Against The Odds

by Senna Fisher

  The men looked at each other and wanted to laugh.

  “Creature? Tell me about the creature.”

  They took their coffee outside and closed the door. Jonathan sat with his mouth wide open as Clayton told him the story.

  “So you see, things did get a bit crazy.”

  “But you look so happy? I don’t understand?”

  “That’s because you have never been shocked to high heaven by the woman of your dreams.”

  “Clayton, stop that. Stop that right now. I can hear you.”

  Rebecca was awake and wearing jeans and a t-shirt. She looked fresh and relaxed.

  “Rebecca, how are you?”

  “Fine. I was in the shower, but I guess Big Mouth here told you everything?”

  “Well, yes, pretty much. Rebecca, I want to ask you something. Can you show me the butterfly?”

  Rebecca was silent for a bit, “okay, might as well, otherwise you will nag me. Come inside. But I will not shock you, is that clear?”

  “Okay, fine, unlike Clayton here, I have no desire to be shocked at all. I don’t like creatures or talking butterflies or lions, sorry tigers. I like things in a world I understand, like a tattoo.”

  When Jonathan had seen the tattoo, he was silent for a long time. He had never really believed that it existed and now he had to question all the other things he thought had been in Clayton’s head. He left soon afterwards and went to look for his wife.

  “Well, Double J are going to have an entertaining conversation.”

  Clayton was laughing.

  “Clayton, you seem to think all this is funny. It is not. It is horrible and ugly. I don’t want to be treated like a freak.”

  “Princess, it is funny. Don’t you see? All relationships have their problems and challenges. Double J can’t have children. Brad is in love with a woman who won’t speak to him for some reason he does not know. We have creatures. You see my point?”

  “Yes, yes. Tell me about Brad. He had some accident and didn’t want to talk about it. He sounded unusually grumpy. What is going on?”

  Clayton laughed. “He went to some meeting and says he was not paying attention. He has a few bruised ribs. But he met some woman who seems to be just like him. They had a fight, and he seemed really hurt, but I am not sure. He really likes the ladies, so, I don’t know. You know, he told me to stay away from you, and I guess I was hoping I would confess to him that I didn’t. He is going to be seriously pissed with me.”

  She laughed out. “He told me to be very careful of you, that you are charming but not to be touched, under any circumstances. He is going to be pissed with me too, especially when I tell him that I need your touch.”

  Clayton smiled.

  “We will deal with him together. Let’s get back to us. I like the fact that I am your Protector. It feels good to a man to know he can do that. It makes me feel special. You are not a freak. Just a wonderful, intriguing woman. We will work it out. For now, let me enjoy the euphoria of knowing you finally trusted me enough to tell me the truth. Let my male ego reign just for a while, okay?”

  “Okay. But I want you to be normal with me just for once. I want to have a normal relationship. Deal?”

  “Deal.”

  *****

  Chapter 17

  When they got to the restaurant, they found Blake and Zane having an animated conversation. It seemed they knew the same people. John and Chad had been playing tennis with Jackie and were sitting on the patio having a drink with Marcus and Salina. Good, Rebecca thought. The two couples are being friendly with each other. She had worried that Chad and Blake would have one of their jealousy fights and it would have a long, drawn-out war of words.

  “Hello, there! So good of you to join us,” Blake said.

  “Yes, I’m starving. I need something to eat.” Clayton was off into the restaurant.

  Zane was looking at Rebecca, “I was just having a scandal about you.”

  “Really, what evil thoughts have been working in that brain of yours, hmm?”

  “I was telling Blake about Spaz and how you put him in his place.”

  “Oh, that creep. I don’t even want to think about it. And why, dear Zane, are you entertaining yourself at my expense?”

  “Because we would love to see you and Stud-muffin there together. You are quite a dramatic couple. It is very entertaining.”

  “We think it is an act of discrimination that such a gorgeous hunk is straight. It is an outrage.” Blake was saying.

  “Oh you two, leave my man alone.”

  “Possessive, aren’t we?” Clayton had come back in and was smiling.

  “Do you guys want something to eat? Here are the menus. I had better eat something before I go crazy.”

  They were all sitting at a table on the patio when Jonathan and Jackie arrived. Jackie was a little surprised. She had expected something to be different, but the couple were happily chatting with the other couples. It was a normal lunch between friends. She looked at Clayton and he was happily charming Chad and Blake and Rebecca was having some esoteric debate with Zane.

  Jackie sat down and Jonathan stood around.

  “Jono, not joining us?”

  “Just in a minute. I need to talk to Clayton privately.”

  Clayton excused himself and they walked away. They stood far away and the two of them were deep in conversation. Jonathan did not take these matters lightly. He wanted to see that his friend was okay. He needed to see it. Rebecca always looked calm, so he did not worry so much about her. Clayton tried to comfort his friend.

  “Jono, think what it must be like for her. Imagine living with an ugly creature following you around. Imagine being afraid and not having someone to protect you from it. That is the perspective you must look through. I have no idea how I am supposed to protect her. It scares me to think about it. But I can’t let her know that. She needs to think it is okay. She just wants to feel a little happy, Jono, and I want to give her that. There are too many things we don’t know, don’t understand, but I thought I would ask George. He will help us. But for now, let us try to enjoy the moment.”

  “Yes, you really are her Protector. But we are going to discuss this later.”

  “Fine. But for now, let us go and celebrate your anniversary. What did Jackie say, by the way?”

  “As usual, she was captivated by the details. She thinks it is the greatest romance story of all time.”

  They were laughing when they got back to the others.

  “Tonight, we have are having a proper, formal dinner. Today is officially our anniversary and we want a party, okay everyone? And you Clay, it is 7 o’ clock sharp, alright?”

  “Okay, okay. I will be there on time and Jackie, I promise I will behave.”

  Clayton’s eyes were laughing at her.

  “I doubt that very much.”

  Jackie laughed, hoping that he did not behave. His life was too interesting right now.

  Zane had been watching the interaction between them. Are they having an affair? They seemed so cosy with each other. But he looked at Rebecca and she seemed completely comfortable with the way they interacted. Jonathan also seemed to accept it and was laughing with his wife. It seemed like a joke Double J shared. Well, maybe they were those couples that switch. He had seen how Jono had gone to Rebecca, touched her shoulder and asked her if she was alright. She had held his hand and nodded. It was a very intimate thing. Yes, they must be swingers. But his brain could not get round the idea that Clayton had an air of possessiveness around Rebecca. He watched her all the time, even when he was busy charming someone else. He always kept her within the range of his eyes. He would never allow another man near Rebecca in that way. He was sure he would kill him with his bare hands. He had that predator look about him, as if he would just pounce, and poof, the man would be dead. Well, these straight people do some weird things. Always complicated. That is because they have no real issues to deal with, no rejecting parents, no rejecting friends and colleagues. The
y can afford the luxury of creating complex situations. He looked at John, smiling beautifully at Rebecca. He loved that man and maybe he too would pounce on anyone who touched him.

  ~ ~ ~ ~

  After the dinner party Clayton was keen to get away, to be alone with Rebecca. He wanted to make love to her, to talk to her, to share with her. She had been a little quiet during the party, looking exquisite in a long white dress, which contrasted so beautifully with her eyes and hair. It clung to her curves and even Blake had seemed excited at the sight of her.

  Jackie, her blond hair swinging, was the belle of the ball. She wore a short gold dress, which shimmered with her as she walked. Jonathan was feeling so proud of himself. How did I find such a beautiful woman? He also wanted to leave, to enjoy his wife’s bubbly enthusiasm and laughter. If only they could have a child. She would be a wonderful mother, the way she accepts everyone gently, accepts their strange ways. He marveled at how she had accepted all this business with Clayton and even seemed to enjoy it. He was a very lucky man. He looked at Clayton and realized that the man had also accepted his circumstances graciously. He was happily chatting to the men, laughing with them. If he was scared of the future, he did not show it. He had grown to love him like a brother and worried about him all those years. Now, he worried more because his new challenges were unknown, unarticulated. Where will it all end?

  ~ ~ ~ ~

  Rebecca and Clayton awoke on the Sunday morning and stayed in bed, watching the clouds play joyfully on the mountains. They had had a pleasant evening and The Darkness had not arrived. They had left the dinner party for their own private party in their cottage and Rebecca had enjoyed Clayton’s sense of humour and funny anecdotes. They had chatted and made love and Rebecca was grateful that Clayton had made no reference to any of the issues they had to face. He seemed relaxed and lazy.

  But Rebecca was a little apprehensive this morning. They had agreed that they would call her parents and discuss everything with them. For Rebecca, it was a reminder that their relationship was not normal, something she desperately wanted to deny. For her, this was a real threat to their relationship.

  For Clayton, it was an endorsement that their relationship was not normal and he revelled in this knowledge. He loved Rebecca, and his fascination with her was fueled by the fact that she was so different and unpredictable. It took a great deal of self-discipline for him not to tease her about tigers and butterflies. He thought these complications simply enriched their relationship. He was eager to speak to her father, to establish an honest connection with a man he felt so bound to.

  *****

  1Chapter 18

  After breakfast Jonathan and Jackie came to their cottage. They wanted to be there when Clayton spoke to Rebecca’s parents and Rebecca was grateful for their presence. It made her feel like it was to be a normal discussion. When Clayton finally dialed the number, she was tense and agitated.

  “Clayton, my boy, how are you?”

  “Fine, George. Listen. I am placing the phone on speaker. Rebecca, Jono and Jackie are here. We need to discuss the matter of The Protector with you.”

  “Okay, but Clayton, please move your hand away from the button. It is creating too much static. Try your other hand. Great, that’s perfect. Which hand was on the phone?”

  “My left hand. George, what are you on about?”

  “That is your powerful hand. It has too much untapped power and was creating too much static on the phone. Now, hello Sweetpea, Jono, Jackie.”

  They all shouted a greeting at him.

  “Okay, I take it you have finally got the message that you are my baby’s Protector?”

  “Yes, but we are not sure what it means, exactly. It happened when I saw ...ur.. The Darkness thing.”

  “Good, if you can see it, you are the stronger one. What did it do?”

  “It dashed off somewhere.”

  “Very good. It fears you.”

  “George, we need to know, how can I protect Rebecca?”

  “It is called the power of love. You have one part of it and Rebecca the other. Rebecca has the body of it, the vehicle of the power and you have the key, you know, the source. The Protector always has the source. You two have to put them together. There will be a white light and it will kill the thing. There is a problem. When you create the white light, both of you have to be ready. You have to be sure that you love each other enough to die. The power is so strong and hurts so much, you might die. You both have to be willing to take that risk. If not, the light will fade and The Darkness gets stronger. The light has to completely destroy it. It screams and shouts, then breaks up and it sounds like shattered glass. You must hear that before you stop the light. If not, it will be strong enough to kill both of you.”

  Jonathan was horrified. “If they do not succeed, they die?”

  “Yes, it could be worse. One of them could die so that the other one lives with the pain and grief.”

  There was a long silence.

  “Dad, we don’t understand what this means, but sometimes when Clayton touches me, we get shocked, you know, like an electric shock. What does it mean?”

  The old man chuckled.

  “Serves him right for touching my baby.”

  Jonathan and Jackie laughed, but Clayton just glared at them.

  “Dad, stop joking. Please.”

  “Oh Sweetpea, I am so happy you finally accept that Clayton is the Protector. We were getting worried about you.”

  “Dad. I am going to tell Mother to bind your tongue. What does it mean?”

  “I am not sure because everything is so different with you two. I think Clayton has too much power and when it touches you, it goes a bit crazy. It means he is touching you in the ‘wrong’ place.”

  “Dad, please, this is not the time for fatherly protection.”

  “No, I mean he is not touching the right spot. Clayton, there is something about your left hand. You need to work that out. Check which hand causes the shock because that is the correct hand.”

  “I am not sure I fully understand what Clayton needs to do, Mr. Raymond. I understand what you say about his hand, but what must he do?”

  “I don’t know, son. But I will tell you how we did it. Rowena has an amethyst ring which has a missing part. Nana told us that the light can only be invoked when the other part is found. Long ago, before I met her, I found this strange ring with an ill-shaped amethyst on it. I kept it and when I met her, I saw that it was the missing part. We put the rings together and when the part fitted, the white light appeared. It near killed me. It is powerful and hurts like hell. You feel as if someone is tearing your skin off your whole body and ripping your heart out.”

  Rebecca shivered and Jackie’s eyes were wide. The men looked down, pretending not to be affected by the old man’s vivid description.

  “We need to work it out. Can we call you later? We need to deal with this stuff and will get back to you. Also, Rebecca is looking green here and I think she has had enough.”

  “Yes, there are other things we need to discuss. Rowena has been working on a spell to break the curse, but she needs more time. Phone me when you have worked it out. Sweetpea, your Protector is there. Don’t be afraid. You must trust him and your own instincts. Also, let Double J help you. It is great to have the extra help. Phone me if you need to talk, okay baby?”

  “Okay, yes, I will speak to you later. Bye, Dad.”

  All of them sat silently for a while. There was so much to say, yet nothing to say. Jonathan was the first to eventually speak.

  “What happens if you do nothing about it? If you simply scare it off every time?”

  Clayton was agitated.

  “That is not an option. I don’t care what happens, but I do know that Rebecca cannot, will not, spend the rest of her life having that thing coming to her and scaring her. That is not an option. I want it to stop, now.”

  Rebecca spoke softly.

  “It gets stronger every time it sees me. That is part of its s
ource of power. Once I have seen it, or it comes close, I get tired and need to sleep. It just gets stronger and stronger. Nobody has ever left it to find out what happens. I don’t know what happens.”

  “Rebecca, listen to me. That is not an option. We are not going to even consider that option.”

  Clayton was starting to pace the room, and his eyes were starting to get that icy blue.

  “Clayton, please, calm down. We need to consider all the possibilities. Also, stop trying to scare us. Sit down and stop being a tiger. It is not helping, okay?”

  Jonathan adopted a firm tone and it seemed to register with Clayton

  “Okay, sorry. I guess this is a bit difficult for me.”

  Jackie was not really listening to them, and was watching the mountain, and then she said, “yes, Nana, yes. You are right.”

  “What did you say?” Rebecca was shocked.

  “Nana says you must stop arguing and focus on Clayton’s source of power and to tell him that the power lies in the palm of his hands.”

  “Jackie, how do you know Nana?”

  “She is the woman who told me not to cry when I couldn’t fall pregnant. She told me that it would be okay. She has short red hair and comes in my dreams. Who is she Rebecca? Do you know her?”

  “Yes, of course. She was my grandmother. She was the one who got the butterfly done on me. Jackie, she was grandmother.”

  Jonathan was looking white with shock. How could that woman be Rebecca’s grandmother? Jackie always spoke about how soothing the old lady had been in her dreams. At that stage, they had not met Rebecca, because it had happened about four years ago. They had only met Rebecca the following year.

  “Jono, don’t look so devastated. She knew who Clayton was and I guess she wanted to protect him and those around him. She sent my butterfly to Clayton during his need. That is the way she was when she was alive. She fed hungry children and did magic to heal broken hearts. Relax. There is nothing weird about it.”