by Gary Starta
He had been full of conflict, from as far back as he could recall. Now, basking in the light of hope and energy, Timothy felt there would no longer be discord, and if there was, it would be dealt with and converted to harmony. We’re all made of up energy. He had argued with Kevin about that summation. He had ignored what theoretical physicists presented as fact. That material is an illusion. If so, what good was amassing material things? It was all transparent. He rubbed at his eyes for a moment. What caused this revelation? He pictured the spot in the woods and how the laughter led him to it. Was this all about energy as well? He scolded himself for jumping to conclusions. He had imagined the laughter as taunting and the clearing in the woods as a home for demonic rituals.
The grey cat purred and rubbed at his arm again. He had been wrong. There was no ritual sacrifice going on. The love of his new friend proved that.
Timothy finished his page, inviting friends and posting it on Lifestream’s Running Stream Page.
Halfway through sorting laundry, Timothy received a call from Kevin.
“You want to go out tonight? That is if you aren’t pining for the sunrise or playing kissy with some new gal.”
“I don’t know. It seems I’ve received a calling. Besides, maybe I better watch my budget. I’m playing hooky from work for the second day in a row.”
“I’ll pay. Don’t worry, Tim. It will cheap and fast, just like you like it.” Kevin chuckled.
“Okay, see you at Alisha’s.”
*
It appeared pretty dark in Alisha’s, maybe darker than he had ever perceived. Timothy poked at his fries. “You know, I think I’m on a convergence. And I think I need to change quite a few things in my life, including my diet.”
Kevin nodded. “You’re probably right. But I cheat every now and then. I may not be performing at optimum efficiency, but then again, I’m not a piece of hardware.”
“I’m serious, man.”
Kevin straightened in his chair in response. “About this convergence thing, what exactly do you mean?”
“I’m moving away from unrest toward peace and it’s all because I dashed into the woods. The real irony is that I ran there almost hoping for discord. I was full of negativity and then everything did a 180.”
Kevin palmed his hands outward. “What, are you scared of that?” He didn’t pause to give Timothy time to respond. “I’ve been trying to tell you about this for years. The change and life you want is possible if you can remove the negative voices in your noggin’.” He shot an index finger at his temple. “The funny thing is you have to admit to the negativity first before you can shut it down.”
“I owe you an apology. You must have thought I was a real idiot. I spent all of my time in conflict with my ex, acting abrasive with colleagues, people in traffic, behaving less than friendly in stores. I carried a darkness everyone must have noticed.” He sighed. “I mean, if one can see the light, one can see the dark, correct?”
“I would think. But you’ve finally realized it. I guess you literally saw the light out there.” Kevin pointed a chicken bone toward the ceiling.
Timothy’s brows knitted. “No. That can’t be all there was to it. I think there was something special about the area and I hate to admit it but I heard voices.” Timothy played with his mug, his eyes downcast.
“Ah. I see. It’s energy. If you had paid attention, and you are correct to apologize - you self-righteous know it all – you would have known we all have energy signatures and so does our little blue planet.” Kevin scratched at his head and peered into his glass. “It’s like this beverage. I might look into a full glass and see very little. I drink and voila. Now I can see through the glass. It’s not only about perception. It’s the very fact that energy can be changed.”
“So, I walked into the woods and my energy was changed?”
“It’s possible because it’s science. Remember, energy can be changed but cannot be destroyed. Kind of like our friendship, you wing-nut.”
“Yeah, I love you too.” Timothy’s eyes were glassy. “I also have to admit I love my new cat, too.”
“Wow, you sure have done a 180. Two days ago, you would have bitched it was another mouth to feed.”
“And you would have been right.” Timothy fist bumped Kevin, both displaying boyish grins.
*
Ron Hayes, a man of little words and cryptic gestures, often gave Kate Sizemore a little chill. All he had to do was to sneak up behind her just as he was doing right now.
“I’ve got more data analysis for you.” He flipped through the stack of pages contained within a folder. “It’s thick and I’m certain its’ juicy.”
Harris and Rosenberg was a contracted data mining firm for a government agency. Kate wasn’t operating at a pay grade to know much detail but she did know they kept watch on social media, electronic messaging accounts and sometimes phone conversations. If something didn’t appear quite right to Hayes and her other superiors, they would often cross examine phone, email and social messaging posts. Just what they were looking for was an enigma. Kate believed it was about terrorism.
Kate had completed police academy training only to reconsider her career move. Simple barbs and jests from officers in training were one thing. Sexual advances and other forms of harassment from police academy training staff were another. She reasoned the phrase ‘boys in blue’ was coined for a specific reason. Rather than fight the system, Kate resumed her education in computer science for a data analyst career. Reasoning she would still be an investigator of sorts, Kate fought the voice in her head that reminded her law enforcement was her passion. Despite the career change, Kate still felt uneasy with male superiors.
The voice haunted her again as Hayes placed the folder on her desk with a loud thump. Why does he have to always confirm he has the upper hand? Kate was certain a few punches and kicks thrown at Hayes’s vulnerable places would cut him down to size, down to Kate Sizemore’s ‘size’. She raised a hand to her mouth to stifle a giggle at the absurd daydream.
“I’m glad to see a cheery face.” Hayes nodded his head at something. Kate wasn’t sure what it was. Maybe demon voices in his head?
“I think this data analysis will warrant your first venture into the field. And best of all, it’s local, just a short jump from Maryland to DC. If you are agreeable Ms. Sizemore, I will schedule you for immediate briefing. You are to keep watch on the listed individual, gain his confidence. I think your background will make you a perfect candidate for such an assignment. And it might feel good to back away from the numbers for a while, I suppose. Although, I hope I am correct in saying you are dedicated to information analysis the way a Pope might be dedicated to Catholicism.”
Kate began to feel the creepy chill running up her spine. Is he threatening me?
When Kate was sure Hayes was out of sight, she began leafing through the folder. Just what was this assignment about? And why was a background in law enforcement perfect for it? Another type of chill coursed through her body. It was the sensation of experiencing a real investigation, one which involved real people instead of inanimate computer screens and reams of paper.
An hour later, Kate wore a look of dismay. She exhaled and played with an errant strand of hair which refused to stay tucked into her hair tie.
She mumbled. “Just what am I looking to contain? I don’t see one single nuance of a threat.”
She was paged. It was time for the briefing. Maybe it would shed light on what her detail would involve.
Two hours passed and Kate left the briefing feeling just as perplexed. The man in question was breaking some kind of status quo. He was not behaving in a manner consistent with the American populace. It was feared his actions might go viral and instil a rare form of behaviour and attitude in those he came in contact with. She must encourage this man to revert. The individual must be made to feel as if he was in a constant state of fear and worry. It didn’t make much sense to her but if it meant a safer world, Kate Sizemore was the p
erson for the job. A false ID card was supplied to her along with some other techno gadgets. And by the time Kate returned to her desk, chemical surges in her body made her feel downright giddy with excitement.
*
Timothy Ray was charged with giddy excitement as well as he perused his group, Organized Dissonance. A total of 197 followers and 72 comments! All of them supportive and offering advice on how to stay positive.
All of this activity occurred while he was meeting with Kevin. It was as if magic had indeed visited his computer. His cat jumped on his lap and kneaded his thighs with her paws.
“I promise I’ll get you a proper cat bed tomorrow.” Timothy’s voice trailed off as he changed windows. An instant message on his dating site pinged. It was from a woman named Lou Ann. She lived in Maryland, about a half hour away, the site informed him. It encouraged him to take the plunge and return Lou Ann’s message.
Her photos made him gasp. She was strawberry blonde, 5’ 8” and thin. This had to be another confirmation that he was on a path of convergence and moving away from discord. He clapped his hands together and prepared to return her message. He must be proper while also initiating an urgent desire to meet her. ‘I must get to know you,’ he wrote. He also added a few lines about bringing positivity into his life. ‘I’m sure you share this desire as well.’
Within minutes she returned his message along with her phone number. Timothy clapped his hands together once again. The nameless cat danced in circles on his bed.
Chapter Five
Timothy stared into the glass cookie jar that held the dollar he had used, as deed and payment for his glorious life changer. It was symbolic just as the sun was. It didn’t matter if his ownership was real or not because it was changing his perspective. That was real and it had brought some riches into his life: a playful cat yet to be named and his first date with Lou Ann, who sounded just amazing from the hour-long phone conversation he had with her last night. A date had been set for tonight. The hope of turning his life around lifted his spirits enough to return to work to complete his last week before termination.
*
Kate aka Lou Ann sipped her drink with care. She was on the job, not on a date, although it probably appeared that way to the patrons of the Restaurant Nora, America’s first certified organic restaurant.
“What’s the matter?” Timothy asked, appearing flustered. “You don’t like your drink. I can request them to fix it for you.”
“Oh, no, it’s fine. I just don’t want to get too buzzed. Tomorrow is a work day.” Lou Ann played the part of a transplanted Kentuckian, replete with accent. She wasn’t worried about getting tipsy off the Burgundy wine. She was concerned about not responding when Timothy called her by name. It was the first time in her life Kate faked her ID, unless you included her performance in a fifth-grade play. Her teacher had reprimanded her for playing the character too aggressively. Kate smiled on the inside because she thought her character was too wimpy and stereotypical. These thoughts soon led Kate to dream of being a police woman. Now, here she was; playing a detective of sorts, attempting to glean information from the supposed bad guy. Although Lou Ann, enamoured with Timothy’s good looks and humour, was failing to see how the companion seated across from her was ‘bad’. She found it humorous that Timothy believed someone could actually ‘fix’ a glass of wine. She laughed playfully and repositioned herself on her seat to lean closer to Timothy.
“You seem to have something to tell me. Those big brown eyes are boring right through me. And I’m just dying to know.” She drummed fingers on the table.
“I have to admit I love your accent. What made you move?”
“The move was all about job relocation. Were you hoping it was about something else, something romantic, perhaps?”
Timothy gushed. “I don’t know. You got me. I like your looks as much as your voice. I think I told you that on the phone last night.” He played with his napkin.
“You did. Three times in fact, but who’s counting?”
“I’m enjoying my date with you but I feel like a kid who’s waiting to open presents at Christmas. I haven’t felt like this since, well, since I was a kid.” Timothy nodded as in agreement with his own conclusion. Lou Ann hesitated to reply hoping the man might reveal something her employer would be interested in.
“I had a life changing experience in the woods a few days ago. I want to take you there. I want to show you my new path, so to speak.”
“My God, I’m not sure. This is only our first date.” Lou Ann winked and sipped at her wine.
“It’s nothing like what you might be thinking.” Timothy raised a hand. “It’s not about trying to have sex, Lou Ann. It’s so much more.”
“Well, I don’t know. Should I bring a can of mace?” She nodded and then smirked. “I mean I usually don’t go into the woods with strangers on the first date.”
“It wouldn’t be tonight. In fact, it must be tomorrow, at dawn. I suggest we each catch some sleep and meet at my house at about 5. Don’t worry. You’ll be safe. The only creature out in those woods used to be a cat, but now she’s living with me, indoors.”
“Oh, so you like to bring your women indoors as well, how interesting.”
Timothy gushed. “I know you’re teasing me with that Southern charm. And truth be told, I don’t mind it.”
They both laughed. Timothy called for the check.
“I enjoyed the meal and company, Timothy. I guess I’ll be seeing you bright and early. But I can’t stay too long. This gal plays a very important role at her work and her superiors are very demanding.” After she said it, Kate reprimanded Lou Ann for being so revealing. This was a reconnaissance mission. It wasn’t about trying to build self-esteem. Although, Lou Ann/ Kate imagined that whatever Timothy saw in the woods was certainly a confidence booster and that notion did seem to have an addictive quality to it.
*
Timothy attempted to suppress his childlike excitement but it wasn’t working very well. He was speaking rapidly and pointing. He kept glancing at Lou Ann to judge her expressions. Was he putting her off? Was she scared of him? He had to take the risk regardless. What if Lou Ann could change her life for the better as well? At that instant, Timothy pulled his phone from his pocket. “I have to record this. I have to let everyone see what I saw.” He was standing in the circle of the barren ground again, the strange patch of realty which might contain a special energy signature.
Kate pursed her lips. “Are you certain that’s a good idea? I mean, don’t you value your privacy?”
“I can’t be selfish. I can’t hoard this all to myself. That’s the problem with the world today. We have to share the wealth, even if the wealth has nothing to do with money.” He gushed. “That’s real wealth, Lou Ann.”
“When is this blessed event going to take place?” Lou Ann glanced at her watch.
Timothy leafed through screens on his phone. “Sunrise is in seven minutes.”
As the sun’s first rays poured onto them from above, the light at first seemed artificial as if it didn’t belong in this dark venue. Timothy felt a bit uneasy and took the initiative to take Lou Ann’s hand for support. “I want us to share this glory.”
Lou Ann smiled but Timothy felt it was forced. Her eyes weren’t smiling with her lips.
“Just give it a few more minutes.” Timothy nodded staring straight ahead.
Leaves turned to bright gold before his feet and above his head. “There, that’s what I’m talking about.”
Timothy heard Lou Ann laugh as he filmed the event. He finally panned the phone’s camera toward her. “Ever wanted to be famous, my dear?”
*
Kate walked into Harris & Rosenberg head held high assured her first date/investigation of Timothy Hayes had been a success. There was no precedent to compare it to but Kate felt giddy. Maybe it was because ‘Lou Ann’ had such a good time, despite the strangeness. Maybe the sun really did have an effect on her. She suppressed a smile.
&
nbsp; Ron Hayes was quick to steal her moment in the sun.
“We need to talk, Ms. Sizemore. Five minutes, in my office.”
Kate felt a bit deflated even before she stepped across his murky threshold.
Hayes paced the room while she remained seated.
“All in all, I think your field mission went pretty well last night.” Hayes nodded to himself as he paced.
What a lunatic. Maybe you need some surveillance – by a psychiatrist.
Kate folded her hands on her lap. She responded, “Yes Sir,” absently, in Lou Ann’s drawl.
“Excuse me, Ms. Sizemore?”
“I apologize. I slipped.” She raised a hand to cover her mouth.
“I like the accent. You’re following the character we created. In fact, I’m pleased except for two things. First, I’m not sure you reprimanded the subject sufficiently. We are trying to discourage his behaviour. Second, have you seen this?” He initiated a video stream from You Tube. What do you know about this?”
Kate gasped. “He didn’t apprise me he was posting it.”
“It’s going viral just like his Lifestream posts. And that’s not the worst part. You’re in it, Ms. Sizemore.”
Kate viewed the video stifling an urge to giggle. “What’s the harm, Mr. Hayes? I’m in character. I think it will only aid the investigation. Timothy not only believes he’s met a girlfriend but a true ally of his cause.”
“Just how long do you think this field mission should play out, Ms. Sizemore?”
“I can’t very well reprimand the man straight off. First, I’ll risk losing more dates with him. Second, I’ll lose his trust and he won’t reveal what’s actually behind his sun worship.”
Hayes nodded. Kate wasn’t sure if he was agreeing or disagreeing. Maybe he was having a schizophrenic argument with his himself.
“I don’t think Mr. Ray will refuse your company anytime soon. But you may be right. We’ll have to see. I just don’t like this video. It’s only fanning his flames. I had a good mind to pull you off the field mission when I saw it this morning.”
