CHAPTER 10
~ ~ 2 weeks later ~ ~
"Okay Emma," Ally said loudly. Sighing as she flopped onto my bed. I would not let her borrow my car. Who cares how much gas prices were? At least Ally acted like things were normal since she's visited. We had one shaky moment then the next day, BAM! And she was back to shoving everything in my face. And back to bribing favors out of me. She twisted her hair in her fingers. I heard a little voice from behind me, "Aunt Emmmma, willya put my hair up for me?" asked little Lindsey. Her little blonde curls dropped passed her shoulders. She held a hair scrunchie up to me. She much preferred it when I put her hair up. Mommy wasn't gentle. I was soft headed and when I was little, only Daddy could brush mine. I sat on the edge of my bed. Blue pillows, blue sheets, brown blanket. Blue walls. Blue curtains. Brown Venetian blinds. See the theme here? No white what so ever. Except the few white shelves. I got rid of my roses. The moment I got home, I tore out my rose bushes I planted when I was 16. Roses were my favorite. I'm sure the Joker knew this. And I couldn't stand the sight of them. So two weeks? That's right. It has been pretty awkward around my parents. Just like I thought. Like I was brain dead or something. And they treated me like I'd be gone tomorrow. Which could be true. But…
I twisted the hair tie around her hair for the last time. And she bounced up and down., "Look Mumma Wook!" She started giggling and then raced from the room. Greg was out on business and Ally had took almost a whole month off to spend time with me. Yeah, that's how much her work loved her. She could take three months off. She was like a queen to them. I laid back over Ally's feet and I heard her grunt. She flew a plane out to see me and took a cab here. She didn't have a car. She twisted underneath me to be laying away from me. Her arms crossed over her chest. At least she could lay on my bed. I don't know why but I just couldn't. Instead I laid out on the couch every night. No one dared to ask why. I was glad to be home. I was. And I owed Alexa big time. If she was even alive…. Wow. I didn't think of any of…them….. until now. I shuddered at the thought.
"What's wrong?" asked Ally. Suddenly sitting up. "Un nothing, "I said, distracting myself, "It's your disgusting shoes on my bed. I have to sleep there you know!" I hissed at her and she glared at me. "You sleep on the couch, Emma." I stuck my tongue out at her. That's right. I went there. I felt so childish. Then I tried to normal things out. "Where's Miranda?" I asked her. Her glare softened. "She's school shopping with Mom." Oh yeah, I remembered. It's August now. I was away for about two months. "Oh, why didn't Lindsey go? She's starting kindergarten right?" "Yup, she went yesterday, remember?" I nodded my head, even though I didn't really. The bed shook as Ally flopped back down on to my bed. I gazed over at my jewelry box. I've been gone for four years and Mom still hasn't changed a thing. The jewelry box. I just had to remember the day I came home.
The police had took me to the GPD, and had called the hospitals. I had screamed my head off and demanded I was taken home immediately. I didn't want to go to a hospital. I didn't need to. Then they called Mom and Dad and had asked if I should go home or be taken to the nearest crazy asylum or something like that. Luckily, they agreed to take me home. So the police paid for my plane ride home to Oklahoma. And I was finally home. My parents slowly walked out to see me, like I might attack them or something. But I sobbed and hugged them and told them how much I loved them. They told me the same thing. And that was that. And two days later it happened again with Ally. But the moment I walked into my room, I ripped of my necklace or dog collar. But I didn't throw it away. I locked it in my jewelry box. It's been there since.
Mom and Dad still treat me like I'm psycho. Which I'm not. But Ally and her girls, I was back to being my old self. That's why I was secretly glad I hardly ran into Mom and Dad. I heard Ally mumbling to herself. And I began to come back to my own world. And realized, she was talking to me, " she cried so much yesterday after I told her that. And Miranda just kept saying, 'all the first graders are going to pick on you.' But that won't happen. You and I both know how headstrong little Lindsey is. I wouldn't be surprised if she accidentally kicked some first grader's ass." She laughed. I laughed too. "So when do they start school?" I asked. "The 26th." I nodded. Then she rolled over onto her side, looking at me. "Are you going back to school?" I thought for a moment, "I don't know. Maybe," I said. Mom lightly knocked on the door, and then opened it and stepped in. I guess they're back already.
"Hi girls," she said, very lightly and all the while staring at me, "Emma, honey, you got a letter in the mail." She held it up. I signaled with my hand for her to come over. "Who's it form?" I asked. She shook her head, "I'm not so sure. Probably a worried friend from college. Hopefully." She handed it over to me. The envelope was red. And there was no return address. Ally, being the nosy person she is, hovered over my shoulder, trying to reach for it. "Thanks," I said to Mom. And then she left the room. "Open it!" Ally said eagerly, after Mom left. I sighed. Not another one. I have gotten so many letters lately, from all kinds of unknown addresses. Telling me to 'Get Better,' or to 'Join Our Healing Program.' Stupid solicitors. I don't need their sympathy. "It's probably another worthless advertisement. Why am I so famous all of a sudden?" Ally chuckled, "Because you're crazy!" She laughed again. I shook it off. I am not! I slid the letter into the top drawer of my desk. "Oh shit," said Ally, looking at the time.
"What?" I asked. Ally shot up from the bed and scurried around the room. Finding her purse. "Greg is coming to visit. He'll be waiting at the airport at 3." She said. Smooth. It was 2:57 and the airport is at least forty-five minutes away from here. I giggled and got my keys from my desk. "Here," I said. I handed her the keys. She gave me an I-Owe-You look and then ran from the room. My car could go fast on highways. And now I was alone. Ugh. I hated being alone. I looked over at the top drawer. That letter. I knew what it was. I did. My hand opened the drawer and I peered at the red letter. My fingertips brushed it. No, not now. I slammed the drawer shut.
Next I was running downstairs, skipping two steps at a time. I told everyone that everything would be okay for now. That the Joker was gone. I lied so much. I skidded to a stop and then left turned into the kitchen. Momma baking cookies? How granny-ish can she get. She's only 47. 19 when she had Ally. She had an apron on, too. Eek. I slid into one of the seats at the small dining table. Now only enough room for two people. Mother turned around and nearly dropped the milk carton. Her hand at her chest, surprised eyes on me. Then she relaxed. "Emeralda! Since when did you get to be so sneaky?" she asked. I didn't answer. "Sorry Mom," was all I said. She smiled sweetly at me. Where was the sarcasm? She was always sarcastic to me. I hated how I felt around her. Like she looked at me like I wasn't really her daughter anymore. I know that sounds cold, she loves me so much, but when she looks at me, it's like she's only seeing half of me.
"What are you making for dinner tonight?" I asked. "It's already done. Lasagna." she said, "And chocolate chip cookies for desert." They smelled so good. I felt like being a little kid again and spoiling my dinner with cookies. I licked my lips. Mom proceeded around the kitchen. It felt awkward. It really did. I watched her for the next few minutes. She scrubbed madly at the same plate for about ten minutes until the timer went off and it was time to take out the cookies. That made me a little mad. Why couldn't she look at me? Dad could. It wasn't awkward with him anymore. And it never was with Ally. And Miranda and Lindsey never knew I went missing. She took out the trey and placed them on the counter. Using her oven mitt to shake the steam away. Boy did they smell good. I sat at the table and finally, Mom had no choice but to join me.
Awkward silence. Awkward staring. What did she see when she looked at me? "When is Dad coming home?" I asked. "He gets off at six Emma, like always," she said. I wish someone else was home. I didn't like this at all. I felt like crying. I felt like having Mommy holding me while I soaked her shoulder with tears. While I sucked on the end of my pony tail. And cried until I could get cookies before dinner. I wanted things to be the same as they were fifteen years ago. This house, this stupid house, brought back all my childhood memories. When I was normal. Or at least I had thought I was then. Maybe not. I didn't know anything anymore. Just that my own mother looked at me like I was a distant cousin she hadn't seen in years, which she was never really fond of. A distant cousin who was kidnapped by a serial killer clown.
I slammed my fist on the table. And then rested my head on it. And began crying. I heard my mom get up. "Wha-what's wrong Emma?" she asked. I looked up at her. She was standing away from me. "What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you!" I pointed at her. The tears streaming down my face. She gave me a confused look, "What are you talking about
Emma?" "You know damn well what I am talking about Mother!" I yelled at her. She seemed scared almost. "You look at me like I'm some psychopath!" I accused. Her eyes softened and she took her seat back in front of me. "I don't think that," she said calmly. "Then what is it Mom?" I said. She looked at me, turned to get a cloth, and handed it to me. I wiped my face dry with it. "Emma, honey. You were kidnapped. My baby was kidnapped. When I look at you, I see all the damage that happened to you. Part of my little Emma was left behind in Gotham. Never to return," she said. She was crying now too. I slid the cloth over to her. "I'm s-sorry," she managed to say through muffled sobs. I walked over to her and hugged her. I guess she was right. Part of me was left in Gotham. But not because of the reasons she thinks. I sighed.
What had the Joker said? 'I can't live without you, you can't live without me.' Which I knew I could. But after what he had done to me. I knew I couldn't stay home. No matter how much I wanted to.
Greg looked so much different. It's the whole 'daddy' thing I bet. He had a light beard now. The same brown as his hair. And a mustache. He used to be cleanly shaven. And very fit. I could see a gut forming on him. Definitely the 'daddy' type. And the girls hung all over him. Lindsey practically holding his hand wherever he went. Miranda showed him all of her school clothes. I noticed my sister then too. Ally, who used to be the cutesy blond, and the hot husband. She now wore glasses, instead of contacts, and she had that 'mom' look about her. And, my favorite, her hair was its natural brown now. I preferred them this way.
I felt so happy at the dinner table. Dad sat at the end. Next to Miranda and Lindsey. Lindsey by her dad, and Miranda by her mom. Me by Ally. And Mom by Greg. One big happy family. Plates clicked and bowls were passed. A traditional Thompson family dinner. Well, Thompson -Polly. Greg was here now. I always adored Mom's lasagna, but today it wasn't quite right. Like the noodles were hard or the cheese was low-fat or something. It didn't taste quite right. Maybe it's because my mind was poisoned.
Chocolate chip cookies? My once fave? Them too.
I sat dumbly while everyone else had desert. Greg talked about the upcoming vacation before school started. The girls and them were going to Disney World. I've never been. But the girl's faces lit up. They were so excited. I wanted to cry. If I waited any longer, he'd come after me. And my family. So I just sat there and listened. And enjoyed. And acted normal. And everyone, including Mom, acted normal, too. This was the least I could do before leaving.
"Isn't that right Emma?" Asked Ally. I stared at her. "What?" Ally sighed. "That life is so much easier when you're little. Greg doesn't believe it! He says we spoil the kids!" Ally acted mad, but I could see how deep her love for Greg was. They both chuckled. And then Miranda burst into laughter. Mashed potatoes were on Greg's face. Everyone laughed. Could this moment be any more perfect? Mom was up and collecting dishes. Greg offered to help but Mom insisted they sit and talk. And Dad ate more cookies. Finishing the plateful. Miranda was now walking about and I noticed how peacefully Lindsey sat upon Greg's lap. And suddenly I felt so out of place. I sighed and no one seemed to notice. Good. I excused myself from the table and headed upstairs. Sulking slowly up the steps.
I could feel the letter. Burning its way through my desk drawer. I twisted the door knob and opened the door. My room was ghostly all of a sudden. Dark and shadowed. My bed looked grim. The desk seemed to be on fire. I walked over to it and slowly pulled out the letter. I pried open the corners, taking my sweet time with opening it. I could see the rim of a white letter. Or card. It was harder than paper. I sighed and slipped it out from the envelope. The front of it read 'Emma Thompson.' I froze, not wanting to open it all the way. My thumbs rested inside the crease of the card. What deadly note would be left inside? Or message? I would miss everyone. But going away would be best. I'm like some virus. And if I stay too long, others might get hurt too. I opened the card up. The top line was 'Dear Emma,'
"Dear Emma,
I am so worried about you. Your mother told me everything. About the kidnapping and such. I'm glad to hear you made it through strong. That's the Emma I've always known. Just call if you ever need anything. Money, guidance, anything. I mean it! You should come visit me when ever you feel up to it. It's never a burden and you know that! I'm looking forward to seeing you whenever, Emma. Please call me when you find the time. We should talk. And if you want, maybe you could visit and we could do lunch and a movie or something. Or vice versa. But Atlanta is a little bland. I love you forever and always Emma.
Aunt Maria."
I could have had a heart attack. I clenched the card. Butterflies rose up in my stomach. It was just Aunt Maria! Mom's sis. Mom's Ally. Aunt Maria. The chick I always had a great time with. And to think I might have thought this was a death note. But I knew the truth. I couldn't see Aunt Maria again. No one else ever again, if I wanted them to be safe.
And then ironically, a phone call.
My death telegram.
A voice said he was here. He was coming. And he'd find me. See how well I can predict the future?