The Island Flamingo: Chapter 19
The Island Flamingo
Jessica looks up at me and sighs, “I used to have role models in my youth, too. The problem is that you forget that you and that person are two different people, and even then, you don’t know the person that much. Heroes always disappoint when you get to know them. I’m sure I make you feel that way right now.”
“Th-that’s not true!” I say, “I’m confused, but not disappointed. It’s been years since you went missing from the public eye, so it’s only jarring to meet with you.”
“Tamara, let me ask you something; why do you think I went missing?”
I stare at Jessica, then, after a minute, answer her.
“You went missing during an investigation into the corruption in the management board of a Spanish corporation by the name of Primera Opción under the accusations of embezzlement of charity and employee funds, illegal deals with Russian mobsters, and using threats to whistleblowers; one involved a house bombed, and everyone who lived there suffered injuries.
“You had been last heard from in Madrid in August of 2010. When the newspaper attempted to contact you in your hotel room, they found it a complete mess; the bed covers pulled off, broken glass from the bathroom mirror on the floor, and your report was in the fridge.
“The newspaper issued a missing persons bulletin and pointed fingers at Primera Opción’s corrupt management board. They denied involvement in your disappearance but still were convicted by the evidence from employees, police, and your report.
“Still, nobody could track you down, and the search was called off in three months. Worldwide news outlet sent condolences to your newspaper, and everyone went on with their lives.
“You went missing around the same time I started college. When I found out on my first day, I was crushed. Still, I wanted to follow in your footsteps and keep studying; I wondered what happened to you and… this answers my question.”
I take a large gulp of my frappe and stare at my sandals. Fizz sits nearby; the tip of her black beak touches the white edges of my toenails.
Jessica walks over and touches my shoulder. “This is a lot for you to handle. You did get the basics of the story correct, but that’s not the whole story.”
“W-what do you mean?” I ask.
“The truth is, the Spanish corporation didn’t force me to disappear; the newspaper company did. All because of my hero, the one person I thought was my friend.”
