Unwanted Fate (38 page)

“Hey, gorgeous. I ran into a little problem I have two flats on my car. I have Triple A on the way to tow, and I’ll meet you at the tavern in less than two hours.”

“Alright. I’ll have Kelly take me there.”

“Sorry, Ems.”

“I know, babe. Be careful and I’ll see you soon.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.” He hangs up.

My stomach rolls and feeling of unease comes over me, but I blame it on nerves. I walk to Kelly’s office and knock on the doorframe. She looks up.

“Do you mind if I ride with you? Patrick will be late.”

“Of course not. I’ll be ready to leave here within thirty minutes.”

“Sounds good,” I say and turn from her doorway, and walk to the gym to say good-bye to a few of the kids I got really close to. I notice Tasha is missing. She’s always here from open to close since her mom works at a restaurant.

“Have you seen Tasha,” I ask Victor as I walk farther into the gym.

He looks around then at me. “Now that you mention it, I haven’t.”

“Did her mom call to say she was sick or anything?”

“I’m sure she did since Tasha isn’t here. I bet the front office forgot to say something.”

“Perhaps. I think I might pull her record and call just in case.”

“I’ll do it,” he offers quickly. “I have the numbers back here. Can you keep an eye out on the gym while I call?”

“Sure.” He nods and jogs to his office. I glance and see him on the computer, and I focus back on the gym full of children. A few minutes later, I look back in his office and I see him on the phone talking to someone. I look away, watching the kids, and look back to see him walking toward me.

“I talked to her grandma. Tasha is home with a stomach bug. She should be back Monday.”

“Thanks for calling. I was hoping to see her. I guess I will use her as my excuse to visit.”

“She is pretty special young woman.”

“Are you coming to the tavern tonight?”

“Yes, I’ll be there as soon as everyone is picked up.” He looks down at his watch. “I need to get them rounded up. Parents will start coming in shortly.”

“Okay. See you later.”

“Talk to you later,” he says before he blows his whistle at the kids.

My eyes prickle with tears as I walk down the hallway, running my fingers along the wall as I walk. I’ll never forget this center and the children and staff who make it what it is. I know I made the right choice to leave, but Project Hope will always hold a special place in my heart.

I go to the staff restroom and freshen up. I’m positive I’ll be teary eyed at the tavern, but it will be too dark to see my messy face. As I exit the restroom, Kelly passes me.

“I’ll be ready in a few.”

“Okay. I’ll be waiting.”

I mentally and physically say good-bye to Project Hope.

K
elly pulls her blue Toyota in front of Working Man’s Tavern, and we get out of her car and walk into the bar to my former co-workers yelling, “We’ll miss you!” as the smell of fried foods and beer hit my nose.

“Oh my goodness! I’ll miss you too.” I hug as many people I can.

“Here you go, first drink is on me,” Victor comes up beside me with Margarita—one of my favorite drinks.

“Thank you, Victor.” I smile at his kindness, then take a sip of the salty sweet mixture.

I walk around the bar, stopping to talk to people as I make my way to sit down at one of the booths that we designated as ours. As I sit down, Victor comes beside the table and brings me another drink.

“I noticed you were getting low.”

“Oh, thank you,” I say, giggling.

“You’re welcome,” he says as he walks away, talking to a guy who works at another center.

“Emily! Are you having a good time?” Kelly asks as she occupies the place Victor just was.

“Yes, thank you so much for this.”

“You’re welcome. Enjoy!” She shuffles off with a drink in hand to talk to other staff members, and Victor comes back to sit down.

“So, are you all set to start your charity?”

“Yes, I believe so. My dad’s lawyer helped me get all the legal parts all squared away. We are finishing up writing the procedures and hopefully I can hire a few staff members next week.”

“Sounds like you’re on it.” He smiles, but it looks almost like it’s fake.

“I’m trying to be and I hope to be big enough one day to be partners with Project Hope,” I say before taking a sip of the fresh Margarita.

“That is very ambitious.”

“No.” Yawn. “Oh goodness that was rude. As I was saying before I yawned, I want to help everyone. The centers need help too.” I take another sip of my drink, hoping the saltiness will awaken my senses.

“You’re correct about that.” He takes a sip of his beer, keeping his eyes on me as he does.

“Wow, I’m feeling kind of out it. The bartender must have made this a double.” I feel a little dizzy from that last sip.

“Very possible.” He smirks as if he knows something. A shiver runs down my spine from the look.

“I hope Patrick arrives soon. I might have to leave my own party early,” I say, slightly pouting.

“Want me to take you home?” His eyes light up with the statement.

“Naw, thanks though. I’ll be right back, I’m going to freshen up.” I stand up and stumble away from the table.

Damn, I’m drunk off two drinks. I look around, not remembering where the restroom is until I see the big neon sign. I clumsily walk in and relieve myself, and wash my hands. Looking in the mirror, I laugh at myself because I’m so toasted.

Pushing on the restroom door, I fall out the door and almost hit the floor, but strong hands catch me. Patrick? I close my eyes because I can’t hold them open anymore. He’ll make sure I get home. He’s trying to talk to me, but I don’t understand what he is saying so I just nod my head. I’m lifted off the ground and put into a vehicle that doesn’t smell familiar, but I can’t open my eyes. I’m so sleepy I must sleep. I can’t wait to be home in our bed.

F
uck. I hate being late. My nerves are raw and every little thing is setting me off—I need Emily—something doesn’t feel right. I need to hold her, kiss her, and smell her citrus scent. I look out the glass window in the garage bay and watch as the mechanic tightens the last lug nut on my car. The shop manger calls out my name, letting me know my car was almost ready. I walk to the desk quickly and I pay with a swipe of my card to get me out of this dirty place.

When the mechanic pulls my car around the front of the building, I hop in, and push the gas pedal down to the floor. I need to get to the tavern as fast as I can, screw the police. Weaving in and out of traffic, I make it there in fifteen minutes.

I pull into a parking spot half a block down from the bar, and I walk in the front to see the party is well under way. I look for Emily, but I don’t see her, and set my eyes out for Kelly. I find Kelly by the bar, chatting it up with a big man that I’m sure is a regular at the bar.

“Hey, Kelly.”

“Patrick! Have you come to steal our girl away already?” she asks with a look of disappointment.

“No, I’m just looking for her. Have you seen her?” I say as I look around the bar again.

“She’s over there at the table chatting with Victor.” She points over to an empty booth. “Oh, I guess they aren’t there now.”

“Do you know how long it’s been since you’ve seen her?”

“Twenty-thirty minutes. I’m not sure. I’ve been chatting and drinking. If she’s not in there, I’m sure she’s probably powdering her nose.”

“Thank you, Kelly.”

“No problem,” she says before she turns back to the man she was talking to.

I march over to the restroom and wait casually outside the door, waiting to see if she comes out. After fifteen minutes, I know she’s not in there, so I return to the bar area and start asking a few people I’ve seen at the center before.

“Hello, Josh?” He’s an AmeriCorps worker that sat at the table with us at the gala.

“Hey, Patrick. How are you?”

“Well, I’m looking for Emily. Have you seen her?”

“Oh, yeah, man. She went out the back door with Victor. People normally go back there to smoke,” he says as he points to the back of the building.

“Do you know how long ago?” I rush out.

He closes his eyes briefly in thought. “About thirty minutes ago.”

“Thanks, man,” I say before I bolt.

I hurry to the hallway where the back entrance is located and slam the door open, running outside in full force. There’s no one here, but I see something lying in the middle of the alley. As I get closer, I see that it’s Emily’s purse.

Fuck.

“Hold on, Emily, I’ll find you. Even if it’s the last God damn thing I do, I will find you,” I yell out in the shaded alley.

My knees give out from under me and I fall down on pavement. The rough surface bites at my knees and palms as they slam on the weathered pavement. Anger flows through my body, causing violent shivers to take over. I gasp for air, trying to fill my burning lungs. Tears cloud my vision as my mind spins out of control. Taking deep, uneven breaths, air fills my lungs with the oxygen I need and I let it out slowly to regain control of my head and body. I need to focus so I can find Emily.

I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand before standing up, and I pick up Emily’s purse from the ground. My gut is telling me that Victor has a part in Emily missing from the tavern. I run back inside the bar, looking for Kelly again. She’s not at the bar and I frantically walk around trying to find her. I spot her at the table that Emily was supposed to be at and rush over to her.

“Hey. Do you know where Victor lives?” I say breathlessly.

“Yeah, but I can’t give out that information,” she slurs out.

“I think Emily is with him. I can’t call her because she left her purse.” I hold it up to show her.

“Oh. Well, let’s do it this way. You know the road the center faces?” I nod. “Go east one block. Turn left and go three blocks. Turn right at the stop sign and his house is in the middle of the block on the right,” she says slowly.

“One, three, middle?”

“Yes. Let me know what you find out. I have her belongings in my car,” she says as she pats my hand that I placed on the table to steady myself.