times.
Bad dreams go away
Anna doesn’t want any bad dreams today
Only happy happy dreams
Happy dreams today
Think of happy things, think of happy thoughts
Think of playing games, taking a bubble bath, reading books, (Mom put in whatever I did that day)
And now it’s time for bed
Now it’s time for bed
My little munchkin head,
Mommy and Daddy and Aunt Paige love you so
and now it’s time for bed
By eight-thirty, Anna was sound asleep. After cleaning the kitchen floor and the high chair, I called Lily and we talked about nothing. I glanced out the dining room window to discover that there was a dark car parked across the street. I set the house alarm, closed the blinds and sat on the couch watching TV. Around midnight, I heard Marina and Martin come in, I waved hello and without talking went to the guestroom to sleep.
In the morning, Marina offered to drive me home later if I wanted to spend the day with them. Of course I did, anything to postpone going back and dealing with psychos.
We took Anna to the mall and wandered around the stores. I saw Pierce casually strolling behind us. What a dull assignment it was watching me. I’m sure it was exactly what he thought he’d be doing when he signed up to be a spy. Follow a teenage girl around. Ridiculous!
After lunch, Marina drove me back and all the anxiety returned. I really wanted to go for a jog but I was too terrified. I spent the rest of the day playing games on the computer while watching a One Tree Hill marathon on the TV. I heard Mom come in and ran downstairs.
“Hi Sweetie, did you have fun with Anna?” she asked.
“Yeah, she was great. I have pictures on my cell that you have to see.” I grabbed my phone.
Mom laughed. “She’s quite the character.”
“Oh, Mom, I’m going to the movies tonight with Billy, Eden’s brother.”
“Isn’t Billy in college?” she asked sounding confused.
“Yes, he goes to Boston University.”
“Okay, have fun.” She knew the family, so she didn’t overreact this time.
Dad was on the phone in the living room. When he hung up, he came into the kitchen and said, “Marina just told me a strange story. Her next-door neighbor said there was a suspicious car parked across the street all last night. When she called the police, they told her that a security team was guarding somebody.” Turning to me, he asked, “Did you see anything?”
“I saw a car with dark windows,” I answered truthfully.
My parents left for a charity auction and told me to walk Amber if I got home before them.
Billy wanted to see some action movie and I really didn’t care. It actually was very exciting with all the explosions and speeding cars. I glanced around and spotted Pierce. Was he the only agent they had? At the same time, he was the only one I knew.
After the movie, Billy put his arm around me. I really didn’t want him to, but I didn’t know how to take it off. He talked about college all the way back to my building.
To get away from him, I used Amber as an excuse, but it backfired. He offered to walk her with me. If my parents were home I wouldn’t have to deal with Reed. I called and when there was no answer, Reed quickly added, “It’s late. I’ll go with you.” I didn't know how to say no politely, so I said fine. When we got into the apartment, I needed to use the bathroom. Billy went and sat on the couch to wait and he tried to pet Amber, but she ran away.
When I returned, Billy was leaning on the couch with his eyes closed. It looked like he had fallen asleep, so I went over and shook him.
“Billy, wake up,” I said totally annoyed. All I wanted to do was go to sleep. Billy’s eyes opened and he grabbed me in a bear hug. He held me tightly and started kissing me.
“Please stop!” I said. Struggling from his grasp, I was getting really angry. “Billy, stop.” Pushing him off wasn’t working; he was too strong and I was getting nowhere.
“Paige, I really like you.” He forced me down on the couch. His hands began roaming over my body and he groped me with one hand while he held me tightly with the other.
“What are you doing?” I screamed. He kept trying to force his tongue in my mouth. Repulsed, I thrashed my head from side to side and held my lips firmly closed. “Billy, stop!” I screamed whenever I was able.
Momentarily, he stopped, but continued holding me down firmly and pleaded, “Come on, don’t tease me. You’re driving me crazy.”
“Please stop,” I begged.
His hand was sliding under my T-shirt and he unsnapped my bra. His hands were grabbing my breasts. Panic was setting in and I tried pushing his hand away. He reached for my jeans and was trying to pull the zipper down. I screamed and he covered my mouth with his hand.
Suddenly, there was loud banging on the door.
A voice called out, “Open up in there or I’m calling the police.” It sounded like Daniel.
Billy got startled and he dropped his hold on me. I escaped and ran to the door.
Daniel was standing there looking furious. “Are you okay?” he asked, looking at my disheveled clothes. Embarrassed and ashamed, I couldn’t speak and Daniel rushed in.
“Get out!” He stared at Billy. Billy didn’t move. Daniel screamed, “Now.”
“Hey, Buddy, calm down, everything’s fine. We were just fooling around, that’s all,” he said smirking.
Fury flashed on Daniel’s face and he stepped towards Billy with his fists clenched. It looked like he was going to punch him. “It’s time you left, Buddy,” Daniel hissed.
“No, it’s time you left, Buddy,” retorted Billy.
Daniel looked at me and asked angrily. “Would you like me to escort your date out or do you want him to stay?”
“Get him out of here,” I pleaded and looked at Billy with disgust.
“Paige, I thought we were having fun.” He actually looked confused.
“How dare you? You pig, I said no! If you don’t leave right now, I will call the police,” I screamed. I really wanted to hit him; I was so enraged and felt so violated. His hands had been all over my body and I was sickened at the thought.
“I thought you were playing hard to get.”
“You’re an idiot!” I screamed. “No means no, you jerk.” He walked out the door without apologizing. I sat on the couch trembling.
Daniel stood there seething. “What are you trying to do? Are you trying to hurt yourself on purpose or is this just a maturity thing because I’m about to lose it!” he snapped.
“What are you talking about?” I couldn’t breathe and my legs were shaking.
“Why did you invite him to your apartment?” Daniel implied lividly.
“Are you saying that I asked for this?” I was so mad that my voice cracked. Daniel just stared at me and didn’t answer. Amber came out of the den and smelling Daniel she got all excited. I still
had to walk her. Following me outside, we walked in silence. I couldn’t wait to get back inside the apartment and forget this ever happened.
“How did you get by the doorman and get to me so fast?”
“We have an apartment in the building,” he said, ignoring my gaze.
“You what…?” I screamed.
“We need to be close. Tonight, you were lucky that we were. A thank you would be nice,” he answered angrily.
He was right. If he hadn’t been here, I don’t know what would’ve happened.
“Thank you, but please leave me alone. I can’t take this anymore,” I yelled and headed for the door that Max, the doorman, was holding open. He looked at me with concern, but said nothing. If Daniel lived in the building, what did the doormen think was going on? All six doormen were probably as confused as I was.
The elevator opened and when I didn’t exit, Daniel put his arm around me and escorted me out. Taking my house keys out of my hand, he opened the door and led me to the couch.
Daniel put his arms around me and said, “I’m sorry I yelled at you. I know all of this has been a lot for you to deal with, but you have to be careful.” It felt so good being in his arms. “I was so angry that I really wanted to hurt him.” He looked at me with such concern that it was hard to believe that he didn’t care.
“I can’t do this anymore.” I got up and faced him. “I know what they’re looking for.”
“You do? What is it?” Daniel asked looking really confused.
“I’ll be right back.” I went to my room and got the envelope. This would all end tonight. I wanted my life back, even though I’d never see Daniel again. I thrust the envelope into his hand. “Here, I don’t know what this is. It’s just a bunch of numbers.”
Daniel opened the envelope and looked at the sheet of paper. “I have to tell you something.”
“I don’t want to hear it. Do whatever you need with it. Just please, leave me alone.” I ran upstairs and slammed my bedroom door. Tears streamed down my face and I was miserable knowing that I no longer had a hold on him. I washed my face, put on my pajamas and went downstairs to get some water. I jumped to find Daniel still in the living room petting Amber.
“Why are you still here?”
Daniel stood up and said, “We have to talk.”
“I told you I’m done, so I don’t want to know anything. I want my house debugged immediately or I’m telling my parents.” No more nonsense. I tried moving around him to go in the kitchen, but he stood in front of the door. I had no choice, but to listen.
“Only you can take care of this issue with the envelope. It has to be you.”
“What are you talking about? Only me what?” I asked puzzled by his words.
“You have to give it to them,” he said.
“I’m getting out of here.” I started walking back upstairs. He was crazy!!
Daniel rushed over. “Please! You have to listen.”
I stopped, looked at him and said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m not doing anything. Take the info and give it to them yourselves.”
Enough with this insanity; he had to leave. My parents couldn’t find him here. I walked over and opened the front door, hoping he’d get the hint. I found his uncle glaring at me.
“Can I come in? Is everything all right?”
Why did he look so perplexed? Hadn’t they been listening to my every word? “Sure. Maybe you can get Daniel out of here,” I said, as Daniel defiantly sat back down.
James shut the door and walked over to Daniel. “What’s going on? Is this about the fellow that you threw out?”
“No. Paige, found the info we need.”
“That’s great news,” said James.
“Paige refuses to be involved anymore. I’ve been trying to reason with her.”
I stood in the foyer wishing they’d both leave.
“I see.” James sat down and Daniel handed him the envelope. He took a photo with his cell and handed the envelope back to Daniel. Looking at me reproachfully, he started talking to me like I was an annoying nuisance. “Paige, what Daniel said is true. Only you can take care of this, otherwise the outcome isn’t assured.”
“Assured? You’re not making any sense,” I shrieked, frustrated beyond belief. I sat down in the armchair across from them.
“We are trying to stop something that will happen in the future.”
“The future? Is this some joke?”
“That’s all I can say, but only you can handle this. Please just go about doing what you normally would and we’ll be there if and when you need us. We are entrusting you with this information for the safety and security of the United States.” His cell rang and after hanging up he said, “We need to go. Paige’s parents just entered the building.”
They got up and started to leave. “I’ll call you later. Please don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise,” Daniel said and handed me the envelope. I don’t know why I took it. I should’ve flung it out the door behind them, but I was too emotionally drained by that point and just stood there like a zombie.
After turning off the lights, I locked the door and raced upstairs. I didn’t want my parents to see my red eyes. My cell rang and it was Daniel. I picked up, “Yes. What else do I need to do? Arrest them for you, too?” I asked sarcastically.
Daniel ignored my comment and said, “I’m sorry that I’ve caused you so many problems. I’m not supposed to get personally involved, but I figured that if I got to know you I could help you figure this out. I’m sorry if you got the wrong impression.”
“What do you mean wrong impression?” I asked suspiciously.
“I’m sorry Paige, but I have a girlfriend. I should have told you about Juliet before.”
I almost died. “Wrong impression? Are you serious? You’ve been eavesdropping on me, so you heard I liked you. Why didn’t you tell me you had a girlfriend when we first met? Then I would’ve known you just wanted to be friends and you still could’ve protected me.”
“I’m sorry.”
I was livid, but I had to keep my voice low. “Does she live in New York?”
“No, she lives and works in Europe. We have a long distance relationship at the moment.”
“Wait, were you in Paris and Australia with her? Is that the friend you were talking about?”
“Yes.”
“Problem is that you left out the word girl before friend. You know the maturity thing you were talking about, maybe you should look in the mirror. I guess you’ve learned how to lie well for your job, like your age and your girlfriend. Your uncle should be so proud.”
“I’m sorry…”
“I have to go.” I hung up and sobbed in my pillow, so that they couldn’t hear me. If he lied about a girlfriend, he lied about his age because he had to be at least twenty-seven.
I had to get out of New York. I’d ask my parents in the morning if I could go to London. As long as I stayed with Aunt Lucy, they’d let me. Anything was better than this nightmare.
Juliet? She even had a beautiful name.
Now every time I would think of, read or watch Romeo and Juliet, Daniel and Juliet would come to mind. Thanks for ruining my favorite play! I guess Daniel was her Romeo. Yuck! That thought made me feel even worse.
Thinking about their long distance relationship inspired me to write a mean song. I thought of both Billy and Daniel and put all my anger in the song. After the night I had, the song made me feel better in a strange cathartic way. I named it ‘Long Distance Relationship.’
He says you're the only one. How do you know that's true?
You've only known this guy for a week or two.
There could be tons of other girls lining up at his door
Cuz when it comes to action you know he always wants more.
I know that you cried when you two had to part,
But did it really have the same effect on his heart?
Or were you just another girl like the one's bef
ore?
I know you think that you know him well and that he wouldn't lie,
But just sit back and see how things look from my eyes.
You're in a long distance relationship.
You're blind to what's on the inside.
Only seeing what's on the outside.
When you're in a long distance relationship
You never know what's going on when you're not around.
You might just have your heart broken down.
You say you've found Mr. Right,
but how come he's always try'na pick a fight
with you and everyone else around him?
Is that really what you're looking for?
Even you have to admit that his comments are perverse
And his sweet talk lines couldn't get much worse.
He's sick. Not my pick. Why can't you see?
This whole damn thing just disgusts me.
I know you think that you know him well and that he wouldn't lie,
But just sit back and see how things look from my eyes.
You're in a long distance relationship.
You're blind to what's on the inside.
Only seeing what's on the outside.
When you're in a long distance relationship
You never know what's going on when you're not around.
You might just have your heart broken down.
10. HIT & RUN
“A man should look for what is, and not for what he thinks should be.” Einstein
My cell phone woke me and staring at the screen, I saw it was Lily.
“Hi. What time is it?” I asked trying to sound awake.
“You’re still sleeping? Get up, it’s almost nine, I’m about to walk into work. How was your date with Billy?”
“It was horrible. He attacked me, kissing and groping me. I swear I should’ve had him arrested. He wouldn’t take no for an answer. It was so scary.” I explained how he came upstairs to walk Amber and then assaulted me. When I got to the end, I stopped.
“And? How did you get him to leave?” asked Paige.
EMIT (THE EMIT SAGA) Page 16