Dangerous Game

Part 4

My brother's disappearance took a toll on everyone in my family. Raul was the "Golden child," in my family, he was the one that made sure we didn't let the small things affect us. He was the one that would mend any arguments. So when he disappeared we were distraught.

I remember the day clearly because it was the same night Steve (currently my ex-boyfriend) kissed me. It wasn't at all what I expected. I remember coming home with a confused look on my face, wondering if I should call Raul and ask him if this is how it's supposed to be--this whole kissing thing. There was no way I was going to confide in Maritza. Plus, Raul always had a girlfriend, well many actually. Of course who could resist our amazing "lopez dimples," which came out whenever we gave our flashiest smiles. Maritza could make a man's heart melt, the same way my dad would make my mom putty in his hands. 

That day the phone rang before I could even pick up the receiver to call him. As I answered the phone, the man on the other line was very cordial and well-mannered. He politely asked to speak to the man of the house, and if he wasn't available then the woman of the house. I asked who it was, and he replied in a serious tone, "DS Special Agent Stanley Worchewitz from the US Diplomatic Security Service in Arlington." I gave my mom the phone as she gave me a quizzical look. I just shrugged my shoulders, and mouthed the word,"detective."

He explained to my mother that Raul's employers were expecting him to come back a week ago from an international meeting. However, he never showed up at the airport, where his employer was waiting to collect him. Naturally his employer became worried and immediately called the local police, which was then dispatched to the Diplomatic Security service. From what I could hear from the phone, Raul had gone missing somewhere in Morocco, because they don't have record of him getting on his flight there. The agent explained that they were working with the local authorities in Fez and Meknes, because this was the last place he was sighted. 

The agent then told my mother that he had first met Raul, when he asked Raul to be an expert witness on a case he was working on. His testimony helped the agent win the case. Anyhow, the agent made it very clear that he was going to try more than his best to figure out what happened and he'd never rest until Raul was brought home. 

My mom took it much better than I anticipated, at least that's what I thought at the time. All she did was nod and say, "yes" and "thank you." When she hung up, her eyes were distant. Maritza came downstairs and asked me, "What's wrong with mom?" 

I couldn't get the lump in my throat to go away. I could barely breathe, or see through the tears that were threatening to fall from my eyes. 

Then papi came home. He looked from me back to my mom. He knew something was wrong, as he walked over to my mother, he asked her what was wrong, then looked at me for help. I could only mutter two words, "Raul...missing."

He instantly grabbed my mother by her shoulders and told her we will get through this and find him, even if he had to go and get a ticket himself to Morocco. 

My mother's only response was, "Don't bother. Raul is dead." She calmly left us and walked to her room, closed the door, and cried. 

"What?!?!" Maritza screamed, and cried falling on the floor. My father sat next to her held her and cried silent tears. I cried or at least I think I did. Everything felt like it was going in slow motion. 

All I kept thinking to myself was, "Why? What was he doing there? Why didn't he call us?" Eventually, I walked over to my dad, who still had his arms wrapped around Maritza, put my arm around his shoulders, and said, "He's not dead. We ARE going to find him."

The next thing I remembered was, tying my laces on my sneakers and running. Running until until my lungs burned and my stomach cramped. I ran until I vomited and tears and snot were running down my face. 

That day was the worst day of my life. But I made a promise to myself...never cry like that again.