Memory

I didn’t remember how I got to the beach. I didn’t remember what happened to me for the last few hours. I sat up and looked around. Thankfully no one was on the beach. My clothes were torn to almost tatters and shreds, plus I was wet. My hair had been up in my favorite style, but now my raven hair hung down past my shoulders.

I prayed that my roommate wasn’t home. I didn’t want to have to explain what I didn’t know. Marcy would call my sister and my brother, which I didn’t need. I had to find out what the hell happened to me. When I got home, I didn’t see Marcy’s car. Her sometimes boyfriend, Edward, was sitting in our driveway. He looked like they had another heated argument. He looked despondent. So, he didn’t notice as I walked past him and into the house.

What I found next took my breath away. Marcy lay on the living room floor, she was breathing shallowly, but she had bruises and blood on her face and shoulders.

“Oh My God! Marcy, what the fuck happened?! Don’t worry I’ll get help,” I shouted as I scrambled for the phone. My first aid training kicked in while I was on the phone with nine one one. Marcy was holding on. She couldn’t die, not now, I tried to hold it together as I listened to the dispatcher’s instructions. I did everything I was told.

After ten minutes, the EMTs walked in. They wanted to take me also, but I had to tell them that I would be fine. I lied and told them that I had just come from a movie set where I was an extra. After they took Marcy, I looked out my window. Edward was gone. He had done something to her or saw something happen. Right now, I had to shower and pull myself together. I had to find out what went on last night. My phone was missing and so was my purse with all my stuff in it.

“Ah damn.” I thought as I showered and washed my hair. The saltwater was drying and making my scalp fiery. Once I added my shampoo, it calmed down. I could finally think. The last thing I remembered was dancing with a handsome man. He was gorgeous. This man wore all white, which I found odd but it suited him. His skin was a rich deep sable brown. I remember leaning into him as we slow danced. He smelled like coco butter and the ocean.

This party was on a boat, Shari Green’s boat to be exact. I wondered why no one else had called me, when I realized only a few people had my landline number. Shari was one, and Marcy. Everyone else would call my cell phone.

After I showered and got dressed, it was time to tackle my hair. I forgot I had to detangle it , before the wash. I hated detangling this mess of curls, but with everything that had happened, maybe it would help me think. Just as I slathered on my deep conditioner, my phone rang.

“Girl, what happened to you? Everyone was worried about you. We saw you go off with Mr. fine and dandy, but you left everything on my boat. Your phone, your purse. You must have had a hell of a night.” Said Shari.

“Shi, I don’t even know where to begin. Who invited him anyway? There is a lot of stuff to tell, but I’d rather not do it over the phone. I’m doing my hair so why don’t you head over. “ I said as I pulled the detangling brush through my curls.

“Say no more. Angie and a few others had a night too. She finally got with Jamal. I saw him doing the walk of shame this morning. I’ll grab your stuff and head over. I know you need some help with all that hair. I’ll bring my kit too, “laughed Shari.

“Well, mystery number one solved. Now to see what is up with Marcy. I pray she’s ok.”

It was almost noon when Shari arrived. She had been my best friend since middle school. We always knew when something was going on and today was no different. As soon as she came in, I lost my shit. She hugged me so tight and just let me cry. I told her all about Marcy, and how I found her. I left out waking up on the beach with no memory of what happened other than my shredded clothes. I didn’t want to have her worrying about me.

I did tell her about Marcy and how I found her. Just as she finished detangling my hair, the phone rang. It was Edward. I looked at the phone and then back at Shari.

“Hi, Ed. What’s up?” I said.

“Luna, I didn’t do that to Marcy. When I got here some kind of creature was in there fighting her. I tried to help. I broke a vase over its head, that only made it madder. I wasn’t going to let it kill her, Lu. I just kept punching it, kicking it but that thing didn’t feel anything. It flung me across the room, into a wall, then it left. I found Marcy the same way you did. I was in shock. “ he said trying to keep his voice from cracking.