Eunoia

by R J Johnson

  “Don’t be like that…” Scott scolded her. “Either Alex is already dead and we’re the only ones who can stop Kline, or he’s not and he’s out there doing something else.”

  Emily cast her eyes downward as Christina slapped her boyfriend. Scott was kind, loving, but ever since Alex left, he hadn’t been too kind about his friend’s disappearance.

  Scott’s face softened and he sighed reaching down to pat Emily’s shoulder. “Sorry, I know I’ve been a real bastard about him lately, but the truth is, right now, we’re on our own. And no matter what, we have to keep young Alex safe from Kline, and I really need your help with that.”

  Emily didn’t respond. She didn’t trust herself to not cry again. This wasn’t like her. She cared about Alex, but devolving into a weeping mess every time he was mentioned wasn’t helping anyone.

  Christina slapped Scott who turned back to Emily, softening his tone.

  “But, maybe today, it’s not a big deal…” Scott began. Emily looked up shaking her head.

  “No, you’re right. Ignore me.” Emily said, wiping her eyes. Christina shot Scott a look and kneeled down in front of her friend.

  “We’ll just check things out for a few minutes. Besides, when was the last time you even left the house for any reason except work?”

  Emily looked down at the pajamas she hadn’t taken off for the last three days. Sweats and a sweatshirt urging a boycott of grapes was comfortable, but it was probably time to put on real clothes.

  “How far is his house from here?” Emily asked. Perhaps she wouldn’t need to put on real clothes if they weren’t going far.

  “Just down the block,” Scott replied. “They’ll get here around noon, so there’s a bit of time if you want to get cleaned up.”

  Emily glanced down at the sweats and hoodie she was wearing. “Nah, I’m good.”

  Scott appraised her for a moment and then shrugged. “Two minutes. Just to make sure Kline’s not waiting to spring a trap on the poor kid.”

  “We’ll be outside, waiting whenever you’re ready,” Christina added, pushing Scott out the door by his hips.

  The door to the office swung close, leaving Emily alone with her thoughts.

  She grabbed a pair of jeans from the dresser and put them on. The sweatshirt was good enough as a top. What was the point?

  She opened up the door to the office and ran down the stairs to the front door where Christina and Scott were waiting.

  “You ready?” Emily asked Scott.

  Scott withdrew the shapeshifting stone from his pocket and nodded. “It’s been awhile since I’ve shifted other people. If Kline shows up, be ready to be turned into…” he shrugged. “Well, anything I can think of.”

  Emily snorted, “Good thing we got a plan all worked out.”

  “Relax,” Christina said, tapping Emily on the shoulder. “We’ll keep our distance in case Kline does come along.”

  Scott opened the front door and grabbed Christina’s hand. Emily followed the pair of lovebirds out, stepping down the plank stairs of their rented Onyx cabin.

  “How far again?” Emily asked, holding her hand up to block the sun out of her eyes. The light was annoying her and temperature wasn’t right.

  Scott glanced at Emily as Christina shook her head. “Just down the street.”

  They began moving and Emily struggled to keep up. She had been trying to avoid thinking about Alex since the Old Man had left, but now that they were about to see him (even if he was twelve years old), she felt incredible strange about the ordeal.

  The turned the corner and saw a large orange moving truck in the driveway of Alex’s house and Emily’s heart leapt into her chest.

  “He’s here…” Emily said softly.

  “Well, the seven-year-old version of him anyway…” Scott replied. “Little Scotty ought to be running around somewhere too.”

  “What’s that kid like?” Christina nudged her boyfriend with a smile.

  “Nerdy, and really small.” Scott replied quickly. “No one you’d have been interested in.”

  “No way…” Christina mooned. “Seven-year-old me would’ve been all about it. Huge crush…”

  “Is that so…?” Scott wondered.

  “Guys…” Emily said, becoming irritated. “I’m two seconds away from barfing everywhere.”

  “Right, right…” Scott said, squeezing Christina who giggled. “Let’s get a little closer. Just pretend we’re on a walk.”

  They walked silently toward Alex’s new home as Ted McCray emerged from the moving truck, holding a large box marked “Kitchen stuff” and began moving down the ramp.

  “Just keep your distance,” Scott warned under his breath, “He’ll never see…”

  Just as they were passing by the house, Ted began to lose his balance, the large box filled with poorly packed kitchen equipment making it impossible to hold on his own. Ted tripped, and fell off the ramp onto the ground.

  “Emily no!” Scott hissed, but he was too late. Emily was already moving over to help.

  Emily couldn’t help herself, this could’ve been her father-in-law once upon a time. She rushed over and grabbed Ted’s arm.

  “Are you all right?” she asked, looking worried.

  Ted looked up at Emily, smiling ruefully, “Just a bruised ego is all…” he glanced around at the silverware, plates and other odds and ends currently scattered around the driveway.

  “Guess I thought I had more room to maneuver than I did…” Ted stood, and began brushing himself off. “My name’s Ted McCray, my boy and I just moved into the neighborhood.”

  Emily extended her hand, “Emily… it’s nice to meet you.”

  She instantly cursed at herself. She hadn’t meant to give Ted her real name, but what did it matter? It wasn’t likely he’d remember the dark haired woman who helped him out twenty years later when Alex brought her home.

  Christina and Scott rushed up the driveway where Ted and Emily were, “You okay?” Scott asked in alarm.

  “We’re fine,” Emily said, reassuring Scott. She glanced around, looking for any sign that a paradox might be forming, but the universe hadn’t seemed to mind her encounter with Ted.

  Ted turned to Scott, extending his hand for a handshake, “Ted McCray. Just moved into the neighborhood with my boy.”

  Scott eyed Ted’s hand warily, as if he expected the world to end if he touched his best friend’s father’s hand.

  Emily decided to take the initiative lest Ted think there were a bunch of crazy people living on his block. “That’s Scott, and Chrissy.”

  Scott looked over, panicked at Emily, but she ignored him, turning back to Ted. “You’ll have to forgive Scott, he’s not much for social interaction.”

  “It’s true,” Christina said with a smile. “It takes every bit of cajoling for me to even get him to go outside for our walks.”

  Ted smiled, and lowered his hand nodding at Scott. “It’s all right. I’m a bit of an introvert myself.”

  Scott cleared his throat, seeming to decide that the world wouldn’t end if they chatted for awhile, “It’s nice to meet you sir.”

  Ted nodded and then turned back to Emily. “It’s a nice neighborhood and night for a walk. Much better with the days getting longer again.”

  “You’re not kidding. Sun goes down early during the winter up here, you’ll have to get used to that,” Scott said. The longer they talked, the more comfortable Scott became. “It’s a great town to raise a kid in.”

  “That’s what I heard,” Ted said. “Did you grow up here?”

  Scott coughed, “Yeah. Born and raised actually.”

  Ted nodded. “What about you Christina?”

  “I’m a Bay Area girl and was convinced by these two to come down and check the town out actually.” She said smiling. “It’s growing on me.”

  Ted smiled, “Spent some time at Berkley myself once upon a time, but that was a different time.”

  “Lots more hippies?” Scott asked.


  Ted laughed. “They were long gone by the time I started. Got my degree and got out while I still could.”

  Feeling embolden by the lack of a paradox forming after they met, Emily glanced down at the various items scattered across the driveway. “You need some help with all this?”

  Scott and Ted shook their heads at the same time, “No no,” Ted said.

  “We gotta get going,” Scott started.

  “Nonsense,” Emily said, scolding her friend. “It wouldn’t be very neighborly if we let you pack this stuff up on your own. Come on Scott, put those muscles to work.”

  Ted looked down at his feet, and nodded. “Well, if you wouldn’t mind. It’s just me right now moving all this stuff up into the house. I thought I could handle it, but clearly…” he waved at the mess on the driveway sheepishly. “I could use the help if you’ve got a few minutes.”

  “Of course we do,” Emily said. She leaned down and began stacking the items back into the moving box.

  “But…” Scott began hopelessly. He glanced over at Christina hoping to find support, but she just shrugged and kneeled down to help her friend pick up the scattered silverware.

  Scott sighed and gave in. If kindness was going to kill them all, he might as well get started.

  Finally, after a few moments, they were able to put everything back into the box. Scott and Ted picked up the box, sharing the load between them and then began moving slowly toward the house, grunting and groaning out instructions about navigating the walkway the whole way.

  Christina and Emily watched them bemused for a moment when Christina noticed a young boy about 7 years old, peeking out from the top of the stairs. She nudged Emily, darting her eyes to the stairwell where the young Alex McCray was busy spying on his new neighbors.

  Emily felt a chill run through her body. She couldn’t move, couldn’t speak, couldn’t even warn Scott. They had to get away from the house lest a paradox begin to form.

  Scott moved into the doorway of the home cutting off Emily’s view of the young Alex. She swallowed and looked over at Christina who was currently looking around the neighborhood for any sign that a black hole was about to form and completely wipe them out.

  But the universe remained calm.

  “What if Scott says something…?” Emily asked, worried that they could blow their cover.

  Christina glanced around the neighborhood, looking up into the house where Scott had disappeared into.

  “Call me crazy, but I think the universe wants us to go into that house.”

  Emily gave her friend a sidelong glance. “You’re joking.”

  Christina shook her head. “I’m thinking this was supposed to happen.” She frowned and began looking around the neighborhood once again. “In fact, I’d bet good money…”

  She stopped talking, turned on her heel and moved into the house following Scott and Ted McCray. Flummoxed, Emily tried to muster some kind of protest that they were getting in over their heads, but it was too late. Christina had already entered the McCray home.

  Emily rubbed the bottom of her stomach until shrugging and moved into the house that she had come to know as Alex’s childhood home.

  She just hadn’t counted on taking a tour of it.

  Christina caught up to Scott and Ted, grabbing a corner of the box, “Here, let me help.”

  Ted nodded at Christina grateful for the help. “Inside the kitchen if you don’t mind.”

  Scott nodded and backed his way into the kitchen with Christina and Ted’s help. They heaved the heavy box onto the center island. Ted exhaled in exhaustion, and took out a hankerchief, wiping his forehead of sweat.

  “Thanks for the help.” He extended his hand once again. Scott took it and shook. “You guys want a drink? I haven’t had the chance to make a run to the store just yet, but I can offer you some Pepsi or…” he waved over at the tap, “Or, tap water.”

  “Pepsi sounds great to me,” Scott said. “Christina?”

  “I’m in,” Christina said nodding. “I could use the sugar.”

  Ted turned to Emily and smiled, “Can I get something for you?”

  Emily, who had so far refused to remove her eyes from her shoes ever since walking into the house, managed to squeak out a request for water.

  Ted’s smile became strained as he puzzled over Emily’s response, but finally nodded. “Give me a minute to rustle those drinks up.”

  “Take your time!” Christina called after him. Ted glanced back over his should, the smile becoming more strained. Emily could only imagine the second thoughts running through her once possible father-in-law’s head about the three strangers he had just invited into his home.

  “Are you crazy?” Christina hissed over at Scott. “What the hell do you think we’re doing here?”

  “It’s fine,” Scott said sounding confident. “It’s just a quick visit. How many random people do you remember when you were seven years old?”

  “I’m seven…” a small voice interrupted their argument. Christina, Emily and Scott whirled around to see a pint-sized Alex clutching a blanket and looking up at the three adults bashfully.

  Emily felt a catch in her throat. She couldn’t say anything lest she corrupt thje timeline, and yet, there he was, innocent and… strangely serious for such a young kid.

  Scott cleared his throat and glanced nervously over at Emily. Christina looked aghast. They were interacting with the past, but there were no telltale signs of a paradox forming. Emily began to step forward, ignoring Scott’s attempts to stop her.

  She kneeled in front of Alex, and grabbed his shoulders, hugging him tight. Alex allowed himself to be drawn in to her embrace.

  Ted entered the living room carrying four glasses of water. He set them down, his eyes narrowing as he watched Emily embrace his soon. “Excuse me,” he said, his voice markedly less friendly.

  Emily stood, and stepped back, looking up at Ted apologetically. “I’m sorry, I…”

  “She lost a good friend recently,” Christina said quickly. “And he looks a lot like your boy there.”

  Ted’s face softened, relaxing back into his easy smile. “I’m so sorry to hear that,” he said nodding to Emily.

  “Thank you,” Emily managed after a moment. “I apologize if…”

  Ted waved her off, and moved to put a hand on his son’s shoulder. “Believe me, we know about loss. Don’t be ashamed.”

  Emily couldn’t help it. The tears began welling up in her eyes. The whole scene was too much. Her life after the last few months had become too much. All she had ever wanted was listen to the skies and maybe find an alien signal one day.

  Now, she was lost in time, battling a super-powered billionaire who could show up at any moment and kill them all.

  What had her life become?

  Ted stepped forward and grabbed Emily in an embrace. She began sobbing as Scott and Christina looked on.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered, pulling back away from Ted and wiping her eyes. “I’m so sorry for interrupting.”

  She moved quickly out of Alex’s childhood home and retreated outside, standing on the lawn and looked up at the snow-capped peaks of Onyx.

  What was she doing here? How could this all be happening to her? She had never been a wilting lily before, but…

  She thought to herself about what day it was, and gasped. She looked up at Ted with a strained face.

  “I’m sorry,” Emily said, wiping away the tears that was currently falling for no good reason at all. “You have a lovely home and…”

  “Alex!” Ted’s sharp tone echoed through the hallway. “I told you to put your stuff away.”

  Emily’s face dropped as she turned to the younger Alex. She hadn’t prepared herself properly for this moment.

  She couldn’t help herself, and fell to her knees, in front of Alex and grabbed him tight. Alex looked shocked at the treatment and looked up at his father in a panic. Ted could only stand there, flummoxed at the situation. One of his new neighbors was apparentl
y having a breakdown in front of him and his child. He was about to step forward and offer Emily some help when Scott and Christina entered the hallway after hearing the commotion.

  “What’s going on in here…” Scott looked down at the scene. “Oh… oh no.”

  Christina stepped forward and put her hand on Emily’s shoulders. “Emily, we have to get up and leave now. We’ve taken enough of this man’s time…”

  Emily snorted through the tears, and turned to her friend. “No!”

  Christina patted Emily again, trying to urge her to stand up. “Come on Em, we have to leave now…”

  “No!” Emily looked up at her friend, the defiance somehow showing through her tears. She stood, and looked down at Alex. “We tell them everything.”

  Scott’s face went white, and Christina began trying to push her friend out the door.

  “Tell us what?” Ted looked at the trio, confused.

  “Nothing,” Scott said hurriedly. “Our friend here lost someone close to her a few months ago, and your son…”

  “Well, your son looked a bit like him.” Christina finished.

  “And I’m pregnant with his child,” Emily added.

  Ted looked at Emily, his face slowly registering what she had said. He looked her up and down, his eyes narrowing.

  “I’m sorry, you’re what now?”

  Scott tried to chuckle half-heartedly, “That’s our Em, always joking around, even when it’s not appropriate.”

  He stepped up behind her and began helping Christina push Emily out the door.

  “Sorry about that. We’ll get out of your hair. Welcome to the neighborhood and enjoy your new home!”

  “It’s true!” Emily shrieked as they dragged her out of the door. “I’m pregnant with your grandchild and if you want to know the story we’re a few doors down!”

  “Sorry, sorry!” Scott waved at Ted apologetically. “Thank you again for your hospitality.”

  “No, stop it!” Emily attempted to wriggle free once again, “We need your help Ted! Please!”

  “Son,” Ted stepped forward, “I don’t care how crazy she sounds right now, I’d rather you put her down before I have to call the cops.”

  Scott hesitated, which was long enough for Emily to wrench herself free. She rushed Ted and leaned into him, glancing up in his eyes.