Unforeseen Consequences

I placed the plate of eggs and bacon in front of my husband before yelling, “Jim! Katie! Hurry up you’re going to miss your bus.” I turned back to the sink and inhaled slowly, my back tensing as I face the pile of dirty dishes. The tepid water lapped against my wrists as I swirled the washcloth around the edges of the grease filled pan. Pulling it from the water, I inspected its edges before carefully placing it on the drying rack. The thud of footsteps echoed through the house as two kids, a boy and a girl, raced into the kitchen.

“Sorry mom,” said Jim. “Katie was taking forever in the bathroom, again.”

“I was not!” Katie replied. “You just think anything more than running your hand through your hair is wasted effort, while I happen to have something called hygiene.”

“I have hygiene, and at least I don’t need to put mounds of goop on my face each morning.”

“It’s called moisturizing, and maybe if you tried it, you wouldn’t have so many zits.”

“Alright kids, that’s enough,” I said. “Grab your lunches. They’re in the fridge and try to be nice to each other at school.”

“I’m always nice,” said Jim. “It’s not my fault she has so many flaws I’m nice enough to point out.” With that he grabbed his lunch and bolted outside, the door banged shut behind him.

Katie’s jaw dropped before she grabbed her lunch to race after her brother. “Come back here you jerk!”

Slowly shaking my head, I grabbed a towel and began to dry my hands. “What are we going to do with those two?” I asked.

The chair scraped across the floor as my husband stood. “Oh they’ll be fine,” he said before giving me a quick peck on the lips. “Besides, they definitely get that from your side of the family.” He backed up quickly, a grin on his face.

The towel flipped out, lightly hitting his arm. “Yes, and it has nothing to do with your bad example,” I said laughing.

“Nope, nothing at all. I’ll see you after work. Love you.” With those words, he was out the door. The car engine roared, and soon it faded as he drove down the street.

I smiled as I walked up the stairs. The first thing I needed to do today was to go to the grocery store. Unfortunately, since my husband had the car, I was left taking the bus. I hurriedly grabbed my favorite purple purse and shoes before I headed out.

The only seat on the bus was next to a woman dressed in all black. As I began to sit the bus lurched, and I reached out and grabbed her shoulder to steady myself. “I am so sorry.”

I sharply inhaled as I was pulled back into myself. “It’s totally fine,” I said to the woman with the purple purse who had grabbed my shoulder. “Accidents happen.” This is why I hated the bus. There were too many opportunities for others to touch me. Still, her life seemed nice, so I didn’t mind the minor inconvenience.

The swoosh of the door and tinkle of the bell told me someone had just entered the store. The high pitched squeal told me it was Alice. Letting the stack of clothes I was sorting slump back on to the table, I quickly turned and sidestepped Alice’s outstretched hands. Thud. Alice slid right into the table I had been organizing.

Ow,” Alice groaned. “Would it kill you to just stay still one of these times?” Pushing herself up, she turned towards me. I had retreated to the safety behind the register.

“And would it kill you to stop trying to touch me every time you see me?” I replied.

“But this time it’s truly important. I rushed right over here so you could see as much of the encounter as possible.”

“I seriously doubt it is as important as you think it is. The last time you said that all you wanted me to see was a pair of shoes you were thinking about buying. Taking a picture with your phone would have worked as well.”

“Yes, but you wouldn’t have felt just how torn I was through a picture. Besides, what good is it having a best friend with magical powers if she won’t even use them.”

“Magical power. I only have the one, and I doubt you’d be so keen to use it if every time you touched someone you saw the last 30 minutes of their lives.”

“Yes, yes, I know,” Alice said. “But Sara this really is important. I met the cutest guy, and I want you to know what he looks like.”

“Alice, that is not something I want to do,” I said.

“Why not?” she said, casting her eyes down and sticking out her bottom lip like a child.

“Because I don’t want to live 30 minutes of you getting hit on by some random guy. I know it only seems like it takes a second, but to me, it feels like a whole 30 minutes where I have no control because I’m living your life. You know this, so why do you keep trying to force it on me?”

Alice pushed a stack of clothes off a table before sitting on the suddenly vacant surface. “I know, but you never do anything fun yourself, and I thought maybe if you were offered it instead of feeling like you stole it you might be able to enjoy it more.”

Sighing, I left the safety of the register to clean up the mess Alice made. Leaning over, I grabbed each shirt one at a time. “That’s a nice thought, but I’m happier when I’m not forced to see others’ lives.”

“You’re such a grouch.”

“And you’re a slob. Do you have to make a mess every time you come here,” I said as I straightened and smacked right into her hand hovering above my head.

He has brown hair and green eyes. I hear myself giggle at whatever joke he probably just said. I can’t wait to show Sara how hot this guy is.

“So do you think I could get your number?” he asked.

“Tell you what. How about you meet me for dinner at The Cove tonight and if it goes well then I’ll give you my number,” I said.

“Forward, I like that. I’ll meet you there at seven.”

“See you then,” I said. “Unfortunately, I have to leave now. See you later.”

I rushed to Sara’s work knowing if I’m not fast enough all she will see is a rehash of our conversation and not the person I wanted her to see.

I stumbled backward. “Gosh darn it, Alice! I told you not to do that!”

“I know, I know but wasn’t he so handsome. You did get to see him right?”

“Yes, but that’s not the point,” I said as I glared at her.

“Oh come on. Don’t be mad. Now you know what he looks like so you don’t have to worry so much when I’m on my date tonight.”

“That’s another thing. You don’t even know this guy. You shouldn’t be going out alone with him.”

“Relax. We’ll be in a public place. It’s not like I invited him home or something.”

“Regardless I don’t like it. Something felt wrong about him.”

“Oh please, now you’re being paranoid,” she said.

“No, I’m not. Just because I see and hear and feel what you do does not mean I lose my own thoughts and feelings. Something felt off about the whole situation. I just don’t know what.”

“Whatever Mom. I promise to be careful. I’ll even call you if I feel like something is up.”

“You better, but just to be safe, I’m calling you at ten.”

“You know you’re crazy right?” she said.

“I know, but humor me,” I replied.

“Fine, but just know I’ll never let you forget this when everything goes great, and we start dating and eventually get married,” Alice said as she jumped off the table and headed out the doors.

Ring. Ring. Ring. “Hi, you’ve reached Alice leave a message after the beep.” My knuckles turn white as I held the phone to my ear. “Alice, it’s me again. I’m really starting to get worried now. I’ve called four times already, and you haven’t answered. I’m coming to the restaurant now. I don’t care if you get mad. It’s your own fault for not picking up your phone.”

Walking through the parking lot, I relax as I see Alice’s car still parked beside a street lamp. I knew she would be here. She was probably ignoring my calls just to mess with me. Well, she’d be sorry for that decision once I crashed her date. Knowing her though, she probably bet the poor guy that I’d come barging in if she didn’t answer her phone. Well, if this made her $20 richer she better use that money to buy me something.

The sign said “Wait to be seated,” but I stormed straight into the dining room determined to yell at Alice the moment I saw her. I scanned the room once, and then again, and then again, my eyes moving faster with each pass. Beads of sweat formed on my hairline as I reached out to a passing waitress.

So many people were here tonight. I really hope I got decent tips tonight. I heard a crash and turned to the entrée way in just enough time to see some drunk girl knock over the coat rack. Of course, she had a totally hot guy there to help her out. Oh well, with the way she was walking she probably wouldn’t even remember how nice the guy was to her. Some girls just didn’t know how lucky they were.

I headed over to help the poor hostess straighten up the coat rack so she could get back to dealing with the costumers who kept streaming through the door. Then I was back to making my rounds at the different tables.

“Yes? Can I help you?” the surprised waitress asked as I quickly dropped her arm.

“I’m so sorry. I thought you were someone else,” I said. That had been Alice, but why was she walking like that? Alice didn’t drink. At least not anymore, not since she had to get her stomach pumped for alcohol poisoning. My chest constricted and each breath came quicker and shallower than the last. The room began to swim, and my feet shuffled against the floor as I pulled myself out of the restaurant.

The cool metal of the light post brought clarity to the situation. No one but me knew Alice was in trouble and no one would believe me without more information. I clenched my jaw and marched back into The Cove.

  

Thirty minutes of polite chit-chat as I waited for dinner to be served to my date and me.

Thirty minutes of tense silence as a minor disagreement ruined the whole dinner.

Thirty minutes of trying to make the children sit quietly and wondering why my husband was so cheap he wouldn’t spring for a babysitter at least once in a while.

Thirty minutes of serving obnoxious customers who tell the same jokes.

I noticed the great car before I saw the couple beside it. The poor girl must have had too much to drink because she was having trouble even getting in the door. The guy looked up and smiled at me before turning his attention back to his date. I pity the guy for having such a lousy date, but I was more jealous of his car. A sleek green Camaro was the type of car any guy would love to have.

I breathed in deeply before I pulled a pen and paper from my purse. 8TZQ274. I had only seen it for a second, but I was certain that was his license plate number. My hands shook as I pressed the numbers 9-1-1 into my phone.

“Now tell me again what it was you saw,” the policeman asked me. I don’t know what he didn’t understand. I had explained the situation to him three times already.

“I tried calling my friend, Alice, four times tonight and when she didn’t answer I got worried and headed over here. When I got here, I saw a man placing her in his car. I called out to her, but I don’t think she heard me. I ran as fast as I could but by the time I got to the parking space he had already pulled out and driven away. Please, you need to hurry.”

“And what makes you think she didn’t get in the car willingly?”

“She would never do that. Not on a first date.”

“Not even if she maybe had a little too much to drink?”

“No, I already told you she doesn’t drink anymore. Please, just do something, anything. Stop asking me questions and please find her.”

“Look I know you’re worried,” He said as he reached out and placed his hand on my shoulder.

“Dad, you are ruining my life! Every time I try to have fun you have to show up and ruin things.”

“Well,” I said, rubbing my hands against my face, “when I’m called to deal with a noise complaint and find my 17-year-old daughter at a loud party full of underage drinking I think I’m allowed to ruin the fun. In fact, if I don’t, I’m not doing my job right, as a policeman or as your father.”

The door slamming was the only response I received. My radio crackled to life, “Possible kidnapping at The Cove, nearest unit, please respond.”

I put my hand up to stop him. “Please, what if it was your daughter? All I’m asking is for you to look up the license plate and give the guy a visit. Please,” I said my voice catching in my throat. “She’s the best friend I could ask for. I just need to make sure she’s safe.”

His shoulders slumped before he said, “Alright, but if they’re not there I won’t be able to do much else.”

“That’s fair. Thank you so much.”

I glanced at the speedometer and watched it hover over 35 mph. My fingers drummed against the door rest as our momentum began to slow for a red light. No matter how much I had asked, the policeman refused to turn on the sirens. I guess I was just lucky to be in the car, but I felt anything but lucky tonight.

The car slid to a stop in front of the new house, and I was unbuckled and out the door before the policeman had even finished turning off the car. I heard his steps crunch on the gravel behind me before he said, “Please let me do the talking. If something did happen, we don’t want to make him nervous.” I nodded and stood there silently as he knocked on the door.

He opened the door wearing only sweatpants. My fists clenched as I waited for the officer to speak. “Good evening, sir. I’m sorry to bother you, but this girl says you were out with her friend Alice tonight and that she hasn’t been able to reach Alice at all. Do you happen to know an Alice?”

“Oh yeah, she’s totally upstairs. The poor girl had too much to drink tonight. She probably didn’t answer any phone calls because she’s passed out,” he said a goofy smile spreading across his lips.

“Well if you don’t mind I’d like to take her home now,” I said.

“Yeah sure come on in. She’s in the first bedroom up the stairs.”

I took the stairs two at a time and sent the door banging into the wall as I skidded to a stop in the bedroom. Alice’s hair draped across her face, and a sheet was thrown haphazardly over her body. Hot tears pooled in my eyes as I noticed the clothes in the corner and her bare legs and shoulders. Her hand hung off the edge of the bed, and the room reeked of cheap cologne. The mattress shifted beneath me as I sat down beside her. I needed her to know I was there and that I would always be there. “Alice,” I called. “Alice, wake up. It’s me, Sara. I’ve come to take you home.” She didn’t stir. I couldn’t believe this was happening. Not to her. She had always tried to share everything with me, and I had always turned her away. Not this time. This pain I would share. So I reached out and touched her.