Unveil (13 page)

“I don’t want Drake at my party, Mom.”

She bit her lip. “But he just came back.”

I stood, crossing my arms over my chest. “You can’t honestly believe his story about being away on business.”

Mom bristled. “It’s plausible.”

“He doesn’t have a cell phone?”

“Okay, point taken.”

“I’m sorry, Mom, but it’s my birthday and you said I could invite whoever I wanted.”

“You’re right.” She walked up to me, mussed the top of my head. “I’ll call him and tell him not to come.”

That was almost too easy.

When I went to my room to get ready for bed, questions swirled in my head. Why was Drake back? Where was my dad and was he still after me? Why was I able to see demons and angels sometimes? What was the purpose behind it? What did Drake mean when he said that my party would be full of surprises? Did it have anything to do with the funny feeling I had lately?

My stomach fluttered like a million tiny butterflies batted their wings inside my belly. I was so anxious, so unsettled. There was only one person who could give me comfort and peace. Only one person whom I could trust to help me.

With the soundtrack of my mom’s snores rumbling from across the hall, I got down on my knees next to my bed. I interlocked my fingers and rested my elbows on my comforter. After leaning my forehead against my hands, I spoke softly into the room.

“Jesus, I need you. I’m so tired of being hurt. I’m so tired of being scared.”

Warmth covered me. Love washed over me. The sadness, anger and terror drifted slowly away. My mind thought back over all the things I had been through. I thought of the way Dad had hurt me, the way Tanner had treated me and how Isaac had been so distant. The realization struck me that I would always be hurt by people, whether inadvertent or not. People were flawed. There was no way around that. In that moment, the choice I had been trying to make for so long became easy. I had my answer. Lifting my head, I glanced around the illuminated room.

“Jesus, I choose you.”

The burden I had been carrying fell off my shoulders and I felt lighter. Emboldened, I stood up and walked to my dresser. Picking up my cell, I dialed the familiar numbers.

“Hey, Isaac,” I said, when he answered. “I’ve done what you asked. I’ve made my decision.” I plopped down on my bed and tucked my legs up under my body.

“You have?”

Knowing what I had to say, I hated to hear the hope in his tone.

“I have been trying to figure out which one of you I love more; which one I can’t live without.” I paused, swallowing hard.

“And?”

“And I’ve realized that there’s only one person I can’t live without.” I picked at the threads on my blanket with my fingers. “It’s Jesus.”

“That’s great, Kenz.”

“What?” I stopped moving, my fingers suspended above the fabric on my bed.

“Seriously, I’m proud of you. I would never want you to choose me over Jesus. I never asked you to do that.”

“I know but this whole thing has consumed me. The bottom line is that I’m sick of trying to figure it out. Right now I need support.” My voice cracked. “I’m going through a lot right now and I really need both of you to be my friends.”

“I understand, Kenz. I’m sorry that I haven’t been a good friend to you.”

“Please don’t apologize. Just say you’ll be my friend.”

“Of course I will.”

I could practically hear his smile coming through the phone and it made my heart skip a beat.

“I can’t promise I won’t hope for more, though” he added.

“Fair enough.”

“But I am glad you chose Jesus. He’ll never let you down.”

My conversation with Tanner didn’t go as well. After telling him my decision he said, “Kenzie, you know this will never work, right?”

“What do you mean?” I sat upright, pressing the phone against my ear.

“Being friends with both of us. We’re in love with you so we’ll always be hoping for more. You’re just postponing the inevitable.”

Irritation rose in me. “Well, this is what I need right now, Tanner.”

“Don’t get me wrong. I’m glad you didn’t pick him. I’m just still bummed that you didn’t pick me.”

“I’ll never pick you over Jesus.” It hurt that he didn’t understand. It made me wonder if he’d ever be the right one.

“It seems like I’m never the one you pick.”

On the morning of my birthday I fastened the cross necklace around my neck. It had been awhile since I’d worn it but I felt compelled to put it on. I remembered when Isaac gave it to me at the end of the summer. It was to remind me that I was a child of God. Staring at my reflection, I realized that for some reason I really wanted that reminder on my birthday.

The yard was decorated with balloons and signs that read “Happy Birthday!” Mom had spent the last week or so cleaning up the back porch and planting flowers. The grass was a lush green. We had been blessed with warm weather and the clouds had cleared away leaving the sky a cornflower blue. Mom set up a patio table and chairs on the lawn and it was littered with chips and dip. There was an ice chest stocked with soda sitting on the back porch.

Haley came over early to help Mom set up and the two of them whispered and scurried around all afternoon. Neither one of them would let me help at all and when I tried to peek at the cake they shooed me away.

My heart was full of excitement. Even though I knew Isaac and Grandma wouldn’t be there, I was determined to make the most of my day.

Around four o’clock there was a knock on the door. I went to answer it, since Mom was starting the grill and Haley was slicing tomatoes and onions for the hamburgers. When I opened it, Tanner stood on the front porch wearing shorts and a t-shirt. The sun glistened in his blond hair and his blue eyes twinkled. He held a gift bag in his hand. I smiled, so happy he showed up.

“Happy Birthday.” He grinned and held out his gift.

“Thank you.” I smiled.

“Hey, I’m sorry about what I said yesterday. I’m glad you still want to be friends and of course I’m okay with your choice. How can I be mad about you choosing God, right?”

I nodded and threw my arms around his neck. He held me close and I caught a whiff of his cologne. After we separated, I took the present and guided him into the backyard. Mom and Haley greeted him while I put the gift down on the table. Already the scent of charred food drifted under my nose. But even the thought of burnt hamburgers didn’t dampen my happy mood. Smoke billowed around Mom’s sweaty face.

My gaze swept the backyard and my heart swelled with joy. As Haley got Tanner a soda, I watched the two of them and I was so happy we were all here together. After all we had been through, I was so glad they were both still in my life.

“Diet soda, birthday girl?” Haley hollered. Her red hair shone brightly against the greenery in the backyard.

I nodded and she tossed one in my direction. I caught it in my hand and held the icy can in my palm. Just as I popped the top, I looked up to see Grandma walking onto the back porch, wearing khaki capris and a white cotton shirt. Her blonde hair was styled sleek against her face. I hadn’t seen her since summer and the minute my gaze locked on her, I realized just how much I had missed her.

“Grandma!” Feeling like a little girl, rather than an eighteen-year-old, I ran to her and threw my arms around her neck. The familiar scent of her Ralph Lauren perfume comforted me. She planted a kiss on my cheek.

“Happy Birthday.”

“I thought you weren’t coming.”

She winked, causing the skin around her eyes to crinkle. “I wanted it to be a surprise.”

“It was. I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Of course. We wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

We?
That’s when I saw him. How had I missed him before? He stood directly behind Grandma. My heart sped up and my palms filled with moisture. A regular California boy, he sported board shorts, a t-shirt and leather flip-flops. He looked amazing.

My arms ached to hold him but I stayed still, rooted in place. Grandma left me to say hi to Mom who manned the barbecue grill. Smoke swarmed the yard making it obvious that Mom was burning the burgers.

Isaac walked forward to greet me. I fought to breathe evenly.

“You came.”

“Of course.” He was so close I couldn’t stand it. I felt dizzy from his nearness. My fingertips burned to touch him. His gaze swept the backyard. “Looks like quite the party.”

My chest tightened. He must have noticed Tanner. I thought of how just moments before I had been elated that Tanner had shown up. Now, I wished he hadn’t. I bit my lip.

“It’s okay. I get it.” Isaac smiled. “Tanner’s your friend. He should be here for your big day.”

He was so understanding, so wonderful. I couldn’t help it. I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him. He returned the hug, circling his arms around my waist.

“Thank you.” I whispered into his neck. Our faces were so close that if one of us moved an inch our lips would connect. But neither of us did. Instead, we parted and joined the rest of the group.

While Mom scraped the charred hamburgers off the grill with a spatula, Grandma took over drink duty. She refilled everyone’s sodas and jumped right into the hostess role like a pro. I was so glad she was there.

Haley grabbed my arm, pulled me aside. “Oh my gosh, this is so awkward. You didn’t tell me Isaac was coming.”

“I didn’t know.”

“That boy sure has a knack for showing up unannounced.”

I chuckled. “No kidding.”

Tanner sidled up beside me, stuck his head in between us. “What are you two whispering about?”

My face flamed. “Nothing.” I glanced around to see where Isaac was. He stood next to Grandma, sipping a cup filled with soda.

“Don’t worry,” Tanner said as if he read my mind. “Everything’s fine. Just enjoy your party. We’re all here because we love you.”

Ugh. Why did they both have to be so great?

“Well, what do we have here?” A familiar man’s voice rang out. “It looks like a party. How come I wasn’t invited?”

I spun around.

Dad walked into the yard. He wore the same dirty clothes, ripped pants and old converse tennis shoes. His hair was messy, and the scent of smoke wafted from him. Tension filled the air around me.

I stepped forward. “Dad.”

Tanner grabbed my arm, but I shoved it away. I knew he was worried since he had witnessed my last encounter with Dad and knew that the police were after him. Isaac was too far away to reach me, but his gaze did. He shook his head and gave me a pleading look.

“It’s fine.” I told the watching crowd. “I’m good.” I forced a smile and continued walking toward my dad. No matter what he had done before I was willing to give him another chance. He was my own flesh and blood, after all. He was a part of me.

“What are you doing here?” I asked when I reached him.

“Can’t I come by to wish my little girl a happy birthday?” He smiled his toothless grin.

Hope stirred. “You remembered?”

“Of course.” He held out his hand. “In fact, I brought you a gift. Come with me. It’s in the car.”

A present!
Did I dare believe him? Remembering the last time he said that left a sour feeling in my stomach. As much as I wanted to believe him, I wasn’t that stupid. I wouldn’t fall for the same trick twice.

That’s when I sensed him. Wesley stood in the shadows. I froze, studying my dad. At first I had overlooked the manic look in his glassy eyes, the cuts and bruises on his face, the tremor of his hands. I remembered the odd premonition I’d had earlier. God had been trying to warn me about this.

“No. If you have something for me, you can bring it out here.” I stood my ground. His eyes were desperate and they shifted back and forth. A sound caught my attention. Someone was in the house. Before I could process anything, two other men burst from inside and ran into the backyard. One had a snake tattoo on his upper arm that made me shiver. The other had giant muscles ripping up his arms as if he’d taken way too many steroids. Their eyes were dark and menacing. They wore scowls on their faces.

By the collective round of gasps, I assumed everyone could see the two men.

“You didn’t tell us there’d be all these people here, David.” Snake-man spoke in a nasally tone. “Is she coming or not?”

“I’m sorry, Kenzie.” Dad threw me an apologetic look. “ I have a little debt with these men and you’re the only way I can pay it.” He held his arm out in front of the men, blocking them from coming any further. “Just wait. She’ll come.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. It was the same as before. And I knew he’d keep coming back until he got what he wanted. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Wesley sneering. There was no way I was letting him win. Hadn’t he learned yet that I had someone stronger helping me?

I narrowed my eyes at Dad. “No.”

In one swift movement, Snake-man grabbed me around the neck and held the barrel of a gun to my temple. Mom and Grandma shrieked. My body quivered with fear. He dragged me toward the house. Isaac and Tanner both jumped forward, but Snake-man wielded the gun in their direction. “Everyone stay back or the girl gets it.” They froze and held their palms up in surrender.

“I tried to warn you,” Dad said. “You could have come peacefully with me. Now they’re gonna take you.”

Frantic, I shoved my fingers in my pocket. Where was my phone? I pictured it on the kitchen counter and groaned. Looking around, I saw that Haley had her cell phone pressed to her ear. Relief filled me. Maybe help would be here before the man carried me away.

“Hey. You. Put the phone down.” Snake-man pointed the gun at Haley.

Haley opened her fingers and the phone fell to the ground. “There was no signal, anyway,” she muttered under her breath.

“With mine either.” Mom’s voice sounded bewildered. “That’s never happened before.”

My gaze connected with Wesley’s and he smiled. He may not have been as powerful as God, but his magic could do some things. Somebody had to get into the house. Dad and Wesley blocked the entrance.

In the quiet before the storm everything seemed to move in slow motion. Then Isaac sprang into action and everything happened so fast. He knocked Snake-man back, releasing his hold on me. With swift movements, the man smacked Isaac in the face with his hand that held the gun. Isaac shot backward and fell to the ground with a sickening thud. Screams rang out. My pulse quickened. The man’s arm reeled back ready to punch him again.