Thirty Days of Red

by Geraldine Solon

  “Did you get that? Who was at the front door?”

  Panting, she stutters, “Um… uh.”

  “Ruby, please. I need to know.”

  “Emily.” She breathes out a sigh.

  I freeze. Emily. Oh my fucking God! Why the hell did Emily have to come and ruin it? “Where did she take Liv? What did she say?”

  “She didn’t say a word. Liv shut the door.”

  This isn’t getting easier for me. I cover my face. “Where would Emily take her? You gotta help me with this, Ruby. I can’t go out of the house.”

  “Yes, you can. It’s you who wanted to do this stupid plan instead of going directly to the police. What is it about Liv that scares you to death?”

  “It’s not as simple as you think.”

  “You are just like Liv,” she says. “You’re psychotic and crazy to pull this off. If it weren’t for my brother, I wouldn’t be helping you. I want justice more than you do. If you want to play your game, you should just work your marriage out. You two belong together.”

  I’m not used to a woman other than my wife giving me the earful, but Ruby is right. Why am I enjoying every minute of my game? What if she’s also correct that I’m sick in the head? Why am I still so attached to Liv?

  “I’m sorry you feel that way, but please don’t give up on me. I need you to find out where Emily took her.”

  “You owe me big time,” Ruby says, raising her voice.

  “I owe you my life.”

  A heavy responsibility rests on my shoulder. There’s no way I can fail.

  46

  Day 23

  Liv

  Right in front of me is my greatest nemesis. I always anticipated this day would come. Coming face to face with my enemy again only proves my day of reckoning. I still can’t believe David replaced me for this tramp.

  She stands there, plain as day―no makeup and sweats looking like a studious schoolgirl unworthy of stealing my husband. With bloodshot eyes, she appears like she wants to throw words at me. I cling to her arm and guide her down the road. We walk side-by-side, like two close friends. She seems to know where I’m taking her as we march down the street that leads to the skate park.

  We approach the mural and stare at David’s face.

  I speak up first. “We both love the same man. What are we going to do about it?”

  Her lips quiver. “He doesn’t love you.”

  I face her, raising my eyebrows. “Define love.”

  She gathers her thoughts. “Love is about freedom, not control. It’s pure and kind. Love is a sacrifice.”

  “Sacrifice?”

  “Yes, sacrifice.”

  “So, tell me, Emily, why did you come to see me?”

  “You know why.” She yanks her arm away.

  I shrug.

  “I know your dirty little secret,” she whispers, averting her gaze to the skaters.

  “What are you going to do?” My lips form a line. “Call the cops?”

  “Even better.” She circles behind me and pushes me against the wall, my face touching David’s. “I’m going to make you suffer.”

  My head throbs and I push back, but she escapes. I rest my hand on my head. Bitch! I’ll make sure she pays for all she has done to me.

  47

  Day 24

  David

  Liv finally comes home after two hours.

  “Where were you? Who was that at the door?” My anxiety is killing me. I told Emily to wait, but obviously she wanted to take matters in her own hands. She doesn’t realize she’s destroying my plans.

  “It was that stupid detective. Why can’t they just leave me alone?” Liv marches up the stairs as I follow from behind.

  Why can’t Liv tell me the truth?

  I play along, sitting beside her as she sprawls on the bed. “What did she say?”

  “She took me on a car ride to the motel you stayed at not far away.”

  My throat thickens. How could she possibly know this? I only told Emily, Mike, and Ruby about it. Something’s not right.

  She continues to rattle on. “She drove around the alley were they found your bloody shirt.”

  “And what did you tell her?”

  “I pretended to be oblivious. I’m supposed to be grieving your disappearance, and I don’t want to offer her any clues that you’re home.”

  That was Liv, always composed, exuding grace under pressure.

  “Didn’t the doctors instruct them to not bother you?” I ask.

  She strokes my arm, seemingly affectionate. “Oh, David, they will never stop bothering me, which is why we need to do this sooner rather than later.”

  She’s right. I don’t know why I keep prolonging this. With Emily in the picture, trouble is looming. I need to act fast.

  “We need to call your mom at least and tell her you’re alive. She calls every morning to see if there are any updates.”

  “Please,” I beg. “I don’t want my mother to see me this way. Let’s think about it.”

  Liv is lying to me. She’s testing how far I will go, and I’m not giving in to her terms. We’re going to do this my way.

  48

  Day 24

  Liv

  There is a big problem. Emily. She’s only going to make things worse. Perhaps I can strike a deal with her.

  It’s almost midnight, and David is fast asleep so I tiptoe downstairs and leave the house.

  * * *

  Emily, in her pajamas opens the door ajar. “What the hell are you doing here?”

  I push it wide open. “To finish what you started yesterday.”

  “Really? You want to fight? Why don’t we handle this like two adults and not play discreet.”

  “You’re calling me discreet? You were sleeping with a married man.” I barge inside her house.

  “Which I didn’t know until you told me.” She takes me to the kitchen.

  “Who’s there?” a booming male voice from upstairs echoes.

  Emily rolls her eyes. “It’s okay, Dad. It’s my friend. Go back to sleep.”

  The sound of footsteps permeates through the hall.

  I study the countertops to see if there are any sharp objects Emily might use against me in case things get heated, but there are none.

  Emily plops herself on a bar stool. “What can I do for you?”

  I remain standing, not wanting to act like we’re best friends scratching each other’s back. “I have a proposal for you.”

  She leans her chin on both hands and looks me straight in the eye. “And what makes you think I would want to strike a deal with you?”

  “If it will benefit you, then I’m positive you will agree.”

  Her expression doesn’t change.

  “We have one thing in common. David.”

  “I couldn’t have agreed more.”

  I sigh. “We both love him very much, and in a situation like this, people get hurt, but not if you play it smart.”

  “There’s always a catch.”

  “Well…” I lick my lips, proud of myself for thinking of this idea. “As you know, they’re looking for David and you obviously don’t know where he is.”

  She doesn’t say a word, her eyes still glued to me.

  “And David is not going to come out unless he gets something in return, so why don’t we make him win? We can do this together.”

  “What is this, some kind of game you play to twist my mind?”

  “Will you freaking pay attention to me, Emily? As it is, the detectives are at my back and they keep harassing you. You are also seen as the marriage wrecker. Don’t you want to turn that around and come out like the hero?”

  She gives me dagger looks but doesn’t object.

  “If you want to clear your name, you gotta make this viral.”

  “Viral?”

  “Yes. I want you to apologize to me on national TV that you are the reason David and I had problems in the first place. You are to blame for his escape and you’re sorry.”

/>   “Are you fucking out of your mind? And what am I supposed to get out of this while I bloat your ego?”

  I lean on the countertop and flash her a grin. “In return, I will make sure you have David.”

  “It’s not up to you to decide what David wants. David wants me. He made that choice early on and you―”

  “I can guarantee, Emily, you will never see David again, if you don’t do this.”

  “Is that a threat?”

  I raise my voice. “We both don’t know where David is.”

  “And how do you know I don’t know where he is?”

  Is she that dumb?

  “You wouldn’t come looking for him if you knew.” I dig inside my purse, pluck out a business card, and hand it over to her. “Call Chuck. He can squeeze you in live tomorrow. Everybody will love you, Emily. You will be the girl next door every man would want to have. They’ll probably offer you a book deal, a movie too…”

  Once her ego gets bloated and she receives all the attention, she won’t have time for David nor will she care about him anymore. Then I can have David all for myself till he dies. I want David to die knowing I was the one who stuck with him till the end. David chose to come home to me, to his wife.

  She doesn’t even look at the card. “Don’t think you can manipulate me like you do David.”

  “I don’t need to convince you to do it.” With that said, I head to the door and exit her house.

  My ducks are forming a straight row.

  49

  Day 25

  David

  Liv and I are curl up in bed watching TV and eating popcorn. I don’t remember the last time we did this.

  She leans her head on my shoulder while we play footsies. As she surfs the channels, she stops at the Chuck Small’s show. “Oh my God.”

  “What?” I squint my eyes to get a closer look. My heart leaps for a moment then deflates like a balloon with no air when I see Emily.

  We exchange glances, and for a moment, I know she must have manipulated Emily to do this. There are more layers to Liv I don’t know. How long can we continue playing this game? We might as well just kill each other.

  Chuck introduces Emily, who doesn’t stop touching her hair. Her navy blue dress adds a glow to her angelic face and her hair is neatly tucked around her ears.

  “Today, we have with us the lady who refused to talk, who ran away from it all, but tonight, she gathered her courage to speak up about the missing David Walters. Good evening, Emily Scott.”

  Liv and I are glued to the TV as Emily responds, “Thank you for having me here, Chuck.”

  “Tell me, Emily, how did it feel to find out you were having an affair with a married man? Is it true that you never knew David happened to be married?”

  The muscles on her neck tighten. How could she possibly do this? I hate Liv even more for pressuring Emily. Liv has a smirk spread all over her lips.

  “That’s very true.”

  “Why do you think he never told you he was married?”

  She bows her head and waits a few seconds to answer. “Some people have reasons for not being honest. I don’t want to presume why David chose not to tell me.”

  Liv flashes me a glance. “She’s playing safe, isn’t she?”

  I ignore her question.

  “Was it a serious affair?” he asks Emily.

  “I’m not one to play around. I loved David. I still do even if…” She breaks down and sobs.

  Chuck leans over and hands her a Kleenex box.

  “Oh, c’mon.” Liv scowls.

  “Even if it’s wrong,” Emily blurts out.

  “Yet you’re here today to make amends.”

  “Yes. To the people I hurt the most.” She faces the camera and swallows hard. “David’s wife, Olivia Walters.”

  Liv rubs her hands and straightens her shoulders. This is her reigning moment.

  A picture of Liv flashes to the screen.

  “I never meant to hurt you. I don’t want to take what’s yours, and I’m truly sorry for what I’ve done.”

  Liv beams.

  Chuck applauds, and so does the audience. “Not many people possess the humility you exude, Emily.” He shifts slightly and addresses the crowds “As you know, Emily painted a mural of David Walters.”

  A photo of the mural pops up on the screen.

  Liv’s expression changes from delight to disgust.

  “That was my way of honoring David and grieving for him. I may never see David again, but I will cherish the memories we shared. David, if you’re watching, what we had was special, but you need to come home to your wife. That’s where you belong.”

  “Bravo.” Liv applauds and tosses the remote to the side. “That was quite a performance. “ I excuse myself and storm out of the room and head to my office. My breathing turns rapid, and I form a fist and punch the wall. God knows how much I want to kill Liv but for now, I need to breathe.

  50

  Day 25

  Liv

  Heat permeates down my neck as I wash my hands. I’m so thrilled Emily took the bait. I can guarantee she’ll forget about David once the press announces, Girl next door becomes America’s sweetheart. Who needs David?

  The bathroom door swings open, and David emerges with eyes cold as stone.

  “Hi, honey, I’m almost done.” I bend down and splash water on my face.

  He doesn’t say a word.

  “What a show that was, right?”

  My nose hits the sink. Ouch! Blood oozes from my nose. David yanks my hair and I yelp. My scalp is burning with pain.

  “You really mapped this out, didn’t you?” He spits on my neck.

  Air escapes my lungs, and I know David could kill me right now. I have to show him I’m afraid, that I’m vulnerable. “If you let me speak, I’ll tell you.”

  He pulls my hair even tighter, ripping some out. Blinding pain consumes me.

  “Please, David,” I plead. “I didn’t want to tell you it was Emily who came here to the house. I didn’t want you to get hurt.”

  David leans closer to my ear and yells, “Liar.” He tugs my hair and yanks me to the other side of the bathroom which causes me to trip.

  “Listen to me, David.” I gain my balance. “Why would I want Emily to come out on national TV? What the hell will that do for me? She admitted she didn’t know you were married, that she was sorry, that what she did was wrong, and that you need to come home to your wife. Don’t you get it, David? She’s using your disappearance to her advantage.”

  David just stares at me, eyes open wide.

  “You’re pretty naïve, you know that? You think a young girl like Emily doesn’t want attention? I mean, why would she want to announce on national TV that she’s sorry? From what I perceived of her, she’s a private person.”

  “You don’t know anything about her,” David lashes out, but he releases my hair.

  “I’m sure more than half of America loves her now. She showed them her vulnerability, like she did with you when she brought you to the skate park and showed you her mural and told you her sad story.” Beads of moisture stain my cheeks.

  He smashes his hand against the wall. “How the hell do you know that?”

  Straightening my shoulders, I look him straight in the eyes. “Because she told me. Let me guess. That’s the day you fell in love with her.”

  David shakes his head and rubs his chin.

  I can almost read his mind. He’s doubting Emily. “She used you, David. Just watch. This won’t be the first TV show Emily will do. Next thing you know, publishers will offer her a book deal with seven figures. I wouldn’t be surprised if they make it into a movie.”

  David storms out of the bathroom, and I sigh in relief. I’m confident David believes everything I said. He’ll realize that after all we’ve been through, I stuck it out with him. Nobody loves David like I do. He belongs to me.

  51

  Day 26

  David

  Setting aside the strong cup
of coffee, I sit on the countertop. Liv and I didn’t talk anymore last night. I swear I could have killed her, and for the first time, I saw fear in her eyes. Why did Emily have to do this? How could she tell Liv about that time in the skate park? Fuck. That was a defining moment between us. Did Emily just use me?

  Liv comes down the stairs, wearing a gym outfit. “I’m going out for a run. I need to clear my head.”

  “Sure,” I say, wanting her to leave me in peace.

  “And after that, I’m going to join the search group.”

  “Search group?” I settle my mug on the sink.

  Raising her eyebrows, she adds, “The one I organized when you went missing.”

  “Right.”

  She grabs the keys and smiles. “So do I look like a grieving wife?”

  I force a smile. “You look beautiful.”

  As soon as Liv leaves, I dash to my office, reach underneath my desk where I hid my phone, and call Ruby.

  “Did you get that on video?”

  “I didn’t have to. I saw Emily on TV as well.”

  I pace around the room like a hamster on wheels. “No, I meant after the show. In the bathroom.”

  Ruby breathes through the phone. “You know there’s no hidden camera inside the bathroom.”

  Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! I slide my hands down my face in frustration as I narrate to Ruby what happened.

  “I mean, how could Liv possibly know what Emily confided in me?”

  “What can I say? You tend to attract psychotic women,” Ruby says in a flat tone.

  “Why does life have to be so complicated? I don’t think I can push through with my plan.” I raise my hands in the air.

  “Really? You want to go back to being a coward again?”

  I can’t find a way out of my situation. “I don’t care what you say about me, but I’m done. I’m going to the police.”

  “We had a deal, David. You go to the police now, and it will be your word against Liv’s. You have no proof of what she did to you. You’re almost there.”