Blind Sky

I roll over, checking the time on my phone, securing the gun I kept hidden underneath my mattress. I’m extremely tired, getting only two hours of sleep, and just before settling into bed again, several knocks rap at my door. I place a pillow over my head which was useless.

“Who is it?”

“It’s the birthday whiz, I bring good cheers and good news.”

My dad though a bit corky is wonderful and I love him to death. We’ve never spoken much about mom’s murder, though I don’t think dad believes moms murder to be a causality of war, and possible suspects like I do, was deliberate.

Weeks before the government made an official announcement of the uprisings; mom phoned Logue daily, and the impending war served as a perfect camouflage for moms meetings and calls. During one of her many conversations, I overheard her discussing changes to building coding, halting pending research, and protection for her family, which sent chills down my spine the way her voiced croaked.

Mom conveyed her message to me eloquently and coherently that I had to train to protect myself. She said I was of age to choose for myself and wanted me to select the recruiting agency of my choice, as long as I promised to join one.

“Can I come in?” tapping the door again.

“Yes, come in.”

“Good morning birthday girl, brought you breakfast,” placing the tray on my nightstand.

“Thanks dad, it looks awesome,” positioning myself against my pillow trying my best not to look uncomfortable. I don’t want him to know about the gun. Having one in the house could mean prison for both of us, but I feel better knowing I have it.

He kisses the top of my head, which I hope is not damped with sweat.

“Thank-you again, this is wonderful.”

“I hope you enjoy. I wanted to do something for you before I head out for the convention.”

I pick up the tray which has French toast sprinkled with powder and strawberries, scrambled eggs, sliced ham and a cupcake with the number twenty-one candle placed in the center.

“It’s really taking off hasn’t it?”

“Sure has,” he replies enthusiastically. “Soon I actually might have to consider hiring an assistant. I’m having a hard time juggling the dates already.”

“If you need any help dad, I’m here.”

“Thanks kid. I’m sorry once again to be rushing out like this.”

“I’m fine.”

I take a bite of the cupcake and it is delicious. The chocolate raspberry is one of my favorites.

“This is so I good,” I add.

“Aren’t you supposed to save that for last?”

“But it’s so good.”

“Heck, it’s your birthday. Do as you please. I’m going to finish packing.” I breathe a sigh of relief again.

“But first,” he says digging further into his pocket. I hope he is not about to perform some kind of magic trick. He used to do that when I was little, and he was horrible at it.

“I told you not to get me anything.”

“Well technically I didn’t. It’s something I already had, handing me a small square box wrapped in blue and white wrapping adorned with a silver bow.

“Go on, open it.”

“Dad, I don’t understand. Are you sure you didn’t buy these?” glancing at the pair of sapphire earrings.

He takes a seat on the bed next to me and smiles.

“I’m sure. They were your mothers, one of her favorite pairs. I wanted to wait for a special time to pass them on to you, and your twenty- first birthday seemed like the right time.”

I wrap my arms around him, hugging him more tightly and protective than I ever have before. “I love you dad. This means a lot to me.”

“I know, to me too. Okay, you’re going to make your old man cry. Let me get going before the water works begin.” I squeeze him even tighter, ignoring his comment.

“Sky, I love you. Call me if anything while I’m away.”

“Don’t worry; you would be the first person I call.”

I hold up the earrings, my hands trembling and shaking as I attempt to put them on, trying not to tear up. I wipe away a tear now privy to the footsteps stomping up the stairs.

“Happy Birthday,” immediately recognizing the voice.

“Give me a minute,” I shout.

“Take your time. I’ll wait downstairs.”

“Thanks,” I yell back. “I’ll be down shortly.”

I head to the bathroom, taking a quick shower, then slap on some moisturizer, throwing on a pair of jeans with a long sleeved beige blouse, then head downstairs to the living room.

Derek’s standing by the couch flashing a gigantic smile that shows off his great teeth.

“Hey birthday girl, you look beautiful as usual.” His compliment makes me blush and a chill runs down my neck.

“If you say so,” I mumble while he hugs me.

Dad walks over to the living room where we are, Derek quickly removing his arms.

“Are you all packed?”

“Almost,” he says. “Any plans for your Birthday?”

“Nothing really,” though Derek quickly interrupts.

“I have a small surprise,” he says with a grin that’s way too mischievous.

“Have fun then and be safe,” dad says kissing the top of my forehead. “Oh gosh Sky…your hair is all wet.”

“Sorry.”

“Take care of her.”

“I will Mr. McClair.”

“We’re doing something special today,” Derek whispers smiling on the way out the door.

“What!”

“You’re off today from work right?”

“Yes, I’m all yours.”

“Great,” he says with an even wider grin.

“Derek, you don’t have to do anything.”

“I know, but I want to,” opening the door to his SUV. “You didn’t think I was going to listen to you and not do something for your birthday did you. You weren’t getting off that easily,” placing his free hand on my thigh.

“What do you have up your sleeve?”

“Not telling you.”

“Should I start guessing now?” I ask as cutely as possible hoping he falls for it.

“How could I not do what you want with that face, but you’re not weaseling me to tell you.”

“Fine if you say so, though I know ways that would make you talk.”

He steps on the gas and we speed off, and suddenly mom’s face crosses my mind. I take in the view soaking up the refreshing breeze. “You’re taking me to the beach? But I don’t have my swim suit.”

“Already took care of that. He leans over grabbing a small bag. “For you, open it.”

“I bought that one for you, and the second one you left in the laundry room at my house. I bought it in case the new one doesn’t fit.”

“The swimsuit is great. Thank-you.”

“No problem. I know how much you love the beach, so what better way to spend your birthday than somewhere you enjoy.”

After a day at the beach, I couldn’t wait to jump in the shower. I put on the blue dress from the long shopping excursion Misty and I went on, admiring how such a small piece of fabric could possible cover my body. But I have to admit, it is very sexy, noting the plunging v-neckline could have something to do with it. The material is soft and clingy, leaving little room for flaws.

I strap on my nude stilettos testing my balance and surprisingly adjust well to the new height.

I glance in the mirror one last time, noting my curls came out how I wanted, flowing nicely down my back.

The doorbell rings and Derek is on time arriving promptly at seven. I head downstairs, taking careful steps because of the high heels.

I open the door to a well-dressed and handsome Derek. He looks fantastic, wearing a collard light blue shirt, gray dress pants, and a gray jacket.

“Wow!!! Sky, you look….you look stunning,” he stutters and I assume he is admiring the dress.

“Thanks, you’re not too bad yourself.”

“For a moment I thought it was my birthday,” he says and chuckles. “Happy Birthday,” he says embracing me tightly, planting a kiss on my cheek.

“I have a present for you, but it’s for later.”

“It doesn’t matter, you don’t have to.”

“Well, it’s already done and it’s your birthday which is a big deal to me.”

“So everyone keeps telling me,” I joke.

He opens the cranberry red car door for me and smiles once again. “What restaurant are we going to anyway, you never told me?”

“And I am still not telling you. You have to see when we get there.”

“Sky, I meant what I said, you look sensational tonight. I mean you always do, but…Wow!”

I laugh. “It’s the dress.”

“It’s the girl wearing the dress,” and gives me a wink with his mischievous smile. “Shit, I forgot.”

“Forgot what?”

“My license, we have to swing by my house to pick it up.”

“Derek you’re driving without your license?”

“Yeah, that’s why we have to go back now. I am sorry Sky, it’ll be quick.”

He apologizes again, spinning the car around. He takes off just as the light turns green, and suddenly a car plows into the driver side. Derek grips the steering wheel regaining control.

“Are you freaking crazy,” Derek yells out the window.

“Sky are you alright?”

“I’m fine. I should be asking you that question.”

“I’ll be alright just a freaking idiot that can’t drive,” and immediately another impact strikes the car.

“This is not an accident, it’s intentional,” Derek shouts his eyes taking on a raging glare.

The car is blue with very dark tints making it impossible to get a view of who is driving the car. Derek whips through traffic, taking sharp cuts and turns, trying to derail the car chasing us, but they’re steady right behind us.

“Sky, check the glove compartment.”

“There’s nothing there other than a car manual, registration information and a cologne bottle.”

“Look underneath the manual.”

I lift up the manual grabbing the gun, realizing Derek too is risking a lot having one.

The engine bellows down the street, as Derek maneuvers skillfully through traffic.

“Sky what are you doing?”

“Helping.” I head to the back seat, whining down the window and aim at the blue Mustang.

“Sky get back here. We don’t know who they are or if there are others.”

Derek accelerates even faster, both cars now aligned side by side and the driver mounds another hit. I fire another shot, and Derek swerves, slamming into the side of the car, and the Mustang rams into the car in front, causing a major collision.

I head back up front, glimpsing at an infuriated Derek. “I want to know who that was,” he huffs, and from the look on his face, knew what he wanted to do.

“We can’t go back.”

“I know that,” he yells smacking his fist against the steering wheel. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to yell at you.”

“Who would be after us?” but then quickly look at one another.

Although Derek only now works at the agency as one of their head architect, and doesn’t do assignments, we both accumulated enough enemies during the war to have anyone after us.

“Someone probably seeking revenge,” he replies.

I lay the gun on my lap, knowing whoever was after us, will not stop.

“There could be others.”

“I know,” I say and exhale.

“Sky,…”

I turn to face him. “I’ll be careful.”

“Shit, they ruined your birthday. But I’m not going to let them ruin the entire evening,” then glances at me with apprehension.

“That is if you still want to go ahead with your Birthday plans because I can cancel it if you want.”

“No, let’s get to it. I’m not letting them ruin my birthday either.”

We pull up into his driveway, and he steps out, opening my car door. “Come with me please,” gesturing for me to follow him.

“You want me to come with you?”

“Yes, not taking any chances leaving you alone in the car.”

“Derek, I’m in your driveway, I’ll be fine. I am safe.”

“Not taking any chances after what just happened.”

We walk side by side to the front door and an eruption explodes when the door opens, as loud voices shouting Surprise fills the entryway, followed by roars of Happy Birthday cheers.

I’m stunned surveying the room filled with dozens of people nicely dressed, and the music blares louder as I get closer, some already dancing. Derek leans over and kisses the top of my hair, smiling with a look of accomplishment on his face, just as I consider this could have been my last birthday.

“Happy Birthday, you surprised?” Misty asks. She grabs hold of me hugging me with a tight grip. “There’s more, you have to see outside.”

I reply thankfully to all the warm wishes, and hug as many friends and guests as I can when they approach.

“Happy Birthday kid, well you’re not a kid anymore, guess I have to stop calling you that.”

“Oh dad, you don’t have to. I’ll be sad if you stop. You’re here. I thought you had to go to the convention?”

“And miss my daughter’s twenty-first birthday, never. You’ve matured into such a beautiful young lady; poised, stunning, and smart like your mother. She would have been so proud. I am so proud.” I attempt to hold back tears as he holds me tight.

“I love you dad.”

“I love you too. You have a great set of friends; they pulled off a great surprise party.”

“Yes I do,” winking at Misty and Derek who both smile back.

The patio is all decked out with blue and white balloons, with the aroma of vanilla scented candles roving in the air, arousing my senses and I’m elated to have such great people around me. I skirt my way through the crowd making my way to where Derek and Misty are.

“You like?” Misty asks.

“Not bad right,” Derek chimes in.

“You guys are amazing. It’s absolutely perfect. I love it,” and I’m overwhelmed by the amazing effort that went into this thankful for the great group of people in my life.