Find a Reason to Feel
4
I stand in front of the apartment door, shaking in anticipation. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for. My questions will all be answered.
I knock on the door loudly, making sure she’d be able to hear it.
“COMING!” A gruff voice calls.
My heart sinks as I realize it was a male’s voice. What if she has a new boyfriend? Or even worse, a husband.
The door swings open and a man about the age of 50 stands in front of me. His white tank top clings to his beer belly and has various stains. “Yeah?”
“Hi sir. I’m sorry to bother you but I have a friend Emma who lives here.” I explain.
“No you don’t.” He rolls his eyes. “I’m the only one who lives here.”
My heart sinks. “Do you know any of the previous tenants?”
“Look kid, I don’t know who you are but you aren’t going to find out anything from me.” The man folds his arms across his chest and glares at me.
“Then what about your landlord?” I huff in frustration.
“Ask him whatever you want.” He takes a swig from the beer in his hand.
“What is his name?” I press.
“Jesus Christ kid. It’s something Donavan. I can’t remember the dude’s name. I just call him whenever the plumbing is backed up. Can I go now?” The man groans.
“Yes. Thank you sir.” I smile politely and high tail it the fuck out of there.
I hop in the waiting cab and ask him to take me to the nearest car dealership.
It’s going to take longer to find her than I thought.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I drive in my freshly rented, Jeep Wrangler to Michael Donovan’s real estate building. After I met with that beer-drinking buffoon, I went back to the hotel and Googled Donovan realty every which way. It came up with a few women, but I finally found Michael’s. I’m almost positive that he’s the one who has that property.
My car sticks out like a sore thumb in the Brooklyn traffic but I don’t really care. All that matters is that I get to this stupid real estate building in one piece. The building comes into view and my heart rate goes off the charts for the third time today. I park, and physically run to his office. When I arrive, I’m out of breath.
“I need to meet with Mr. Donovan.” I huff to the receptionist.
“Right away.” She looks at me, almost scared.
She disappears behind closed doors and comes back with a tall, middle aged man.
“What can I do for you sir?” He shakes my hand.
“Hey Mr. Donovan. I’m Jack Barakat. I had a couple questions about a property you are renting out right now and previous tenants.”
“Follow me to my office.” He nods.
I sit in a chair in his office as he shuts the door.
“So what do you need to know about these previous tenants?” Mr. Donovan questions me.
“I had a friend who disappeared. It’s been noted that she rented one of these apartments and I’m just trying to track her down. She’s really turned my world upside down.” I explain.
He nods his head in understanding. “I see. Well unfortunately I just can’t go around giving out information like that.”
I show him the picture of her in my wallet. “This is the girl.”
He analyzes the picture. “This is an older picture of Mae, isn’t it? She looks young here.”
“Mae?” I furrow my eyebrows. “No, that’s Emma.”
“No, this is Mae. I could pick this girl out of a lineup. She’s changed quite a bit from this photo so I’m not sure if you would even notice her. When she was renting one of my properties, she had issues every now and then and I would come help. Towards the end, she had dyed her hair auburn and cut it shoulder length. She was quite a nice girl, but she didn’t stay with me too long.”
“Why is that?” I ask.
“She made enough money to afford somewhere better. I don’t know if you’ve seen the property Mr. Barakat but it isn’t a property for a lady such as herself. Especially given her circumstances.” He explains, handing the picture back to me.
“Circumstances?” I ask. Was she sick?
“Mr. Barakat I don’t know how I can help you.” He ignores my question. “I’m unable to give out information.”
I think for a moment. “Do you think you could answer a few questions?”
“I can try.” He promises.
“Did she say she liked New York?” I muse.
“No, actually she quite hated it. She said it was too loud and busy for her.” He answers.
“Did she ever talk about where she might want to live someday?” I press.
“Yes. She said she wanted to live somewhere more like Boston.” Mr. Donovan laughs. “I told her every which way she couldn’t afford it but I think that’s what pushed her. She worked very hard.”
“So did she move to Boston?” My leg jumps up and down.
“I’m not positive, but I believe so.” He nods. “She was very excited to get out of here.”
I breathe out a sigh of relief and slump back in my chair. “Mae you said her name was?”
“Yes it was sir.” He confirms.
“That’s bizarre. Her name is definitely Emma. You’re positive it’s the same girl in the picture?” I stare at the photograph in my hands.
“Could pick her out of a lineup.” He repeats.
“Where did she work?” I ask, just plain curious at this point.
“She had two jobs. One was at a bookstore, which she very much enjoyed, but the other was at a diner down the street from here. She didn’t hate the job, but it wasn’t her favorite.” He explains.
“Did she live with anyone?” I ask my most feared question.
“I’m sorry Mr. Barakat but that is getting a little too close to her personal life. I’m just trying to help you find her. That’s a question you’ll have to ask her yourself.” He half smiles.
“Well that’s all the questions I have for you.” I smile and shake his hand. “You helped me out a lot today. I really do appreciate this.”
“How did you know Mae, I mean, er-Emma, Mr. Barakat?” He shakes my hand.
“She was the love of my life sir.” I chuckle.
He smiles at me and nods. “I wish you the best of luck on your journey. If you find her, tell her I say hello. She really was a special girl.”
“I know.” I agree. “She was the best.”
I leave his office, excited and nervous. Every time I think I’m getting close, she’s a step ahead of me. I get in my car and drive back to the hotel to gather my things.
I fly around the hotel room, stuffing everything I own back into my suitcase. My phone rings a few times and I answer.
“Hey Jack-o.” Alex says.
“Hey man.” I sigh.
“How’s it going?”
“It’s going.” I rub the back of my neck. “She wasn’t at the shelter and she wasn’t at the apartment she rented. I talked with the landlord of the apartment and he said she might have moved to Boston. Apparently she talked about it quite a bit.”
“That’s not too far from you.” Alex says excitedly. “Are you sure I can’t come with you? I miss her too.”
“Not now. When I get everything straightened out with her, then you can come see her. I just want her to focus on one person at a time.” I explain.
“Ok, ok.” Alex grumbles. “Just stay safe. Let me know when you find her.”
“Did you know she changed her name?” I ask.
“What? No. She’s Emma.” He laughs.
“Not anymore. She changed her name to Mae. That’s what the landlord said. He said she cut her hair off and dyed it red.”
“Shit.” Alex whistles. “She took this disappearing thing pretty seriously.”
“Agreed. Let me go, I’m getting out of here.” I sigh.
“Drive safe man. Let me know when you find her. Stay strong.” He reminds me.
“See ya ‘Lex.”
“Bye Jack.”
The phone line goes dead and I shove my phone in my pocket. I grab the remainder of my things and head downstairs to the gift shop. I make sure to buy lots of food and water because I have a long road ahead of me.
Screw flying, I’m driving to Boston.
I knock on the door loudly, making sure she’d be able to hear it.
“COMING!” A gruff voice calls.
My heart sinks as I realize it was a male’s voice. What if she has a new boyfriend? Or even worse, a husband.
The door swings open and a man about the age of 50 stands in front of me. His white tank top clings to his beer belly and has various stains. “Yeah?”
“Hi sir. I’m sorry to bother you but I have a friend Emma who lives here.” I explain.
“No you don’t.” He rolls his eyes. “I’m the only one who lives here.”
My heart sinks. “Do you know any of the previous tenants?”
“Look kid, I don’t know who you are but you aren’t going to find out anything from me.” The man folds his arms across his chest and glares at me.
“Then what about your landlord?” I huff in frustration.
“Ask him whatever you want.” He takes a swig from the beer in his hand.
“What is his name?” I press.
“Jesus Christ kid. It’s something Donavan. I can’t remember the dude’s name. I just call him whenever the plumbing is backed up. Can I go now?” The man groans.
“Yes. Thank you sir.” I smile politely and high tail it the fuck out of there.
I hop in the waiting cab and ask him to take me to the nearest car dealership.
It’s going to take longer to find her than I thought.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I drive in my freshly rented, Jeep Wrangler to Michael Donovan’s real estate building. After I met with that beer-drinking buffoon, I went back to the hotel and Googled Donovan realty every which way. It came up with a few women, but I finally found Michael’s. I’m almost positive that he’s the one who has that property.
My car sticks out like a sore thumb in the Brooklyn traffic but I don’t really care. All that matters is that I get to this stupid real estate building in one piece. The building comes into view and my heart rate goes off the charts for the third time today. I park, and physically run to his office. When I arrive, I’m out of breath.
“I need to meet with Mr. Donovan.” I huff to the receptionist.
“Right away.” She looks at me, almost scared.
She disappears behind closed doors and comes back with a tall, middle aged man.
“What can I do for you sir?” He shakes my hand.
“Hey Mr. Donovan. I’m Jack Barakat. I had a couple questions about a property you are renting out right now and previous tenants.”
“Follow me to my office.” He nods.
I sit in a chair in his office as he shuts the door.
“So what do you need to know about these previous tenants?” Mr. Donovan questions me.
“I had a friend who disappeared. It’s been noted that she rented one of these apartments and I’m just trying to track her down. She’s really turned my world upside down.” I explain.
He nods his head in understanding. “I see. Well unfortunately I just can’t go around giving out information like that.”
I show him the picture of her in my wallet. “This is the girl.”
He analyzes the picture. “This is an older picture of Mae, isn’t it? She looks young here.”
“Mae?” I furrow my eyebrows. “No, that’s Emma.”
“No, this is Mae. I could pick this girl out of a lineup. She’s changed quite a bit from this photo so I’m not sure if you would even notice her. When she was renting one of my properties, she had issues every now and then and I would come help. Towards the end, she had dyed her hair auburn and cut it shoulder length. She was quite a nice girl, but she didn’t stay with me too long.”
“Why is that?” I ask.
“She made enough money to afford somewhere better. I don’t know if you’ve seen the property Mr. Barakat but it isn’t a property for a lady such as herself. Especially given her circumstances.” He explains, handing the picture back to me.
“Circumstances?” I ask. Was she sick?
“Mr. Barakat I don’t know how I can help you.” He ignores my question. “I’m unable to give out information.”
I think for a moment. “Do you think you could answer a few questions?”
“I can try.” He promises.
“Did she say she liked New York?” I muse.
“No, actually she quite hated it. She said it was too loud and busy for her.” He answers.
“Did she ever talk about where she might want to live someday?” I press.
“Yes. She said she wanted to live somewhere more like Boston.” Mr. Donovan laughs. “I told her every which way she couldn’t afford it but I think that’s what pushed her. She worked very hard.”
“So did she move to Boston?” My leg jumps up and down.
“I’m not positive, but I believe so.” He nods. “She was very excited to get out of here.”
I breathe out a sigh of relief and slump back in my chair. “Mae you said her name was?”
“Yes it was sir.” He confirms.
“That’s bizarre. Her name is definitely Emma. You’re positive it’s the same girl in the picture?” I stare at the photograph in my hands.
“Could pick her out of a lineup.” He repeats.
“Where did she work?” I ask, just plain curious at this point.
“She had two jobs. One was at a bookstore, which she very much enjoyed, but the other was at a diner down the street from here. She didn’t hate the job, but it wasn’t her favorite.” He explains.
“Did she live with anyone?” I ask my most feared question.
“I’m sorry Mr. Barakat but that is getting a little too close to her personal life. I’m just trying to help you find her. That’s a question you’ll have to ask her yourself.” He half smiles.
“Well that’s all the questions I have for you.” I smile and shake his hand. “You helped me out a lot today. I really do appreciate this.”
“How did you know Mae, I mean, er-Emma, Mr. Barakat?” He shakes my hand.
“She was the love of my life sir.” I chuckle.
He smiles at me and nods. “I wish you the best of luck on your journey. If you find her, tell her I say hello. She really was a special girl.”
“I know.” I agree. “She was the best.”
I leave his office, excited and nervous. Every time I think I’m getting close, she’s a step ahead of me. I get in my car and drive back to the hotel to gather my things.
I fly around the hotel room, stuffing everything I own back into my suitcase. My phone rings a few times and I answer.
“Hey Jack-o.” Alex says.
“Hey man.” I sigh.
“How’s it going?”
“It’s going.” I rub the back of my neck. “She wasn’t at the shelter and she wasn’t at the apartment she rented. I talked with the landlord of the apartment and he said she might have moved to Boston. Apparently she talked about it quite a bit.”
“That’s not too far from you.” Alex says excitedly. “Are you sure I can’t come with you? I miss her too.”
“Not now. When I get everything straightened out with her, then you can come see her. I just want her to focus on one person at a time.” I explain.
“Ok, ok.” Alex grumbles. “Just stay safe. Let me know when you find her.”
“Did you know she changed her name?” I ask.
“What? No. She’s Emma.” He laughs.
“Not anymore. She changed her name to Mae. That’s what the landlord said. He said she cut her hair off and dyed it red.”
“Shit.” Alex whistles. “She took this disappearing thing pretty seriously.”
“Agreed. Let me go, I’m getting out of here.” I sigh.
“Drive safe man. Let me know when you find her. Stay strong.” He reminds me.
“See ya ‘Lex.”
“Bye Jack.”
The phone line goes dead and I shove my phone in my pocket. I grab the remainder of my things and head downstairs to the gift shop. I make sure to buy lots of food and water because I have a long road ahead of me.
Screw flying, I’m driving to Boston.
ahh update pleaseeeeee
5/3/14