Birthday Surprise

Chapter 4

Josh
Two weeks later, it's Carmen's eighteenth birthday. I take about a week to plan the surprise party with her friends. Claudia especially acts like the perfect party planner as if it's her job. We decide to hold it at Carmen's favorite sushi restaurant. Within the past two weeks, I quickly learn that sushi is her favorite food, so it made sense to book it there. She also loves tres leches cake, which Maria and I made from scratch. It's going to be a random mix of two cultures but I don't care. I doubt that she would care.
We go to the restaurant first and wait for her to arrive with her mom. Isaac is with a friend so he doesn't come. Even though Claudia is the party planner, Miranda wants to act as look out. I guess that she wants a 'job' so I don't stop her.
"Okay. They just got here," she announces.
We nod and get ready to surprise her. They walk in and approach our table. We yell surprise. The look on her face is priceless as she processed everything. I approach her.
"Happy birthday, baby."
"Thank you."
I give her a quick hug and kiss. She greets everyone else and sit down beside me. It makes me happy to see that she's having a good time.
"Oh, mom. Can I have your keys? I left my jacket in the car."
"Sure."
Maria hands the keys to her and Carmen walks out to the parking lot. Ten minutes has passed and she still isn't back.
"Okay. I didn't park that far away," Maria jokes.
"Was it in the trunk?" Courtney asks.
"No. It was on the backseat on the right."
"That's weird. Where did you park?" Claudia asks.
"It was on the side of the parking lot where you first drive in. I parked by a tree."
"I'll go see what's up," I say.
They nod. I leave the restaurant and look over to the right. I had to walk a bit but I see Maria's car where she said it was parked. The weird thing is that I didn't see Carmen in or around it. I notice something by the front tire on the right side and pick it up. Maria's keys. Carmen was clearly out here. Where the fuck did she go? My heart starts pounding as I rush back into the restaurant. I'm panting when I arrive at the table.
"Carmen..."
"Carmen what?" Claudia asks.
"She's not out there."
"What do you mean she's not out there? Didn't she get her jacket?" Miranda asks.
"Yes, but that must've been it. I found these by the right front tire," I say, placing the keys on the table.
The panic immediately washes over them. This meant that she didn't leave; the car and the keys are still here.
"You don't think she Ubered out of here?" Miranda asks.
It sounds stupid but I can hear in her tone that she's being serious.
"No. She still tries to avoid getting in an Uber. She would only do it if she felt like she had to," I say.
"Where the fuck is my daughter?" Maria exclaims.
I rarely hear her swear but this is definitely justified.
"I don't know. I didn't see her anywhere outside."
"I believe you."
"Should I call someone?" Claudia asks in a shaky voice.
"We don't have any other choice. We're in public. It's not like she wandered down the street to your house," Miranda says.
"Fuck," I practically whisper.
It hurts too much to speak or do anything anymore. I watch silently as Claudia pulls out her phone with a trembling hand and presumably dials 911. She has to clear her throat before she speaks.
"Hello. I'm Claudia Warner. My best friend Carmen Lopez has been kidnapped. I'm at the Zumi Sushi & Steak restaurant on 1517 Evergreen Street. Please hurry," she says through her tears.
Pause.
"Okay. Okay. Yes. Thank you."
She hangs up and looks at us.
"They're on their way. Should we wait outside?"
"I'm going to go crazy if I just sit here," Maria says.
"Me too," I say.
Miranda nods.
"You guys go ahead. I'll handle the bill. I don't want them to think we walked out without paying."
I give her a weird look but don't say anything. Obviously it would've looked bad but who gave a shit about that? The girl that I love is gone. The rest of us pace outside as we wait for the police. It feels like years have passed until we finally spot the patrol car. The cop parks and steps out before he approaches us.