Chapter 1 #2
“Please let it be a good day,” I whisper to the universe, praying they give me this one night.
The vibration of my phone alerts me to a new text, and I reach into my pocket, quickly swiping my finger across the screen.
Unknown Number
Time is running out.
My heart rate picks up as my eyes bounce to my window, expecting him to be nearby, watching me.
But I’m alone with no one in sight.
Ignoring it, I shove the phone back into my pocket and reach behind me, pushing some books aside to grab the bag of presents I bought and the cookies I made, and then step into the chilly night air, hastily making my way toward the front door.
Warmth hits me as soon as I enter the building. My eyes follow the trail of bright lights and the Christmas garland strung throughout the space. A giant Christmas tree stands tall in the corner, decorated with silver and gold ornaments, white lights, and sparkling bows.
There’s something about Christmas that makes you forget all your problems.
“Ms. Fowler,” Andrea greets me with a kind smile. Her red and green Christmas sweater has blinking lights across the top, making me love this woman even more. “I thought we wouldn’t be seeing you until tomorrow.”
I return her smile, wiping the snow from my shoulders before removing my coat and hanging it on the hook near the door.
“My evening cleared up, and I thought I would surprise my father.” Does anyone in my life know that I spend my nights working at a gentlemen’s club?
Absolutely not. As far as everyone is aware, I work for Greyhaven Academy, a prestigious school not too far from here, and I plan on keeping up that story for as long as possible.
Or at least, until Greyhaven actually returns one of my calls or emails, offering me a position within their school, then it would no longer technically be a lie.
I reach into one of my bags, retrieve a small white box with a red bow, and hand it to her.
“You didn’t have to get me anything,” she tells me as she hesitantly takes it from me.
“I know.” I lift one shoulder. “But I wanted to.”
She opens the lid, revealing an aqua cashmere scarf that matches her eyes. “It’s beautiful.” She runs her fingers along the fabric. “This is the softest thing I’ve ever felt. I’ll wear it all the time.”
“I’m glad you like it.” I look around her in the direction of my father’s room. “How is he today?”
“He’s having a good day.” She drapes the scarf around her neck, adjusting it so it doesn’t cover her twinkling lights.
“I just set him up with a cup of tea and a book.” She takes a step toward the front desk and slips her hand inside the drawer, retrieving an envelope.
“I hope this doesn’t take away from the holiday spirit, but this came for you. ” She holds it out for me.
Dread builds in my stomach, but I throw on a faux smile and take it. “Thank you. I’m sure it’s nothing important.”
Her eyes show sympathy as I step away, making my way down the hall and stopping before my father’s room.
Knocking softly, I push the door open, finding him in his favorite chair.
His hair is almost entirely white, while little wrinkles crinkle around his eyes, reminding me every day how much time we have left with each other.
Or, I suppose, how little…
His deep brown eyes peek up from his book, a broad smile taking over his handsome face.
And the debt I added to my credit card this month for the gifts in my hand, suddenly, doesn’t seem to matter anymore.
“Alina.” He places his book on the side table beside him. “I thought you weren’t coming until tomorrow.”
“I wanted to surprise you.” I lift the bag in the air. “Besides, I thought we could open presents early.”
He stands and walks over to me, wrapping his arms around me. As my arms slip around him, I immediately notice how he feels frailer than the last time I saw him a week ago.
“It’s always so good to see my little girl.”
I fight back the tears that wish to blur my vision and clear my throat from the burn currently growing. “It’s always good to see you.”
We part, and he sits on the couch, moving blankets out of the way so I can sit on the other side. Placing my bags and the envelope on the coffee table before us, I lean against the cushions, letting out a deep breath.
A crease builds in his forehead as his brows furrow. He looks around the room, scratching the back of his head. “I’m sorry… I’m sorry this isn’t a normal Christmas. I know you’d much rather be spending it with the—”
“I’d rather be here.” I curl my hand over his, and the two of us hold eyes for a moment, both of us knowing the implications of this Christmas.
Pulling back my hand, I lift my glasses and swipe a finger under my eyes, hoping he doesn’t notice the tears.
“Should we order Chinese? Watch It’s a Wonderful Life?
And eat as many Christmas cookies as we can before we feel ready to puke? ”
He laughs, wiping at his eyes too. “That sounds like the best kind of Christmas to me.” A moment later, I reach for my phone and dial the local Chinese restaurant. After I end the call, I set my phone down, and a comfortable silence lingers between us before he asks, “How’s the teaching job going?”
I swallow hard. “It’s going…really well. The kids are all great.”
He grins and reaches for a cookie. “I’m so proud of you, sweetheart.”
Guilt bubbles within me.
I never lie to him.
But it’s a good lie.
The kind that will keep him calm.
That won’t upset him, throwing him into an emotional tailspin.
Because the last thing I want is for him to worry about me.
“Your mother would be, too,” he adds, sending a crashing flood of unease across the center of my chest. As if on autopilot, my eyes sweep over to the picture of my mother and father that resides front and center on his bookcase.
The two of them are standing at the top of the Eiffel Tower, her copper, fiery strands of hair flying around her as they share a kiss beneath the starry night sky, appearing lost in each other.
She’s not a topic we broach often. Purely because I see the pain in his eyes whenever I mention her, and I refuse to be a source of his discomfort. But I can’t help myself when I say, “Dad, did Mom, well, I mean, when she died, do you know if she happened to leave a—”
“I’d rather not talk about her tonight, sweetheart.” His features contort, appearing distraught. “I don’t think…” He clears his throat. “I don’t think I could handle it right now.”
“Of course.” I nod in understanding, turning my attention toward the TV, trying to suppress the need to know the answer to my question.
Don’t make things worse for him, I scold myself.
An hour into the movie, after our bellies are full of food, I glance to my side and see my father sound asleep with his feet propped up on the footstool. I move closer to him and tug the blanket up around his chest.
As I lean back, the letter Andrea handed me earlier stares at me from the coffee table. Its presence is an instant mood killer on this festive night.
I sigh as I reach for it. “Let’s get this over with.” My fingers slip beneath the seal flap and pinch the folded piece of paper, pulling it out and unfolding it.
Due to recent improvements at our lovely establishment, the current monthly expense has increased by twenty-five percent and will be reflected in next month’s billing cycle for all residents. We appreciate your understanding. Happy holidays!
My eyes scan over the words again.
And again.
Twenty-five percent? But that’s… I grab my phone and quickly pull up my banking app, dread pooling in my stomach as I eye the total in my savings account.
Running the figures in my head with the added twenty-five percent increase, I realize I have just enough to cover two more months of expenses for my father to remain here.
Not a single penny more. My hands tremble as I switch to my checking account, which holds the funds for my own expenses, and see that there’s barely enough to scrape by.
I think I can stretch it out if I skip a meal or two here and there.
If that fails, maybe I can somehow get approved for another credit card.
I sink into the cushions, rubbing a hand over my temple. I can’t keep living like this. Tears build behind my eyes. Will I need to move him somewhere else? Will that make his progress worse? Will he need to be farther from me? What about his current doctors, medications, and—
A soft snore fills the space beside me, and I watch my father as he sleeps soundly.
He’s comfortable.
He’s relaxed.
He’s happy.
Because he’s here.
And I know what I have to do to make sure it stays that way.
Standing, I gather my things and lean over him, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “Don’t worry,” I whisper. “I’ll take care of everything.”
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I plan to send Jen a text when I see another message from the same unknown number. My steps falter as I freeze in the middle of the hallway. A chill passes over me as I swipe my finger across the screen, my eyes quickly jumping over every word.
Unknown Number
Have you forgotten what will happen if you don’t fix this?
I swallow back the bile that rises in my throat, looking over my shoulder at my father’s room.
No, of course I haven’t forgotten.
The threat has caused me to have unbearable nightmares almost every night since I saw him.
But what does he expect me to do?
As if reading my mind, another text appears.
Unknown Number
I was showing you kindness in allowing you to choose. But if you don’t select someone soon, I will have no objection to making the decision for you. And I advise you not to play games with me by making me wait.
Shit. My chest clenches at that prospect. I can only imagine what kind of cruel monster he would pair me with. I begin to type a quick message back, my fingers shaking with each stroke.
“Alina?”
I slightly jump, almost dropping my phone. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t hear Andrea approaching.
I drag my fingers through my hair, the corners of my lips curving up. “Sorry, I didn’t see you there.”
She frowns. “Is everything okay?”
“Of course.” I swipe my index finger beneath my eyes, noting the way she regards me.
“We were just watching It’s a Wonderful Life.
That movie gets me every time.” Her frown grows, but I can’t stay here a minute longer, so I sidestep her, grabbing my coat.
“I’ll be back tomorrow. Merry Christmas,” I call over my shoulder as I step outside into the cold.
Back to a reality where monsters rule the world.
And knights in shining armor only exist in fairy tales.