Trapped

Chapter 8: A Look into Boston

Eric and Anastasia were enjoying a rare night out alone. Eric had insisted on taking her on a nice dinner date to celebrate their engagment.

"Italian, my favorite" Anastasia smiled as she thumbed through her menu.

"I know" Eric laughed, he couldn't take his eyes off of Anastasia. She was wearing a form fitting pine green gown that was simple in taste but complimented her sunkissed skin and red hair, making her look like a forest goddess turned human. Her hair was pulled up above her head in an elegant twist, one that Eric was sure took her hours, and she had lovely pink lips. Those lips were moving, he noticed too late. He shook his head,

"Sorry... what were you saying?" he asked embarrassed, but she just giggled.

"I was asking if you would hand over the wine selection?" she reached her hand out and he obliged. There waiter made his way over and they ordered their drinks and appetizers, then started looking through the entrees.

"You know we have to come to a decision soon right?" Eric spoke slowly, clearly unhappy to be talking about it. Anastasia sighed and snapped her menu closed.

"But do we have to make a decision tonight?" she asked curtly. Eric closed his menu as well and set it on the table.

"No, I guess not." he gave in. Their waiter came back with a glass of wine for Anastasia and a whiskey for Eric. They both sipped their drinks distractedly and broke small pieces off the bread between them. Neither of them knew what to say, mainly because they knew they needed to talk about their next step after college but didn't want to bring down the mood of their night out.

"To us" Eric finally said, looking deeply into Anastasia's eyes. He raised his glass slightly and reached it across the table, Anastasia met his half way and let their glasses clink together. She took another long sip of wine.

"Here's something we should talk about" she began, "where are we going to have the wedding?". She knew he would say they should have it here, that it would be the safest option. She herself didn't even know whether going home or staying would be the better option. But part of her still wanted Eric to at least think about going home, it was their home, it was where they're families were.

It suddenly occurred to her that she hadn't ever met his family. In the year she spent home after the Julian fiasco she had been so wrapped up in her own sadness and confusion she never asked about his family. She felt consumed in her own guilt that when Eric began to talk she almost jumped.

"I think we should stay here, but hear me out..." as he began to plead his case her phone began to ring. Guests at the surrounding tables gave her dirty looks as the ringing echoed through the dining hall. She finally yanked her phone out from her purse and quickly switched into vibrate mode before flipping it over to look at the screen. She was saved the hassle of deciding whether or not to answer as the phone went still in her hand. Eric was looking at her confused, obviously waiting for her to stay something.

"My dad tried to call me, that's all" she said dismissively as she moved to put her phone back away, but it began to vibrating again. "Strike that, my dad's calling me." she silently pleaded with Eric to understand as she raised herself out of her seat. "It must be important if he's calling twice" and then she was gone.

Anastasia marched across the restaurant and out into the fresh air, realizing she missed the second call too. She tried calling her dad back but it beeped twice, the busy signal. She tried again, busy signal. Puzzled, she was about to head back into the warm restaurant when a single vibrate shook her hand.

"2 missed calls. 1 voicemail from: Dad"

She pulled up the voicemail and put the phone to her ear. Her father sounded worried,