Page 7 of Black Wave

“I am so sorry, girls. We thought we were doing the right thing for you. Sometimes, parents make mistakes. This was one of them. All we wanted to do was keep you girls safe, and we have failed miserably. We knew that when we married and decided to have a family we would have to make a choice. We chose wrong, but it was unforeseeable. We just hope you know we had your best interest at heart.”

He takes us both in a strong embrace when he looks back at us, there are tears in his eyes. “Can you both forgive me? Forgive us?”

My resolve crumbles, and I hug him back, along with my sister. My mom comes in to join us, and we start to heal. Heal as a family whose life has been turned upside down with situations out of our control, but not anymore. We are going to take back control.

Mom looks up at us and grabs our chins softly. “I love you, girls. Never forget that. Now, I need to make a phone call.”

With that, she walks away, and we stay in the living room, waiting for her to tell us what the next weeks bring.

CHAPTER 4

Emma

ONE WEEK BEFORE GRADUATION

We sit there waiting for what seems like an eternity for Mom to return from our parents’ shared office space. She had undoubtedly been on the phone with her family, letting them know about the danger I put them in. It was hard to tell my parents all that Julian had threatened me with, how they would both lose their jobs, how his father would ensure that they wouldn’t be able to secure employment in the surrounding areas outside of Brownsville. We would lose our home and friends, ruining us in any way possible. All because he wanted me.

I hear the door click shut to the office and my mother’s footsteps heading our way. My dad, who was outside smoking a cigarette, which we hadn’t seen him do since we were little kids, also returns when he sees my mom standing before us. He stands alongside us, and we wait for her to speak.

“I spoke to my brother, Andrés, and informed him of the situation,” she begins. She rubs her temples to ward off the impending migraine she usually gets under anxiety-provoking circumstances.

I’d say that this predicament fits the bill. The frequent feeling of doom sets in with each passing second, sinking its claws intomy skin as I patiently wait for her to elaborate. Sweat begins to run down my back, and I feel like I might pass out.

“He is going to come up with a plan. He is going to help us.” She looks at my father, and he seems like he might cry.

He releases a sob of relief and covers his face momentarily. “That is such good news to hear.”

“Agreed.” Mom nods, running over to his side, where they embrace.

I fall to the couch and hold my head in my hands. I start to shake from the surge of catecholamines racing through my body in a flight-or-fight response, something I’ve grown accustomed to since Julian revealed his true colors months into our dating. Relief floods my system, knowing that if anyone can help me, it is someone stronger than Julian, someone more dangerous who happens to be on my side—my Uncle Andrés. Mom comes over to hug me, pulling me into her.

“I’m so sorry, sweet girl, that this happened to you. I wish you had confided in me sooner so I could have helped you." She looks over at Evie, who has still not said a word.

“Please continue acting like we don’t know about this and continue the ruse. Pretend we have no idea what is happening, until Uncle Andrés comes up with a plan, and we can ensure you are safe–that we are all safe.”

“Does this mean I will have to leave?” I shift back and forth on my feet, unsure of the future, and now I have no plans I know of. While other students my age are moving to go off to college, I am planning my escape from an abusive relationship. How did I get here? To this point, I have jeopardized everything and everyone I love.

“I don’t know, but I’ll have more to tell you this week. Uncle Andrés said to give him a couple of days to formulate a plan and get a hold of some people to move across the border, mobilize his security detail to help.”

“Okay, so just act like nothing is up around him. I can do that.” This week is the last week of finals before school ends anyway. We don’t have much longer remaining before graduation. I can do it. I mentally prepare for what will seem like the most brutal week of my life, waiting in anticipation for my freedom.

The weekend passes by without a word from my uncle. I try not to think about when he will call, but it seems almost impossible when it’s my life–my family’s life–in his hands. I stay busy studying for finals, as does Evie. This Wednesday is our last final, and we finish high school. Graduation is Saturday, and I am anxious to get it over with. I hear a ding on my phone and check the text message.

Julian

I just returned from my business trip. On my way over.

I look at the phone and frown. “Like I have a choice,” I say out loud before typing my reply. With a snort, I promptly reply.

Emma

Okay. I’m here.

A few minutes later, Julian is pulling up out front. My parents and Evie are not home, and it’s no surprise that Julian picked this time to stop by. It’s almost as if he knows when they are here and when they are not. I hear a knock and go to answer the door.

He enters the house and looks around, scanning the living room. I answered his unasked question. “No one is home.”

He smiles and pulls me in for a quick kiss. “Did you miss me, baby?”

---