by Shawn Wall
“We make a pretty good team, you know.” She felt his warm breath, as he whispered in her ear.
“Yes, we do.” She was still stunned unable to believe what had transpired within the last thirty minutes. The adrenaline had run her pulse well above her own resting heart rate.
A police officer soon arrived, questioning their involvement and knowledge of the obvious suicide attempt. Suzanne spoke little, agreeing with Seth’s assessment of events. His lie was eloquent as if he believed it himself. No matter what he told the officer, they did not just happen upon this girl. Somehow, Seth knew he would find someone in trouble. She was not sure if he knew the details, but their assistance was not by accident. She had witnessed his confidence before. It was part of his initial appeal to her. But seeing him in action, he remained calm and clear-headed. It was apparent why he wanted to be a doctor. He was born for it. As the ambulance pulled away, they slowly walked back toward the limo.
“What just happened?” Suzanne raised her voice and pointed toward the gym.
“I’d think it was obvious.”
“Do you know her?” she asked. “How did you know where to find her?”
“No, I’ve never met her.”
She shook her head. “You must think I’m an idiot.”
His eyebrows furrowed. “No, I don’t. Can’t you just be glad? We saved her life. I know you felt the same rush that I did, if you’ll only admit it.”
“Of course, it felt wonderful to save her.”
“Just for tonight, let it be enough.” He stared into her eyes, and she felt a warm glow deep inside.
For tonight, she knew it would be enough. Wasn’t this the reason she’d chosen nursing in the first place? Although she didn’t know why, Seth had a deep need to help others as well. That’s the whole reason he wanted to be a doctor. Nevertheless, he was still hiding something. He must have had some sense or warning about the girl. Did she have any right to push him? It had been so hard for her to confess her dreams to him. No, for now she could wait and hopefully with time he would trust her with his secrets. Perhaps their mutual longing to help others and abilities had truly been the magnet to draw them together.
Now, the temperature was hovering in the lower forties, and she was glad when they slipped back into the limo, which was warm and toasty to her freezing, shoeless feet.
“Our whole night is ruined.” His voice was disappointed as he eyed her crinkled dress and hair with numerous strands strayed loosely over her ears.
“The night still doesn’t have to end. I just want to be with you.” She kept her head down, staring at the few petals remaining on her corsage.
“I’m sorry. It’s my fault.” He removed the tattered corsage and kissed her wrist.
“My roommate is out of town. Let’s just get a pizza and watch a DVD in my room.”
“I don’t think there is going to be much of a dance after this anyway.”
Seth stared at her face, and she knew he was trying to measure her reaction. He was on the edge of his seat, ready and waiting for more of her questions. But she didn’t give in, and the ride back to the dorm was quiet.
“Wait, I have a surprise for you.” Seth pulled a gift bag out of a side compartment.
She pulled a sage, leather-bound book from the bag. There was a lock on the side and a skeleton key.
“Is it a diary?” She smiled widely as delight bubbled inside her.
“I know it’s corny, but I thought it could help you. You can put your nightmares here and lock them away. They will always be with you, but it doesn’t mean they have to haunt you.”
“Oh, Seth, a dream diary.” She began to tear up.
“You don’t like it.”
“I love it. I’ll cherish it always.” She cradled the book to her chest.
Visitation hours would end at midnight, and she wasn’t about to sign Seth in. She was glad to see the monitor wasn’t in the lobby as they waited for the pizza delivery and then headed to her room. Now, he was safely behind her door, and no one was the wiser.
“I’m glad I wore a shirt under this monkey suit,” he said as he toed out of his shoes and revealed the plain, white T-shirt.
“Will you help me with my dress?” she said shyly.
“Do you want me to step outside for a minute while you change?” His hands were shaky as he handled her zipper.
“No, I’m fine if you are.” She stepped out of her dress, which revealed her strapless push-up bra and matching panties. He swallowed hard, and his eyes stared like they were undressing her further. As she approached him, she caressed his neck, and ran her fingers through his hair. Then, she glided her lips from his Adam’s apple up to his ear and whispered, trying to tempt him.
“I’ve wanted to be alone with you all night.”
He tilted his head back. “Don’t you think it’s a little soon?”
“What?” She backed away, grabbed a sweater and jeans, and then quickly dressed. Almost immediately, her cheeks felt hot and her throat was tight. He didn’t answer, and he stared without blinking. He doesn’t want me. Oh, what a fool she was.
“Do you want me to leave?”
He reached for her, but she pulled away quickly. She closed her eyes for a moment and felt the sting of tears. How could she have been so wrong?
“No, let’s just watch the movie.”
They sat only a few inches apart and leaned against the wall by her bed. She didn’t process five words of dialogue from the film and held back the tears of embarrassment. Seth reached for her hand more than once, but she crossed her arms against her chest. There was nothing to salvage what she had done. She was the one who misread the signals this time. When the movie ended, they both sat still and watched the credits.
“I guess I’d better go back to my room.” He spoke slowly and hesitated on the edge of her bed. “You want to meet for breakfast?”
“It’s late, and I’d rather just sleep in. I’m not really a breakfast person.”
“I know, but you won’t go without your coffee.”
“That’s okay. I’ll make a cup here.” Her voice was shaky. If she didn’t get herself in check, she’d lose it.
“Baby, you misunderstood earlier. It’s not that I don’t want you.” He took her hand, and then pulled it away from her interlocked arms.
“I totally understand. There is no explanation needed.” She barely uttered the words as he stroked her palm.
“You have already been hurt enough. I want us to be committed when we go that far.”
“Let’s just forget about tonight, and things can go back to the way they were before.” She still couldn’t look at him.
“I couldn’t forget seeing you half-naked if I wanted.”
“I just thought there was more between us. I still want to go out sometimes though, if that would be okay?” An ache welled up deep inside her chest. What if he wanted to call things off? The thought was unbearable, and she quickly tried to erase it from her mind. She already cared for him deeply.
“You just don’t get it.”
“I get it. I let myself get carried away even though I knew we’re not exclusive.” The thought of him with another girl left her nauseated with knots in her stomach.
“I want us to be. You haven’t been seeing other guys, have you?”
“No.” She couldn’t think of another man. There would never be anyone but Seth.
“I don’t want you going out with anyone else.”
“What are you saying, Seth?” She had to look at him now, and she didn’t know if her ears had tricked her.
“I’m saying I want you to be my girlfriend, and I don’t want anyone else doing this.”
He took her face between his hands, and then kissed her gently. She couldn’t hold back her tears now. He had said everything she wanted to hear and dreamed of hearing.
“Do you know what you mean to me?”
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled them both down on her bed. They snuggled as she listened to
his rapid heartbeat.
* * * *
He hated hiding things from her. When he wasn’t in class, Suzanne would definitely know something was wrong. He’d just have to think of some plausible excuse to give her, but she was smart, so he wasn’t going to be able to fool her much longer. Certainly, she had enough to deal with right now and didn’t need his freakish problems to boot.
These damn visions were always in his way, tight as the noose on that poor girl’s neck. It’s not that he regretted helping people. The rush in the heat of the moment was amazing. He didn’t have to be an adrenaline junkie to like it. It just seemed to be interfering with his life more and more, isolating him from those he cared about, even loved. He only got lucky half the time now. When he was younger, things were much clearer. Even with the girl he and Suzanne had saved, they barely made it to her in time.
It looked like the same house, but he couldn’t be sure. He’d park his bike up the street and back track down the hill. The crape myrtles were tall enough to hide his bike. There was no one on the street, and at least he’d missed the morning commuters this time. He probably wouldn’t get lucky enough for the front door to just be unlocked, so there’d be more breaking and entering. This was really getting old.
Hell, it’s locked, and every window is nailed shut.
He could smell smoke now. He had to get that old lady of there. He’d just break the glass.
“Hello, is anybody here? There’s a fire!”
There was no answer. Maybe she was on the second floor.
“Help.” He faintly heard the call as he scaled the second flight.
“I’m here to help you. Just keep talking so I can find you.”
“Help.” the voice came a little louder.
“Thank goodness,” he said, finding an elderly, white-haired woman resting in her bed.
“Are you a fireman?” she asked.
“No, but I’m going to save you. Put your arms around my neck. We have to hurry.”
The smoke was burning his eyes, and the elderly woman was beginning to cough. He had to get out of this house. In spite of the steep staircase, he took the steps three at a time, and had them on the front lawn within a minute.
“I think you better just sit on the sidewalk while I call 911.”
“Thank you, young man.” She smiled at him. “I hear sirens. Someone has already called the police.”
“I hear them too. I think you’re right.”
Two police cars, a fire engine, and an ambulance quickly pulled up to the curve.
“Officer, that boy broke into Mrs. Ratcliff’s house. I saw him,”
A concerned neighbor bellowed to one of the policemen.
“Son, are you a relative of this woman’s?”
“No, sir.”
“Did you break into this house?” the officer asked.
“Yes, sir, but I had to get her out.”
“That may be so, but you’ll still have to come to the station for questioning.”
The officer motioned toward his car, and Seth reluctantly stalked forward. At least he wouldn’t have to ride in the back seat like a common criminal. Good thing this was a decent neighborhood, seeing how he’d been forced to abandon his bike. Damn it! He hadn’t meant to for this to take up the whole day. Now, Suzanne would have even more questions, and she was already so vulnerable. Last night, the hurt in her eyes had been obvious, and her trembling voice was like a roundhouse punch in his gut. How could she ever think he didn’t want her? Every fiber in his being ached to be deep within her, and he had to muster every ounce of willpower within him to turn her down. Nonetheless, he’d made the right decision. The right decision for her, whether she realized it or not. Just like before, he would have to lie to her. This had gone too far. What the hell was he doing?
As the car pulled away from the scene, Seth watched as poor Mrs. Ratcliff’s house was engulfed in flames. The firemen worked diligently, but there wasn’t going to be much salvageable. When they arrived at the police station, Seth was placed in an interview room. He lost count at three hours, and filled out more forms than he cared to count. All this headache would persuade most people to avoid being a Good Samaritan. Saving her was worth it though.
* * * *
Where was Seth?
Maybe she scared him to death. After her strip show, he may have run for dear life. No, he wouldn’t have held her all night. She knew he cared. She had to believe he cared.
WHERE R U? IS SOMETHING WRONG? CALL ME. She must have texted him about ten times now. He was either ignoring her or his phone was on the fritz.
Finally, at about six that evening, an unlisted number showed on her caller ID.
“I need you to come pick me up.”
“Seth, where are you?”
“Just come get me. I’m at the police station. It’s on North Jackson.”
“The police station? What is going on?”
“Suzanne, I have been here most of the day. I’ll explain later. Just pick me up.”
“Okay, I’m on my way.”
Seth was sitting on the front steps of the Magnolia Police Department. His face had traces of soot, his clothes smelled smoky, and he had several small cuts on his knuckles.
“Let me drive. I’ve got to get my bike.” His voice was rough, and his jaw flinched.
“I want to know what happened to you.”
“I just want a shower and a bed. I haven’t had a good day.” He kept his eyes on the road.
Within minutes, he had driven into an elite neighborhood filled with mostly older two-story homes. Seth’s bike was parked up the street from a fire so recent that workers were utilizing the days remaining light to pilfer through heaps of ashes.
“Does this have something to do with that house that burned?”
“Just let it go.” He stared at the road.
“No, I won’t!” she said. “You’re covered in soot, and just look at your knuckles!”
“Suzanne, that’s enough!” He glanced at her, and she noticed his eyes were wider and a much darker blue than usual. Was he angry?
“I’m not going to let it go this time. I’m more stubborn than you know.”
“After my shower, I’ll come over. I promise.”
“I couldn’t bear it if something happened to you. I was really worried.”
“I knew you would be. They didn’t give me my phone call.”
“It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to know you were arrested.”
“No charges were filed. All I did was help an old lady out of a burning house. I was in the right place, at the right time. No big deal.” His tone implied finality. She knew that would be the extent of his explanation for now.
At the next stop sign, he leaned over and kissed her forehead, and then tapped her nose with his right index finger. He may have kept her at bay for the moment, but she was going to find out what was going on. After viewing that smoldering pile of ashes, she was thankful for his safe return. It was more obvious to her now that Seth had another life she truly knew nothing about. Maybe someday, if she was patient, he’d let her into this alternate world.
Chapter Six
It was a happy Christmas, nothing like the last two years. Seth was her sun, lighting everything in her life. Now, she knew she was in love with him, although neither of them had declared it. Surely, the ritual of meeting the family had to mean further commitment. They both opted to return to the dorms just before New Year’s Eve. This was the only part of the holidays she hated, marking the anniversary of her first mistake with Dwight. She had hoped their early return meant hot cocoa and snuggling for the remainder of the break, but Seth had other plans.
"I have a surprise for you."
"What is it?” she asked, giddily as she lost all sensibility.
"We’re not going to spend New Year's at school. We’re going on a short trip before classes start back." He was grinning from ear to ear. "You are going love it. It's actually a belated Christmas present."
"Tel
l me, where are we going?" She began to kiss him, nibbling from his jaw to his neck.
"You can't get it out of me," he said. "Pack a few warm clothes in a small bag. I'll meet you outside your dorm in thirty minutes, and wear your heavy jacket."
She hurried to her room, packing a scarf, gloves, and heavy parka as quickly as possible. She was back downstairs in record time, and he was waiting on her by the sidewalk, leaning against his motorcycle. He was so handsome that looking at him made her heart skip. Was he really hers?
"We’re taking your bike?" She was shocked. The temperature was a crisp thirty-eight degrees.
He smiled and handed her a purple helmet. "This is yours. Get on."
They drove for several hours north of Magnolia through Fort Smith toward Fayetteville. Up until this point, he had never convinced her to ride the death machine. When they rounded curves, leaning, she held on for dear life. Seth would just tilt his head to the side and grin. The ride was thrilling. It was late afternoon as they passed through several small towns, crossing the Arkansas River. Then, she saw a sign welcoming them to Petit Jean Mountain.
The road opened through trees into a huge valley with a mountain before them. Beyond, she could see the rocky cliffs where the legendary Petit Jean must have fallen, remembering her junior high Arkansas history class. As they climbed the mountain, Seth drove slower around the wider curves. About halfway up, they pulled into a drive and up to a cabin, with a sign saying cabin rental. She got off the cycle to stretch her legs, since they hadn’t stopped for about two hours. Now, she noticed the sun below the trees, and it was definitely colder on the mountain than at home in the flatlands. Seth was back in a just a few minutes.
"Are you ready to go?”
"That all depends on how much farther." She frowned.
"Only about five minutes from here, just around the next bend." He laughed. "You are so impatient."
