Kidnapped

Chapter 18

It had been a week since Alexia arrived at Zach's house. She was greeted at the door by Zach's mother who was very surprised to see Zach, let alone Alexia. Zach's mother showed them into the house and introduced herself to Alexia, "Hi, I'm Zach's mother Nina,I'm very glad to finally meet you, Zach talks about you all the time,". Zach groaned. "Opps, sorry dear," Nina said with a chuckle. Zach took Alexia into the living room and told her to take a seat on the couch. "I'm going to grab a drink, want one?" he asked Alexia. "Sure," Alexia said quietly. Zach went into the kitchen, followed by his mother. Alexia could hear the two whispering. "You didn't tell me you were having company," Nina said to her son. "Mom, I can explain everything," Zach's said. When he was done explaining the story his mother gasped. "She needs to go to the police,". "I know, I'm going to talk to her about it," Zach said. His mother sighed, "I'm going to get the spare bedroom cleaned up,". The two didn't see her again until dinner time. Zach told Alexia to sit at the table but Alexia didn't want to just sit there she wanted to help. But whenever she asked if she could help she was given a disapproving head shake.

It was Saturday night and the family was preparing for dinner. It was a big night due to Zach's father coming home for the weekend. Zach's father worked out of town, so he stayed in a hotel during the week and came home on the weekends. Alexia was nervous as she sat the plates on the table. Of course Zach's father knew she was there, but what if he didn't like her. What if he asked what she was like. Was she supposed to say that she had been kidnapped for the past 7 years? She sat the last plate on the table and went back into the kitchen. She pulled the silverware drawer open and reached her hand in. Nina came up behind her, "That's enough, go sit down sweetheart, you've done plenty,". "But I really want to help," Alexia said giving her a smile. Nina shook her head and pointed to the couch, "Go, sit," Alexia sulked her way into the living room. She plopped herself in the couch and sighed loudly. "I'm not changing my mind," Nina yelled from the kitchen. Alexia heard Zach laugh. She turned around to face him and gave him a glare, "what?". "You've been here a week and you haven't figured out she won't let you help," Zach said coming over to Alexia. Alexia giggled and wrapped her arms around him. Zach looked down at her, "Now about my dad...".Just then the door opened and a tall man came in. "Everybody I'm home!" he cried throwing his stuff down on the ground. He looked over to Zach and Alexia. "My boy, who's this lovely lady?" he asked coming over to them. "Dad, this is Alexia," Zach said turning to Alexia and giving her a glance. "I'm glad to see my son with such a beautiful girl," he said holding his arm out "my names Stanley,". "It's very good to meet you," Alexia said extending her arm out to his. Just then Nina came hurrying from the kitchen, "Sorry dear, just finishing up dinner," she said giving her husband a kiss on the cheek. "That's alright," he said with a chuckle, "what's for dinner?" "Turkey," she said hurrying back into the kitchen.

The family had just sat down to dinner when Stanley asked the question she had been dreading. "So what's your family like?" Stanley asked, "we'll have to have dinner sometime. Alexia tried to hold back the tears that were forming in her eyes. A tear rolled down her cheek and Stanley realized he had asked the wrong question. He began to eat his food very slowly. Zach looked over to Alexia and grabbed her hand. She grabbed his back and picked her fork up. The table was quiet for most of the night. Nina talked the most, asking her husband about his week at work. At 10:30 Alexia decided to go to bed. "Uh, I'll walk you up," Zach said getting up from the table. Nina gave him a small nod. Alexia could hear Stanley asking his wife why that question had upset Alexia. In the spare bedroom Zach tried to apologize, "I'm so sorry, he doesn't know yet,". Alexia shook her head, "It's alright, it's just I wish our families could get together," she said wiping the tear stains from her cheeks. "And we can, but we have to tell the police, they'll be able to find your mom and Steph before we can," Zach said holding her in his arms. Alexia nodded her head, "Tomorrow,".

*Hey guys!! Sorry for such a long wait. It has been a super busy week and a half! So when I had a few hours today I knew I had to write another chapter! So what do you think about this one? What's your impression of Zach's parents? Let me know and don't forget to hit the vote button!

Until the next chapter,
Emily