Suzie’s House 381 : When You Already Know

Emma let the gossamer curtains in Lisa’s living room fall back. She was pretty sure her brother hadn’t seen her peeping at him. He’d walked past the house three times so far, but didn’t seem inclined to knock on the door. Maybe it would all be all right after all.

“Is that your brother?” Tracy came up behind Emma and looked through the window too.

“Y-yeah. That’s him. Mom must have told him where I am.”

“How could she do that?”

Emma gave Tracy a look of pity. People never got how it was the way her parents acted that was half the problem.

“You know, when I first saw him I thought it would be bad, but it didn’t devastate me. I kind of imagined him bursting into flame and, you know… like that.” Emma paused to see what Tracy would think of one of her favorite fantasies.

“Hah! That would serve him right.” Tracy grinned and glanced at Emma.

“My… my heart did plummet. But you know… I’m okay.” Emma nodded half because it seemed the thing to do and half to reassure herself.

“I’m glad you are, because Aunt Stephanie is going to freak when she sees a stalker walking back and forth in front of her house.” Tracy shook her head like it was a joke.

That wasn’t something Emma could laugh about. Even if he knew where she was, James wasn’t likely to hover like that if he hadn’t been sent by her parents. His torture techniques were a lot more subtle. But if she didn’t get out there soon, she ‘d probably see him doing more and more things he shouldn’t.

It would start out innocently enough. He’d probably throw toilet paper all around the yard, set off fire crackers, overturn the trash – all in the middle of the yard when he was sure no one would catch him. Then would come rocks through the window and graffiti on the garage door, stuff he might get in trouble for. Eventually he’d probably break in.

It was sweet of Tracy and Lisa to try to give her safe harbor, but Emma had known as soon as Lisa’s mother made her call home that the time wouldn’t last long. It had already been two or three nights. This was as much as she could expect.

Still, it was hard to go. She’d enjoyed staying here. Everyone talked to her, but didn’t try to force her to talk. They let her sleep as much as she wanted and eat when ever she felt like it. They were all really nice.

That was all the more reason to go.

“I better go. I – I- I mean I’m sorry. You did so much for me. But… I’ve got to go.” Emma whirled around before she could change her mind and went out the door.

“Hey, wait!” Tracy followed.

“I’ll see you tomorrow. Right?” Emma looked at her with pleading. Tracy could make things really bad right now.

“Mom says you have to come home now.” As soon as he saw her, James marched up. “I’ve got her car. I’ll give you a ride.”

“Y-y-yeah. Thanks.”

Tracy came down the steps, but Emma waved her off.

“Tomorrow,” she said with such emphasis it made her bend over.

“Oh.” Tracy looked confused, but at least she seemed to get it. “All right. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Then she gave James a hard look. “Better not be late.”

“I… I won’t!” With a smile and a wave, Emma got in the car.

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