The Emerald Talisman (5 page)

A smile appeared on his face. “You’re a
little banged up, but I think you’ll survive.”

As he stood on the porch waiting for an
answer to his knock, I took the first real opportunity I had to
look at him. His chiseled face with dark brown hair and olive-toned
skin perfectly framed his dazzling green eyes. He wore a long,
brown floor-length leather trench coat over a dark-colored,
button-up shirt, faded blue jeans and some mean-looking boots. His
face had a certain youthful yet rugged appearance. A shimmering
emerald green stone peeked out from under his shirt hanging from a
gold chain around his neck.

Nicholas noticed the focus of my gaze and
tucked the medallion back under his shirt out of view.

Looking up at his beautiful face made all the
pain fade away and I blushed as the butterflies flew around in my
stomach. I knew my eyes must be red from crying and dirt covered me
from head to toe, not to mention my clothes were torn, but he acted
as if he didn’t see any of that.

Nicholas bent forward and looked directly at
me. Seriousness crossed his face. “Promise me you won’t wander
alone in the woods again. Promise me,” he quietly demanded.

“I promise.”

“And no mention the mountain lion, okay?”

“Okay, but...”

Luke opened the door. His eyes went from
Nicholas then to me. When he saw my disheveled appearance, he gaped
in horror.

“What the hell?” Luke said.

I clenched my teeth preparing for a barrage
of questions. I must’ve looked pretty bad.

Luke rushed to me.

“What happened?” he demanded, glaring at
Nicholas.

“I fell and twisted my ankle and Nicholas
kindly helped me home,” I said calmly, trying to reassure him that
Nicholas was indeed a friend and not a foe.

“You what?” Luke snapped, his eyes squinting
into slits. “Where?”

“The trail,” I cringed, choosing my words
carefully. “I ran out of gas and my cell phone died. I thought
taking a shortcut through the woods would be better than walking
around.”

“You took the trail?” His faced screwed up
like he’d just smelled something rotten. “In the woods? In the
dark? Alone!”

Luke acted angry, but I felt a wave of
frustration and powerlessness come over him; I instantly felt
guilty.

He took a deep breath and swore. “Julia!” he
growled.

“It’s okay Luke. I’ll be fine. I just twisted
my ankle.”

“And how did that happen?”

“I tripped and fell.” I forced a smile.

“I think she needs medical attention,”
Nicholas interjected, shifting the subject.

“I think you’re right. I’ll get the Blazer.
Wait here.”

I blinked and became horrified when the words
medical attention
registered in my mind.

“No,” I bellowed.

My sudden insistence startled them.

“Why not?” Luke asked.

I would rather eat shards of glass than go to
a hospital. They had no idea the personal hell it would cause me,
forced to feel everyone’s pain and angst – especially in the
emergency room.

“I’m fine, really. I’ll heal. Nothing’s
broken, see?” I tried to stand up and then almost toppled over,
wincing in pain. Nicholas prevented me from falling.

“You’re NOT fine and you’re going!” Luke
insisted.

I stared them both down and clenched my jaw.
I knew neither would budge and I couldn’t get myself into the house
without help, so like it or not I’d be forced to go.

“Fine.” I snapped, surrendering.

Luke left the porch and headed in the
direction of his Blazer. Alone with Nicholas, I didn’t want to
waste my last chance to avoid a trip to the ER.

“I’m really not that hurt.”

“I think it would be best for a doctor to
check you out, just in case.”

Why did he have to be so sensible? This
maddened me. It was my body. I should be able to decide when and if
I needed medical attention. I let out a determined huff. They could
try to make me go, but I wouldn’t be forced.

Luke pulled around front and got out, opening
the passenger side, turning to head in our direction. Nicholas, two
steps ahead of him, swept me up and carried me to the Blazer
effortlessly. My mouth fell open as he carried me off the porch.
This wasn’t how I imagined them getting me to the car. It was hard
to be an uncooperative hostage when I didn’t have legs to run
away.

I looked into his eyes and my anger subsided
as I felt his tenderness again. Losing myself in his intoxicating
aura, I forgot where he carried me as we headed to the Blazer.
Feeling all giddy inside, I wrapped my arms around his neck
secretly glad he didn’t have the power to read emotions like I
did.

“Will I see you again?” I said in a slip.

My cheeks flushed in embarrassment for being
so forward.

“Well, if falling off cliffs and such is
going to be your favorite past-time, then I imagine yes,” he
joked.

I gave him a dirty look relieved he thought
nothing of my comment. We were almost to the car and I wished I
could hold onto his neck forever. I pouted as he put me down gently
on the front seat. I felt the same ache return with the absence of
his touch.

“Drive carefully Luke. I didn’t go through
all this trouble just to have you crash on the way to the
hospital,” Nicholas said.

My heart fluttered listening to his concern
of my safety. I thought I saw him wink at me.

Luke finally relaxed. “Thanks man,” he told
Nicholas. “Hey, you need a ride?”

“I’m good. My car is down the way,” he said
as he motioned down the road.

I followed his motion with my eyes confused
as I didn’t see a car. Then Nicholas closed the door and I quickly
rolled down the window. I wasn’t ready to say good-bye.

“I’ll check on you later,” he said as he
reached out and squeezed my hand resting on the windows ledge.

My heart leapt. There couldn’t have been a
better ending to a perfectly horrible day.

“Okay,” I said softly.

I watched him, hoping the moment wouldn’t
end. He smiled at me, but his emotions changed again as he stepped
back away from the Blazer. The sadness and guilt had resurfaced,
even though his face didn’t show it.

I wonder what’s wrong?

Whatever it was, I wanted to help. I secretly
hoped he’d let me. And answer the questions that nagged me about
our evening.

Luke pulled away from the curb and I took a
deep breath, sinking back into the seat, already missing Nicholas’
arms around me. But I felt a searing pull. Something cried out
inside me, warning not to let him go.

I bit my lip and felt my eyes grow wet unsure
if I should make Luke stop the car. The further we drove, the more
agony I felt. I finally turned around to get one final glimpse of
him. But no one was there.

. . .

4
– WAITING

“Are you in pain?” Luke said after looking at
me, noticing my tears.

I was, but not from my fall. I didn’t know
how to explain it to him without sounding boy-crazy. And frankly,
it confused me how my body reacted after the separation from
Nicholas. This never happened before.

“A little,” I fibbed.

“I’m glad I was the one who was home and not
Dad. He just left to take Jo home because he didn’t want her to
walk. If he saw you… with what happened with mom… ”

He let out a loud gust of air and became
silent.

I imagined the scene and shuttered.

“When Dad found me on the doorstep, I wasn’t
injured and I was
five
. It’s nothing like before.” I
defended rather gruffly.

Luke glanced over at me and tilted his head,
pursing his lips. I knew I grasped at straws speaking of
technicalities. The scene would have been close enough to bring
back the bitter memories. I turned to look out the window and
wished I could open the door and jump out. His unspoken guilt-trip
started to bother me.

“I should call him and let him know,” Luke
said in a low murmur after a few moments of silence.

“Wait,” I said hoping he’d help me fabricate
a story first. There had to be a way to cushion the blow for Dad
and for me.

“Wait? Are you kidding? We can’t lie our way
outta this one, Julia. Your car is out of gas somewhere on the road
and you’ve probably got a broken foot. We are going to be at the
emergency room all night. We have to tell him.”

Why couldn’t he be away on business?

“Don’t get mad at me,” I said with a huff.
“It was an accident.”

He just glared and snapped his mouth shut
while his anger flared.

“Just wait until we get there,” I asked
softly. “I don’t want to hear your conversation. Okay?”

He glanced over at me with surly eyes for a
second.

“Whatever,” he said while he shrugged.

Maybe if I wasn’t around, Luke would be more
inclined to smooth things over. One could hope.

We came around the corner and the red
emergency signs came into view. I braced myself. There was no way
to avoid this dreadful place now.

To our surprise, the waiting room was
deserted. The doctor pronounced I only sprained my ankle and the
rest of my bumps and bruises weren’t serious

As we drove home, I prepared myself for the
lecture ahead. After seeing Luke’s reaction, I could imagine Dad’s.
Luke called Dad, like I asked, once we arrived at the waiting room,
but I hadn’t asked the details yet.

“What did you say?” I said while studying my
purple toes peaking out from under the ace-bandage neatly wrapped
around my ankle.

“I told him what happened.”

“Is he mad?”

“What do you think, Julia?”

I looked out the window and bit my lip. It
was a stupid question. Whether I wanted it or not, I was going to
get a verbal beating in the next few minutes and I totally deserved
it.

“What should I say?”

“Just say you’re sorry and don’t make any
excuses. He hates excuses.”

I took a deep breath. Luke specialized at
staying out of trouble, but I never got away with anything. Maybe
that was a good thing. It certainly kept me honest.

We pulled into the driveway and I saw the
silhouette of my father standing at the doorway with his arms
folded across his chest. I’d hoped the wait would help calm him
down, but I hoped in vain. I crawled out of the cab of the Blazer,
with Luke helping me. He handed me my brand new crutches and I
hobbled the walk of shame slowly past glaring eyes into the house.
I went directly to the couch and awaited my punishment.

His infuriation bowled me over and all I
wanted to do was go to my room. The intensity told me I was going
to be grounded for life. I looked down at the dingy carpet and
waited in deafening silence as he paced back and forth.

“Say something, Dad,” I finally said.

“I’m just so upset with you, Julia. I’m
afraid of what I will say.”

I hung my head lower and waited. In all
actuality, he really didn’t need to say anything. But I knew if he
could just talk to me, it would help his frustration go away
sooner.

“I just don’t know what you were thinking
walking alone in the woods. In the dark,” he said slowly,
controlling his anger. “I can’t believe you’d be so careless.”

“I know, Dad. I’m sorry,” I whispered as I
glanced up at him through my bangs.

“Nobody knew you were out there.”

I looked down again as I felt wave after wave
of frustration and horror. I cringed. This was the one time I
wished to be normal. Feeling my dad’s disappointment with me was by
far worse than any other real punishment I could have
experienced.

“If that boy wasn’t there…” he exhaled
sharply and stopped.

I gulped back my tears and glanced up at him
with his arms folded, towering in front of me, his body tense.

“Julia, I could have lost you tonight, do you
understand?” he said just above a whisper.

The cushions squeaked when he sat down next
to me. All I wanted was for him to put his arm over my shoulder,
but the lecture wasn’t over.

He struggled to keep his emotions under
control, but I caught the twinge in his eye. He was reliving the
distress again. The same distress I remembered eleven years ago
when they found my mothers waterlogged car in the river with no
sign of her whereabouts. I wanted to sink into the couch and never
come out.

“Yes,” I whispered, feeling a prick of pain
in my own eyes as they started to get watery also. “I’m really
sorry, Dad.”

From my peripheral vision, I watched him
nervously turn his wedding band on his ring finger. I fought to
remain calm as the silence drained on, but I didn’t dare say
anything further. No matter how much I fought to fill the void, I
would follow Luke’s advice.

“I guess I need to go get your car now,” he
grunted after several agonizing quiet minutes.

I shook my head just a tiny bit, but still
looked down.

“Fine! Let’s go Luke,” he barked. “Where are
your keys?”

I took them out of my pocket and held them
out for him without making eye contact. He snatched them out of my
hand and stormed towards the door. I breathed a sigh of relief as I
read his real feelings. He loved me; overwhelmingly so.

“I hope you’ve learned your lesson!” my
father said over his shoulder just before slamming the front door
closed behind him.

Full of guilt, I hobbled up the stairs to my
room, anxious to shower away the grime and guilt from the fall. The
warm water felt good over my sore muscles but stung the large
raspberry covering most of my left side. I knew tomorrow I’d be
feeling a lot worse.

I winced while examining the new cut on my
left cheekbone in the mirror, wondering how I could have been so
stupid; a possible permanent token symbolizing my lapse of
judgment. A scar might be just what I needed to wise up.

I tried to remember exactly how it happened
when a flash of his shimmering eyes gazing down at me the first
time we made eye contact stole into my thoughts. The butterflies
threatened to rage out of control as I stifled a giggle, disgusted
I could so easily let myself out of my self-inflicted punishment. I
couldn’t be happy knowing the grief I put my dad through.