Page 9 of Resolutions

Something in that voice tugs at recognition. My heart pounds as I sink back onto the bench.

“Good girl, see, you can listen.”

“Why hello there?” My aunt's voice suddenly emanates from the box. I flip it over, sending packing peanuts flying as an iPad slides out. My breath catches in my throat at the scene on screen. My aunt sits at their kitchen table, a desk phone before her. “It's so nice of you to come make sure we'll be able to see my niece's wedding on the big TV,” she says to someone off-camera. My whole body goes cold.

An enormous man enters the frame, at least six-foot-five of solid muscle. His white tank top strains across his chest, sky-blue coveralls tied at his waist. A skull tattoo covers his bald head. My mom shuffles beside him, her small hand looped through his massive arm, completely vulnerable.

NO! I jump up and look around the room. I must help them.

“Melanie, sit down and we'll talk.” The calmness of his voice causes me to look at the iPad again.

“Who - who is that?” My voice comes out as a whisper.

“He works for me and he's very good at his job, extremely clean.” The voice savors each word. “Let's just say he has a particular set of talents.”

After settling Mom in her chair, the man turns his own chair around, straddling it across from the women. He dwarfs them both.

“Would you like a coffee?” my aunt asks brightly. When he nods, she hurries off the screen. She has no idea she's serving coffee to her potential murderer.

“What's happening? I don't understand.” The words feel thick in my mouth.

“Put down the iPad,” the voice orders. I comply, but keep it visible.

“Here's what's going to happen - you are not getting married today.”

“I'm what? Of course I'm getting married.” Hysteria edges into my voice.

“No, Melanie, you're not. You're going to do exactly what I tell you.” The hatred dripping from his words chills me to the bone. “Now, sit down.”

I remain standing, trembling. I see my phone and make a grab for it.

“Fine, if you're going to call my bluff.” The voice sneers.

I spin to the iPad to see the man on the screen touch his ear. “I own a nice speedboat, docked right down the road. Maybe you ladies would like a ride?” the man sips his coffee and gives a slight nod. “I bet you'd like to go out on the water.”

“No!” I whisper.

“Sit down, Melanie.”

“Oh, it's been so long since we've been on a boat. Wouldn't that be fun, dear?” my aunt says brightly. Mom just smiles vacantly, clutching her stuffed giraffe. “I think, one of these days, we'll take you up on that offer.”

My heart shatters.

“MELANIE! Unless you want them to go swimming, PLANT YOUR ASS!” The phone voice's bellow makes me jump and drop it. I scramble to retrieve the phone and mine with trembling fingers.

“I'm calling the police.”

“Oh, I don't think so. I can have those sweet old ladies loaded and gone before you dial the first number. Did I fail to mention I have your phone bugged?”

A doorbell rings on the iPad. “They're with me,” the skull-tattooed man tells my aunt as she opens the door to two more massive thugs.

Oh God. “Their in-nocent, p-please don't, please don't hurt them.” My voice gives away my inner panic and fear.

My aunt brings coffees for the new guys as they pull out chairs and sit around the table. Mom hands her giraffe to the nearest one and begins coloring. I close my eyes.

Fighting for composure, I whisper, “What are you going to do to them?”

“I'm curious - do you think Mommy can swim back to shore from ten miles out?” His voice turns contemplative, almost dreamy. “Personally, I doubt it - not with her condition. Would she even understand she's drowning? And your aunt? Goodness, those health problems of hers. She definitely won't make it. But it might be entertaining to watch them try. I'll make sure the guys put cameras on them so we can watch together. Should I make the popcorn or do you want to?”

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