The UnKnown (A Novel) (6 page)

“It’s not your fault. You didn’t know there was a lunatic on the bus. You did leave me, but I had a way to get where I was going. Why did you leave me?” He shook his head and clenched his hands on the steering wheel.

“I left because I can’t think straight when I am around you. I left you because I had a girlfriend and I can’t control myself with you. I am not a cheater, Misty. I left you because I need you. I left you because I am crazy about you.” My heart melted into a puddle. “You deserve better than me, Misty. You deserve the world. I come with a lot of baggage and you don’t need more crap in your life. You are the strongest person I have ever met. But,” there was a BUT, “I can’t stand the thought of you not being near. I know we haven’t known each other long, but I can’t be without you.”

Were my ears deceiving me? Did he actually want to be with me? “Please say something.”

“I don’t know what to say, Drake. You saved my life back there and for that I can never repay you. I think that all of this is moving a little fast.” He was moving way too quickly for my comfort.

“Peaches, we have the rest of our lives to figure things out. I just want you to know that I am here for you. I promise I will never disappoint you again.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep. Better not to promise because they are easily broken.” I needed to warn him because I didn’t trust easily and promises don’t mean a hill of beans to me.

“Look, I’m just saying I am here for you and that you don’t need to feel alone anymore. It isn’t an accident that I picked you up at that diner and that we are headed to the same destination. I believe in fate, Misty. We are fated to be together. We no longer have the unknown rearing its ugly head at us.”

“Let’s take this a day at a time. I don’t know where my life is going to lead, but I hope that you are in it.” His face looked promising.

“That is good enough for me.” He winked at me as he continued to drive.

My chest was tightening because of what had just occurred. I couldn’t believe I was almost raped and that he saved me. I looked over at his hands and they were red and raw. I could still see the imaged burned in my head of Drake beating the man. It was like he wasn’t himself in that moment. I hoped to never see that side of him again.

“What did that cop say to you?” I could tell he didn’t want to talk about it because of his facial expression. He turned up his nose at me.

“It’s nothing to concern yourself with, Peaches. That guy will never hurt anyone again.”

“Tell me please. If this relationship is going to work, we can’t have secrets.” I couldn’t stand secrets. They were a form of lies and that destroys relationships.

“He told me that I basically beat the guy into a coma. That there may be charges filed against me. I gave him my contact information. I am not sorry for what I did. He was hurting you and I will not allow that.” OMG, he could go to jail for this! I couldn’t let that happen. My palms began to sweat and my heart was about to beat out of my chest. I could feel my stomach contents about to come up.

“Pull over please. Hurry!” I said holding my mouth.  As soon as the truck came to a stop, I jumped out and threw up. I felt Drake pull my hair back and rub my back.

“Are you ok?” he asked with concern in his eyes. I was sure the barfing sound was really attractive.

“Do you have a napkin?” He nodded, opened the middle arm rest and pulled out a box of tissues.

“This is all so much. You can’t go to jail for this. It’s not your fault. He was attacking me.” I couldn’t let him go to jail because of this. He was trying to help me. How can my life get any worse? I knew we had to look strange to people in the passing cars.

“I won’t go to jail. They know it was self-defense. I’m going to call my family lawyer when I get home and see what my options are. Don’t worry about this, ok?” How could I not worry about this? He could go to jail for me. I might have just ruined his life.

Chapter 8

Drake

I knew she was worried that she had ruined my life, but I didn’t care. When I saw that man follow her into the bathroom, I knew he was up to no good. I just lost all reason when I saw her pinned to that stall and what he was about to do to her. Her voice is what stopped me from killing him.

“I can’t not worry.” Misty says as I wrapped my arms around her little frame and kissed her forehead.

“There is nothing we can do but wait. I doubt they file any charges. If it makes you feel better, you can talk to my lawyer with me. Come on, let’s get home. We’re only about three hours away.” I helped her back into the truck and fastened her seat belt. I moved over to the driver’s side and proceeded back onto the highway.

“I’m sorry, Drake. This shouldn’t be happening.”

“Shhh, let’s not talk about it anymore. It’s over,” I said, patting her leg.

“Lay back and close your eyes. I want to tell you a story.” She hesitated for a moment, but complied with my instructions.

“Imagine a girl on a beach with the ocean breeze waving in her hair. Imagine that she is the happiest she has ever been. She sees her daughter running towards her with raven black hair and beautiful green eyes just like her mother. She loves you and you her. Striding behind her is her father and the love of your life. You embrace each other. Can you feel the love, Misty? Can you see that future? Can you feel that they love you unconditionally?” I wanted to sound soothing so she would relax. My voice was low almost at a whisper. 

Misty popped her eyes open with tears coming out of them. “Yes. Yes, I can. For the first time in my life I can see it.”

“Close them, I am not done yet.” She closed them again. “They love you, Misty, very much. Picture Christmas, and little Sadie opening gifts on Christmas morning. Now picture Sadie in her Halloween costume and Thanksgiving dinner. These are the things in store for you. I want you to picture it. I want you to feel it. This is what I see, Misty, when I look at you. I see us. I see a future with you. Please don’t ever doubt that. You are perfection, and I admire everything about you. Open your eyes and look at me.”  I said softly.

She opened those green eyes that seemed to peer into my soul. “Do you understand me?” A single tear drop dripped down her face. I knew she could see it, that she could feel it.

“Yes I can, Drake. Please, please don’t ever hurt me. I am putting my heart on the line.”

“You can trust me with your heart. I will cherish it.” That tear was dangling on her cheek and when I reached over to wipe it away, I felt that heat burning between us.

She looked at me and then closed her eyes. I believed that she drifted off to sleep. I wanted to pull my truck over and stare at her sleeping but had to keep on task and get us home. I didn’t want to stay in a hotel again because I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off her.  She was a virgin and I wanted to make sure she wanted me to be her first. The thought somewhat scared me because I had only been with one woman and she was good from what I could tell. I had nothing to compare it to. I continued to drive and imagined my life with Misty.  It would be a happy one. She was perfect in every way. She never complained and took life as it hit her. I knew it was going to be hard to get through her walls, but once I did she would be mine. She would be the woman I knew she wanted to be. All Misty wanted in life was to be loved and I planned on giving her the love she so deserved. I was going to save her soul from the hell she was obviously in.

Just as the sun began to set, I saw the sign, Sunnydale 10 miles ahead. I nudged Misty to wake her up but she just moaned.

“Leave me alone Mom, I still have a few minutes before school.” I couldn’t help but smile because she was having a good dream.

“Misty, wake up. We are almost to Sunnydale.” She opened those beautiful green eyes and rubbed them.

“That was quick.”

“You have been asleep for three hours. Where am I dropping you?” There was a look of confusion on her face.

“Let me call my aunt. She was expecting to pick me up at the bus station. I totally forgot to tell her that I got a ride.” She pulled her phone out of her pocket and dialed a number.

“Hello, Aunt Silvia.” Aunt Silvia, huh? This was the woman who abandoned her when she really needed someone in her life. This was the woman who she was turning to in her time of need. I prayed to God she didn’t let her down again or she would have to deal with me.

“There has been a change in plans. Can I have your address? I have a friend dropping me off. Um, no Ma’am, I will be there in about 30 minutes.” She grabbed a pen from her bag and scribbled the address on her hand. “Yes Ma’am I know. I can’t wait to see you. Ok Bye.” She ended the call and looked over at me.

“Do you know this street?” She said raising her hand so I could see it.

“Rodgers Avenue, yeah I know it.” Rodgers Avenue was in the middle class part of town. At least I knew she would be safe and I wouldn’t have to worry too much.

“Are you sure you want to go there? You can stay with me.”

“Drake, I barely know you. Besides, we have decided to take this slow and get to know each other.” She was right. I hope I didn’t scare her.

“I know, but you don’t know her either.”

“You have a point, but I have to give this a try. She is the only family I have and I want to get to know her again. I have to try to trust people again.”

“I understand. We should be there in few minutes.”

The sign read Welcome to Sunnydale - Home of Alexander Young. Alexander Young was a movie star in Hollywood that the town swooned over. I personally didn’t get the memo because I hated his movies. I didn’t want our ride to be over. I enjoyed spending my time with Misty. She was so amazing. I wanted to get to know her more. I knew I would get the chance because we would be living in the same town. When I reached the exit to take her home, my stomach did a flip flop. I wanted her to know I was here and hoped that she would call me. I finally pulled onto Rodgers Street and saw the row of well-manicured lawns and house after house of similar style. They all looked the same except for the different colored trim. It didn’t bother me much because this was the kind of neighborhood I imagined myself in. I pulled into the driveway of 12032 Rodgers Avenue, put the car in park and shut off the engine.

“We are here.” Misty just sat in the car. She didn’t say a word or even move for that matter.

“I’m scared, Drake. What if she doesn’t want me?” I unbuckled my seatbelt and fixed a piece of her strawberry blonde hair behind her ear again.

“She will want you, Peaches, just like I want you.” Misty arched her neck as an invitation to kiss it.

“Don’t do that. I’ll take you from this place and make you mine.” I pulled her face to mine and kissed her deeply, softly. The kiss deepened with desire and passion. “It will be ok,” I said breathless. “I’m not going anywhere my love.”

“I know,” she said as she broke away from me and got out of the car. I got out as well and met her at the side of the car.

“You have my number. Please call me. I’ll be waiting.” I grabbed her bag and handed it to her.

“Thank you for everything, Drake. I will never forget it.” I watched her walk up the cemented walkway and ring the doorbell. For some reason, I felt like that was a goodbye. All I could do now was wait.

Chapter 9

Misty

Drake was such a comfort to me. I never thought I could find that in my life. I just hoped that he wouldn’t hurt me. I felt like I was saying goodbye to him when I left him at the truck. I felt his eyes on the back of my neck as I walked up to my aunt’s house. The house was beautiful to look at. It was made of red brick and whitewashed walls. As I moved closer to the door I saw potted plants running alongside the trim of the house. When I was in the foster home I used to imagine my aunt bringing me to a home like this. I stuck my finger out and rang the doorbell. My stomach did a flip flop as I waited for her to answer. I waved at Drake as he sat in his truck waiting for me to enter my new home. I heard some commotion before the door swung open. A mirror image of my mother stood in front of me. The resemblance was uncanny.

The next thing I knew I was waking up on the sofa in some room and my mom was looking down on me. No, no, my mother was dead. I shot straight up and looked around the heavily decorated room. There were pictures of my aunt’s family hanging above the fireplace. There was a man who I was assuming was her husband and two kids that could easily have been my brother and sister.

“What happened?” I couldn’t believe that my aunt looked this much like my mother. I looked over to my right and Drake was standing there. What was he doing here?

“You passed out as soon as I opened the door. I’m not sure what’s going on, but this young man carried you in. Are you ok?” My head was throbbing. I must have hit it again.

“I’m ok, you just have a striking resemblance to my mother. I thought for a moment I was seeing her.” My aunt looked at me in total and utter shock.

“Oh honey, I’m sorry. You must have forgotten. I should have known better. Your mother and I are identical twins. We pretty much look the same in every way.” How could I have forgotten something like that? I didn’t know if I could be around her but looking at her brought so much comfort to me.

“I don’t know how I forgot that. You just….,” my thoughts trailed off. I reached out and touched her face to make sure she was real. “You just remind me of her. That’s all. I miss her so much.”

“I do too, Misty. I should have never let you go. I was at my wits end. I had no job and no means of taking care of you. Then when I found a job and started to do better, I was too ashamed and they couldn’t find you in the system. And now here you are. My sister’s daughter is finally here.” She wrapped her arms around me and wept.  Her arms around me felt so good. I felt at home, I felt welcomed and loved for the first time in so long. I reached out to grab Drake’s hand and held it tight. I knew I belonged here. I knew I was safe.

“Aunt Silvia, I do understand why you let me go. I forgive you. Let’s try to move forward and put the past behind us. I’m here with you now.” She pushed off me and smiled. It melted my heart because it was the same smile as my mother’s. I felt as though God was giving me a second chance with my mother.