4 days before she went missing

24th April 2018

Loud banging noises awoke me from my peaceful sleep. I wished I could stay asleep and whoever woke me up, would be very sorry.

 The door to the bedroom swung open with George carrying a tray of bacon, eggs and sausage with a cup of tea into the room. His loud singing voice wasn't good and I would give anything to make it stop. But it was the thought that counted.

 Pushing myself up against the bed to sit up properly, George propped the tray of food in front of me, kissing my forehead.

 "Happy birthday, love." he said quietly as he sat on the edge of the bed beside me.

 "You didn't have to do all this, but thanks."

 "You have a big day ahead of you and don't think I've forgotten about the surprise I have in store." he said, tapping the side of his nose.

 I would try and pry the secret out of his tightly sealed mouth, but I've tried that before and got nowhere. The room quickly filled with the smell of breakfast as the morning sun gleamed onto the food.

"We have a busy day today, so once you've ate that, we are going for a walk and then to the surprise." he announced before kissing my head and closing the door behind him as he walked out.

 It was strange, seeing him still here with me, in the house. The humming of his breath could be heard down the stairs and a smile tugged at my mouth. For once in a long time, I wasn't alone in our home.

The breakfast was just right, like it always was. He knew me too well and knew just what I wanted my food to be like. I should probably put more effort into our relationship instead of having an affair. But I had my reasons, even if no one thought they were valid.

 After eating the breakfast that I quickly devoured, I began to get ready. We hadn't spent this much time in a long time; I was going to cherish every moment of it before it all slipped away.

 My blue jeans and white top, just fit around my body. Maybe I should have layed off the food. I grabbed my black leather jacket from the wardrobe and sprinted down the stairs to see George already waiting. His blue top gripping to his body and his jeans doing the same.

 "You ready?" he asked, holding his hand out to me.

 "Very." I responded, taking his hand and walking out together, which was a feeling I had missed dearly.

 The sun was brighter than I had seen in this week, with birds flying above us as we walked along the stone path. Patches of fields were beside us with families walking beside us. Dogs ran around, chasing sticks and tails wagging furiously. A park was further down the path where I could see children swinging on the swings.

 Mine and George's hands were still intertwined. Afraid to let go and think this moment – that we hadn't had in a long time – would end if I let go, I squeezed his hand tighter.

 Any worries for this day washed away and the sheer sight of my husband, who was now finally taking time out of his day for me.

 "Do you remember this place? We used to come here all the time." he said, his steps in beat with mine.

 With Elijah.

 It had been so long since we did come here. Elijah would always run down the path to get to the park. His laughs could be heard all the way down here. Ever since the hit-and-run, we never came back here. This was the first time in years and despite the fact that I was loving every second of it, reminiscing the memories all three of us made, I couldn't help but feel like he should be here with us. He should have been.

 "I do, yes. I remember it all."

 We carried on walking in silence. There was no awkwardness and tension between us in the silence, just an understanding that this time was best served in the quiet. The memories of Elijah replaying in my mind like the time he had ice cream all over his mouth or the time he fell off his bike when riding it down this very path. He was crying for hours until we got him another ice cream. At the time, we didn't know how lucky we were to have him here.

 Soon, George guided me back into the comfort of our home. As he was making us both a drink, I checked my phone to see it was flooded with birthday messages. Some were from Aura, others from my parents and more family members. All of which I were grateful for, but the one that stood out, was the one from him.

 I hadn't expected him to text me. In fact, he hadn't been on my mind at all. It didn't say much, but as I read it out in my head, my heart fluttered at the words, Hope you have a great day. Wish I could have spent it with you. Just looking forward to tomorrow even more. - your mister.

 The steps of George moving closer towards me made me close the text quickly. As glad as I was for his text, today I only wanted my mind on George: for once, he was here with me.

 Passing me my drink, he sat beside me, waiting for me to finish. His eyes gleamed with mischief, a gleam I hadn't seen in years. For a moment, only a moment, it felt like we were back to when we first were together, so young and free.

 "I can tell you can't contain yourself so what is it you want to tell me?" I asked and a smile crept on his face.

 This was the George I loved. The one who was around and spent time with me without falling asleep or talking about work. Once again, the guilt washed away any sign of happiness between us, but right now, I wouldn't focus on that. I would focus on him.

 Leaning under the sofa, he pulled a box wrapped in silver wrapping paper with a red silk bow tied at the top. My cup sat on the table as he passed the box into my palms that were covered in sweat.

"Well, open it." he said as his eyes scanned my face that was filled with joy.

I gently teared the ribbon and paper off the small box (trying not to tear it apart) and took the lid off. Gleaming in the middle of the box that was covered in what looked like a small cushion, was a silver bracelet. In the middle of the bracelet, a silver plate was engraved with the words ELIJAH.

 My vision began to become glossy as tears streamed down my cheek. Though they weren't sad tears, there wasn't an ounce of sadness in them.

Pulling me into a warm embrace, I nestled my head against his chest and said, "Thank you." which came out more of a whimper than joy.

 We must have sat there for hours as soon the sky turned an autumn colour that was mixed with others. George propped my head up to face him, even though I wished we could have stayed like that for longer.

 "It's time to get ready. My surprise is waiting for you. Meet me down here in an hour."

 The cold water brushed down my body as I kept thinking about his present. To some people, the bracelet might not have been anything compared to what their husbands would get them, but to me, it meant the world.

 I only whished I could pluck the nerve to give him the world back too. But how could I, when right now, my world was being shared by two men who each had an important place in it.

 After putting on my black jumpsuit that I had got last year, I strode down the stairs with my heels clicking behind me. My black hair was braided into a crown.

 "What a lucky man I am." George stated with his hands in his black trousers and white top clinging to his body.

 I couldn't tell if he needed new clothes or if it was just me admiring every muscle he loved to put out on display. His hair was styled back with it gleaming from the sun beams that reflected on the gel he had used.

 As I took his arm, we hopped into the car and drove to the destination he had not yet told me. The roads seemed familiar as we turned away from a bowling ball centre and into another corner before taking another turn. A large car park with many cars parked led to a restaurant. The windows that led alone the side were polished and as clear as day. An arc way led inside the restaurant with a stone path. People sat outside, smoking cigarettes or talking on the phone.

 George led me along the restaurant and when we entered, we were swarmed by my parents and sister along with other family members.

 "Surprise." George whispered in my ear just before their arms were wrapped around me.

 My cheeks ached from smiling so much and saying thank you for all their whishes. My mother, with her cold blue eyes and short silver hair, wrapped her arms around me. Her bronze skin were covered with more wrinkles than I remember when I saw her last.

 "Happy Birthday, dear." she said with her usual formal tone and stern face. I can't remember the last time I saw her smile. Even as a child, she was always tough on me and Aura to make the most of our lives.

 My father, sat up from the table after placing his pint of beer on the table. His black hair was starting to show specks of grey that was combed in his special occasion way. His green eyes that looked much alike mine. Out of the genes, Aura looked more like our mother while I took after our father.

 He gave me a large hug, his strong arms from working as a construction worker, pressed against my body so tightly I thought he was going to snap me in half.

 Him and my mother stayed at opposite sides of the table as we all took our seats. After their divorce, they haven't spoke much, and I was surprised George was able to get them in the same room as each other without them ripping each other's heads off. To this day, I still don't know why they split up.

 Aura sat herself beside me, knowing she wouldn't be welcomed next to our parents. After she told them she was gay, they looked at her with such disgust, it made me resent and hate them at times.

 "This will be an interesting night." she chuckled as we watched our parents share glares across the large table.

 We all began ordering our foods and chatting to one another about what has happened since the last time we met. My mother, constantly looking at me with the same pity I saw in her eyes many times before, kept throwing quick glances at my outfit. No matter what me or Aura did as children, she always expected more. Since then, I vowed to not be like her as a parent, but I never really got the chance to prove it.

While my mother constantly cared about our appearances and everything we did, my father was the complete opposite. He wasn't bothered about what we did or what we looked like as long as we didn't bother him.

 I can still remember the day that Aura came home, her black hair turned to complete blue. Our parents face was one I wished I had a photo of because I would be howling for hours every time I looked at it. She did that just to spite them for their reaction to her coming out, and in all fairness, I was glad she did it. Glad, she was finally comfortable with who she was even if our parents weren't.

 Soon our food came and the sky outside had darkened. It wasn't long till we were eating our food that a swift gust of cold air swept into the room. Our table was located right by the door and close to the bar behind us that every time someone walked in, we felt the cold breeze.

 Aura quickly stood up and walked to the woman that had walked inside, her hair in a bun and wearing a red jumpsuit herself. As they kissed, I could already picture the face my parents were pulling as the table died down from the chatter.

 My heart sank. This day was starting to turn for the worse, but not to Aura and her girlfriend's fault. But for the way my parents couldn't let their old views go.

 As they walked back towards the table, Aura scowled ferociously at our parents before they both sat down, holding hands as they did. My parent's mouth both formed into a thin line, the sides of their mouth twitching slightly. It was taking everything for them not to say something; I knew this silence between them wouldn't last. Almsot on que, the argument began.

 "I don't know why you have to do that here?" my mother blurted out, slamming her hands onto the wooden table.

 "Do what? Holds hands with someone?" Aura said with anger and annoyance laced in her voice.

 George squeezed my hand, but not even that would calm my nerves and dread.

 "It's not right Aura. Not everyone wants to see this." my father started to chime in.

 "And if I was holding hands with a man, would you care or be this bothered?"

 They both went silent and Aura smiled as she knew she had proved one of her points.

 "Exactly so please, stop." she said, but more pleaded them. After years of them disagreeing and judging her because of who she liked, I didn't blame her for wanting it to stop.

 I had talked to them multiple times before, to try and get them to stop their cruel comments when nothing was wrong with her. But they never listened.

 Their silence didn't last long either as they both began to argue with Aura. George tried to calm them all down and the moment he let go of my hand, I ran. Ran outside where the cool breeze met my face. I know I should have stayed inside and helped, but my chest felt like it was caving in.

 Aura was always the stronger sister, the one who didn't care what people thought and would do what she wanted. While I hated any confrontations and always felt like I owed people so much. 

 My shaking hands reached for my phone that was tucked in one of the small pockets of the jumpsuits. Instantly calling him, I walked away from the smoke, giving me chance to breathe and think.

 "Hey, what's up?" he said on the other end.

 "Everything, I just want to leave and get away from everything. My family can't even be in the same room together without any arguing, and I just wish it would all stop." I blurted out, a few tears rolling down my face.

 "It's OK. Just think about tomorrow and how everything will be better. You'll be with me and away from all that, yeah. I'm sorry I can't come and see you, otherwise I would."

 "I know you would, just tell me about your day to distract me, please."

 And he did. He told me all about his long walks and the coffee he had this morning and how he can't wait to see me tomorrow in the red dress he bought for me. Listening to him talk made me forget about everything that was going on inside and only think of us. Talking to him just made me wish we were already on our way to the beach. Just him and me, no one else.

 Even though I could have and whished I could have stayed out here, I knew I had to go back inside and face the music. So I did.

 As soon as I entered, the long table seemed empty, but full of laughter still. My parents had left, along with the other family members. The only people who were still there were Aura, her girlfriend and George.

 "Where did everyone go?" I asked as I sat back down beside them all.

 "They left through the back door. Said they didn't want to see or listen to us anymore." Aura explained, taking another sip of her wine from her glass before she carried on, "I'm sorry, Tanisha. I didn't mean to ruin your birthday."

"What! You didn't ruin it in any way. They should have just got over this and accepted it. You both did nothing wrong."

 They both smiled at me and I turned to face George, who was now looking me over, to make sure I wasn't upset.

 "And you, you did such a perfect job at organising all this. Thank you." I thanked as I raised my glass.

"To us." we all cheered and for the rest of the night, there were no arguments or snide comments about Aura and her girlfriend. Everything was perfect and after the call with my mister, my mind was clearer. It wasn't long till we all had to head home and say our goodbyes.

 Me and George quickly arrived home and went straight to bed, full of laughs and smiles. We sat gazing into each other's eyes.

 "I'm so lucky to call you my wife." he said, brushing my hair behind my ear and kissing my forehead as he leapt off the bed and into the bathroom.

 He didn't deserve me. It took all my strength not to call after him and tell him what I've been doing. But I couldn't stand him hating me. As my eyes slowly closed out of exhaustion, it felt like my heart was being pulled between them both.