The Dark Shadow of Thursday

by H P Steven

  Kalliope came back into the room, I was pretty-sleepy. As she jumped back into bed, she shook me a little and bit my ear. “Hey, are you awake?”

  “Hmm,” was the only thing I could come up with.

  “Do you want me to be the big spoon tonight?” Kalliope asked giving me a massive beer hug. I couldn’t stop laughing and woke up and turned over. “Wow, sorry about that, I started falling asleep,” I whispered.

  “So do you want me to be the big spoon?” Kalliope asked, kissing me again.

  “No, that’s cool,” I put my hand on her hip and she wiggled up closer to me.

  “I like being the big spoon,” I replied, kissing Kalliope back.

  “Good.” Kalliope giggled. Turning over so my heads just on top of her head.

  “I like it to.” I kissed her on the shoulder. “Good night,” Kalliope added.

  “Hmm,” I added back getting her to roll over again. As we started kissing again. That’s all that really happened that night. We stayed like that for a while then she rolled back over and we went to sleep. It wasn’t till the next morning I remembered I didn’t have a rubber on me, so I guess I was happy it didn’t go much further. The fact the screaming old Italian lady that woke us. Had us both in fits of laughter.

  “Where do all you bloody birds come from!” We could hear her yelling, “get out of here!”

  I couldn’t stop laughing and I could feel Kalliope trying not to laugh to loudly. With that I kissed her on the shoulder again and whispered, “Good morning, your neighbours a freak show.” Which made her roll over then try and pin my hands next to my head. “Stop it,” I joked. “I’ll over power you,” I added laughing.

  “Nope, you need to apologise or else I’m gonna lick your eye ball! Yeah I’m weird,” Kalliope snapped.

  I couldn’t stop laughing. “Your dopey, cut it out.” I wrapped my hands in front of her chest and rolled her over and kissed her on the shoulder. Our hands still locked up.

  “So is that strong enough for you?” Kalliope asked.

  “You know I meant something completely different. But hey, nice try!” I joked.

  She tried it again. I couldn’t stop laughing. So, I get her in a bear hug while being the big spoon, and whispered in her ear, “Tell me something about you?” I asked.

  “Well, I’m having a birthday party next week without the guy I’m seeing. He seems really nice. But isn’t going to be there,” Kalliope remarked.

  “What, who is this guy?” I asked.

  She rolled over and we’re face to face. “You are, aren’t you?

  “You like to rush don’t you,” I said. “I guess I haven’t really gotten to that box yet. so, I haven’t ticked it. I’m just wanting to be respectful.”

  “What does that mean?” Kalliope asked.

  “It means that I’m getting to know you and that’s the best part of a relationship. I think of you as someone I’m wanting to get to know better. And I’m stoked about that,” I said.

  Kalliope just smiled at me and called me “weird.”

  “Hey, I can’t hear the old crazy lady anymore, do you think the birds are rallying to sweep down on her.”

  “Nah she’s probably just gone back inside. She’ll be back out there later,” Kalliope laughed.

  “Ah cool, so do you want to come back to mine, so I can have a shower then maybe head somewhere for brunch?” I asked.

  “Oh brunch buddies, but we’re not boyfriend and girlfriend,” Kalliope joked.

  As I smiled back. “Are you happy. Cause I am. I’m happy to be in this bed with you,” I added. Cuddling up to her, I heard her suddenly breathe out.

  “Sure, let’s go up to yours.”

  “We don’t have to go just yet. But I’m gonna need to finger brush my teeth again,” I whispered. I quickly ducked into the bathroom. Without Kalliope’s flatmates seeing me who are now sitting down watching TV.

  “Hey Phil!” I heard Brett yell out. “Nice boxers.”

  I quickly finger brush my teeth. Thinking I can’t wait to get home and have a shower and brush them properly.

  “Hey guys, morning,” I quickly replied to Brett and Ann-Marie, now watching me, as I walked back to Kalliope’s room. One way to get rid of morning breathe. I hopped back into bed with Kalliope, and she tried to wrestle me again, “Hey is this a Greek thing?” I asked.

  “No, it’s a me thing.”

  “Well, I’m not sure I like it,” I joked. Jumping up on to my knees ready to tangle up. Before laughing again and crossing my legs and sitting at the end of Kalliope’s bed. I heard Ann-Marie yell out to Kalliope. Kalliope went out to the lounge to talk to her. I got up and put my jeans back on and laid down on top of the covers waiting for Kalliope to come back in.

  “Hey Phil, I’ve got to go and get a few things for the party today. As Ann-Marie only has a car only for today unfortunately. So, we need to get a few things sorted,” Kalliope declared.

  “Yeah no problem, I’m gonna go home then go for a run.”

  Kalliope looking at me funny trying not to laugh. “Hey I occasionally run,” I replied pulling her back on to the bed. “You can always come along this afternoon if your free.”

  “I might be quite busy,” Kalliope added.

  “No worries,” I replied, getting up. Kalliope gave me a hug. Then laughed and pulled away before leaning in for a kiss. “I’ll call you later,” Kalliope added.

  “Sounds good.” Walking me out, before kissing me a little bit longer this time.

  So, again I headed home alone in dire need of a shower and some breakfast. Second morning in a row, I’ve ended up doing the walk of shame from the same house.

  As I left I finally saw a couple of pigeons and laughed to myself. As I turn the corner I made the effort to go to Somerfield’s to get some bread and something to eat.

  As I walked across the foot bridge over the train tracks home. I quickly took my phone out and text Anna. Not really thinking. Just didn’t want to lose someone like her from my life. At that point in time.

  Having a great morning, looking forward to calling you today, when’s a good time.

  As my phones out I checked my messages. I got Hannah to send me with the code to the gate.

  Oh man, I thought to myself, as I walked through the front door and headed off straight to the bathroom after dropping off my shopping in the kitchen. Quickly grabbing a towel on the way and showering. Feeling so good to be out of last night’s clothes and under the shower head. Finally getting out of the shower I heard Hannah.

  “Hey Phil, are you home? Are you gonna put your groceries away?”

  I jumped out of the shower, wrapped the towel around my waist and picked up my clothes and headed off to my room.

  Yelling out.“Hey Hannah yip, just needed a shower, I’ll just get changed and be there in a few minutes.”

  Just as my phone vibrates.

  Hi Phil,

  um I should be free in a couple of hours, I’ll text back when I am, I’m just heading to the hospital to see my brother, can’t wait to chat,

  Anna

  Chucking my phone on my bed and quickly getting changed I go out to see Hannah in the kitchen.

  “Ah morning Hannah, I’ll take care of those. What’s you got planned today?” I asked.

  “Um, thought I might go for a run in about an hour if your keen?” She replied.

  “Yeah that sounds great, I’ll just have some breakfast and brush the pearly whites. Keen for a coffee after?”

  “Yeah sounds good, won’t be long one. Maybe an easy five kilometres,” Hannah remarked.

  “Yeah sounds good to me.”

  “So how’s Kalliope?” Hannah asked

  “Um, good I guess. Did you know it was her birthday next weekend?” I asked.

  “Nah no idea, she’s only just started at work so I don’t really know her that well,” Hannah said.

  “Yeah, probably gonna go out for dinner or a drink on Wednesday night if you and Devin are keen. If its local I might
see if Mike and Louise are keen for a couple to,” I declared.

  “Um, I’ll see how it goes, but I’ll ask Devin for sure,” Hannah added, shaking her head.

  “What’s with the shaking head?” I asked.

  “You know how I feel about this whole thing. I’ll be a great mate, but I think you’re being an idiot,” Hannah insisted.

  “Yeah I know, I’m just not sure what’s going on. But Kalliope’s amazing, I’m just not sure I can easily walk away from that. But, if it does come to that I don’t want to hurt her. She’s pretty amazing. Why does this always happen to me?” I asked.

  “Well, knowing your luck she’ll find someone immediately better and marry them and have three kids, after you, ha,” Hannah laughed.

  “Yeah just call me Chuck, good luck Chuck,” I joked.

  “Anyway, have some toast and get sorted,” Hannah insisted.

  “Yeah too easy, I’ll be ready in an hour.” Putting a couple of slices of bread into the toaster. “Luncheon on toast the breakfast of champions. What are we watching?” I asked.

  “Ah just some Sunday morning rubbish on TV,” Hannah responded.

  “Ha, nice one. Oh man, we need to empty the dishwasher,” I commented, leaning in trying to find room for my plate.

  “Yeah hurry up let’s go for a run we can sort the dishwasher later,” Hannah added.

  “Yeah no hurry Wandsworth park isn’t going anywhere, so slow your role.” I laughed. “Give me 10 minutes, are you taking keys?” I asked.

  “Yeah, just grab your phone and money card for the coffees,” Hannah joked.

  “Yeah no worries, lets hit it,” I declared. Having grabbed everything I needed and put my runners on. As we walked off towards the park I asked Hannah.

  “So what do you think I should do?”

  “Yeah, I’ve got no idea, I’m still shocked you’ve made it this far,” Hannah teased before starting to slowly jog.

  Just enough time for her to hear me say, “Fair enough,”

  Making the both of us laugh. We both ended up jogging to the park. Where weren’t the only ones there. So good to clear the head and go for a light jog on a Sunday.

  After a modest walk/jog five km we ended up at the end of Kalliope’s street having a coffee and laughing, when Kalliope popped her head in.

  “Hey you two, looking sweaty,” Kalliope observed.

  “Yeah we just went for a run around Wandsworth park and headed in here for a coffee,” I replied.

  “Oh cool, I’ve got heaps on, I’ll see you at work tomorrow Hannah, bye Phil,” Kalliope insisted, leaning in for a kiss.

  “Yeah, I told Hannah about Wednesday, and might see if Mike wants to come along as well, should be a good night. Dinner or possibly drinks and a dance off,” I declared, smiling at Kalliope.

  “Sounds good,” Kalliope smiled, leaning in again.

  I kissed her before she told me, “I’ll call you later,”

  “Have a great day,” Kalliope added.

  With that, she’s back out into the world to organise her birthday party for the following week. Hannah and I, finished our coffees.

  “Hey Hannah, do you want a take away for the walk home?” I asked.

  “Yeah sounds good,” Hannah replied.

  By the time we got home we’re laughing about something stupid. As my phone starts vibrating, I check to see who it is.

  “So who’s that?” Hannah asked. I checked my phone and looked at Hannah and mouthed, “its Anna.”

  “Wow, you suck, good luck with that,” Hannah laughed before heading into the house. I took a quick look at the message.

  Hi Phil just got home, be free in ten minutes, Anna

  I followed Hannah in and threw my empty take away cup in the rubbish bin.

  “Hey Hannah, I might see if Cam and Susan are free for dinner, in the next few weeks, possibly when you and Devin are back,” I announced, before heading into my room.

  Sitting on the chair next to my desk, slightly sweaty. I dialled Anna’s number and waited for her to pick up, and tried and think of something cool to say.

  “Hello Anna speaking.”

  “Hi, how’s your brother?” I asked.

  “Um, brothers good, who’s this?” Anna asked.

  “Wow, you’ve forgotten me already, its Phil,” I said

  “Oh sorry, Hi Phil, how’s London?” Anna asked.

  “Um, really good thanks, how’s New Zealand?” I asked.

  “Yeah cold, but my brothers doing really well, well enough, I might be back in London on Friday week and I think we should talk,” Anna insisted.

  “Ah cool, that’ll be great. Be great to see you again,” I said.

  “So what’s been happening?” Anna asked.

  “Not a lot just catching up with mates and had a few farewell parties. Got my mates daughter’s birthday party this coming Saturday and I’m making the cake.”

  “Oh nice, how’s the writing going?” Anna asked.

  “Yeah really well, got a meeting with the agent on Thursday morning. So handing in a couple more chapters, which should be a fun day. Gets me back into the city anyway,” I replied.

  “That sounds really busy,” Anna declared.

  “Yeah it has been. But, I’ve got the greatest person inspiring me, so thanks for that.”

  “Wow, wasn’t expecting that?” Anna remarked.

  “Well too bad,” I joked, laughing down the phone. “I always find inspiration so easily from those around me.”

  “So what’s on today?” Anna asked.

  “Um, not a lot, just had a coffee after going for a run. I’m gonna need a shower then, I’ll probably just relax at home. Possibly get some words down. How about you?” I asked.

  “Not much, might have a shower and go to bed. Was good seeing my brother today, he’s doing so much better.”

  “Oh, I’ll let you go and we can both go and have a shower. So good to speak to you, looking forward to going for that walk,” I said.

  “Yeah me too, talk again before I head back over. Been great talking to you, no doubt I can expect some more drunken texts till I’m back,” Anna laughed.

  “Yeah possibly,” I added.

  “See ya,” Anna announced.

  “Bye, talk again soon.” Hanging up, I grabbed a towel and headed off to the bathroom to have a shower.

  9

  The Fields I rest my Head in

  Woken as a stream of sunlight pierced the darkness that was my room. Tossing the covers off myself, agitated by being woken up from my comfortable slumber. I walked out into the lounge, finding Hannah already there.

  “Morning Hannah, have fun at work.” I slumped down on a seat next to the couch making a silent note of I get to sit around all day in my pj’s. Not entirely true but still fun to wind up Hannah.

  “So what have you got planned for today?”

  “Probably clean up a bit, then set up my desk. I need to print off some pages. Heading in to see Audrey on Thursday,” I remarked.

  Hannah smiled. “Oh, who’s Audrey? She sounds like a lovely old lady.”

  “She’s my literary agent. I need to go in and see if she liked the last pages I gave to her. Hopefully there won’t be a massive selection of changes,” I explained.

  “So what are you gonna do if she does want changes?” Hannah asked.

  “Re-read and work on it, till it’s right. She’s a pretty straight shooter, which I like, So what’s on your agenda today?”

  “Not a lot. Hey are we still going out for dinner with Kalliope on Wednesday?” Hannah asked.

  “Yeah if she’s free. A small meal down the Duke and a couple bottles of wine I reckon. Not a huge one,” I added.

  “Ah Cool, Devin text me this morning and is keen as well. Are you gonna let Mike know?” Hannah Added.

  “Yeah, probably should aye.”

  “So sorted then,” Hannah joked. “Hey, I’m gonna head off. I’ll catch you later on,” Hannah added.

  “Yeah, have a great day,�
�� I replied.

  Just as Hannah left and I wandered into the kitchen to sort out breakfast, Can’t possibly write on an empty stomach. Helping myself to some really old pizza, it wasn’t quite stale but for now it filled the gap and started cleaning up the kitchen. Making sure I took something out of the freezer to start defrosting for dinner. I grabbed the vacuum from the hall way closet and sat down to have breakfast.

  I’m sat there finishing up a slice, watching TV. As my phone vibrated. Luckily it’s Kalliope.

  Morning, really looking forward to Wednesday night. Have a great day today! Kalliope

  I smiled and text back.

  Hi Kalliope, have a great day, looking forward to Wednesday too. Phil

  Oh well, time to get sorted, I thought to myself.

  So, I finished off breakfast. Quickly cleaned everything up and hit my desk and got ready to finish off the chapters, I needed to edit and print off for Thursday.

  I also needed to go for a run. So setting up the printer once I was happy with some quick edits. I got ready to go for a run while the pages were getting printed off.

  Starting the printer. I’m out the door, just needed to clear my head again. So much going through my mind at that moment. I needed a quick run around the park and back, getting through the front door just as the last of the pages were being printed out. Laughing to myself, that I had beaten the machine. I quickly went and had a shower and flicked Hannah a text.

  Hey Hannah, do you want to meet up after work today and go get a meal, or should I chuck something in the oven, Phil.

  Once out of the shower I sorted the pages into order and put them in a waterproof folder. Placing them on top of my desk so they were all ready to go to Audrey. Heading back out into the living room to quickly do some vacuuming.

  Luckily my phone rang interrupting my train of thought.

  “Hi Audrey.” I laughed answering the call.

  “Hi Phil, how’s it’s all going?” she asked.

  “Yeah no complaints, just getting those chapters ready for you on Thursday and was about to start the vacuum cleaner. So this phone call came at a great time. I might head out and try get a few other chapters sorted also,” I joked.