Unveil

by Amber Garza

  Standing my ground, I put my hand on my hip. “It needed to go, Mom.” I threw her a pointed look. “I got rid of it last night while you slept. You weren’t feeling well and I think that thing had something to do with it.”

  Her eyes flashed. “I was fine last night. I don’t know why you keep saying I was sick and treating me like a child.”

  “Do you seriously not remember anything?”

  She visibly flinched and her eyes widened with fright. “I just remember having a little bit of a headache and then going to bed.”

  I lowered my gaze to her battered chin. “Then how can you explain the bruises?”

  She lifted her hand and traced her chin with her finger. With a frustrated look, she shook her head.

  Feeling pity for her, I leaned in close and spoke softly. “Mom, something really bad happened last night. Wesley, he-”

  “Enough with your demon talk, Kenzie.” She cut me off. “I can’t take it today. I must’ve just fallen or something. You know that sometimes I sleepwalk.”

  I nodded.

  “Yes, that was all it was. You don’t need to make it into something else.” She stared at me for a moment, reading my face. Then she softened, slunk back. “Okay. Well, thank you…for helping me last night.”

  After giving her a quick nod, I slipped into the bathroom.

  As the hot water ran over my back and steam rolled over me, I relaxed. I scrubbed my body, hoping to wipe all traces of betrayal from my skin. I still couldn’t believe I had almost kissed Tanner. And even worse, that Isaac had shown up at that exact moment. My mind drifted to Tanner and I wondered what he was doing. I wondered if he was thinking of me. I wondered if he was still hurt.

  It was my fault. All of it. I had led him on. All along I had known he had feelings for me. Why hadn’t I put a stop to it sooner? It was because I cared for him, too, and more than that, I had needed him. The truth made me feel selfish and desperate. Shame burned through me.

  I felt terrible for hurting him the way I had. He was a great guy. One who deserved an amazing girl. But I knew I had made the right choice. My heart leapt when I thought of Isaac out in the family room. I felt like pinching myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. The fact that he had come to visit was almost too good to be true.

  Finishing up, I turned off the water and stepped out onto the bath mat. Steam rose from my pink skin. I wrapped a towel around my body and wiped the fog off the mirror with my arm so I could see my reflection. Picking up the brush I ran it through my soaked hair. After brushing my teeth, I cinched on my robe and then ran across the hallway to my room.

  I could hear Isaac and Mom chatting. Listening to their voices, I tried to decipher if it was a friendly conversation or not. I hoped Mom was on her best behavior, but I wasn’t going to hold my breath. I threw on a pair of jeans and a black top and hurried back out to Isaac. I’d left him alone with Mom long enough.

  They sat on the couch together with mugs of coffee in their hands. Mom’s legs were tucked up under her pajama-clad body, and Isaac’s were propped up on the coffee table. They were both smiling. I felt like I’d entered some alternate universe.

  “That was fast.” Mom winked at me. “Afraid I was going to embarrass you?”

  My face flamed as I plopped down on the love seat facing them.

  “Don’t worry. I’m on my best behavior. Which is more than I can say for you when Drake is around.”

  At the sound of his name, my skin crawled.

  “Want a cup of coffee?” Isaac asked.

  He was such a gentleman. I so didn’t deserve him.

  I shook my head. “No, you stay. I’ll get it myself.”

  “It’s okay. I don’t mind.” He stood before I could protest again. When he was safely in the kitchen, Mom leaned forward.

  “You didn’t tell me your boyfriend was coming to visit.”

  “I didn’t know. It was a surprise. Believe me, I would have liked some advance warning, too.”

  Mom raised her eyebrows. “Oh. Did lover-boy see something he shouldn’t between you and hot-stuff?”

  I cringed. Had it really been that obvious? “Mom, just stop it with that kind of talk. You’re gonna make it worse.”

  “Okay, okay, calm down. I won’t say anything. It doesn’t sound like I need to, anyway.”

  Isaac’s footsteps neared us and Mom sat back on the couch. He handed me a cup of hot coffee and I wrapped my hand around it. I glanced over at Mom looking all serene and normal, and wondered if she remembered anything about the night before. I mean, she had been possessed by a demon and my pastor had to command it out of her body. Now she seemed to behave as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened at all. Not to mention the fact that her boyfriend was a demon too and had been playing her for months. Did she remember any of it, or was she so completely under his influence that she wasn’t aware? Or perhaps it was like those people who erase bad memories from their minds because they were too painful. Could it be that Mom was repressing the memory?

  “What do you two have planned for today?” Mom asked.

  I glanced over at Isaac, who shrugged. “I thought Kenz could show me around.”

  “Yeah, why don’t you take him to that coffee shop you like? Thatcher’s.”

  I threw her an irritated look. She knew the last time I’d gone there had been with Tanner. Why would she even mention it?

  “That sounds great.” Isaac grinned.

  I forced a smile and nodded, seething inside.

  “Well, you guys have fun. I have clients all day.” Mom got up, holding her cup in her hand. “Try to stay out of trouble.” She threw me another wink before sailing out of the room.

  When I heard the click of her door closing, I turned my attention back to Isaac. His face held a pained expression. He let out a bitter laugh.

  “That was sure awkward, huh?” He said.

  I bit my lip.

  “So, Tanner practically lives here, huh?”

  My heart sank. Was it going to be like this the entire week? I cursed myself again for what had happened the night before. I had to make it clear to him that he was the only one I wanted. I reached for him, forgetting about the coffee cup in my hand. Scalding hot liquid splashed all over my arm. I set the cup down and pulled up my sleeve. My flesh felt like it was on fire.

  Isaac grabbed a napkin. After pulling me down onto the couch next to him, he wiped my arm. As he did, his eyes widened in shock. He held my wrist between his fingers. Realizing what just happened, I tried to yank free of his grasp but it was too late.

  “What’s this?” he asked.

  Chapter Two

  My face went hot and sweat beaded on my forehead. Moisture filled my eyes and I blinked. Still holding my arm with one hand, Isaac reached out his index finger and traced the marking. I couldn’t even lie about it and say it was an old cut. Even though it was healing nicely, it was obvious that it had been done recently. After the encounter with Tanner and now this, I was sure that Isaac would hightail it out of here any minute. I’m certain he could find a nice Christian girl back home.

  “Why?” He peered up at me.

  I held his gaze for a moment, searching for disappointment. Instead, all I found was genuine concern. It made emotion well up inside of me, almost causing me to cry. I swallowed hard.

  “I don’t know.” I shook my head. “It was all just too much to handle sometimes, you know?”

  “I’m sorry.”

  I furrowed my brows in confusion. “You’re sorry? What do you have to be sorry about? It’s not like you held the blade to my arm.”

  He rested his hand over my flesh, covering the scar. “I guess Tanner was right. You have had a rough few months. I know it’s been hard for you. I’m sorry that I wasn’t a better boyfriend.”

  I was shocked. “What are you talking about? You’re the best boyfriend ever.”

  He chuckled. “But I know I’ve been preoccupied with basketball and school and everything.”

  “Hey.”
I scooted closer to him. “This isn’t your fault, okay?” Leaning forward, I kissed him lightly on the mouth.

  Mom entered the room, clearing her throat loudly. We jumped apart, sat on opposite ends of the couch. She had changed into one of her leopard print ensembles and high-heeled shoes. Her hair was poofy and over-hair-sprayed, and makeup was packed an inch thick on her face. It felt oddly comforting to see her back to her normal tacky self.

  “You two behave when I’m gone, okay?” She raised her eyebrows as she picked up her purse. After she left, Isaac turned to me.

  “Do you think she’s okay with me staying here? I mean, I brought some money. I could stay at a hotel or something.”

  “Don’t be silly. Of course you can stay here.”

  He smiled. “Great. Cause I don’t want to leave your side for a minute.” We kissed again, even longer this time. “We better get out of here. I’m tempted to just sit on this couch and make-out all day.”

  “What would be so wrong with that?” I winked.

  His face grew serious. “A lot, actually.”

  Shame burned through me. Sometimes I forgot how high his morals were. I wasn’t used to guys like Isaac. I thought back to my conversation with Tanner when he confessed to drugging his ex-girlfriend in order to loosen her up for sex. Those were the guys I was used to. The truth of that solidified my decision to choose Isaac. I needed to be with a guy who was strong; who could help me be the girl God intended me to be. And Isaac was right – it wasn’t going to be easy this weekend for us to stay pure.

  “Okay, well, go get ready and I’ll plan where we can go.”

  “Sounds good.” He slid off the couch and grabbed his bag from near the door.

  “You can get ready in the bathroom or my room. It’s up to you.” I stretched my legs out on the couch as he walked down the hallway. When I heard the shower turn on, I tried to figure out where I should take Isaac. This made my mind fly back to when he showed me around Folsom. I remembered walking on the bridge, strolling down Historic Sutter Street and getting an ice cream at Snook’s. It was such a magical day. I wanted him to have a dose of that magic in Washington. It would have been fun to take him to Thatcher’s since it was my favorite coffee shop but that place would remind me of Tanner. Multnomah Falls would be another great place but again my memories of Tanner would taint the whole day. Ugh. Where could we go?

  I stared out the window at the grey sky and trees swaying slightly in the breeze. It looked like it was cold but at least it wasn’t raining like it had for so many days prior. I pictured Tanner standing on my front porch drenched in rain. A vision of the two of us on the lawn talking in the moonlight flashed into my mind. Closing my eyes, I relived the moment when he reached out and touched my cheek tenderly. My heart sped up at the thought. I could still smell the minty scent of his breath as his lips reached mine. Then the awful look on Isaac’s face came into view, shattering the entire scene. I wished I had more self- control. I could stand to be a lot more like Isaac.

  The shower turned off and I opened my eyes, returning back to the present. I could no longer dwell on what happened the previous night. Isaac had forgiven me and we’d moved on. He was still here and I wouldn’t ruin the time we had left together. Soon I could talk everything over with Tanner. I’m sure we would remain friends. Then I remembered him racing to his car without even a backward glance and I wondered if that was true.

  Could Tanner forgive me and stay my friend? Or was the damage too great? My stomach hurt. I couldn’t imagine losing Tanner. I mean, I knew that I loved Isaac and so the choice seemed like a no brainer. But I never really thought about losing Tanner completely. Isaac would leave at the end of the week and then I’d go back to church and school. I guess I had assumed Tanner would be a part of all that. Now I wasn’t so sure.

  “You okay?”

  I jumped, not having heard Isaac come up behind me.

  “I didn’t mean to scare you.” He chuckled. “You were sure in deep thought. Anything you want to share?”

  I forced a light smile. “Just thinking how lucky I am to have you.”

  “I’m the lucky one.” He grabbed me around the waist, pulled me up to stand against him.

  Breathing in his soapy scent, I tried not to picture Tanner’s face. I tried not to think about how I might have just lost one of my best friends.

  In the end, hunger won out and we went to a deli I liked for lunch. While we munched on ham sandwiches and salty chips, Isaac caught me up on what was happening in California. He told me all about his basketball season, how his dad was healing after his accident at work and how his mom had been. We even talked about Grandma for a little bit. Sometimes it seemed weird that he knew more about her than I did. But it made sense. He had lived next door to her for years. Mom and Grandma had been estranged for most of my life, so I had only just gotten to know her.

  I wiped my greasy fingers on a napkin and set my empty chip bag on the table. “So, how is Rhiannon? We’ve hardly talked at all since I’ve been back.” Thinking of the eccentric girl who lived on the other side of Grandma’s house made me smile. Even though she’d been the one to get me involved in witchcraft in the first place, in the end she had turned out to be a good friend.

  “You didn’t hear?”

  “Hear what?”

  “She’s moving.”

  “Really?” I felt bad, remembering how much she hated all the relocating her family did. It had something to do with her parents’ jobs.

  “Yeah, the house just sold a couple of weeks ago. I figured your grandma would have said something.”

  “I don’t think Grandma was Rhiannon’s biggest fan.”

  Isaac chuckled. “She is fiercely protective of you.”

  I wanted to be irritated with that, but instead it made me happy. Frankly, it felt good to be protected. After stuffing myself with a ham sandwich and chips, weariness blanketed me. Despite my best efforts, lack of sleep had finally caught up to me.

  “Hey.” Isaac rested his arms on the slick table. Wrappers from lunch scattered around his elbow. “Why don’t we go back to your house and you can take a nap?”

  I yawned behind my hand. “No, I’m fine. Let’s go do something.”

  He flashed me an amused look. “You’re not fooling me.”

  “C’mon. You didn’t come all the way out here to watch me nap.”

  “It’s okay. I’m kinda tired, too. Maybe I’ll take one as well.”

  I let out a resigned sigh and started clearing the wrappers off our table. As Isaac drove back to the house, I had to work hard to keep my eyes open. Apparently, I was even more tired than I thought. Then again, it had been a pretty long and intense night.

  When we pulled up alongside the curb at my home, I saw our neighbor, Mrs. Kelley, pulling weeds outside. A little boy sat next to her looking sullen. As far as I knew the Kelley’s did not have children. In fact, I remembered my mom saying something about them not being able to have kids. Maybe they were adopting or fostering children. That would be kind of cool. Hopefully she wasn’t taking this kid, though. He looked really mean the way he glared at me, like he was sucking a lemon.

  When I got out of the car, Mrs. Kelley waved.

  “Hi!” I called back. Then I glanced down at the boy. “Hey,” I said in my sing-song voice solely reserved for children or animals.

  Both Mrs. Kelley and Isaac gave me a funny look, but the boy just kept glowering. I shook my head and followed Isaac up the walkway.

  “What was that about?” Isaac asked when we got inside the house.

  “What?”

  “The way you said hi to your neighbor and then started looking in another direction and said hi again in a weird voice.”

  “Oh.” I smiled. “That’s just how I talk to kids.”

  “Why did you do it right now though?” His brows furrowed in a look of utter confusion.

  I was starting to get annoyed with this line of questioning. Can’t I say hi to a neighbor boy without getting th
e third degree? So what if I use an odd voice when talking to kids. Lots of people do. “Cause I was saying hi to the little boy.”

  “What little boy?”

  Cold slithered up my spine at Isaac’s tone. “The boy sitting next to Mrs. Kelley in the front yard.”

  “There was no boy with her.”

  I flung open the front door and raced outside, my heart thumping in my chest. Was I going crazy? I was sure I saw a little boy.

  Relief flooded me at the sight of the child still sitting in the grass. I gave Isaac a triumphant look. “See. Right there.”

  Isaac narrowed his eyes, staring in the direction I pointed. I expected an apology. Instead, he said, “Are you okay?”

  “Fine. Why are you acting so weird?”

  “Because there is no little boy there.”

  A chill brushed over my body, causing goosebumps to rise on my flesh. I glanced back at Mrs. Kelley who kept weeding, oblivious to our conversation. She also seemed not to notice the child, even though he practically sat on her legs. The boy’s neck craned to look at me, but he still didn’t smile.

  Fearful, I raced back in my house. Why did I see him if no one else did? Who was he? And what was he doing next door?

  Chapter Three

  The next two days flew by. I took Isaac to my church on Sunday and, thankfully, did not run into Tanner there. We walked through the mall, checked out my favorite bookstore and ate at some fun places. I couldn’t believe it was already Tuesday. Panic washed over me at the thought. Only one more day before Isaac would have to leave. I wasn’t ready to see him go. It felt like he’d just arrived.

  Mom sent us to the store to pick up some groceries for Thanksgiving. For some crazy reason Mom still thought Drake was joining us for Thanksgiving dinner, even though she hadn’t heard from him in days. She had convinced herself that he was just really busy with work. Only, I knew the truth. He was a demon who had played her and now he’d taken off. However, that was an explanation Mom wasn’t buying. So to appease her, I took her exhaustive list and headed with Isaac to the store.