Eternal Soul

by Amy Henwood

  “You don’t see it.” If her voice was any louder, it would shake the glasses off their shelves.

  “See what, Mia?”

  “Chase. He is not the sweet gentleman you thought. You are out partying all the time, coming home drunk, and now skipping class too. I’m worried about you.” She had calmed her tone, expressing deep concern. She came closer to me, her nose flinched. “Is that smoke I smell on you? God, Scarlett! He has you smoking now, too?” The calm had not lasted long.

  “No! I don’t participate in that sort of stuff. Never have.”

  “So you are admitting there are joints going around. Well, I’ll assume it’s weed and not your everyday cigarettes, and you expect me to believe that you don’t partake in it?”

  “Yes, I do,” I said.

  “You are so naive. You cannot remember the events of your homecoming last night, and I am to believe that too? You are a funny girl, Scarlett. Funny, funny girl,” she said shaking her head.

  “Oh my god, Mia! You are unbelievable. I thought you were my friend, but now you are turning your back on me over a stupid guy?”

  “Stupid guy—at least you got that right.”

  That became the last and final straw for me, and I stormed violently into my room. The drama was not assisting my headache. I treated myself to two additional ibuprofen, struggling to get them down without any liquid. If I went back out there, Mia would pounce on me again like a cheetah protecting her cubs. I considered myself lucky escaping unharmed.

  I was livid with her and couldn’t bear to be in close proximity with her. She had absolutely no right to be jamming herself down my throat for being with Chase. What is her problem? She practically pushed me onto him at the beginning. Pressuring me in to talking to him, to go out with him. She couldn’t be that mad that I smelled like pot, or could she? Something must have changed to have her go off on me, but I didn’t care anymore. If she was going to be like that, then I needed to get out of here.

  I picked up my phone and dialled Chase’s number. No answer, only his lonely voicemail. I adjusted my strategy and called Sadie. It rang once.

  “Hello?” her attentive voice answered.

  “Hey, it's me.” Between cell phone technology of call display and the old-fashioned technique of voice recognition, there was no need to tell her who was on the other end. “Can you do me a favour?”

  “Anything. What do you need?”

  “Can you come pick me up? I need to get out of here.”

  “Is everything alright?”

  “No.” It was pointless to cover up and lie.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “Can you just come here so I can leave this place?” I struggled to hold back the tears beginning to form and flow freely, and I was glad she couldn’t see them fall.

  “Of course. I will be there in fifteen.”

  “Thank—” I started, but she had hung up the phone before I could finish.

  I knew she would be there for me, dropping everything to get to me as fast as possible, without breaking too many speeding laws. I was glad now that Chase didn't pick up the phone first. I needed to talk out my girl problems with another girl.

  I listened for Mia and what room she could possibly be residing in. A door closed but I couldn’t tell if it was her bedroom door or the bathroom. It was when I heard the toilet flush that I knew for sure where she was. Taking advantage of the noise of the toilet tank filling up and the rush of the water through the sink faucet, I dashed out my room, snatching my jacket up from the couch on the way. Not taking any changes and considering the limited time I had to escape the house unseen, I scooped up my shoes at the front door and went outside with them in my hands and not on my feet.

  I waited outside for Sadie and put my shoes on, my socks now damp from the wet porch, and slipped my arms through the jacket. The quicker I could separate myself from the house the better. I started walking away from the rental and in the direction Sadie would be arriving.

  Sadie’s silver SUV appeared in the distance, and my hand landed on the handle before it was fully stopped. She took one glance at me and instantly knew something was vastly wrong.

  “What happened?” she asked on sight of my red-eyed, damp face.

  “Just start driving.” Tears rolled down. My demand was firm but fragile at the same time. “Please.”

  “Of course. Any place in particular?” She didn't wince at my potent request, or she would not have left me with an open-ended question.

  “No, just anywhere away from here,” I responded.

  “I can abide by that. When you are ready to talk, I’m here to listen.”

  We drove around town and out into open country air. The afternoon sun glistened off the frozen snow, wrapping the ground and surrounding trees like an ivory gift. The silence of the drive was a welcome treat. Sadie’s vocal cords stayed mute, only making occasional glances in my direction to check my visual state. My tears had subsided, for now at least, but I knew I would have to open the table of conversation. She was an understanding friend, but even the best of them required the story at some point.

  “It’s Mia.” I paused and Sadie remained soundless. “She doesn’t approve of Chase.” She continued to be voiceless, but I knew she was listening when her ears twitched at the sound of my voice. “She thinks he’s a bad influence on me.”

  Why?

  It was like I could hear Sadie’s thoughts, wanting to know why Mia had a sudden change of heart.

  “She is concerned that I am beginning to head on a downward spiral because of him. Going out all the time, drinking, coming home in the wee hours of the morning. I don’t know why she would care so much, especially about being out late. At least I come home. She’s the one kissing all the boys in town and doesn’t come home at all. She is such a hypocrite.”

  Why do you care what she thinks?

  “She’s my friend. Sure, we haven't known each other the entirety of our lives, but we have become increasingly close over a few short years, just like you and I have in a much shorter time frame.”

  I wasn’t paying attention to the turns Sadie took, or the streets we drove on, until I recognized our final destination. Their rental. She pulled the vehicle into the driveway, parking beside Chase’s Civic.

  “I hope you don’t mind,” Sadie said, shifting the vehicle into park. “I figured you would want to talk to him.”

  I didn’t know if I was ready to tell Chase the events, but I clearly didn’t have much of a choice. Many deliberations rushed my already compacted brain as I made my way to the entrance. How many details do I need to expose? Is Mia right? Is Chase not fit for me? How am I supposed to choose between my best friend and my boyfriend? All the questions did not contain a single answer.

  Chase was in his bedroom when we arrived, studying, I initially presumed, but second-guessed the notion. He appeared on the sound of our footsteps.

  “Scarlett? What are you doing here?” he asked.

  “Sadie brought me.”

  “I noticed you called. I tried calling you back but you never picked up.” He came closer and wrapped his arms around me. “Something is bothering you. Tell me.”

  “I want to talk, alone,” I said.

  Chase took my hand and led me to his room. I crossed my legs on his bed like a kindergarten student listening to a storybook on the non-padded carpet. He sat on the edge, resting a hand on my leg.

  “What do you want to talk about?” he asked casually.

  “Mia and I had a fight. I was angry when I stormed out and left with Sadie, but now I don’t know what to think about the situation.”

  I looked deep into my soul. Am I crazy? How could I side with Mia? Just looking at this man puts me at ease. How could I be happier with anyone else?

  “Tell me what happened.” He squeezed my leg.

  I began from the moment Mia came out of her room, digging her way down my throat from her anger.

  As I told him what happened, he moved in closer and wrapped hi
s arms around me, soothing my tense stature. “It’s okay. You’re with me now,” he said.

  “Chase! Scarlett!” Sadie called some time later.

  Chase poked the end of his nose out of the door. “Yes?” he answered.

  “I made dinner. Come out and eat. The two of you cannot be cooped up in that room all night,” she insisted.

  We did as instructed and ate the chicken and rice meal. I cleared the table of the soiled plates and cutlery. I had been at their home on enough occasions that I was familiar with the kitchen layout. Chase filled the kettle with tap water, switching it to the on position. He placed three mugs and hot chocolate mix on the counter, my preferred choice of beverage on a cold evening.

  “What do you think you are doing?” Sadie asked him.

  “Making hot drinks,” he responded.

  “In my kitchen?”

  “I’m trying to pitch in.”

  “Out of my kitchen,” she scolded him with love.

  He left, and Sadie and I continued with the dishes.

  “I’m not trying to budge in but did you and Chase talk out everything that was bothering you?” she asked with a pleasant tone.

  “We did,” I responded.

  “Good. Though, if you’re not ready to go back to your place tonight, you are welcome to spend the night here.” Sadie opened the invitation. “I’m sure Chase wouldn’t mind a bunk make for the night.”

  And neither would I.

  7

  I woke to find Chase beside me, lying on his side—facing me. The sun crested the horizon, working its way delicately through the curtains.

  I had class to attend, and like a good student, I would be attending, but in the same thought—I didn’t care. I was in need of an extra day to clear my mind, and staying in bed with Chase would aid in that matter greatly.

  I rearranged my position, trying not to disrupt him, but as careful as I was, my motions were enough to jostle him awake.

  “Good morning, beautiful,” he said upon waking, brushing a fallen piece of hair away from my face. “How did you sleep?”

  “Like a baby.” I closed my eyelids briefly before staring into his defined pupils.

  “Wonderful,” he said, putting an arm around me. “Now it's even better.”

  “Much,” I said.

  We lay in silence and I savoured the cuddle. His arms were wrapped around me, and my head was buried in his shirtless chest. My eyes shut, I breathed deep, consistent breaths, using my other senses to examine him to unmarked depths. His fragrance was pure and natural, more delicious than any flavour. Free from overbearing cologne, it was plain, simple and fresh. His fingertips ran down my spine. My body energized as I focused on his touch. He presented me with a kiss on the crest of my head and tightened his arms around me. I took the opportunity to embark on my own exploration of Chase. I pushed myself away from him to inspect his chest. My hands explored south, stopping below his navel. His breathing slowed to irregular intervals. I contemplated slipping my hand lower, beneath the elastic waist on his pants. I weighed my options back and forth before finally plunging into the unknown and selfishly indulging myself. My hand lowered deeper, into lower, undiscovered territory, craving for more. But while I was savouring the moment, I was stopped before reaching my desired location. His hand tightly grasped my wrist. He relocated it to his face and kissed my trembling fingers one by one.

  “I love you, and I hope you know that,” he said into my confused eyes.

  “Yes,” I said.

  “This isn’t the time. Be patient, my love.”

  “When will it be?” Sass leaked unintentionally out of my voice. Yet again, I had tried but was denied faster than an unravelling swing. My frustration built like a hurricane ready to unleash itself wild.

  “Soon.”

  I rolled away to build separation between us, parting my renounced self from him.

  Still in my new, once-slept-in pyjamas, I went to the kitchen. Sadie hovered over the gas stove, simultaneously flipping food and stirring a pot. Her cat ears perked. My quiet steps were enough to have her turn, like a stray, vouching for their next meal.

  “Good morning, Scarlett,” said Sadie, acknowledging me. “I hope you like homemade waffles with blueberry sauce. Coffee, tea or orange juice?”

  “Coffee, please.”

  “Did you sleep well?”

  I sat at the table with one foot on the floor and the other on the chair with my arm encasing it. I easily forgot how small my own kitchen table was until I sat at someone else's.

  “Yes, I did. Are you always up this early?” I asked.

  “Every day. I have three creatures to feed, and there is no way in hell I will let them near the kitchen—my kitchen.” She took five plates from the cupboard and set them on the table with the awaiting forks and knives. “They know anything past the table is strictly off limits.”

  “You have trained them well.”

  “Thank you. It is one of the few art forms I have managed to perfect with them.”

  The hot coffee gave a pleasurable warmth on my lips just as Chase and Brandon emerged from their rooms, both only sporting pyjama bottoms, but no hint of disapproval was given to the shirtless men from the lady of the house. Dominic followed in shortly after. We exchanged a friendly good morning and they sat.

  Sadie placed an overflowing platter of waffles and a bowl of blueberry sauce on the table. Dominic attempted to use his fingers to sneak a taste of the sauce, but Sadie was quick and swatted his hand away in a flash. My pupils questioned the notion that her hand was moving toward Dominic before he had even made a move at the sauce, but it all transpired so fast that I could have easily miss-called the play. Making a career of a baseball umpire was not in my foreseeable future—ever.

  “Manners, we have a guest,” she said firmly.

  He sat back in his chair, folded his arms and waited for the all clear.

  Beside me, Chase held the large platter of waffles as I served myself. I smiled at him in appreciation for the gesture.

  The boys ate and talked about cars and sports—the stereotypical male conversation. I had difficulty keeping track of what sport they were discussing as I didn’t know if the Patriots were a hockey or baseball team. That is until they referenced a touchdown, telling me that both of my assumptions were one hundred percent incorrect.

  Sadie didn't lie when she told me the boys were bottomless eating pits. The entire platter of waffles had disappeared, while my single serving was more than filling.

  She started to clear the table and I rose to assist. Doing some dishes was my monetary payment for another excellent home-cooked meal.

  “Put those down,” she instructed me, loud enough to startle me, and almost having the dishes land on the floor. “You need to get ready for class. You will be late if you don’t move fast.”

  “I don’t have any of my things with me. My books are in study shambles at my house. There is no way I will have time to collect them.”

  “One step ahead of you. I went back to your place last night after you fell asleep and grabbed your items. All your texts and notebooks are in your bag on the couch. I hope you don’t mind.”

  I was taken aback. “Wait...did you talk to Mia?”

  “She’s a lovely person. Why do you sound so shocked?”

  “I’m not…it's just…you conversed with Mia and escaped her wrath on two feet, undamaged. It’s just remarkable, that's all.” Sadie must pose some sort of friendship attraction ability. Being able to walk out alive and on friendly terms—that was a miracle.

  “Certainly. We had a wonderful chat. She did leave me a message to pass along.” My eyebrows furrowed. “She wanted you to know that she is sorry.”

  “What did you say to her?” I asked but immediately intercepted her from answering. “Wait. Actually, I don’t want to know. Whatever you did, thank you.”

  “You’re welcome,” she said and gave me a light squeeze. “Now go get ready. I don’t like tardy people.”

&n
bsp; “Yes, ma’am.”

  I changed and freshened up my face. Chase was waiting at the front door with his car keys ready in hand.

  “Ready to leave, sunshine?”

  “Ready.”

  He took me by the hand, and we left the house together.

  * * *

  I was alone when I crossed the threshold of my first-period class, which had already been in process for several minutes. If I had the choice, I would have rather not shown up at all than late. But if Sadie and Mia were truly chum buddies now, my no-show would most definitely be reported.

  I tried to enter unnoticed but failed miserably on arrival. All attention was turned to me when Mrs. Buster stopped her lecture mid-sentence. Some professors do not care about time of arrival, while others enjoy centering the student out.

  “Nice of you to join us today, Ms. Courtright,” she said.

  “I’m sorry for being late.”

  “I’m sure you are. Now take a seat and if you don’t mind, I would like to continue.”

  I nodded and took the closest seat I could locate at the rear of the classroom. Mia was one of all the students that turned their attention my way on my uncanny entrance. She followed me with her eyes, even after everyone redirected their focus back to the front. Her lips rose at the corners. Whatever Sadie had said to her, it had worked at calming the fire.

  I watched the clock closely and was practically out of my seat before the bell rang, and I was the first one out of the room. I spotted Chase waiting for me in the distance and swiftly moved toward him.

  “Scarlett.” A voice from behind me yelled out. “Wait up.” There was no mistaking it was Mia. I slowed so she should catch up. “You made it.”

  “That I did,” I said while continuing my way toward Chase and avoiding eye contact with her.

  “Look, Scarlett, I know I had no right to say the things I did last night. I was trying to protect you and lost it like an overbearing mother. I hope you will forgive me. Maybe not right now, or today, or tomorrow, but hopefully someday.”

  My emotions jumped, not knowing if I should feel sorry for my reaction to her uncontrollable parental control over me, or angry because I didn’t want to be nurtured. I was old enough to make my own judgment calls and screw-ups if required. I promised myself to try my best to forget about the past and move forward. What transpired last night I would consider a small hiccup in our friendship. To throw away a four-year relationship for something so little would be one of the dumber things I would have done in my life.