A Kiss for Emily (Emily Stokes Series)

by J. P. Galuska

  “What are you going to do about Alex?”

  Just as she finished her question, my phone chimed.

  “Well, speak of the devil.” I showed her the name appearing on the screen.

  I pressed the read button. “Please, talk to me.”

  “I feel sorry for him,” I sighed, “but at the same time, he’s beginning to scare me. Especially since he’s doing drugs.”

  “Yeah,” Clair agreed. “I don’t know much about it, but Danny said that he looked like hell.”

  “I heard this story about some guy who was really high on cocaine and shot up his house with a shotgun because he was hallucinating white rats running rampant all over the place.” As an afterthought, I added, “It was a really nice house, with a swimming pool.”

  Clair looked at me in disbelief.

  “My mom is a probation officer,” I said, adding authority. “He was one of her convicts.”

  Her eyes bugged. “In that case, I guess I’d be scared of Alex, too.”

  A feeling I’d never felt before shimmied up my spine. “You don’t think he’d go psycho, do you?”

  She thought for a moment before answering. “If anything, he’d probably commit suicide, like his dad did.”

  I really didn’t want to hear that answer either, and the thought of poor Alex left me speechless. I guessed Clair was just as uncomfortable because the silence became enormous. Finally, her phone rang. “They want to know if we’re almost there,” she said.

  Just then, Humphrey came to a dead end and split to either side.

  “What’s going on?” I asked, mostly to myself. “My map doesn’t show this.” Grabbing the paper, I examined it again. Letting out an exasperated huff, I really wanted to throw it out the window. “Look for a street sign.”

  “Hang on, we’re lost,” Clair said into the cell phone.

  Just then, a white truck came from the east and whizzed past us, traveling south. “Hey, that looked like my Dad’s truck.”

  “Shouldn’t he be at work?” Clair reasoned.

  “Yeah, it wouldn’t make much sense for him to be out here.” I said, dismissing the passing vehicle.

  Clair took back the map and stuffed it in the glove compartment. “Just chill out and follow us. We’re almost there,” she said into her phone.

  And then we made three wrong turns.

  Clair’s phone rang again. It was Bailey.

  “Don’t even answer it.” I cranked the wheel for another u-turn.”She’ll just complain.”

  Clair spoke with her eyes. They were bordering on pity.

  “This was supposed to be fun,” I said, hoping to improve the mood. “Too bad the rain didn’t agree.” Flipping the wipers up another notch, I held the steering wheel tight as I turned back onto another section of Humphrey. That’s when I saw the turn off in the distance.

  Please be it!

  I slowed down as I approached the next left. It was a small gravel road, with grass growing up amongst the crushed rock. I was so nervous—I didn’t know if I was afraid or excited.

  “This looks promising,” I said, finally able to smile.

  As the car crept along, the sounds of the small stones crunching beneath the tires and the swish-swash of the wipers seemed to magnify inside.

  I could hardly stand it. I held my breath as Clair and I searched the landscape for signs of life.

  “This is it!” My heart began to thump as the familiar grassy field came into view. “This is the pond.” I tapped my finger repeatedly against the car window.

  Clair leaned towards me to get a closer look. I pressed the gas pedal down in anticipation of seeing the barn and house at any second. Only the darling house and barn never came.

  “What the hell?” I rolled down my window, expecting a clearer view. An old dilapidated house littered the otherwise barren field. Stomping on the brakes, the seatbelts jerked tight. Knowing I should apologize, I didn’t, transfixed by the structure that almost resembled Sam’s home. Nearly all the windows were smashed out and the front door was missing. Wooden roof shingles sagged heavy in the middle.

  Despite the heavy rain that still poured down, I got out of the car. I still could not believe my lying eyes. A noticeable grassy mound with a few scattered wildflowers offset the nearby house. It made me think of where the barn should be, if this was Sam’s house. But obviously it wasn’t. It couldn’t be.

  Lost in my own confusion, Clair startled me as she held an umbrella over our heads. “Bailey wants to know what’s going on.”

  “I don’t know.” I was embarrassed and frustrated. “I really thought this was it. I’m sorry. Let’s go back to Humphrey and see if there are any more roads turning left.”

  Clair gave me the look.

  Once again, we turned our small caravan around and headed back to the main road.

  “I’m sorry, Clair,” I sighed, hoping to make myself feel better, and wishing she’d tell me that getting lost was normal. But she didn’t.

  “I’m sure we’ll find it on the next turn,” she said, instead.

  But that didn’t happen either.

  The next turn after that was 62nd. We had gone too far and had run out of roads. I pulled the car over on the shoulder and got out. Clair trailed behind me, shaking open her umbrella. Rayyan and Bailey were getting out of their own car, too.

  I couldn’t understand what was going on. I knew that was Sam’s pond back there. I knew those were the trees that led back to my home. I was one hundred percent positive. I opened my mouth to speak, but heard Bailey’s words instead.

  “He’s too good to be true,” Bailey sneered, “because he isn’t true.” She laughed bitterly.

  “Give it a rest.” Rayyan came to my defense. “We’re probably on the wrong road altogether.”

  Bailey’s words stung deep and I could feel my face get hot. I had wanted so badly to show off Sam. Instead, I ended up looking like a fool. I fought back tears of shame.

  “Seriously, I think the mystery man is the invisible man,” Bailey continued unmercifully. “I think you are out here all alone and dreamed up this story just to have something to talk about. To make us jealous.”

  My mouth dropped open at her accusations.

  “The next time you scheme up some plan and take us out for a joy ride in the pouring rain,” Bailey continued to vent, “have the sense to figure out a better ending!”

  I forgot how to speak. My cold skin made the tears burn as they rolled down my checks.

  “What is wrong with you, Bailey?” Rayyan demanded. “It’s not like being lost is a crime, ya know.”

  “Yeah, Bailey. What gives?” Even Clair agreed.

  Bailey held her ground with her jaw clenched tight.

  I wiped the rain and the tears from my checks and stepped up to Bailey. Stopping five inches away from her face, I stood up tall and straight. “I don’t know what misery has come into your life this time, but don’t take it out on me!”

  Bailey’s hard expression broke. Taking a step back, she slouched, and looked down at the ground. “I’m sorry. I’m…” The rest of her sentence was lost in a sob. “Things are pretty bad at home.” She looked back up at us with red tinged eyes. “Mom left Dad and is moving in with her boyfriend.”

  As Rayyan let out a shocked gasp, and Clair moved closer to share her umbrella, my feelings of self-pity turned to sorrow for my friend. Life just seemed to dump on Bailey.

  “Why didn’t you tell us sooner?” Clair asked.

  I quickly remembered back to how I felt not too long ago. “Parents sure know how to screw things up, don’t they? But trust me, it will work out. I never would have met Sam if we didn’t move.” I bent forward until our foreheads touched and made a silly grin. “I know you. You’ll be fine.”

  At least she giggled. “I hope so,” she said.

  “If you ever need anything, I will help all that I can.” I pulled her in next to me for a hug. Her arms wrapped around me tight.

  “We’ll all be there,” s
aid Clair.

  “I will be fine, won’t I.” Bailey nodded, giving me an extra squeeze. After she thanked me, I backed away. Clair and Rayyan offered up a hug as well.

  As we stood there, the wind picked up, making the rain feel like tiny needles. Clair lowered her umbrella, completely hiding her face. “Let’s get out of here. It’s gonna take me forever to salvage my hair.”

  “You and your hair,” Bailey scoffed, only to add a smile. “Though it is pretty miserable out here.” She headed for the car, then looked back. “It was good to get together, Em. Just be sure you get his address and other vitals the next time you see him. We’d still like to meet him.”

  “If I can catch my new man, maybe we can all go out some time,” Rayyan added, as she slipped into the driver’s seat.

  “You’re going to like him!” I called out, waving goodbye.

  The weather no longer seemed all that cold as I stood behind my car and watched my friends drive away. I was too caught up in feeling like a complete idiot. Somehow, I‘d have to redeem myself, but I’d worry about that another day.

  Right now, I had to find Sam.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  THUNDERHEADS

  AS I MADE MY WASY HOME from this morning’s disastrous adventure, my thoughts progressed into a sick obsession. Completely mystified by my inability to find Sam’s farm, I still came back to the same conclusion: I had found the right road and the correct location.

  No way could I have mistaken the pond Sam and I were in yesterday. But that created an entirely new set of absurd problems: Where was the charming farmhouse? Or the perfect red barn with the wooden wagon parked in the front of the double doors? Buildings just couldn’t up and leave.

  Then I considered an alternative scenario: could I have hit my head so hard that I gave myself some mind-altering concussion?

  Nonsense!

  Trusting in my friend, denial, I decided to blame today’s misfortune on the map. It had to be the map. It was old and out of date.

  I pressed down on the gas pedal. I couldn’t get home fast enough. I needed something that would make me feel normal. Impatiently, I flipped on the radio and searched for a jazz station. Not finding any, I shut it off. Now I was “0 for 2.”

  The simple process of turning into our driveway and bumping over the railroad tracks brought an immediate sense of peace. Soon, I would be in the safety of my own bed, listening to the sounds of rain coming down upon the roof. I’d relax, pull myself together, then hike over to Sam’s place.

  Unexpected electronic chimes from my cell phone interrupted my state of well-being; looking at the view screen, it was another text from Alex. “Call me plz.”

  My mind conjured up an image of a loser drug-addict. “I should probably call your Mom.” Wishing he’d just leave me alone, I stuffed my phone back into my purse and ignored the creepy feeling of hairs rising on the back of my neck.

  As I rounded the final curve in the drive, the house came into view, along with Sam, who stood beneath the sheltering over-hang. A mile-wide grin swept across my face as I saw him dressed in his standard white shirt and well-fitting blue jeans. Country boys. I waved at him childishly as I passed him by to park beside the house. Jumping out of my VW, I ran toward Sam.

  “Whoa there, little lady.” He smiled, greeting me with his hand up in a stay-back manner.

  “Oh, Sam!” I wanted to throw my arms around him, but his stance kept me at a distance. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.”

  Dropping his defensive guard, he tilted his head to the side. “I am? Why is that?”

  The realization of my actions hit me broadside. No way could I confess to what I’d been doing. “Oh,” I stammered, trying to invent a story. Nothing came to mind, so I settled for, “I’m just glad to see you.” Then I smiled and added, “Did you run your errand?”

  “Yes, I did. Thanks for asking.” Sam tilted his head in the opposite direction, as if to get a better look at me. “I was hoping to find you, in case you were planning on coming over to the farm today. There isn’t much to do at my place on a day like this so I thought you might like to spend the day here, instead.” He smiled again. “You don’t mind, do you?”

  “Not at all. I’m glad you’re here,” I confessed. “Have you been waiting long?”

  “Nope. I just got back myself.”

  “You were in Topeka, right?”

  Sam’s eyes narrowed at the question. “Yes, ma’am. Why do you ask?”

  I almost asked him if he went for coffee. “You must wear popular cologne.”

  “What does Topeka have to do with cologne?”

  “I don’t know. I’m just being random.” Glancing around the yard so I could avoid the you-are-weird look he was giving me, I noticed something else unusual.

  “Where’s your car?” I asked.

  “Well, you see…I love spring rains. I walked. I know, it’s odd.”

  “Hey, we all have our things, but wow. You’re already dry. You must have been here for a while.”

  Sam muffled a cough. “You caught me. I didn’t want come off as some creepy guy hanging out on your door step waiting for your return because I have nothing better to do.”

  “Um, are you?”

  Ignoring my question, he asked his own. “What were you doing that got you so wet?” He lifted a chunk of rain-soaked hair and let it drop.

  “Oh, I just got caught in a downpour.” I pointed towards the door for him to follow me inside the house. “I wanted to call you earlier today, but I never got your phone number.”

  “Don’t have one,” Sam replied, following me to the kitchen.

  “What? No phone?”

  “No, ma’am,” he replied, shaking his head. “I’d much rather pay someone a visit.”

  “But how do you keep in contact with people out of state?” I asked, filling the teakettle up with water.

  “The postal service. I suppose I could use a pay phone if it was that important.”

  “A pay phone! I thought you were a country boy, not Amish. I don’t think I have ever used a pay phone before. Do they still exist?”

  Sam laughed. “I guess it has been a while since I’ve seen one on the street corner.”

  I couldn’t remember ever seeing a phone booth on a street corner in my entire lifetime.

  “I’m going to quick change into some dry clothes. Will you please take the kettle off the stove if it starts to whistle before I’m down?”

  Nodding, he headed for a kitchen chair.

  When I returned, the teakettle had been moved to the center of the stove top. “Do you drink tea?” I asked while choosing a flavor from the wooden tea box. “I started drinking it for the antioxidants. Can’t be too healthy, you know.”

  “Love the stuff, but I’ll pass, thank you,” he replied politely.

  “I’ve been thinking about it, and I like living in the now with all the modern gadgets. I can’t imagine life without a phone.” I lowered the tea bag into the steaming water. “In fact, the light is blinking on the answering machine. Excuse me while I make sure it’s nothing important.”

  “It’s mighty interesting that you’d first assume the message might not be important. I think I made my point,” Sam teased.

  I stuck my tongue out at him and pressed the button.

  “Hey, Em,” my mother’s voice began, “Dr. Lui returned my phone call this morning. Believe it or not, there is an actual parasite that could have entered into your bloodstream the day you fell and hit your head. She called it an… Acanthamoeba infection.” Her words sounded unnatural, like she was reading something she had jotted down from a previous conversation.

  I should have hit the stop button, but I was so stunned, I had to keep listening.

  “She states this illness is very rare, but abnormal taste sensations and visual disturbances are both symptoms of this infection. The prominent symptom is eye pain. Do you have any eye pain?”

  I became consciously aware of my eyes, and no, they didn’t hurt.r />
  “I also told her about how upset you were about Alex and the move. Maybe you’re just stressed out. Stress can play tricks on your mind, too. At any rate, she thought you should come in and be seen. Your appointment is at 3 o’clock. I’ll come home and then we can go together. Love you.”

  The message ended.

  “Ha! Mothers! They say the darndest things,” I said, whirling my finger at my temple, escaping into the next room.

  “You’re still frettin’ over all that stuff?” Sam asked, following me.

  How do I respond to that? Well, let’s see, Sam, I was beginning to worry that I was experiencing psychotic episodes, and after the drive out with the girls, I’m pretty certain I am. But it’s nothing to worry about, honest!

  As I took a seat on the couch, Sam sat at the other end.

  “Yes, I’m still worried,” I said. “Surely you could hear what my mother was saying.”

  Staring at the coffee table, he rubbed his chin.

  “Actually, I hope I do have an amoeba running around in my head. At least then I’d know I’d get better.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t pay closer attention the day you brought it up. You’re certain your mind is playing tricks?”

  “Actually, I don’t know what to think. I’m most comfortable with denial.” I folded my hands and tapped my thumbs together. “Maybe I’ve inherited my mother’s paranoia, but the flowers, and your

  cologne—”

  “My cologne? What about my cologne?”

  “Don’t laugh, but I taste it. Whenever you touch me.”

  Sam leaned to the side, widening the gap between us. “Unusual tastes, smells… even hallucinations can all be symptomatic of a number of things. Maybe you should get your well tested for heavy metals. That seems like a logical place to start.”

  “Lead poisoning? Wouldn’t the rest of my family be affected if the water was bad?”

  “I suppose so,” he said, slouching. “I reckon I was just wishing.” He leaned towards me with an outstretched arm, but sheepishly withdrew his comforting gesture to scratch the back of his neck.

  The ends of the couch seemed to move a mile apart.