Divinity: The Gathering: Book One

by Susan Reid

  Cam had a brain, a spiritual one at that, and I found myself becoming more and more attracted to him on a physical, level and when he asked me out — I may as well have joined a convent, and had both my eyes, and my hormones checked if I told him no. The sports car was sweet and he looked really good in it, which had me wondering just how much police officers made in this city.

  I thought about everything that both he and Drake told me, all the way back to the University. Joel called and said that China had reserved a table at his aunt’s restaurant for happy hour tonight, and he was giving me a head’s up that his aunt had just gotten a new karaoke machine, and was setting it up for its grand initiation tonight. Great, China loved karaoke. She couldn’t sing, but she like many people, loved to think she could after a few drinks.

  Though the miracle had taken away the bruising and pain along with the purple finger marks that had been around my ankle, I wanted to check my face in the rearview mirror anyway once again before heading inside. I had to make sure that China couldn’t drill me about what happened, let alone anyone else. To my pleasant surprise, it too was healed over — nearly completely, except for a very faint tint of bruising that was hard to see unless you squinted and looked very closely. I was stunned.

  Perplexed, I ran my finger over my lips and the corner of my mouth where the bruising had been. I didn’t know what to make of it, but I wouldn’t wonder about it anymore. Something miraculous happened at the church without a doubt, and it definitely renewed the little bit of faith and inner strength that I had managed to hang onto in my life.

  China was in the kitchen putting up some groceries when I came in. Her books and notebook were open and spread out all over the bar where she had been doing some work.

  “Well hey there,” She said, her head hidden behind the door of the fridge as she stood up and closed it.

  “Hey.”

  “Okay, before you make plans…” She began, holding up her hands to stop me from protesting, and before I even had a chance to hear what she was about to say.

  “I know, I know, Joel told me,” I said as I headed towards my room to kick off my boots and change into something more comfortable.

  “Good. So how did you sleep last night?” She called out.

  “Soundlessly,” I called back.

  “Fantastic! You look a whole lot better too.” She called back.

  I tossed my things into the chair next to my dresser. She had just reminded me to ask her about the missing box of Ambien’s, and my mysteriously clean room — not to mention the feather.

  I eyed it, still perfect, white and pristine, sitting on my jewelry box, and then I picked it up again and brushed my finger tip along its incredibly soft edge, watching the gold edging of the fringes shimmer as I did. I brushed it across my cheek, loving how soft and comforting it was, and its unusual heady scent.

  “Hey China…” I called, as I headed back out into the living area.

  “What’s up?” She looked up from her textbook.

  “Thanks for the pills, but I think that maybe I slept too well. Did you by any chance…take the pills back for some reason, and then cleaned my room and left this?” I asked in one sentence as I held up the long feather.

  She looked genuinely confused, and she raised both brows as her eyes traveled from me; to the feather that I held up, and then back to me again.

  “What?” She replied as if I’d lost my mind.

  I felt as if I had.

  “Well, I got up late this morning, and when I did…my room was clean, the pills were gone, and this was on my jewelry box.”

  She shrugged with her arms out, clueless, “The house cleaning fairy? That’s a big ass feather,” She mused, and then reached for it in fascination.

  “I’m serious. If it wasn’t you, then this is kind of creepy don’t you think? Does someone have the key to our apartment?” I asked.

  “Well, the office would have a copy of it, but only management and maintenance have access to it, and I highly doubt anyone of them would have done something that weird and illegal while you slept.” She then said.

  I watched as she examined the feather with the same curiosity that I had.

  “It’s pretty and it doesn’t look like a normal sized bird feather. Is this real? Or like a quill or something?” She said. Her face scrunched as she examined the feather closely, while gently brushing the soft edges and the clean tip through her slender fingers.

  Well, it was obvious she didn’t leave it, nor did she clean my room or take the pills. Why would she have done any of those things though?

  The thought of any other possibilities made me shudder with unease, a twinge of fear and wonder. What other explanations were there?

  In my silence, she looked at me curiously.

  “I don’t know this is the first time I’ve ever seen it myself.” I replied.

  “You think someone has been in your room? Is the lock on your window broken?” China questioned with alarm, then taking off briskly and jogging into my room, then heading to my window.

  She pulled the wispy aqua blue curtains aside, and pulled the strings to let the blinds up, and examined the locks. I followed and stood behind her, peering around her shoulder to make sure myself.

  I sighed and then pursed my lips — feeling stupid just then at the obvious, “Really China? First of all, we’re on the second floor, and even if anyone managed to get up here, I don’t think someone broke in, didn’t steal anything or touch me, cleaned my room, took my sleeping pills and left me a feather.” I stated.

  She paused and we both looked at each other, and then laughed.

  Despite our shared laughter and as disturbing as the thought was, the circumstances of it being someone trying to steal or do harm, didn’t match the evidence.

  China glanced around my room, “Damn, your room is really clean for a change. This is weird. Well, hell maybe you…did it in your sleep. Ambien’s have been known to be that potent, being that you’ve slept walked before. I mean, you could have gone outside and gotten attacked by some large water bird or big bird himself. Wait no, big bird isn’t white.” She then said trying not to sound as if she believed what she was saying. It was more in a joking manner, and she laughed.

  I sighed, smiling weakly and pursing my lips; giving her a wan look as I moved back to sit on the side of my bed, and covered my face with my hands. I rubbed my eyes and ran my fingers back through my hair to push the curls that fell forward away from my face.

  “Hey, I was kidding. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by that.” She said as she placed the feather down on my dresser.

  My bed sunk down a little under her weight as she sat beside me, and hugged my head with an arm around my shoulders.

  “No, I know. I just,” I paused and turned to her, “China, do you think I’m crazy? Of everything I’ve ever told you about the things I see and my dreams, I want your honest opinion. Do you think I’m crazy?” I asked her sincerely.

  I wasn’t going to tell her everything that happened to me since yesterday with the exception of Cam and who he was since he’d meet her eventually, and she’d probably see him around campus anyway. Rehashing it over and over again was pointless.

  She looked at me with concern, her face was serious with a sympathetic edge and she chewed her lip in thought,

  “No, I don’t think you’re crazy at all.” She said.

  “Don’t say that because you’re my best friend, I mean that.”

  “I’m not. You know I wouldn’t lie to you.” She said.

  She was right. I knew she wouldn’t either.

  “What’s really going on? You know you can talk to me Star.” She then said as she rubbed my arm consolingly.

  I shook my head as I sucked in a breath and stood up,

  “Nothing, I’m ready for some Sake and karaoke tonight, so I hope you’re driving.” I told her.

  She laughed, but I could tell she was trying to read my sudden shift in attitude as something else, “Don’t wo
rry I got you, this outing is for you.” She winked as she stood too and caught me off guard with a warm hug — one that I didn’t think I needed until she did it and it made me tear up a bit.

  When she pulled back, it was then that she paused and took a closer look at my face with wrinkled brows. The fact that it had taken her this long to notice had been a good thing but now--- here it comes.

  “Did you…um…what happened to your lip there?” She asked tapping at her own where mine had been swollen and split just yesterday.

  I quickly moved away pretending to look for something on my now organized dresser.

  “Nothing major, I ran into a door at work yesterday.” I told her quickly and then pulled open a drawer to search for a pair of boxers and a t-shirt.

  She snorted and laughed, “Wow, maybe no more Ambien for you at all girl, you are straight up still tripping hard.” She shook her head and flipped one of my curls playfully as she moved past me to head out of my room.

  “Be ready by six,” She called out.

  ~~~***~~~

  Karaoke night was pretty packed, so I was glad that China had reserved us a table. I’d hate to have to sit at the bar. I looked for Joel, but I was sure he was lost amid the other wait staff.

  Jenna and Vanessa were already at the curving corner booth adjacent to the stage, and were both waving us over. My eyes bugged initially at the huge combo platter of sushi, two bottles of sake and four matching ochoko cups that were already on the table, I grinned —Joel had definitely hooked us up. I was surprised that they had been able to obtain any at all, none of us were twenty one, but that didn’t say that most of the under-aged student population here including China, couldn’t get around that obstacle obviously.

  A fake ID wouldn’t have worked for me anyway. I get mistaken for being both fourteen and sixteen a lot. I didn’t think I looked that young, but without makeup…I could see where the assumption would be made, and being only five foot two didn’t help either. But that was a good thing, I’d look thirty when I was fifty maybe —if I lived that long.

  I precluded that last thought quickly. I wouldn’t let it ruin my good time.

  I slid into the booth across from Jenna and eased my light jacket off, China sat across from me next to her, and Vanessa scooted towards the center to make room for the both of us.

  “What is it about karaoke that brings out all the American idol rejects?” Vanessa commented, seeing a thin, lanky man take the stage and converse with the emcee. He wore purple zebra print torn jeans, a purple fishnet shirt with nothing on underneath, sporting a long braided hot pink pony tail, and donned more facial piercings than hell raiser himself. We all chuckled.

  “Either Star has a twin or you drugged her, how the hell did you drag her out?” Jenna joked and asked China.

  They all looked at me with wide smiles.

  “Hey I get out, just not much lately,” I defended, pouring myself some sake into an unused ochoko cup.

  China held a hand up to stop their tirade of wisecracks, while sorting through the sushi sampler platter on the table.

  “In her defense she’s been overworked and burning the midnight oil between work and school, this was much needed therapy for all of us.” She said.

  “Oh God tell me about it, and semester finals are coming up way to fast too —ugh, here-here.” Vanessa said raising her small cup to toast, and then taking it all in one swallow.

  “Joel is working our table in case you were wondering how we obtained the special libations,” Vanessa informed me, with a Vanna White gesture over the two contemporary, sleek designed Sake bottles.

  “Yeah, I figured that much.” I said with a wry smirk.

  “He’s a cutie. I like the intellect, but he’s not my type.” Jenna commented.

  “No, we know what your type is.” China replied and we all snickered.

  “Whatever.” Jenna laughed.

  “Hey, I’m gonna smoke a cigarette real quick, come with me.” Vanessa said to China.

  “Oh, let me bum one,” China said as she quickly tossed back a shot of Sake, before her and Vanessa scooted back out of the booth.

  “I’ll order the next round when we come back.” China offered as they both headed back towards the front and outside.

  China was a social smoker, only when she was drinking and both Jenna and I couldn’t stand the smell.

  I eyed the colorful rolls of sushi on the plate, spying my favorite superman rolls as I picked up a pair of chopsticks.

  “So what’ve you been up to besides research and homework?” Jenna asked checking her lipstick.

  I shrugged, “You know me, just school, the hospice and the Y.” I told her.

  “Damn Star, you do need more diversity in your social calendar. Are you going to that concert tomorrow night with China?” She then asked while pinching a piece of sushi between her own chop sticks.

  “No, I—ah, actually have a date tomorrow night.” I smiled, though unsure if I should have even mentioned it since I hadn’t even told China yet.

  Too late to take that back now.

  Jenna instantly sat up and beamed broadly, “No shit! Who? Anyone we know? Who is he?” She rattled off excitedly.

  I hesitated not wanting to say too much.

  There was no way my friends wouldn’t eventually know or see us together.

  “He’s —a cop.” I then said wanting to bite my own tongue, and shut myself up now.

  Her mouth hung agape and her dark eyes widened in surprise, and then her expression turned mischievous.

  “Oh my God, seriously? I didn’t know you were into the whole uniform thing, but I figured if you did you’d start with military first. When and where did you manage to pick up a cop? I bet he’s hot too, right? Young I hope, cause that’d be really gross and wrong otherwise, especially if he’s married….unless he’s rich, which as IMPD, I doubt and you probably shouldn’t invite him along for our happy hours either.” She laughed.

  I couldn’t help but shake my head and laugh too, as she babbled on without taking a single breath or skipping a beat, like only Jenna could do.

  Well, he had a really nice car, but she may have a point too though, after all —he was gonna ticket me for driving with an injured ankle. Somehow I think he was kidding though. It seemed like his personality, and I smiled again thinking of him, our conversations, and our upcoming date.

  The music cued up loud and sharp, some heavy drum and guitar synthesized melody. Apparently the guy onstage had made his selection finally, and it was a tune I didn’t recognize at all. The dining audience perked up and began to clap with cat calls, and words of encouragement. The guy did some sort of jig and waited for his own cue to start singing, as if he were a seasoned rock star of some sort.

  He was a show all his own and entertaining already with fans in the making apparently, I’d give him that.

  Once I had tossed back the rest of my first drink I instantly began to feel its warming effects cascade throughout my limbs and body. It wouldn’t be long before I got wasted at this rate so I’d better pace myself. I liked it though, it helped me to not think about everything else, but I don’t think I wanted to become an alcoholic in order to live and get through each day…or did I?

  I chuckled to myself internally.

  This stuff was already working on me, I’d better eat something.

  I poured some soy sauce into the small sauce bowl, and selected a salmon cucumber roll.

  “When do we get to meet him?” Jenna smiled.

  I shrugged again, “I don’t know, I guess you guys will, eventually. He recently just got assigned to the campus and…you can’t miss him.” I then said taking another sip of my second Sake and finishing it.

  Her mouth dropped again followed by a wide smile, “Really? He’s that good looking huh? Damn, I definitely can’t wait now.” She commented with an even bigger smile.

  I blushed. Yes, yes he is.

  “So how is Joel taking that? I thought you and he had the friends with b
enefits thing going.” She then asked.

  I shook my head no thinking of Cam at that exact moment.

  I was beginning to feel really good now.

  “Uh no, we’re just good friends.” I told her before dipping my sushi roll into the soy sauce cup I had poured, and eating it whole.

  The salty flavor with a hint of spiciness hit my tongue as I chewed.

  Though it was the ‘in’ thing here around campus, hooking up and ‘friends with benefits’ were not my style or interest. I respected myself too much for that. Pleasure without love and respect was empty and pointless to me.

  China was the only one who knew I that was still a virgin, and she kept it to herself just like a best friend should. It was something I didn’t feel the need to go around wearing a t-shirt to display, or printing on business cards.

  It wasn’t that I intentionally set out to wait for marriage or anything.

  It was just that, between my experiences with visions and seeing scary, otherworldly things, surviving one of the most deadliest hurricane disasters in history that took the lives of both of my parents, and almost myself and then the death of my grandmother — who I loved more than anything, I never once had the thought or desire to sleep around, or have sex just to fill the voids. I simply kept to myself, and stayed busy with projects and volunteer work.

  It was never something I glossed over until I got to college, but even now, I didn’t take it lightly or frivolously just because most everyone else I knew did. Until seeing Officer Cam, I had never really paid attention to those hormones and desires that came to life and overwhelmed me in his presence, and it was extremely strong around him. It was strange though, not really knowing either one of them; that as gorgeous as Drake was and as much as I enjoyed his company…I didn’t have any of those physical feelings about him at all whatsoever.

  Speaking of, Joel was heading our way with another platter of something that looked like pot-stickers and another bottle of sake in his uniform of black slacks, a white button down shirt and red waist apron. He instantly smiled when he saw me, and I could see China and Vanessa weaving their way back to our table in his wake.