Left Behind: Left Behind Series #1

by D. J. Pierson

  Just when I was ready to head over to Jade’s room to raid her closet, I remembered something I purchased on a whim last summer and never wore. I don’t think I ever had the intention of wearing it, but I couldn’t leave the store without it. Jade tried to get me to wear it a few different times, but I never had the nerve to. I offered it to her, but she declined, saying it was made for me…whatever that means. After some searching, I finally found it still hanging in the clear, plastic bag it came in. I knew it would be absolutely perfect! I hung it on the bar in front of my mirror and set out to do my hair and makeup. It took a while to turn my tight, spiral curls into big, loopy ones, but the end result is totally worth it.

  Now that it’s finally time to put the dress on, my nerves are a little rattled. I can’t believe I’m actually going to walk out of my house in this thing! If Gram were here, she would beat me senseless. If Jade were here, she’d be jumping up and down and clapping her hands. The combination of the two is what makes it ideal. I yank off my thin navy blue tank top, careful not to mess up my hair, and tug the light peach dress off of the hanger. As it slides down my body, I realize I’ve never worn a dress before that would prevent me from wearing an actual bra. This should be interesting. Once it’s in place and my boobs are somewhat adjusted into the built-in bra, my feet slide into the highest pair of nude heels I own. My self-confidence takes a running leap off of my balcony and lands on the concrete two stories below. Damn it!

  I squeeze my eyes closed as my feet drag my body in front of the mirror. At first, I only slightly peek with one eye as if it would soften the blow if the dress looks bad on me. Excitement takes over, forcing the other eye to also open wide. An over-stuffed sausage isn’t what’s reflecting back at me. The sequined, crocheted bodice lays nicely over every muscular, toned curve of my body. It has a V-neck, exposing more cleavage than I’ve ever allowed, other than in a bikini top. The back of the dress is what made me buy it, though. It is scooped so low, it almost shows my tattoo on my lower right side. There are two very thin straps that crisscross in the center of my back, barely holding the whole thing up. “Fantastic,” I say to myself, grinning. I can’t wait to hear what my mom has to say about this one.

  Knowing Robert will be at least ten minutes early, I collect my purse and phone from on top of the chair and head downstairs to wait for him. The moment his car pulls into the driveway, I set the security system and meet him outside. There’s no reason to make him get out of the car and walk all the way up to the door. Being the gentleman he is, he hops out of the car to greet me. He almost trips and falls when he sees what I have on.

  “If I were taking you anywhere other than your parents’ house, you’d be marching yourself back upstairs to change, Sweet Pea,” he tells me. “I’m actually still considering it.”

  His fatherly instincts toward me have always been heartwarming. “I’m sorry to upset you, Robert. I don’t normally go out in clothes like this, but tonight is a special occasion.” He sighs and goes to open the back door. “I’m not sitting there,” I inform him. “Do you mind if I sit up front next to you?”

  He smiles at me. “Of course not, my dear. Although, if your mother sees you getting out, she won’t be very thrilled.”

  “Don’t worry about her. Once she sees this dress, she’ll forget all about it,” I say, winking at him. As he closes me in, he grumbles something about giving him a heart attack. Poor Robert.

  On the ride over, Robert tells me how his only child, Robert Jr., is doing well and living just outside of Tampa. If I remember correctly, his son is around my brother’s age and from a marriage that didn’t last very long. Between Robert’s ex-wife being a total bitch and my mom always having her driver on a tight leash, we never really saw him much. Robert now has three granddaughters who he sees quite frequently, despite his employment with my parents that still keeps him extremely busy. He would like for me to meet the girls sometime and, of course, I express how much I would love to. We talk about my last semester at school and I almost tell him about graduating, but think twice about it. No need to involve him in my family’s drama, although he’d be proud to hear it.

  “Are you going to be alright going in there?” Robert asks me as he brings the car to a stop just in front of my parents’ front door. Unfortunately, I’m not the only one in attendance tonight. There are a few other cars parked out here. What the hell is going on?

  “Probably not,” I sigh. “But I’ll get through it like I always do.”

  “Do you still have my private number?” After a quick scroll through my phone, I confirm it’s stored there. My parents provide a cell phone for them to be able to get in contact with him, but he also has his own that they don’t know about. He gave me the number in case I ever needed him and promised he’d stop whatever he was doing to come get me. I’m sure most people have someone who would do this kind of thing for them, but they usually call that person Dad. “The second you want to leave, you dial it. You don’t even have to speak to me. As soon as I see your name on the screen, I’ll be here in less than five minutes.”

  “I appreciate it.”

  “Sweet Pea, you know you deserve better than what this family will ever offer you. I really hope someday you find it so you don’t have to deal with their bullshit.”

  “I do know that. All too well, unfortunately. The moment I figure out a way to keep them from taking Gram’s house from me, I will make sure to write them off for good.”

  “They aren’t actually trying to do that,” he says. It looks like he’s hoping I’m exaggerating.

  “Oh yes, they are.” His shoulders drop when the words leave my lips. I had thought maybe he would have known, but it’s clear he had no idea. “Don’t worry about me. I always bounce back from their attacks. It’s just another hump in a very bumpy road.”

  “If there is anything I can do, anything at all, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

  I smile at him and reach for the door handle before he can leave his seat. “Don’t get out, Robert. I’ll call you when I’m ready.”

  “Good luck, Sweet Pea.”

  As the door closes behind me and the car drives away, I summon every ounce of confidence and courage that has ever belonged to me to make my way up the marble steps leading to the house. The place that was once where I resided feels completely foreign. Granted, it did when I lived here, too. There’s no need to knock because the door swings open when my foot lands on the top step. My mother always hires help for evenings such as this, so I was anticipating that would happen. Some things never change.

  “Miss Foster,” the middle-aged woman greets me. She’s just here to collect a paycheck and not to support my mother, so I greet her with a warm smile. “Everyone is…”

  “Gathering in the great room. I know the drill. Thank you,” I say, walking past her. It’s the script she is required to say. Since I’m familiar with it, I save her from wasting her breath.

  The walls of the long hall to the back of the house are lined with overpriced artwork no one really cares to look at. Most people have pictures of their children at all different ages and in various uniforms from sports they’ve played, but not my mother. I don’t recall there ever being a picture of me hanging on the wall or even in a small frame on a tabletop. The one room does have framed portraits of my brother at his graduations from college and medical school, though. There are a few short, marble pillars holding different sculptures spaced equally along the solid wall to my right. It takes entirely too much willpower not to accidentally knock them over. On my way out, perhaps.

  My mother, being the perfect hostess that she is, is the first to acknowledge my presence when I walk into the room. “Darling, I’m so glad you could make it…” Her sentence trailing off as she takes in my attire only makes my smile bigger. Mission number one accomplished and I haven’t even been here for a full minute. She casually strolls over to kiss me on both cheeks. In front of company, she always goes with the caring mother routine. It’s the comment, quietl
y in my ear no one else can hear, that sets her apart from being a real mom. “Prostitute really doesn’t look good on you.” Thankfully, I know it’s more about her being jealous that she can’t pull this off the way I can, even after all the surgeries in the world. Then, she links her arm through mine, ushering me to the rest of the guests.

  I mumble, “You should try exercising. Then, maybe, you could borrow it.”

  We’re too close to everyone for her to risk saying anything else, so she starts with the presentation. “I’m sure you remember your father’s oldest and dearest friend and colleague, Dr. Walter Harris and his wife, Meredith.” I haven’t seen either of them in a really long time, so I only vaguely remember who they are.

  Dr. Harris is at least my father’s age, if not older, but that doesn’t stop him from glancing down the front of me and stumbling to get out of his seat. His wife notices and I have to bite my lip not to laugh. When he’s finally on his feet, he reaches out to shake my hand gently. “So nice to see you again, Kacie. I hope you’ve been well.”

  “I have been, Dr. Harris. Thank you. Mrs. Harris,” I say. “Always a pleasure.” She smiles, but that’s about it. Next up is someone I didn’t notice was here until now. Son of a bitch! Now I know exactly why my mother wanted me here and made sure I was the last one to arrive. She wanted everyone to see this.

  “Kacie,” the infamous Dr. Sean Murphy says, already standing. He reaches out for my hand and my proper etiquette takes over. I place my hand in his and he brings it to his lips. Gross.

  “Dr. Murphy,” is all I say, yanking my hand away and not-so-casually wiping it on the bottom of my dress.

  He smiles and tries to be charming when he says, “Sean,” as if I cared to address him by his first name.

  “Of course,” I utter and turn my back to him. Eat your heart out, bastard! My father is sitting in his favorite brown, leather chair holding a glass of whiskey, with no plans on getting up. Mom will be pissed at him for acting that way in front of company. “Hello, Daddy.”

  “I can’t believe you’re actually standing in my house again. Never thought I’d see the day.” He speaks with a bored tone. My neck begins to stiffen up, but I don’t dare touch it.

  Ignoring him, I happily focus my attention on the last two people in the room. My brother comes over and gives me a hug. “You look absolutely beautiful tonight, Kacie,” he declares when he releases me.

  “Why thank you, big brother, but not nearly as beautiful as Addie.”

  She embraces me the way my brother just did, giggling. “I need to go shopping with you someday. That dress looks amazing on you. And who did your hair?”

  “Just let me know when. It’s a secret about my hair, but I’ll tell you later,” I whisper, smiling back at her.

  I can feel my mother’s poisonous gaze from behind me. “Kacie, the gentleman is waiting for you to tell him what you’d like to drink.” It throws me that she’d actually refer to someone she hired as a gentleman. For about one-tenth of a second, I think that maybe someone like her really can change.

  “I’m not in any hurry, Miss Foster. If you’d like me to come back…” he offers.

  “Not at all. I’ll have a Cosmopolitan, please.” Hopefully, he can tell I need it to be a strong one.

  “Have a seat, dear.” My mother directs me to sit next to Sean, as if I thought to sit anywhere else in the room. My ass sinks down to just sit on the very edge of the sofa and my legs cross. Naturally, Sean admires the view.

  “Kacie,” Dr. Harris starts, “your parents were just telling us how you are almost ready to graduate and enter medical school. Do you know what specialty you’re interested in?”

  That question I can answer honestly. “Anything involving pediatrics.”

  He chuckles. “Ah, yes. There are plenty of specialty areas that involve children. I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”

  “I have no doubt.” I give my best fake smile and accept the glass of welcome liquid I’m being handed. “Thank you.” The gentleman nods his head and exits the room. I probably should have asked him for two.

  Conversation resumes as it must have been before I walked into the room. My father, his friend, and the jackass sitting next to me enter into a battle of I’m-the-best-doctor-because-blah-blah-blah. If for no other reason than to gratify my mother, Noah usually joins in, but not this time. His attention is focused solely on his girlfriend. He’s running his fingers up and down her arm. He moves whenever she does, making sure she’s comfortable before settling back down again. It stings a little knowing he can openly be with who he chooses with no consequences.

  Eventually, we all shift to the dining room where more of the same talk continues. How these wives can stand listening to the same shit at every dinner party is beyond me. The staff serves dinner. It’s filet mignon and lobster, which causes my stomach to turn. Seafood is my least favorite thing of all. The smell of it is enough to send me running for the restroom, but I swallow it down and try not to breathe in too deeply. It wouldn’t surprise me if this was also done intentionally but, then again, my mother doesn’t care to know much about her daughter’s likes and dislikes. Using the spoon next to my plate, I try to push the lobster tail away from the rest of my food without being obvious. Addison, who is sitting on my left, is doing the same thing. I guess she doesn’t like seafood, either.

  “Kacie,” my mother calls from across the table, loud enough for everyone to hear. “Just so you’re aware. I gave Sean your phone number. He’s so kindly offered to escort you to the annual gala next weekend and will need to be in touch to set up the details. I’m sure this gives you enough time to find a suitable gown.” She says it as if attending the gala is something I’ve always done. I’ve never gone and have no desire to do so.

  “This is the perfect excuse for us to go shopping,” Addison chimes in. “Maybe you can take me to the store where you got this dress.” She’s playing right along with my mother’s game, only she’s on my team and I love it. My brother seems to be just fine with it, which is odd. He’s usually trying to extinguish the flames, not fan them.

  “You have much better fashion sense than my daughter, Addison. Perhaps you could show her where she should be looking for clothes.”

  “Actually, Mrs. Foster, ever since Kacie walked in tonight, I’ve thought of nothing else except for finding the store where she bought that dress. She looks stunning.”

  Dinner progresses so damn slowly, my hair may start to turn gray. The food is not appetizing. It just gets pushed from one side of my plate to the other. When I can no longer stand listening to these grown men talk about how perfect they are, I push my chair away from the table and politely excuse myself. My father sends me a nasty glare for interrupting his story. My mother sets her fork down as if I ruined the entire evening.

  Sean grabs the arm of my chair and gives me a look closely resembling my father’s. “Where are you going?” he asks.

  “The restroom. I wasn’t aware I needed your permission.”

  “Kacie,” my mom says, clearly appalled at my rudeness. She’s glancing to her other guests to see if any of them are offended.

  My sigh is loud enough that it’s audible to everyone. As I walk down the hallway toward the powder room, I can hear my mother apologizing for me. Once I’m safely behind the closed door, I lock it and relax against it. My hands reach up to rub both sides of my neck where the stress has settled. How the hell do I get myself stuck in these situations? How long can I possibly stay in here before someone comes looking for me? Not long enough, I’m sure.

  Eventually, I make my way back into the dining room, but don’t return to my chair. “You’ll have to excuse me, but I need to be on my way.”

  “Sit the hell down, Kacie,” my father slurs, taking another sip of his whiskey.

  “I’m starting to get a migraine from such a long day. I do apologize for leaving before dessert. I’m sure it’s delicious.”

  Noah starts to get up. “I’ll take you home and be back
before dessert is served.”

  “I’ll do it,” Sean says, practically jumping out of his seat. “That way, I’ll be able to find your house next week when I pick you up for the gala. I need to head into the hospital anyway to check on a few of my patients before going home.”

  “That’s what residents are for, son,” Dr. Harris tells him.

  “It’ll make me rest easier if I do it myself, sir.” Sean slides his chair under the table. “Dr. and Mrs. Foster, thank you for your generosity this evening. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and look forward to the next time.”

  “You are sweeter than my daughter deserves, Sean. Thank you for making sure she gets home,” my mother says. Ignoring her, I whisper goodbyes to Noah and Addison, then say goodnight to Dr. and Mrs. Harris. Both of my parents meet us at the doorway to the main hall, but they only acknowledge Sean. Whatever.

  He places his hand on my back to lead me down the hallway. Just the thought of him touching me has the Cosmopolitans threatening to make a repeat appearance. I try to walk faster to get him off of me, but he only matches my speed again. If these heels weren’t so high, I’d run out of here. When we get through the door, I immediately step away from him and watch him run down the steps.

  He yanks his keys out of his pants pocket and calls out to me, “Let’s go. I have somewhere to be.”

  “Just go. I’ll get my own ride.”

  “No way. You’re my ticket out of this hell hole. I can’t afford to let them see me leave without you. Get in.” His car chirps as he turns off the alarm. He goes around to the driver’s side and opens up the door. “It would have been helpful if your headache kicked in a little earlier. I hate to be late,” the prick says, ripping off his tie and throwing it in the back seat.