Acoustic Fishes

by Michael Vu

  “So what do you think?” asked Elizabeth.

  She reached the bottom of the stairs. Chloe followed behind her. There was silence. Elizabeth grew jittery from the silence.

  “Well, come on Noah!”

  “Oh, pretty. I’ve never seen you more pretty in my life,” he said jittering. “Wonderful job Chloe. Wonderful. Just brilliant. She looks like a true queen.”

  Chloe remained behind Elizabeth with her arms crossed over her breasts. She held in her air a sense of pride; she was like a proud coach about to see her player win a big game. She said:

  “It’s my dress. She looks better in it than me.”

  There was a knock on the front door. Chloe jumped in the air and clapped her hands as if she were a child earning tickets at the arcade. Elizabeth remained calm. She stole a glance at Noah to check his countenance. He appeared agitated and nervous as he walked towards the front door with Chloe.

  When the door opened, a man several inches shorter than Elizabeth walked in. He wore a brown corduroy suit. He had round brown eyes, dark brown hair and light skin. His lips were thin, which matched his small nose. He was a descent, ordinary looking man in his early thirties.

  He greeted Noah with a firm handshake. He carried in his arms a bouquet of red roses sitting in a clear vase. He greeted Chloe with a hug. When he saw Elizabeth he stiffened. She took the color in his cheeks right out of him. He said:

  “Hi, I am Johnny. My god you are pretty. A lot prettier than Chloe told me. She told me you were pretty, but not this pretty. Oh these are for you,” he said while handing over the flowers.

  Noah wanted to smash his head with the vase. Elizabeth said:

  “Thank you. Shall we go?”

  “Now you too have fun,” said Chloe as the two walked towards the front door. She walked up to Noah and hugged him. “Don’t stay out too late. Be safe you kids! Bye now. Be back before it is dark.”

  Everyone laughed but Noah. He watched Elizabeth leave. The door closed. He picked up his book and tried to read, but ended up on the same page over and over. He waited up all night for Elizabeth to return home.

  Finally, she walked through the front door and gently closed it. Elizabeth gingerly walked up the stairs. A light flickered on. Standing at the bottom of the stairs was Noah in a pair of jeans and t-shirt.

  “Noah!” cried Elizabeth with horror. “You scarred me. Crap! What are you doing up so late at this hour?”

  “It’s late. I’ve been waiting up for you Elizabeth.”

  “I can see that.”

  “I was beginning to get worried. Do you know what time it is? I… we were getting worried. We tried to call your phone, but there was no answer. Are you ok? Did anything happen to you?”

  Elizabeth walked down to the bottom of the stairs to meet Noah. She appeared energetic and lively. She looked deep into Noah’s eyes and studied them.

  “Everything is fine. I’m a big girl Noah. I can take care of myself. Where is Chloe?”

  “She fell asleep. How did it go?”

  “It went fine.”

  Noah took a deep breath.

  “Will you see him again then?”

  “When he dropped me off, he said to me: ‘Elizabeth you are so pretty, it would do me the honor to see you again my princess.’ I started laughing.”

  The two laughed. Elizabeth looked deep into Noah’s eyes. She said:

  “He should know that I’m not to be called a princess. I am to be known as the queen.”

  Noah blushed. His face turned red.

  Elizabeth ran upstairs. She changed her clothes and jumped under the covers. She slept with a smile. Noah remained downstairs. He picked up his book and turned the pages until sunlight came into the room.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  The next day, Chloe insisted Elizabeth join her for a day of shopping and lunch. It was a delightful Saturday afternoon. The sun came out with light not too strong for the skin or eye. There was a nice breeze. The weather permitted light clothing.

  Chloe and Elizabeth hopped from store to store. They were enjoying themselves.

  “So do you think you will see Johnny again? I called him and he said he had such a good time with you. He wondered if you too had a good time.”

  “Yes I did have a good time. I’m open to seeing him again. I don’t see why I should not.”

  Chloe clapped her hands together. It made her feel well to connect Elizabeth with someone; it gave her confidence a boost. She intended with great effort to enjoy the day with her best friend. As they walked on, Chloe placed her arm around Elizabeth’s.

  The pair had lunch on Austin Street. They sat near the window. Their conversation was light and entertaining. They each had an ice tea, salad, and assorted Italian dishes the waiter recommended. Elizabeth loved ravioli. She ate slowly. Groups of people walking by stared at their dishes. Some even stopped in for a meal after seeing the food.

  When they finished, Chloe paid the bill and the two were back on the streets for more shopping. Chloe spotted a pair of shoes she liked across Austin Street.

  “Elizabeth do you see those! We have to try them on, come on,” said Chloe darting quickly across the street.

  Chloe was nearly across the street when her foot lodged in a crack. She tried desperately to free herself. But the foot was tightly latched in between the cement. Around the corner, a bus was coming towards her.

  She reached down to see if she could tear her foot from the shoe. She cried:

  “Elizabeth! My foot! It’s stuck. Help me! Quickly, the bus isn’t slowing down.”

  Elizabeth stared at Chloe for a bit. She stood in the middle of the road, motionless, with her hands to the side. The bus was coming right at her.

  Elizabeth imagined Chloe dead. She imagined a life full of happiness with Noah. How terrible to think such thoughts, Elizabeth thought. But she could not help herself. She watched Chloe scream for her help. Chloe’s eyes were wide with terror, and with that in view, Elizabeth rationalized.

  She rushed to Chloe. The two reached down and tugged her right foot with desperation. The bus was still not slowing down. Within seconds, it would smash into the two bodies.

  “It won’t budge Chloe!” cried Elizabeth.

  “Don’t leave me! Please Elizabeth! Keep pulling. Please help me!”

  The two pulled as hard as they could. The bus was within two car lengths away when Chloe broke free from the cement. Elizabeth pulled Chloe to the side of the street.

  “Oh my lord. That was close. I was so frightened,” said Chloe in desperate search of oxygen.

  The bus was about to pass them. Elizabeth watched it. If only Chloe were gone, she thought. How wonderful would her life be with Noah? They could marry; have children and raise them in the house they both lived in now. She wanted to rid Chloe from the life she felt was taken from her. Elizabeth believed she was entitled to Noah. After all, it was she who lost her husband; it was she who put up with his cheating ways. She belonged to Noah, not Chloe!

  “I don’t know how my foot got stuck. It just…”

  Chloe was unable to finish her sentence. Elizabeth quickly pushed Chloe back into the street where her foot was stuck moments ago. The bus slammed into her body violently. Chloe’s body was sent airborne. Blood splashed all over the window shield. Her body landed several feet in front of the bus.

  It all looked like a video game to Elizabeth. It was as if at any moment a film director would jump out and ask the crew to reset for another take. None of it seemed real. The bus driver slammed on the brakes. People in the area rushed to Chloe’s aid.

  “Someone call an ambulance!” a man shouted.

  The bus driver opened the doors. He ran up to the body. He yelled:

  “She came out of nowhere! She came out of nowhere,” he said with terror in his eyes.

  Elizabeth held herself with composure. She walked up to the body. Chloe’s face was covered with blood. She was still breathing. Her body shook profusely. Chloe’s eyes met Elizabeth’s. C
hloe had in her eyes, a burning terror. She stared at Elizabeth as she gasped for air. Blood streamed down her small mouth. The light in her eyes faded down. Her body shook and twitched.

  Then, it seized. Chloe was dead.

  She lay there on her side, in the middle of the street, covered in her own blood. Her eyes were still open.

  Noah did not shed a tear at the funeral. He did not cry the following week. He appeared lifeless and quiet, like he was in deep mediation only with eyes wide open.

  Elizabeth allowed him to grieve in the manner he felt suited. She watched him ruminate. She could tell he was trying to make sense of the outcome.

  Presently, the two were eating dinner. They spent a lot of time together since Chloe’s death. Neither had much to say to each other, but on occasion exchanged glances.

  Noah ate slowly. He contemplated on what had occurred. He felt that Chloe’s accident was from his doing. He eliminated Mitchell. It was fitting that someone he loved pay for his actions; justice was now done. But how terrible that it should be carried out like this! What had Chloe done? Why was he not punished? The situation was unfair, and as he thought about his, he looked over to Elizabeth.

  She too was suffering because of his actions, he thought. And now, he sat there alone with the one person he had always wanted to be with. Noah felt responsible for Elizabeth; he took responsibility for everything. His chest was full like a balloon with too much air; it was about to explode.

  Noah dropped his spoon and began to cry. Elizabeth looked up at him with astonishment. She had yet to see him emotional. She knew it was only a matter of time before he broke down.

  Elizabeth placed down her knife and fork. She walked over to Noah. She placed her arms around his head. He cried harder when he felt the warmth of her arms. Elizabeth hugged him tighter and listened to his deep cries.

  When Noah’s stream of tears stopped, Elizabeth pulled him to his feet.

  “Come on Noah.”

  Noah stood with her. She held his hand and directed him towards the living room. She left him standing in the middle of the room. Elizabeth walked over to the stereo. She turned it on. Music by The Platters blasted through the speakers. She walked back up to Noah. Noah said:

  “I like this song. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes right?”

  “Yes. Dance with me a little. Let’s not think anymore.”

  Noah placed his hands around Elizabeth’s waist. They started to dance. Elizabeth searched deep into Noah’s eyes. But he looked down to the floor. He was embarrassed to show the wetness in his eyes still.

  Noah’s emotional state made him unpredictable. His inner circuitry was running improperly. He rationalized and drew up courage to tell Elizabeth the truth. He wanted her to know that Chloe’s death was his fault. He would tell her what happened with Amy and Mitchell. It was his fault they all died.

  “Elizabeth,” whispered Noah.

  Elizabeth looked in his eyes. She saw a man in despair. She loved him. She wanted nothing more than to comfort him. Noah was about to speak again, when Elizabeth placed her finger on his lips.

  They agreed to be quiet. Elizabeth placed her head on his shoulder. The two were a sad pair dancing the night away.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Noah watched Elizabeth sleep. She appeared to him like she did when they were in junior high school. Her skin was plush, youthful and vibrant. She was once again a child: innocent and ready for the world to take its claim on her. Elizabeth looked so pretty with her eyes closed, thought Noah. He wondered where her sleep took her. What dreams did she dream at this moment?

  He loved being by her side now in his bed. He considered the results it took to get to this point. But if he had the chance to do it all over, would Noah interfere with fate if given the opportunity? Or would he be a blind advocate and allow the unfortunate events unfold?

  It was meant to be. It was clear to him that the stars forced themselves to align, whomever or whatever was in its way stood a chance to be harmed.

  He waited for Elizabeth’s eyes to open. She breathed calmly. Her chest rose and deflated with ease. She was a beautiful sight! If only one could clone her, so that the rest of the earth could be spoiled with her splendor prettiness.

  Her eyes opened. The beautiful blue eyes darted around the room in attempt to register where they were at the moment. The eyes had enough beauty in them that one would be inclined to give up a day’s work just to stare into them. The color in them marveled like that of an ocean one sought to be lost in.

  Elizabeth looked at Noah. She said:

  “Hi.”

  “Hi,” said Noah with a smile.

  Noah moved his lips closer to hers. He gave her a tender look. He pressed his lips against hers. They were soft, moist, and warm. Noah backed off. He looked deeply into her blue eyes.

  Elizabeth’s face was content with bliss. She appeared relaxed, but at the same time looked lost in the moment of surprise. Noah’s lips sent a shock through her system. She believed for a moment that her mind was merely playing a trick on her, and that at any moment, she would be woken up. She longed for Noah’s lips again.

  “What now?” she asked.

  Noah examined her face. He gave her a slight smirk. He replied:

  “Now we have breakfast.”

  The couple ate with a large appetite. They served themselves pancakes, scrambled eggs, wheat toast, sausage, ham, bacon, fruit, juice, and coffee. The kitchen was a mess. They did not care.

  Afterwards, Elizabeth wanted fresh air. The two ran upstairs and dressed quickly. They ran out the door and jumped on a train towards Manhattan.

  It was lovely day to be in the big city. The birds sang with confidence. The sun sat next a cluster of clouds. The light winds passed through the tree, making the leaves flip around.

  Elizabeth insisted on a walk through Central Park. She held Noah’s hand. It gave her a sense of pride and comfort to be with him now; she cherished being in his presence. She wanted the world to know that they belonged together. She held his hand so tightly that Noah’s palm began to perspire. Elizabeth noticed, but did not relieve pressure.

  Together, they watched the world move. They did not exchange many words. Occasionally Noah pointed out a thing here and there. They reached a bridge and stopped to have a look around.

  “Kiss me Noah.”

  “If that’s what you want my queen.”

  The pair kissed.

  “Now take me to lunch,” said Elizabeth cheerfully. “And then take me home so we can make love. Again.”

  “Of course Elizabeth.”

  Back at home Noah carried Elizabeth up the stairs. She helped him undress while he assisted with her blouse. Elizabeth pressed her lips against his. Her lips before were moist and tender, but now they seemed to be on fire.

  They fall on the bed. Elizabeth pulled the covers over their bodies. She kissed Noah.

  “Make love to me Noah,” she whispered in his ear. “I love you. I’ve always loved you.”

  Noah obeyed her wish.

  Elizabeth was asleep naked. The light from the stars found its way into the room. The light from the stars gave the bedroom a soft aesthetic. It made Noah feel as if he were only at a hotel room on holiday, and would soon have to give up the comforts of this circumstance and return to real life. But when he looked at Elizabeth, he knew that this was real; he knew she was real. He could touch her, taste her, and smell her.

  “I wish I knew you when were little,” whispered Noah.

  “At least we were around each other all along.”

  Noah smiled. He thought her choice of words were innocent and comforting. He said:

  “I know. But I mean I wish we really knew each other. Maybe our lives would be different. Maybe everything would be different. I’ve spent my life running around for something. I was always in search of answers in hopes to give my life something more. But when I think about it, it was you who I’ve always wanted. It was you who I needed. It’s silly to think that as children,
our houses were only separated by a number of streets. Life is so funny. You can search the world to no end for something, but the answer can be as close as your own eyelash.”

  Elizabeth listened calmly. She watched his thin lips move. Was this his way of telling her he was in love? The thought excited her.

  She threw the covers off. She pushed Noah over and pinned him down. She kissed him heavily. Noah was overcome with joy.

  Then something strange happened, something that hasn’t happened in so many years. Noah began to feel a slight tremble in his eyes. His breathing became deeper. The eyes that he held open for so long grew tired. His eyelids were now like heavy curtains ready to be pulled down.

  “Elizabeth, my queen,” softly whispered Noah now aware of his drowsy eyes.

  “Yes?”

  “I think, I think I am about to fall asleep.”

  Elizabeth giggled. She thought his statement was unnecessary; it was already too obvious to her. She replied:

  “Goodnight then. I’m right behind you. I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Well, goodnight my dear queen. But only a goodnight here, because I’ll see you yet in my dream and say good morning then.”

  Elizabeth watched his eyes fight to stay awake. And then it happened. For the first time in decades, Noah Spence’s eyes closed. The boy, who could never sleep, was finally at rest.

  Noah Spence would never wake up again. His breathing stopped in the middle of the night as he rested next to his beautiful Elizabeth Little, whom he loved and cherished dearly.

  For Elizabeth, it was the best sleep of her life.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  A month flew by. Elizabeth remained in the house. It was quiet and dreadful. Though she was sad to be left alone, with no companion or friend, Elizabeth was content with the small time she was given to be with Noah.

  Presently in the kitchen was Elizabeth fixing breakfast before the day’s work. The windows were all open. The final moments of autumn were near and soon the winter cold would swoop in. The birds outside sang and spoke to one another. The sun was out, but only offered a little light.