The Blurring

by Angela Peach

  The next ten minutes were hard for me as we listened to the recording of my backward talking, and even the hot sunshine couldn’t warm my skin. I was glad when it was finally turned off. We sat and stared at Pam expectantly.

  “Do you have any pruning shears?” she suddenly asked.

  “Sure! All my gardening tools are in the shed-please help yourself” Spencer said, and we both watched in surprise as Pam spent the next half an hour walking round the garden, digging up weeds here and there, pruning the odd bush back, and sniffing the flowers!

  When she’d finished, she returned to us, idly picking dirt from her fingernails.

  “Ok, so this is like totally random! Tristen, you don’t really belong here, chick! You’re supposed to be somewhere else, but it’s tricky. You can’t be where you should be, but you will soon…well, when I say soon, it’s all relative…”she paused, looking up at the sky thoughtfully. “Oh, and the ringing that deafens you sometimes…I think it’s more of a pulse, but it’s going so fast it just sounds continuous. I keep getting…a rhythm of life maybe?”

  “Who is going to die?” I asked, a question that had been nagging me since I read the notes. I was getting sick of cryptic messages. “And can we stop it from happening?”

  “You can’t stop from happening something which has already happened or which is a pre-set event” Pam replied, a little mysteriously. “And I don’t know who’s going to die. I can’t even

  get a feeling about it. There’s nothing! I’m sorry.”

  “Maybe I translated it wrong?” Spencer said, frowning.

  “Possibly. Or maybe those answers are a bit too far ahead? Like I said, not everything I feel is totally accurate, and I can usually only get a feel for the near future.”

  “So what do we do now?” I asked, feeling like we hadn’t really answered any of our burning questions.

  “Well, I’d suggest experimenting, seeing how long you can both be apart for before things slip and change. That should give you some boundaries you can work within. But I strongly advise against abusing your genie power.”

  “My what?”

  “You know, what you wish for you shall receive? It’s very important to keep level headed and humble. Only ask or wish for what you genuinely need. Other than that, things will just run their natural course. They already have! I mean, you guys are so lucky! To get a message saying that you’re both going to grow old together and die happy, together, well that’s something everyone wants, right?” Pam looked at us with a look of pure joy, and I felt Spencer’s take my hand as my heart swelled. She was right-nobody really knew what the future had in store for them, and if what I’d said under hypnosis was true? Then yes, we were very lucky! But then I remembered something I’d been meaning to ask.

  “One thing-what did I whisper to you at the end of the session? Just before you brought me round?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. It was backwards and the tape didn’t catch it” Spencer said, but she didn‘t look at me.

  “But you were fine up until that point-then you just freaked out.”

  “You started convulsing! Of course I freaked out!”

  “Tristen, don’t chase answers! If you need to know something, the answer will appear to you! If it doesn’t, then it’s not something you need to know, ok?” Pam said, and I looked at her in surprise.

  “Ok.”

  “Coolio! Right, if it’s ok with you ladies, I’m going to head to the nearest beach and catch some sun! It’s been a pleasure meeting you both!”

  We all stood and said our goodbyes, then Pam left, shouting out to Spence as she sashayed away to keep me grounded. As soon as she was out of sight, I turned to Spencer, curiosity getting the better of me.

  “Before you ask, it was a private chat, and no, it was nothing you needed to know, ok? It was something I needed help with” she said as I opened my mouth.

  “What? But why isn’t it something I could help you with?” I asked, sounding a little whiny even to myself!

  “I’ll tell you one day, when the time is right, I promise” she said, pulling me close and employing the greatest distraction technique ever, by kissing my neck.

  “Mm, that’s not fair!” I murmured! But I wasn’t complaining, and before too long, we were back on the grass, tugging at each other’s clothes impatiently, eager to get inside them.

  When we’d satiated each other (for the time being), we discussed how to work out the parameters for the blurs happening.

  We both agreed there were two important factors involved; the first being time, the second distance.

  With great reluctance, we both redressed and spent the next few hours experimenting, but making some big discoveries. While I stayed at Spencer’s house and studied the notebook, she walked slowly up the road to test the distance factor first. We discovered that so long as we were within roughly a quarter of a mile of each other, nothing changed. As soon as she stepped beyond that, facts and words in the notebook started shaking and, literally, blurring!

  Once we’d got the distance sorted, we decided the best way to test the time was for Spencer to drive half a mile away and wait to see how long it would be until the notebook started shifting around. As soon as she went over the quarter mile line, it was like a countdown timer ticking down and we worked out we had between forty five to fifty minutes to get back together before a blur was due.

  The anxiety we shared when we weren’t together was something we both agreed needed working on, and we both made a strong unanimous decision to carry our phones at all times so we could always be in contact.

  We also very casually managed to skirt around the subject of returning to work. It just didn’t seem very important right now. We did, however, broach the subject of our birthdays, which was the next day.

  “My parents are expecting me for lunch. They usually give me my present then as well, so I have the rest of the day free” Spencer said, and I remembered she’d suddenly gained her parents back sometime last week.

  “I’m supposed to be having dinner with Nick” I sighed. My mum had cancelled our lunch date to my surprise, saying she was busy and she’d catch up with me at the weekend. But Nick had been more than upset that I hadn’t returned home. He’d been texting and calling non-stop since Sunday night but I’d ignored the calls and been brief when replying to his texts. This was something I needed to sort out sooner rather than later. I saw that Spencer was looking very uncomfortable, playing with random strands of her dark hair.

  My god, I love her so much!

  I leaned forward and kissed her softly on the mouth, an act I didn’t think would ever lose its thrill no matter how often we did it (which at the moment was as often as we could do it!)

  “I’ll find out where he wants to take me for dinner-if you hang around nearby, things will stay the same. I’ll tell him it’s over, that I can’t see him anymore. It won’t be easy, but I have to tell him. Then we can come back here and celebrate, just us.”

  “Thank you. I know it won’t be easy, but I’ll be right outside” she said, looking relieved. But then a mischievous look came into her eyes. “Um, how do you feel about meeting my parents?”

  “Well, you’ve met mine, so why not?” I replied, as her eyes dropped down to my breasts. My nipples perked to attention obediently under her hungry gaze. I wasn’t sure how a simple glance from her could awaken such fire in me, but I wasn’t about to start analysing it now! I licked my lips and lay back as she crawled toward me on all fours like a predator, except I was willing prey! I wanted her to devour me mercilessly!

  She pinned my hands together above my head with hers and stared down at me hungrily.

  “You, Molly Tristen, are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen, and you do things to me that I never thought were possible. And now, I’m going to do things to you that you never thought were possible!” she said, and a flush worked its way up my neck. I was excited for whatever it was she had planned for me!

  “Yes! I want that! Please?” I
begged shamelessly!

  She kept to her promise!

  CHAPTER 14

  I had to silently agree with Jo, Spencer’s mum-her timing could have been a little better! But seeing how proud she’d looked announcing me as her girlfriend had made my heart glow!

  Her mum however, looked very confused and had put down the slice of birthday cake she’d been eating while her father, Larry, was now regarding me as if I’d just stepped out of a lesbian porn film!

  “But Becka…you’re not a gay?” Jo finally managed!

  “Neither of us were gay, mum! We just both fell in love with each other. We can’t explain it, it just happened!” Spencer beamed, proudly holding my hand.

  “How does something like that just happen?”

  “I don’t know! But all that matters is that we’re in love and we’re very happy! You always said so long as I was happy, you were happy, right dad?”

  “We-ell, yes. It’s just a bit of a shock, I think Beck. Weren’t you with that Ricky last month?”

  “Of course we’re happy for you sweetheart!” Jo interrupted, glaring daggers at Larry. “It’s just so unexpected. I mean, how do you know? For sure?”

  “Mum, I’m more sure of Tristen than I’ve ever been of anything in my entire life! I’ve met the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with and marry!”

  Larry coughed out a hunk of cake at her enthusiastic declaration and Jo’s jaw dropped open. I stifled an inappropriate giggle!

  “Mr and Mrs Spencer, I know it’s only been a short time, but I know I love Spen…Rebecka more than I ever thought it was possible to love anyone, and it’d mean so much to us to have your blessing?”

  “Well that goes without saying Tristen. Just so long as you’re both sure that it’s what you want, then of course you have our blessing” Jo said, and almost as an afterthought, awkwardly patted my hand.

  “And isn’t it crazy that we have the same birthday?”

  I thought I saw a flicker of a frown on Larry’s face as both parents glanced at me with curious expressions.

  “It certainly is odd. I mean, what are the chances?” he muttered, raising his eyebrows. There was a long silence as everyone struggled for something to say, broken by Spencer.

  “Mum, can I have a word with you in private?”

  “Ok. Do you want to come out into the kitchen while I make a pot of tea?”

  They both stood and walked out of the room leaving Larry and I to fight for conversation alone!

  “So…Tristen…what do you do for a living?” he asked, sitting back in his chair and giving me his full attention. I panicked. Was I still an interior designer? I couldn’t remember and knew it would look odd if I checked the notebook. I decided to take a risk.

  “I’m an interior designer?” I said, my mouth dry.

  “Oh, what an interesting job! Do you get a lot of work?”

  “Yes, this is the first holiday I’ve had for over a year.”

  “Hmm.”

  Another long silence ensued.

  “So, did you design your own place?”

  “Um, no. We sort of liked it the way it was when we moved in.”

  “We?”

  Oops.

  “My boyfriend…ex boyfriend. We just broke up.”

  “Oh, so where are you living now?”

  “With Sp…Becka.” My face was burning red as I saw his eyebrows rise again.

  “How did you both meet? It must have been quite spectacular to have made such an impression” he asked, eating another mouthful of cake. I hesitated. I knew she hadn’t told anyone about the accident, but for the life of me, I couldn’t think of a lie on the spot!

  “Um…well, she uh, she saved my life” I mumbled, wishing she’d come back, and luckily for me, she did. But it was too late.

  “Beck? Is this true? Did you save her life?” Larry asked as they walked back through. Spencer stiffened.

  “Oh, it’s not as dramatic as it sounds dad” she said, and concocted some story about stopping me walking across the road when a lorry was hurtling by. I made a mental note to tell her about my inability to lie when we left to prepare her for future situations!

  By the time we left, I was completely in the dark as to whether or not they liked me, but I had bigger things to worry about-I was due to meet Nick in town for our break up dinner, and I just couldn’t think of a nice way to tell him our relationship was over without breaking his heart.

  After I’d showered and got dressed, I went into the lounge where I found Spencer lying on her sofa listening to some music and looking out the window. She had her sketch book open and I saw she was halfway through a beautiful drawing of a tree in her garden. She looked even more nervous than I felt, if that was possible.

  The plan was for her to drop me off just around the corner from the restaurant, and then park in a car park nearby to wait. I didn’t plan on being any longer than was necessary-harsh as it seemed, I didn’t want to hang around to watch him break down.

  What Spencer didn’t know was that I’d asked Nick to bring to dinner with him a locket that my nan had passed down to my father, who’d given it to me when I’d turned twenty one. I planned on giving it to her later for her birthday gift from me as I’d been unable to go shopping without her. The locket was without doubt my most prized possession, and I wanted her to know I trusted our future together enough for her to have it.

  “Ready?” I asked quietly.

  “Yes. Are you?”

  “No. But let’s do it anyway.”

  “Your phone was going off again.” Spencer said, sitting up. I picked it up from the side. It was from Alice.

  WHAT THE FUCK’S GOING ON?? WHY HAVEN’T YOU BEEN ANSWERING YOUR PHONE OR CALLED ME BACK? AM WORRIED BOUT U BABE. I DON’T EVEN KNOW IF WE R STILL MEETING UP LATER 2 GO OUT??? X

  I put the phone in my pocket without replying, hoping she’d understand in the long run, but sort of knowing she wouldn’t.

  We drove into town in silence, arriving on time near the arranged meet up spot, and next to the multi-storey car park Spencer was going to wait for me in.

  “I’m so nervous! This is going to be the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do” I said, wiping my clammy hands on my skirt.

  “Just be gentle. I couldn’t begin to imagine losing you, and if he loves you even a fraction of how much I love you, I think he’ll put up quite a fight” she turned to me, her brown eyes sad. “I would.”

  I squeezed her hand reassuringly.

  “Back soon sweetie. Love you.”

  “Love you too. Good luck.”

  We kissed and I got out of the car quickly before I could bottle out. I walked to the restaurant, my heart pounding. He was waiting for me outside, smoking a cigarette?? That was something new, and I hated it immediately.

  “Tris! Oh my god, baby I’ve missed you so much! Wow! You look amazing!” he laughed, looking overjoyed to see me. Then he ran over and picked me up, spinning me round in circles.

  “Nick! Put me down!”

  “Happy birthday baby! Where’s your bags?”

  “I…come on, let’s go and eat?” I stuttered, making to move towards the entrance but he stopped me.

  “Hold on, I haven’t had a kiss yet” he said, and pulled me in for an unavoidable kiss which tasted nasty. I really hoped Spencer wasn’t watching as I tried not to squirm noticeably away.

  “Nick, please? You’re embarrassing me” I said, pulling myself out of his embrace.

  “Sorry, I just didn’t realise how much I was going to miss you until you weren’t there, and now I’ve got you back again, I don’t intend to let you go! So listen, we need to go back home quickly before we eat-I’ve left your card and present there, along with that locket you asked me to bring.”

  Without waiting, he started off down the road towards his car, expecting me to follow.

  “What? But…what about dinner?”

  “I changed the reservation to half eight, so it gives us half an hour to get there and get b
ack. Come on?” he got into his car, oblivious to my panic stricken face. I didn’t know what to do. On the one hand, it could definitely work in my favour-I could break up with him at home thus avoiding any messy scenes in the restaurant, and pack some of my stuff at the same time! However, it was going to be tricky if Spence couldn’t keep up with us in the traffic, and dropped too far behind. I discreetly sent her a text, telling her of the new plan, then got into Nick’s car, trying to quell the rising anxiety of being apart from her.

  “So Alice tells me you haven’t been feeling too well this week?” he said as we stopped at a red light.

  “Oh. Er, no. I’ve had a lot of headaches” I stuttered, remembering just in time that he still thought I was staying at Ali’s. Nick nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. For some reason, this made me nervous. “Nick, listen, I think we should cancel dinner. There’s something we need to talk about when we get home. Something very important.”

  “I agree.”

  “You do?”

  He nodded again and before any more questions could arise, I put the radio on loud for the rest of the journey. I kept checking my phone but there were no texts from her, which I couldn’t tell was a good or bad sign, but I sent her another one anyway, telling her to hurry. I was practically clucking by the time we pulled up outside the house I used to share with Nick, and my palms were cold and clammy.

  Come on baby? Please text me back?

  I followed Nick into the house, surprised at his nervous manner. Perhaps he had an inkling of what was about to happen? I saw the locket straight away on a shelf just inside the front door and put it straight into my pocket, breathing a sigh of relief as I did so.

  “You go on through to the lounge, I’ll go upstairs and get your present” he said, and I frowned. I couldn’t ever remember seeing him sweat like this, but thought it would be hypocritical to ask if he was alright when I was about to smash his world to smithereens.