Behind Closed Doors

Chapter 29

Emily gazed at the scenery from the back window of the taxi. She was back in the beautiful city of Los Angeles, a place that held both wonderful and painful memories for her. The streets were bustling with people going about their business on this Tuesday morning. Her flight from San Jose had just landed, and she had taken a taxi from the airport to her intended destination. It struck her how everyone seemed so absorbed in their lives, oblivious to the challenges others might be facing.

Her thoughts were briefly interrupted as the taxi came to a sudden stop. Her body jolted forward, but she managed to prevent her head from hitting the headrest. Horns blared in the background. She clenched the small teddy bear in her palm and whispered, 'Jesus.'

'What happened?' she asked the driver as she attempted to peek outside to see the commotion.

'This guy was driving recklessly,' the taxi driver explained, pointing at a red Toyota. 'He nearly hit a pedestrian.'

'Oh,' Emily responded before settling back into her seat. She placed the teddy bear in her bag and resumed staring out the window. They soon reached their destination. The driver parked, retrieved Emily's bags from the car's trunk, and bid her farewell.

'Have a good day,' Emily said with a smile and a wave as he drove off.

Turning her attention to the apartment building, she walked in and took the elevator to the third floor and found the door she was looking for before ringing  the doorbell. She wasn't entirely certain this was the right apartment, but she had to take the chance. It had been a while since she had been here.

'Hold on!' she heard from inside. The door swung open, revealing Donna in a romper with disheveled hair.

Emily felt a strange mixture of emotions. It had been so long that she thought she might forget Donna's face, but she still recognized her. What surprised her most was that she could still remember.

'Hi,' Emily greeted with a smile.

Donna stood there in silence, seemingly stunned by Emily's presence. She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. Emily's smile faded as she waited for Donna to regain her composure.

'I had way too much to drink last night,' Donna mumbled, mainly to herself but loud enough for Emily to hear.

'No, I'm here, and I'm real. It's me, Emily,' Emily said with a nervous smile.

'Let me wake up from this dream,' Donna muttered to herself. 'What am I doing here? I'm going to be late for my appointment.'

Emily felt a bit uneasy. Was she not real to Donna? Why was Donna talking to herself as if she didn't see her standing there?

'Donna, can you see me?' Emily asked.

'Give me a moment!' Donna snapped back and continued to mumble. Emily sighed in relief, at least Donna acknowledged her presence.

'So you're real, not a figment of my imagination, not a ghost, and I didn't overindulge in tequila last night. Good,' Donna said to Emily. 'Where on earth have you been?! Everyone has been searching for you, from your family to your church. Mr. Smith has been going out of his mind...'

She stopped abruptly. 'I should call Mr. Smith; he'll be overjoyed to see you. Let's go inside.'

She immediately turned and walked in, and Emily quickly followed with her bags.

'No, Donna, don't,' Emily tried to stop her from making the call, shutting the front door behind them. 'Donna, please listen to me; you can't call him.'

Donna reached for her phone and looked at Emily. 'Why not? He's been frantic searching for you...'

'No, please. I'll be in serious trouble. I...' Emily hesitated, not wanting to reveal the truth. 'You can't. You just can't..."