“So how's mom doing?” I looked up at my feet, which were stretched towards the ceiling, and moved my freshly painted toes in the hope that the polish would dry faster.

“Her midlife crisis is still going strong, but I don't think it's doing her any harm. She told me that she was at aqua aerobics on Monday and that she and her trainer got on extremely well. Apparently he's a twenty-something - and I quote - 'stud with the body of a god, lips that look like the most amazing seat cushions and a lunch packet that could feed a whole family'.”

The pure revulsion I felt after hearing my mom's description affected my entire body, and I immediately had to sit up and shake my torso in hopes of dispelling what I'd just heard.

“Oh my god, Brit! That's disgusting, I'm so glad you're the child that has to hear that stuff in person. I think I'd die on the spot if it had to be me. How can you stay so relaxed?”

My sister hummed indifferently into the phone.
“I don't know. Maybe growing up with you has dulled me and now nothing can shock me anymore.”
I snorted and rolled over on my bed so I could lie on my stomach. Then I looked at my fingernails with mild interest and realized that they too could use a touch-up sooner rather than later.

“I really wonder how much we are to blame for her current behavior. I just can't believe Dad messed her up like that on his own. He's so ... normal.”
“I think so too. But you're the bigger pest. After all, I lead a decent life, I'm married and everything. I even gave mom a grandson. And I, as the older sister, have witnessed the mischief you've been up to since you were born. I've been the less troublesome brat by far.”

I rolled my eyes, firmly believing that Brit knew my reaction, even if she couldn't see it. I didn't disagree with her though, after all, she had told the truth. I wouldn't call myself the worst daughter anyone could have, but I hadn't been the most obedient child, and I could only imagine the damage that had done to my mother over the years.

“Speaking of being a witness. Are you sure you're okay after what happened?” I let out a long sigh and thought about it for a few seconds before I spoke.

“Yeah, I'm fine. I mean, it was scary being there and later realizing how close I was to a lethal bullet, but in the moment I didn't understand what was going on, and then I didn't have time to be scared because I was helping someone.  I think that might have saved me from psychological damage, you know? Maybe one day my brain will catch up with me and it will overwhelm me, but right now I'm doing okay.”

The words lingered between us for a few moments before I added uncertainly. “I just hope the man made it out alive.”

“I'm sure he did. I checked the news and there were only two articles about the shooting and neither said it was a fatal attack.” Brit sounded more confident than I felt. But I tried to convince myself that the man had really made it. The police hadn't called me to the station yet, and I took that as a positive sign. But the doubt still nagged at me and I just wished I could be sure that I was able to save the victim.

“Anyway, let's not talk about it anymore. Is this week's game night still on?” I successfully changed the subject and Brit let it happen without a second thought.

We were pretty close, especially since our parents got divorced and Brit had her baby seven years ago.
Since then, we had formed the glue of our family, and under the circumstances, we had become each other's best friends. This led to me using her as an outlet for my day-to-day experiences, while I effectively provided a reliable babysitter for the nights that Brit and her husband Harry wanted to have to themselves. The fact that I was unemployed at the moment worked to her advantage in this situation, as it meant I couldn't use work commitments to get out of the childcare job.

Still, I knew that Brit was wishing me all the luck in the world to finally be accepted for one of the many jobs I had applied for. You'd think being a nurse would get you a job quickly, as many hospitals and clinics were understaffed these days, but my dad had apparently picked the one city when we moved that didn't have the hundreds of openings I was looking for.

However, I had high hopes for a job I'd only interviewed for a few days ago, so not all hope was lost, and I wasn't one to give up easily anyway. But that didn't mean I wasn't frustrated about it.
Lounging at home and doing chores for the roommate situation my dad and I had was fine most of the time, and perhaps the dream of many people. But I had aspired to be a nurse to help others and at the moment I was solely helping my dad by doing the dishes and laundry. Both things he couldn't stand.

“The game night is still on. And do you know what else is set?” Brit's voice rang enthusiastically through my cell phone speaker. I had a feeling that what she was going to say next wasn't something I was going to be excited about. Aside from game nights, Brit and I shared surprisingly little that we both enjoyed. In most ways, we were complete opposites. So when she got so excited about something, it was an instant red flag.

“I don't know, but I'm sure you'll tell me any minute.” I waited for her answer as I plucked at a hangnail, cursing silently as I pulled on it and a sharp pain shot through my finger.

“A date. A double date, to be exact.” I rolled my eyes again and sighed dramatically.
“Wow, that sounds great. For the record, I'm not complaining about babysitting Benny. I just don't need the dirty details of your love life and what Harry and you like to do. If a double date is the right thing to keep your relationship thriving, then I'm the last person to object. Just tell me when you're going out and I'll pick up my nephew.”

“Mary, what I'm really saying is that you're going on a double date.”

Realizing what my sister had just said, I sat up again, startled.
“What do you mean? I don't go on dates, and a double date sounds like double the misery. Whose ridiculous idea was that?”
“Harry and I thought it would be good for you to meet new people. It's not like you have to get married, it's just about getting to know a potential partner. And Harry and I will be the second half of the double date, so it won't be so bad, I promise.”

I knew Brit was just using her husband as a scapegoat. He would never come up with an idea that meddled so much in my life. He understood boundaries. My sister, on the other hand, didn't. So it wasn't such a big surprise that she was planning something like this. However, that didn't mean I liked the idea.

“Since when is my love life any of your business, dearest sister?”
“Well, pretty much my whole life. If you had a boyfriend, I wouldn't be the only emotional support you have, and I think a man would do well to put you on a leash every now and then. You're getting into a lot of situations lately.”
I furrowed my eyebrows and shook my head. Maybe I was wrong and Brit and I hadn't gotten as close as I thought. What best friends would ever say that you should find someone else to talk to?

“Well first of all, no man could ever put me on a leash. I decide which way I go. Also, are you implying that I'm bothering you with my daily calls?”
“I'm just saying that someone else might be useful to share the burden with me. My husband, my child, my mother and my sister tell me all about their day, every day. I'm living five different lives at once right now and I have to process them all.”

My eyes widened and my jaw dropped in disbelief.
“Did you just say I'm a burden to you?” All I got in response was a laugh that sounded less awkward than I would have liked.
“Can we please get back on topic? We're going on this double date, period. I'll send you the date and the location and I expect you to be on time and on your best behavior.”

“Shouldn't you be yourself on a date so that the other person doesn't waste their time getting to know a fake?” I leaned back in my comfy bed - no longer interested in discussing the fact that my sister was annoyed by hearing what I did every day.

“That doesn't apply to you, at least not this time. Luke's a decent guy, but I don't want you to scare him off right away.” I huffed, having already put Luke in a closed drawer in my head that I wouldn't be opening again. What was the point of holding back on a date? I didn't want to fool anyone who was interested in me. After all, they might like a version of me that was a lie, and where would that lead? To nothing good, I guessed.

I didn't have the heart or the energy to argue with my sister about her picking a blind date for me, so I didn't even bother to think about Luke anymore and focused on the actually interesting part.
“Did you at least choose a good restaurant?”

“Shouldn't you be asking me about the person I set you up with instead of the food?” I could hear the slight irritation in Brit's voice and smiled mischievously. I bet that would be the last date she would try to arrange for me after I showed her what a pain in the ass I could be about this.

“As someone who claims to be affected by my love life, you know surprisingly little. I mean, as my sister, you must be aware that my only true love is Mister Fentura's Double Cheeseburger. Second to that is pretty much anything to do with food, so please excuse me if I'm more interested in that than a boring male specimen.”

Before Brit could say anything else in reply, the doorbell rang, followed by a knock.

“Give me a second, I think my new socks are being delivered.”
I quickly got up and rushed to the door so as not to miss the delivery person. I made it in record time and without thinking about how I was dressed, I tore open the front door with a smile on my face.

The fact that I hadn't thought about what I was wearing beforehand caught up with me the second my eyes registered that there was no delivery man standing in front of me. With a yelp, I hid behind the door and looked up at the behemoth of a man, my smile definitely fading.

“Um, hi! Can I help you?” I didn't know if I sounded like a mouse, but I definitely felt like one. And the giant in front of me was a hawk ready to swoop down on me for the killing blow, at least that's what his intense eyes told me.

The guy was huge, not just because of his height, but because of his build in general. He wore a black jacket, but it didn't hide his tree-trunk like arms or his muscular thighs that nearly burst the seams of his jeans. His face suited him well, framed by dark hair and a thick beard, both streaked with a few strands of gray.

I was sure his eyes hadn't strayed from my face for a second as I studied him thoroughly. I felt like slamming the door in his face and hiding in bed again.

“Mary Andrews?” Oh shit, he knew my name! I thought for just a second about whether or not I should tell the truth and then quickly decided not to lay all my cards out in the open.

“Uh, nope! I don't think the person you're looking for lives here, sorry. Maybe try next door.” I put on a strained smile and was about to close the door when my sister's voice rang out from my cell phone's speaker, causing my gaze to dart to my hand where I still clutched it.

“Mary, what's going on? I thought it was your sock delivery.” My sister had perfect timing as usual, I really should reward her later for everything she did for me.

“Brit, that's not the best timing again. Can't you be patient for once?” I whispered to her, as if it would make any difference.
I slowly glanced back up and looked into the stranger's stoic face. I couldn't even tell if he was annoyed or smug or feeling anything at all. He just stared at me and made me feel like a pathetic little vermin.

“Like I said, I don't know a Mary Andrews. Excuse my sister, she's just joking. She's not the most serious person and likes to put me in awkward situations. You go on, and try your luck with the neighbors.” I nodded encouragingly and closed the door.
Or at least I tried to, but it didn't budge so much as an inch.

Horrified, I looked down to see what was preventing the door from closing me back into the safety of my home and noticed a black, expertly polished shoe stuck between the frame and the door.

I took a panicked breath and quickly looked between the foot and the man it belonged to. He didn't even say anything, just pushed against the door with one hand, and with frighteningly little effort, not only did it open, but I was promptly pushed back into the hallway of my house.

“Excuse me, sir, but I don't want you in my house!” I sounded pathetic, I probably wouldn't have listened to myself either, so it was no surprise that the mountain of a man paid no heed to my resistance.

My heart was pounding in my chest, and I saw no way to stop the stranger from entering my house, so I let my instincts guide me and turned on my heel. With no time to lose, I ran for my life and let out a scream. I sprinted into our living room and almost crashed into the door frame, but luckily I managed to get past it at the last second.

“Please, please, please, I'll pee my pants if you keep chasing me!” I shrieked, without even risking a backward glance to see if I was really being followed. The possibility was enough to turn my stomach and get adrenaline pumping through my veins.

I ran towards our dining table on the other side of the room, finally scanning for the stranger after circling around it. I almost wet my shorts when I saw him calmly walking towards me, already halfway across the living room.

“Who the hell are you and what do you want? Fuck!” Panic made my skin prickle and my palms sweat. I clutched my phone tighter, and when the case pressed into my palm, I looked at it in terror.

“Brittany, call the fucking cops!” I screamed at my cell phone and had to run again a moment later as the giant intruder charged at me. Screeching in horror, I tried to get back to the front door and escape from my house, but of course that wasn't what was meant to happen.

Instead, I tripped over the edge of our large rug, and as I tried to break my fall, I hit the side table of the couch with full force, knocking me over and causing my cell phone to slip from my grasp. I stretched out on the floor, groaning in pain and cursing as I tried to get back up.

In the end, I didn't even have to try, because in the next instant I was grabbed by two strong hands and then thrown over one shoulder like I was nothing more than a sack of flour.

“Let go of me, please! Come on, what the fuck is going on in my bloody life?” I screamed, drumming my fists on the guy's back. It was like hitting a brick wall.

I was on the verge of tears and didn't know how to get out of this situation. I didn't even know what kind of situation it actually was. But it felt like fate was against me and that was incredibly unfair.

In a last desperate attempt, I looked for my cell phone on the floor and did my best.
“BRIT, I'M BEING KIDNAPPED! I'M NOT KIDDING, HANG UP AND CALL THE POLICE. MY KIDNAPPER LOOKS LIKE A HUGE HANDSOME MAN WITH DARK HAIR AND HE'S STRONG AND FAST AND IS VERY ATTRACTIVE, BUT IN AN INTIMIDATING WAY!”

If my sister had heard me at all, she probably didn't hear the last part, because my abductor had carried me to the front door, and in no time at all I was outside the house.

I had less than half a minute before I was shoved into a car, but I screamed at the top of my lungs, hoping my neighbors or random passersby would hear me.

Then the car door slammed in my face and I heard the locks activate.

***

Question of the day: Do you have a person you talk to every day about everything and anything that happens in your life?