After leaving work Friday evening, I immediately head home to start packing. It's a few hours before I have to leave for the airport but I’d rather be ready and waiting versus scrambling at the last second. As I’m zipping up my bag the doorbell rings. The guys already know not to come over tonight and I’m sure that Larry wouldn’t come over this early to pick me up. I answer it confused as to who it could be. As soon as I open the door I’m face to face with Andrea. Anger rises in my chest as I say, “I thought I made myself clear when I told you that you’re not welcome here?”
“I came to apologize.”
“I don’t have time for you right now.”
“Please, just hear me out.” she begs.
I sigh and move aside to allow her in. I really didn't want to hear what she has to say but I didn't feel like being rude to her like she was to me. I close the door and usher her towards the kitchen as I didn't want her to catch wind of my leaving either.
After we sit down at the table she starts to plead, “Please forgive me. I had a rough flight back that day and I’m sorry I took it out on you.”
“That’s not why I threw you out.”
“What do you mean? You yelled at me to leave because I was disrespecting your family.”
“And you did. I gave you a chance to recant your statement about my sister but you refused to.”
“What? Is that what this is all about? All because I called her a useless child!”
“And there you just did it again. Yes, Andrea. The words you used that day is what your heart told you to say but you know nothing about her.” She rolls her eyes at my words but I continue anyway, “She is more powerful than you can imagine. So, I guess if that's the way you still feel about her then this conversation is over.”
I probably shouldn't have told her that but I didn't see any other way to make her understand that without my sister in my life, I am nothing but an empty shell feeding off the emotions that are not mine.
As I'm walking her to the door for the second time she turns to me and says, “I know where Alex is.” Obviously trying to persuade me to change my mind.
I quickly flash my eyes at her then look away, “I don't want to know. He’ll come back when he's ready. Now leave and don't come back again.” Purposely averting my eyes as I open the door for her to leave.
Truthfully, I did want to know but I wasn’t about to allow the words to come from Andrea. I figured that he's probably shacked up at one of his friends' houses blowing off some steam. Besides, I haven't received any phone calls from the school. Wherever he is, I’m sure he’s safe and that’s enough to quell my fears for the moment.
*****
As the plane touches down, a million and one questions storm my mind. One specific being the thought that Carol might try to trick me into believing one of her half cocked ideas. Over the years I learned to trust my instincts more than the words that come out of the woman’s mouth, but she never fails to make me blow up at her. Hopefully this time I’m able to restrain myself long enough to find the answers I seek before it comes to that point.
I proceed down the long, narrow hallway that leads to the main terminal along with the rest of the passengers. Then I follow the signs that point to the baggage claim area to retrieve my bag before going any further. Several minutes later I head over to the rental car office to get some transportation so that I can be on my way. Unfortunately, the sun hasn't fully risen in the sky yet so I purposely take my time getting there.
YOU ARE READING
The Hidden Truth
FantasyMichael Morgan is a young adult who is fresh out of college with his eyes on the company he researched. After returning to his best friends home to collect his siblings, he finds that they are now missing. Fearing for their safety, he resorts to dra...
