The Imposter

Chapter Fifteen

The weeks went by quickly. After Alana’s visit she didn’t come and she didn’t call. I think it’s the way she pleases her parents. Or did she regret what she was about to do? Daisy took me a week before the party to buy a new suit. I don’t understand why I couldn't just wear something that was  already in the closet. I thought about what I would give Alana.

I couldn’t sleep all night thinking and searching for what I was going to give Alana. She meant so much to me, but yet I couldn’t tell her what I felt. I tried to get some sleep, but it was difficult. In the morning, I woke up and continued looking online to see what I could get Alana. Would she like chocolates? Flowers? Jewelry? It was too difficult to decide what I would give her. 

There was a knock. Mrs. Salazar was there. “Good morning, I hope you had a great night.” I couldn’t let her know that I couldn’t sleep because I was thinking about Alana. “I had a good night, thank you.” She looked so worried as if she wanted to say something, but couldn’t. “I wanted to talk to you about something.” She asked me to sit. I could tell that she was nervous, as if what she was about to tell me was really important.  “Ernesto wants to go on a quick trip tomorrow. I know that I haven’t told you much about Esteban, but do you think that you would be able to go and spend the day with him? He’s looking forward to it.” Tomorrow would be Thursday, that means that I would only have one day to pick a gift for Alana. “Of course, I can go. But  I wanted to ask you something.” Mrs. Salazar got up from the chair she was on. “If it’s about what you should get Alana for her birthday. Get her something simple, yet elegant. Something that shows that we were all friends. Just friends. Do you understand?” She left after giving me the advice. I got what she was trying to say. 

I went again to the computer and searched for something that would always bring joy to her even if she was with the stuck up boyfriend of hers. I found what I was looking for and started packing for the trip. I heard someone knocking at the door. I asked them to come in. It was Mr. Salazar. “I guess your mom told you about the trip?” I looked up at him and smiled. “Yes, she did. Where is it that we’re going?” I couldn’t wait to find out. “Well, I think it’s a place that will bring back some memories.” That came to me as a shock. He wants me to do something that is impossible. I told him that I couldn’t wait. What else could I say?

We left that afternoon. The trip was not as long as I thought it would be. We arrived at the campsite. It was a beautiful place. I wish I could have come to this place when I was younger, with my actual father. At that moment, I started crying. Mr. Salazar didn’t know what was going on, but he tried to comfort me. When I collected myself, I apologized for what had happened and told him that it was due to the time I was away from him. Missing him and all that. Another lie.  We both walked to the cabin where we would be staying. He showed me to my room. I spent the rest of the night in my room. When Mr. Salazar came to ask if I would like dinner, I sent him away. I didn’t have any energy. 

The following morning, I woke up fairly early. I went downstairs where Mr. Salazar was already eating. I sat at the table with him. “Are you feeling better? I didn’t want to wake you.” I started filling up my plate with food. “Yes, thank you for everything you did last night.” Mr. Salazar spoke about different activities that we had planned for the day. I loved the idea of getting to do various activities that I had always wanted to do. The only was that I wished I could have had my family with me. 

We did several activities. Snorkeling, fishing, skipping rocks, amongst others. Mr. Salazar had rented a boat for us to go on. I had never gone on a boat before and I didn’t know if I would get sea sick. Everything was going well, until the boat that we were on crashed into a rock that was on the ledge. I fell into the water and everything around me went black. The same way that it had happened when we were at the country club. 

Several hours after the accident, I woke up. I didn’t remember what had happened. Mr. Salazar was at a table in a corner of the room. He was whispering something to one of the guys that came with us. I tried getting off of the bed, but I couldn’t. “I wouldn't do that if I were you.” Mr. Salazar said as he walked over to me. He sat on a chair that was by my bedside. “What happened?” I couldn’t remember anything from earlier in the day. “I wanted to ask you about that. Why do you keep fainting when you get into water?”  How could I tell him what had happened to me? I couldn’t, I had made a promise to Mrs. Salazar and Daisy. 

“Well,” I began. “When I was younger, the people that took me lived near a lake. I tried escaping one day, but as I ran off, I fell off a small bridge near the lake. It was frightening. It was hours before they rescued me. Every single time I fall into water, I remember this.” This was the best thing that I thought of at the moment. “It must have been hard.” Mr. Salazar asked. “Yes,  I must have gotten shocked by what was going on. I guess at that moment I was just thinking of you and mom and how if I died, we wouldn't be able to reunite.” This wasn’t happening. Did I just tell this guy that I missed him and that I almost died thinking of him? 

“I’m glad that now we have the time to be together. Are you ready, we have to head home? We have a party to go to.” He smiled at me and gave me a hug. I hugged him back. For some reason, giving Mr. and Mrs. Salazar hugs gave me some comfort.

We arrived home late in the afternoon. Mrs. Salazar greeted us at the door. I think she really wanted to know how I had done with her husband. I heard the two talking about something later in the day. 

Mrs. Salazar came to my room wanting to talk about something. “Thank you” she said as she hugged me. “Thank you for the time that you spent with him and the stories you shared.” I could see tears forming in her eyes. I hugged her tighter to acknowledge what she had just said. 

Valeria, 

I lied again. I told many stories that are all lies. I just want all of this to stop. I can’t take it anymore! Tomorrow is Alana’s birthday. I’m going to have to go sit there and fake a smile knowing that the one person that I like can’t be near me. 

Erick