It’s nothing like the person I had just conversed with.I sit in silence, my mind taken away from the movie playing on the Television screen as Jessica bids me farewell and leavesHer presence leaves an unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach.I’m distracted from my thoughts when Kendra, Joel and Jim come inside.They’re all laughing.The see me in the living room and decide to join me.The living room of the vacation house envelops us in its cozy embrace. The golden hues of the setting sun stream through the open windows, casting long shadows across the room.We gather on the plush sofas, surrounded by the memories we've etched onto this house, that now feels like home.Jim places a crate of alcohol and the table“We can all have alcohol to make this moment feel a bit better” he saysAnd we all cheer. I’m glad because them being around makes me forget about Jessica.For a while.Our voices, tinged with nostalgia and mirth, fill the air as we share tales of our adventures. There's
The sun hangs high in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the world as we prepare for our journey back home.I stand up and join Jim in the bathroom.“Good morning baby” he says from the shower“Hey baby. How are you so agile? When did you wake up?” I ask“It’s not been long, you know. I always wake up early when I have a trip the next day . My brain is programmed like that” he saysJim and I get ready and leave the room.Jim locks the door behind him and we walk into the living room.“Have you had breakfast?” I ask him“Yeah I have. Yours is in the kitchen. I packed some snacks for the road as well” he tells meOur island adventure has come to an end, and it's time to hit the open road.All the suitcases have already been packed into the car.I walk into the kitchen to grab breakfast and I see Kendra and Joel in the sitting room.They are having hot chocolate and talking about casual things“Hey guys”“Morning Anastasia” they chorus and I go ahead to take a plate of pancakes fro
The gas station parking lot seems to hold its breath as I stand there, staring at the unexpected figure that has appeared before us. My heart races, and I feel a surge of emotions, ranging from shock to curiosity. The person standing before us is someone I never expected to see on this trip.It's Jessica.Jim and I come down from the car. Jim tenses up and a part of me wants to know why.How and why did she surface? Is she constantly tracking me? Is she constantly following me?What does she want from me again?Her presence here, in the midst of our road trip, is a complete surprise. I've met her before, in secret, during a chance encounter back on the vacation.How and why she got in is still a mystery to me and the thought has been lurking around my brain.It’s like an evil shadow.But now, she's here in broad daylight, and I have no idea what this means.Jessica smiles, but there's an undercurrent of tension in her expression. "Anastasia," she says, her voice composed, "I didn't ex
Jim’s POVThe gas station parking lot feels like the center of a storm, with emotions swirling in all directions. Jessica's revelation about her marriage to me has cast a shadow over our road trip.Anastasia stands beside me, her expression a mixture of composure and turmoil, and I can't help but admire her strength in the face of this revelation.I promised that I won’t hurt her. I promised her over and over again and I went right to her heart.I hurt her again. I can’t help but accept that Jonathan is rightI was always going to hurt her. That’s who I am.She was one good thing in my life and I go ahead to spoil it again. With my half truths.I should have just told her the truth when she asked.Jessica's voice remains steady as she continues, "Jim and I are married. We've been together for years."Anastasia nods, her response measured. "Thank you for telling me, Jessica."Her word is brief and it holds a lot of resentment.Anastasia does not deserve all of this pain that I’m puttin
The gas station parking lot crackles with tension as the mysterious figure approaches. The sun casts long shadows, and as the silhouette becomes clearer, a sense of disbelief washes over us. The unexpected visitor draws near, and my heart pounds in my chest.It's someone from my past, someone I never thought I'd encounter on this road trip.I recognize the approaching visitor, and my eyes widen in disbelief."It can't be... How is this even possible?" I say and everyone looks at me In surprise.The figure steps into view, and the truth becomes undeniable. It's Richard, a friend from my past, someone I have not seen in years.My voice trembles as I speak, "Richard, is that really you?"I’m trying to suppress all the emotions I’m feeling right now.So many emotions rush through me and I don’t want to be here. I don’t want to stand here greeting anyone but I am.Richard offers a warm smile and extends his hand. "Jim, it's been a long time. I had no idea you'd be on this road trip."My as
Joel steps closer, his face etched with concern. "We need to call the police. This is more than just a random act of vandalism."My trembling fingers dial 911 and I relay the situation to the dispatcher.My voice is tensed, the weight of the situation, Jim’s marriage and an unborn child sits on my shoulderIt always feels like problems seem to find a home in me.They tell me they would be on their way, but the wait feels interminable. I can't help but feel violated, as if our sanctuary has been invaded and defiled.Kendra kneels to pick up a shattered family photo, its broken frame a metaphor for the fragments of our lives.It’s the picture of Kendra and I, the day we got this house. We’re both smiling, we were happy. Scarred but happy.“Anastasia, this is terrible….. Why did they do this to us? Anastasia, we will get over this. We will work our way out of this mess, like we always did when we were little” she says, her voice is husky and I know she’s trying not to break down.Tears s
The sentence stares at me and I stare at it, each word, piercing a dagger in my chest.“It can’t be” I scream, my eyes locked on the damning words.“What’s wrong?” Joel asks turning to meet me, his voice laced with concern“What’s wrong sissy?” Kendra asks.It’s been enough rollercoaster for one day. It’s been enoughMy eyes are overflowing with tears, blurring the images I see, there’s so much pain.I try to speak but my words are choked. I hand the paper over to Kendra, my fingers are trembling.“Kill that baby…. Just like he killed mine.. it’s a threat” Kendra reads aloud, her voice trembling.Each word, numbing a part of me.“What baby?” Joel asks Kendra, confused about the whole situation“She’s pregnant, but how did they know… who knows about it” Kendra explains to Joel. Her words are laced with pain and anger.“Fuck” she screams, hitting her thighs.“Fuck!!!!” She shouts.Joel pulls her in, bringing her close to his chest and I sit there, like a stone.“He caused this for all o
I close my eyes and in the world I am at, everything seems to be peaceful.. there’s no pain and I’m in the comfort of my home.There’s no threat and there’s no one there that could hurt me.All these come to a halt when the sudden urge to pee comes.I open my eyes, and Kendra is not on the bed. I look around and finally see her on the chair.She’s scribbling something into a paper.I take a look at the clock and realize that it’s just 7pm.I walk into the bathroom and ease myself.“Hey Kendra, what you doing?” I ask Kendra who happened to be lost in whatever she’s doing.When she doesn’t reply me, I walk closer to her.I look at what she’s scribbling, it’s a drawing.It’s a butterfly and a semicolon.She is sad. And I don’t know how to confront her.“Hey Kens” I say, tapping her lightly.My tap seems to awaken something in her“Yes” she says in shock.“Are you okay Kendra?” I ask“Anastasia, I don’t think I can be okay till I find out what is going on” she tells me.Her eyes are red a