The Improbable (20 page)

           
Eva shrugged and smiled weakly. “It’s nothing I wasn’t prepared for, I’m fine.
Did he believe it?”

           
I nodded slightly.

           
“Then we got the job done,” Eva sighed, staring off into the sky.

           
“Are you really fine, Eva-Marie? I saw the bruises on your wrist.” I kneeled
down and tried to look her in the eye but her eyes avoided mine.

           
She rose. “Well I just wanted to make sure you made it home safely, I should
get going now.”

           
I blocked her pathway to the car. “Come inside, Eva”

           
“No thank you I’m fine.” She answered without looking at me and still trying to
get past me.

           
I stopped her and looked her dead in the eye. Sometimes she could just be so
hardheaded! “I wasn’t asking, I was telling.” I said in a firm voice. I didn’t
like to be so aggressive with her but it worked.

           
Eva sighed and turned around, walking toward my front door.

           
I turned on a lamp once we were inside, but it wasn’t enough for me to be able
to see her bruises. I led her back to the bathroom and turned on the light.
“Take your cardigan off.” I ordered.

           
Her eyes widened. “I’d rather not.” She said in a small voice.

           
I huffed. “What’re you hiding, Eva-Marie? You’ve been acting strange all
night.”

           
“I didn’t agree to come in here for you to insult me further.” She spat and
tried to get out of the bathroom.

           
I blocked the door with my arm. “Dammit, Eva what the hell is going
on!
” What the hell had happened to this girl? I had begun to
read some of the book that she gave to me and even from the few pages of side
notes that I’d read, I knew that she might’ve been far more troubled than I
understood. She wasn’t leaving until I got to the bottom of it.

           
“Nothing!” She screamed at me.

           
“Then take that off and show me your arm!” I shouted and reached out to grab a
hold of the cardigan but Eva cowered down.

           
“Don’t touch me! Don’t touch me!
Please
don’t touch me!” Eva screamed
with her forearms shielding her.

           
My heart wrenched, seeing how scared she was. What had happened to her to make
her like this? Where was my beautiful, happy, Eva? I slowly lowered down to her
level and gently pushed her arms down. “You know I would never hurt you, Eva.
Never
.”
I looked her in the eyes.

           
A glimpse of that familiar warmth returned to her eyes once again. Eva
scrambled toward me and wrapped her arms around my neck. “I’m so sorry, David,
I’m so sorry.” She breathed.

           
I wrapped my arms around her and picked her up to take her to my bedroom. I sat
her down on my bed and then sat next to her. “Show me.”

           
Eva slowly removed her cardigan, uncovering the bruises on both her wrists and
the nail indentions. She unbuttoned her shirt just enough for me to see scratch
marks on her chest and the hand-shaped bruise around her neck. The smoldering
hot fury returned inside of me – who had done this to
my
beautiful girl?
I couldn’t look at her scratches and bruises for too long.

           
“Who fucking did this to you? I read your side notes in that book of yours,
it’s a sad thing your life seems to be. This only confirms that you’re just as
troubled as you claim. Now I want to know who the hell did this to you. Was it
your father? You brought him up a lot in your notes.” I spat, unable to control
my rage.

           
Her eyes widened. “What? No! He would never!”

           
“Then what happened to you, Eva!” I shouted.

           
Eva sighed after a moment of silence. “Ray…tried…Ray tried to take advantage of
me.” Her voice was extremely low and she didn’t look at me.

           
My fury had been kicked up a few more notches. I rose and without thinking,
plowed my fist into the wall. “I’m going to kill him! I’m going to
fucking
kill him!”

           
Eva rose and held her hands up. “No
no
no
! No one can know about this! I wasn’t even going to tell
you!”

           
I wasn’t having it. “What he did was wrong, Eva! And it’s disgusting! Why wouldn’t
you tell me this?”

           
“Ugh!” Eva grumbled in frustration. “Just stop David! If you don’t want to make
my situation worse, would you please just…stop.” She looked at me with begging
eyes. “No one can know.”

           
God, seeing her so broken was almost making me break. I looked at her with sad
eyes, she was too beautiful and too loving to deal with the shit that people
around her put her through. It saddened me that whatever was troubling her was
beyond my understanding and I had no way of fixing it for her. I walked to my
room and plopped down on my bed, feeling hopeless. I put my head in my hands.
“I don’t want to make it worse, but I can’t stand to see you like this, Eva.
It’s hurting my heart.” I said when I heard her light footsteps enter the room.

           
She sat down on the bed next to me and leaned on me while she rubbed my back.
“I know, I know. And I’m sorry.”

           
“The last thing I want you to do is apologize.” I said in a miserable tone. I
looked at her and shook my head. “Look, Eva. I don’t know exactly what’s going
on in your life but can you promise me that you’ll tell me about anything that
troubles you from now on? I only want to take the pain away…the best I can.” I
wanted to be there for her for everything.

           
“I promise,” Eva said.

           
I pulled her hand off my shoulder and kissed it. “Thank you.” I slowly stood up
and positioned myself in front of her.

           
“What’re you doing, David?” She looked up at me with those heavenly warm dark
brown eyes.

           
“Lay down on the bed, Eva.” I instructed in a soft voice.

           
Her eyebrows furrowed and I could see that she was worried.

           
“You just have to trust me,” I said.

           
Eva obeyed and slid back onto the bed, still looking at me with questioning
eyes. She lay there, twiddling her thumbs.

           
I reached for her hands and pulled them apart, kissing each wrist where the
bruises were. Then, I got on top of her and kissed her chest in the area where
she had been scratched multiple times. I just wanted to take all of her pain
and troubles away. Next, I kissed her neck, only because I couldn’t resist and
finally planted a kiss on her lips.

           
Her little hands cupped the sides of my face as she pulled me in for another
kiss. “God was looking out for me when He put you in my life, David.” She
breathed.

           
“Eva, I –” I began to say something but I wasn’t quite sure I wanted to say it
just yet. I collapsed on the bed beside her.

           
She looked at me. “What is it, David?”

           
I sighed. “I’m glad He brought you into my life as well, words can’t even
explain.”

           
Eva smiled at me half-heartedly. “I should get going.” She leaned forward and
began sliding off the bed.

           
I grabbed her wrist, not ready to say goodbye for the night just yet. “Stay
with me. I don’t want to do anything like that, I just want you to stay with
me.” I said. In that moment it wasn’t just that I
wanted
her to stay
with me, I
needed
her to stay with me. I needed to know that she was
going to be okay throughout the night, I wanted to soothe her to sleep, and see
her at peace.

           
A half-smile lit up her face. “I was waiting for you to ask,” she lay back down
next to me and leaned to whisper in my ear, “because there’s no place I’d
rather go.”

           
Eva laid her head on my chest with my arm wrapped around her shoulder, holding
her close and not wanting her to get away any time soon. What was she doing to
me? Out of all things in the world, she was my one and only weakness; I longed
for her like the wolf longed for the moon, clearly longing for the
impossible…but I would never stop longing. She dozed off fairly quickly, her
light snoring hinting at exactly how worn out she’d been. I didn’t blame her;
she’d had a lot happen to her recently. I looked at her as she slept, smoothing
her furrowed brows so she finally looked as if she was at peace. A wide range
of emotions flooded my brain, flooded my heart…what was this feeling?

           
Was it…?

           
It couldn’t be.

           
Was it?

“O
kay,
just hold still while I put on the finishing touch; I want these curls to at
least last until tomorrow.” Mama instructed as she fiddled with my hair. All
morning she’d been trying to get my hair as smooth as possible and pinning my
curls so that they were flawless.

           
“What’s tomorrow?” I asked.

           
“Another surprise, just for you my love!” She smiled down at me.

           
I didn’t really know what to say, I wasn’t sure what to expect from my mother
anymore; sometimes it was as if she was on my side and other times she was a
brainwashed servant for Ray. Mama had woken me up early to get me ready for an
‘exciting event’ that she couldn’t tell me about. I truly wasn’t in the mood
for any surprises – I just wanted to be with David.

           
“Ta-da! All done.” Mama exclaimed.

           
I turned around to see my hair in the mirror and gleamed; I had the most
perfect victory rolls pinned down in the front with a white headband holding
back the rest of my hair. I loved it! “They’re flawless, thanks Mama.”

           
“Anything for you darlin’, now go down and get yourself some breakfast while I
clean this up.” She ordered. “We’ll be leaving shortly.”

           
“Will do,” I replied, not realizing how empty my stomach felt until she brought
it to my attention.

           
“And make sure you leave a note for Daddy, thanking him for the day off!” She
called as I made my way down the stairs.

           
“Of course I will!” I answered. Flora had left me a plate of eggs, bacon, and
toast that I was extremely thankful for when my stomach growled. I took a quick
bite of toast before crossing the kitchen to pour myself a cup of tea; I filled
my cup over the sink,
only
so I could gaze out at the backyard, through
the trees…and at David’s house. What could I say? I was a woman possessed by
the intense chemistry between us!

           
“Well hello there,” A voice said so close to the point his lips brushed up
against the area behind my ear.
Ray’s
voice.

           
I froze, my stomach twisting in fear, and absentmindedly let the tea cup slip
from my hands and shatter in the sink. Suddenly, I wasn’t so hungry anymore. It
had been a few days, going on a week since the incident with Ray, but it still
haunted me as if it had happened in the same day. I spun around; he was so
close I had to lean back on the sink. “What in God’s name are
you
doing
here?” I demanded.

           
“Well I believe we have some business to take care of, love.” Ray answered in
an innocent tone. Ugh I hated him!

           
“
We
don’t have
anything
to do anymore,” I shoved him away but he
just came back closer, pressing his weight against me and causing the edge of
the sink to dig into my lower back. “Mama and I are about to leave anyways, you
need to get out of here.” I said.

           
Ray chuckled. “I take it you didn’t know I was tagging along as well.”

           
My nostrils flared with anger. “If it’s not obvious, I don’t want to be around
you anymore.”

           
“And why is that?” He furrowed his eyebrows.

           
Why was he playing dumb? I rolled my eyes. “What you tried to do to me was
wrong and you know it! I won’t stand for it, Ray!” I hissed, jabbing my finger
at him.

           
Ray nodded with his hand on his chin as if he was really listening to me. “Well
you see Eva-Marie, I can do anything I want with you,” he reached in his pocket
and picked up my left hand, sliding a glistening ring onto my ring finger.
“We’re getting married soon. So I believe what you meant to say is that you’ll
stand,” his hand trailed from my waist, past my chest, and up to my neck, “for
whatever the hell I say you stand for.”

           
My heart froze, rock solid, and almost came up out of my mouth. I wanted to
throw up. I was
going
to throw up! I woozily stared at the foreign
object on my finger, slightly shaking my head. “No…we can’t be.” I breathed. I
knew it was coming, but he had smacked me into reality!

           
He chuckled haughtily. “Oh but we are,” he grabbed the sides of my face gently
and made me look up at him. “Do anything to mess it up, and I can certainly
promise that your family will be exposed.”

           
It was then when I had absolutely nothing to say – I couldn’t do anything about
it.
Nothing
.

           
Ray backed off of me when he heard my mother coming down the stairs.

           
“Great, Ray you’re right on time!” She exclaimed when she saw him in the
kitchen. They exchanged kisses on the cheek, nearly making me throw up the
little bit of toast I had consumed. “Are you ready, darlin’?”

           
I anxiously rubbed my forehead and nodded. “Uh, yes of course Mama.”

           
My mother’s eyes doubled in size when she saw the ring on my hand. She crossed
the kitchen, trying to get a closer look. “Oh my God! Eva, honey,
it’s
beautiful! When did this happen?” Her eyes bounced from
me to Ray.

           
“I had actually proposed last week, while we were having brunch. However, the
ring wasn’t ready until today.” Ray lied.

           
Her eyes shifted to me. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

           
I shrugged hopelessly. “It must’ve slipped my mind, Mama.”

           
“Well isn’t it just gorgeous, darlin’?” Mama gushed over the ring.

           
I forced a smile and nodded. “It sure is.”

           
“Well let’s go, we don’t want to be late!” Mama shooed us all out the door. “Oh
shoot, I just need to check the mail before we go.”

           
“No, no don’t worry, Eva-Marie will get it.” Ray said as he opened the door for
my mother.

           
I didn’t even bother protesting or looking at either of them. They were so
annoying whenever they were together, always thinking that
they
knew
what was best for
me
. I shook my head at them and yanked the mailbox
open, going through the mail myself, my mood lightening when I saw an envelope
addressed to me. I nervously opened it, wondering what it was and whom it was
from.

Eva-Marie,

Please join our closest friends and I for an

Afternoon on Eden Lake. I miss you and

My brain won’t allow me to quit thinking of you.

Hoping all is well with you and looking forward to

Seeing you.

I’m yours,

David Finley

Gosh! I
loved that even when I was in the darkest places of my mind, he
always
knew how to find me out! Excitement grew inside of me as I tucked the letter
away in my purse. Now I had something to look forward to after the horrendous
day with Ray!

           
“What’re you so happy for?” Ray mumbled when I slid into the backseat next to
him.

           
“Just excited to see this surprise of course.” I grinned at him.

           
The normal half hour drive to the city seemed to last about two hours when I
was in the car with my mother and Ray, who just talked nonstop about … him.
Ugh, I couldn’t stand him. The whole time I was gazing out the window,
wondering which swimsuit I would wear for David. Hehehe, even the thought of
him was enough to make me giddy! We finally stopped at a grand church in the
city.

           
“We’re searching for wedding churches!” My mother turned around and exclaimed
from the passenger seat, finally revealing the surprise. “And tomorrow is dress
shopping!”

           
“You’re going to love it, my dear.” Ray kissed me on the cheek.

           
I looked up at the church with an empty expression. I had nothing to say, I had
no say in my own wedding! I never particularly
wanted
to get married in
a church, it was so…traditional. However, I knew better than to go against
Ray’s wishes.

I pulled
up to Eden Lake only to see that all of my friends’ cars were already parked –
of
course
I was the last one to arrive. I was terribly nervous! Why? I couldn’t
shake the feeling of the butterflies going absolutely nuts in my stomach. Oh I
crossed my fingers and prayed David would like my blue and white polka dot
bikini! I slid off the black satin robe that Kate had bought me a while back,
suddenly feeling so…exposed. What in the hell was wrong with me? I built up my
confidence and stepped out of my car.

           
“There she is!” I heard Timmy exclaim. On the shore, all of my friends were
waiting for me.

           
Immediately my eyes scanned the faces, looking for David. I beamed when I saw
him rise and jog toward me.

           
He picked me up and kissed me multiple times. “You look lovely, like you just
stepped out of a magazine.”

           
“Why thank you sir,” I giggled. “I was hoping you’d like it.”

           
David looked me in the eyes. “I’ve missed you.”

           
“I’ve missed you too.” I ran my hands through his hair.

           
“Okay love birdies, let’s get a move on!” Chris called.

           
“Yes, please! This is my Pop’s brand new yacht, I’m
itchin
’
to get it
goin
’!” Timmy added.

           
David rolled his eyes and set me down. “Alright, alright, we’re coming!”

           
As the men were gathered around Timmy driving his father’s new yacht, David
kept glancing over at me and when we made eye contact he would just smile and
wave. He made me giggle, the smallest things he did were just enough to make me
fall for him even more than I already had. Once we were far out on the lake,
the boys opened a few beers and began seeing who could do the craziest flip
into the water. I was thankful because I didn’t want to discuss David when he
was around, as I knew my friends were going to ask me one billion questions
about our relationship. Kate eyed David as he jumped into the water; as soon as
he was out of earshot her eyes pierced into me.

           
“Tell. Us. Everything!” She
squeeled
excitedly.

           
A smile immediately broke out across my face. “What do you mean?” I giggled.

           
“Where have you been for the past week or so?” Yvonne asked in a tone that made
it sound like she already knew the answer.

           
“Or
who
you’ve been with for the past week or so?” Rita snickered.

           
“Yeah because the last time we saw you two together, we all had
the
talk.” Sarah eyed me.

           
A devious grin crossed Kate’s face. “She’s been all up under David, I can see
it on her face” she teased.

           
Sarah’s eyes doubled in size. “Oh I just love you two together! It’s such a
contrast. I’m an artist, it’s what I live for.” She gushed.

           
“Painting one time in Paris does not make you an artist, Sarah.” Yvonne
snorted.

           
Sarah held her hand up to Yvonne. “Beside the point.” She looked to me, “We
want to know what you two have been up to.”

           
I sighed, thinking of everything that had happened between not only David and I
but myself as well since the last time I’d seen them. “Well let’s see, since I
last saw you all David and I have gotten much closer, no we haven’t had sex
because he denied me, I almost got raped, oh and to top it all off yours truly
is,” I held up my left hand and wiggled my ring finger, “engaged.”

           
The girls’ mouths dropped open and they collectively gasped.

           
“Hold on wait one ever-loving minute.
Engaged
?” Kate took a big gulp of
her drink with wide eyes.

           
“Almost raped? By who?” Yvonne wondered in horror.

           
“He denied
you
?” Rita questioned.

           
“How are you staying sane darlin’?” Sarah asked with a concerned expression.

           
I smiled weakly, “David keeps me sane.”

           
Sarah put her hand over her heart and pouted her lips. “
Awh
,
that made my heart melt.”

           
“Can we
puh
-lease
elaborate on the
other issues you threw at us?” Kate demanded, looking at me as if I was crazy.

           
I cleared my throat before telling them the stories of the past week. They were
appalled by the fact that Ray had tried to rape me and even more disgusted when
they saw the fading scars from the scratches and bruises he’d left me with. My
friends were plenty interested in the diamond ring on my finger but every
single one of them wished it was David that had proposed.