by Susan Reid
Sorry Grandma. I said to myself. I hoped she wouldn’t be too disappointed in me when we met again.
Joel was sitting on the couch watching television in our living room when I walked in and headed straight into the kitchen, with a box of freshly assorted donuts that I’d stopped to get, when I remembered we needed more washing detergent.
I hated doing laundry.
The whole having to stay with my clothes while they washed and dried, because there were inconsiderate jerks who had no qualms in taking out your laundry before it was completely dried to do theirs if you left, was mundane and irritating at best.
“Hey, good morning,” I smiled looking at him curiously, and wondering why he hadn’t called to tell me he’d be over.
Something was beginning to burn in a small sauce pot on the stove. I peeped into the pot and spied the white, thick, pasty, bubbling gravy mix with browned edges on the verge of turning into a burnt layer of skin on top.
I quickly turned the stove off, and moved the pot over and off the heat.
China was apparently making biscuits and gravy for breakfast, more than likely for Steve since we had already eaten BLT’s; there was a pan of three buttermilk biscuits already baked on the stovetop as well.
“Morning, you’re up early. I thought I’d find you praying at the throne still,” Joel smiled, already perched on a barstool when I turned around.
I gave a half smile and put my things down after setting my store bags on the counter.
“Nah, I got that over with early this morning. How long have you been here?” I replied.
“I just got here. I forgot you go to the Y on weekends, but I figured I’d take the chance that you might have stayed home when I texted you this morning. I was about to leave but China left something in her car and asked if I could watch that pot for her real quick,” He told me with a nod towards the stove.
“Oh you mean the one that was burning? Uh, my date won’t be here until seven,” I kidded and thumbed back towards the stove, as I slid the donut box towards him.
“Hey, I have no idea what that is or what I was supposed to do and I promise, I didn’t come to spy on you and your date.” He said innocently with a shrug of his shoulders, and a roll of his eyes. He wasted no time pulling out the Boston crème filled one, and biting into it.
I laughed and he chuckled.
“I actually came over to check on you and see what you were doing today before your date. China told me you have some big ass scratches that looked pretty bad all across your back, and neither one of you guys remember how it happened.” He then said.
I felt my skin grow taut with agitation at China’s big mouth and for Joel to even mention it. It didn’t even burn or hurt anymore and I hadn’t thought about it again since this morning —with relief…until now.
I held my hands out matter-of-factly, shrugged my shoulders and laughed.
“I may have been a bit wasted, what can I say? China exaggerated, it’s nothing. I apparently fell on something but it isn’t bad,” I waved off.
I thought about all of that again all at once, at the mere mention of my own words.
I was still really worried about that in particular too, despite recent events and it made me feel ill.
“She said it looked like someone or some animal scratched the shit out of it.” He then said.
I sighed and looked at him wryly.
“What you want me to take my shirt off and show you?” I raised a brow, leaning with one hand on the bar counter, and my other hand on my cocked hip.
Joel grinned big.
“Didn’t work,” I shook my head with a half smirk. I turned to get the milk from the fridge.
“Damn, alright. Well, what do you have planned for this morning then?” Joel then asked through a mouth of donut, which didn’t take him long to finish halfway already.
I laughed a bit at his candor and truthfully, the thought of being with Joel and wanting him to be my first entered my mind just then too. I blushed and laughed to myself internally at his reaction if I just turned around and told him straight up right now, that I wanted to know if he’d like to have sex tomorrow night after the movie. I’ll even bring the condoms.
I immediately erased that thought, feeling as if he’d be able to tell by virtue of my now burning red face when I looked at him again.
“Why, what’s going on this morning?” I asked.
“Well, since you don’t wanna go to the show I figured maybe you wanted to cruise the booths and pre-show events for some free stuff and food,” He then said waggling his brows.
I sucked in a breath and wrinkled my nose, pulling out a glazed donut myself with a fleeting thought of what happened at the park and Drake for a split second as I paused.
“Not a good enough reason for me to go with the exception of hanging out with you as an incentive, but China wants me to go anyway. She’s gotta cover it for a project so she says, so I’m going, but I’m not staying and I need to do some laundry first though, which may take an hour or two.” I told him as I took a bite of the sweet pastry.
He held a hand to his chest and gave an adorable smile, “Aw baby, I’m touched. Yeah I know. I don’t want you to risk not getting back in time to get all dolled up for your date, who I do want to meet,” He raised a brow and reached for a paper towel from the roll, after popping the last bit of donut into his mouth.
“Where’d you meet this cop anyway?” he then asked, like a father grilling his teenaged daughter about her new boyfriend.
“Dunkin Donuts. You want some milk?” I said with a smile and then asked him, while getting a cup from the cabinet to pour some for myself.
Joel chuckled and shook his head no, “I’m good. So then you don’t mind if I tag along with you guys then?” he then asked raising both brows expectantly this time.
I knew Joel had a lot of friends. He was close with two of his roommates, but I had to wonder why he wasn’t asking some other girl or one of his other female friends to hang with to this thing.
“With me and my date or me and China?” I smirked jokingly.
He gave me a wry look and laughed, “Keep talking and I will be sitting in between you two just to make sure he remains a gentleman.” He kidded.
I laughed, “Ok dad. Of course we don’t mind, but you won’t be alone I’m sure Steve is going too.” I said.
“Alright, well just text me when you’re done and I’ll swing back by and pick you up, unless you wanna meet there.” He then said.
I thought for a moment as I sipped my milk, “You can pick me up.” I told him.
The knock on my door caught us both off guard, me especially since I was already edgy and on my guard.
Joel stood and looked on as I went to the door and tip-toed to peer out of the peephole; catching sight of large, magenta, pink and white colored lily petals, and white roses.
I wrinkled my brow, glancing back at Joel who was standing closer behind me now, as I opened the door.
I was greeted with a large, gorgeous bouquet in an equally beautiful rose tinted vase, being held by a young, flower delivery guy. The fragrance was sweet, and it made me smile automatically, not even knowing who they were for yet.
“Delivery for Star?” The young boy read in question on his sheet of paper.
Me? At first I wondered, and then I thought of Cam.
“That’s me, thanks. Just a second,” I said as he handed them to me. I took the flowers and moved past Joel to set them on the counter, and get a few bills out of my purse for a tip.
Joel casually strolled back over to the counter and eased back onto the barstool with an inquisitive expression, while I tipped the delivery boy and rejoined him in admiring the bouquet.
I pulled the small card from the plastic holder and opened it.
It read: ‘Hope these brighten your day. I look forward to tonight — see you at seven.’ — Cam
My heart instantly melted with excitement and flattery.
Stargazer lilies were one
of my all-time favorite flowers.
It was uncanny that he would pick them, and beautiful ones at that.
“Let me guess, from Officer Cam?” Joel pursed his lips with a crooked smile that seemed to hide something else he was trying to suppress, as he fingered a gorgeous slender petal with its brushed pink centers, and darker pink speckles.
“Yeah,” I said almost breathless but not meaning to sound like such a giddy school girl.
I couldn’t stop smiling, as I leaned in to smell them again.
“Wow, he’s making all us college dudes look bad.” Joel then kidded.
“Guess you college dudes need to step up your game then,” I winked.
He gave a wry smile.
“Found it. I thought I had lost my license but it was in my glove compartment, weird huh?” China’s voice sounded as the door opened and she entered with a small, black organizer and her car keys jingling in hand.
Speaking of, I’d better check for mine. The demon cop had them last — but how did China find her in her glove compartment then?
China saw me and spoke first when before her eyes went to the bouquet, “Hey, you’re back. Hello, who got the gorgeous flowers?” She grinned.
“Courtesy of Officer Cam. I’ll see you in a bit,” Joel said to me, as he headed towards the door and waved, letting himself out.
“Okay.” I told him.
China eyed her pot on the stove and picked up a spoon to stir it with a frown.
“Oh, it’s got a skin on it now.” She whined and pouted.
I chuckled.
“Flowers before the date huh? Those are so beautiful, he has good taste. You should put them in the window over there and put a tiny bit of bleach in the water, so they last longer. Now I really can’t wait to meet this hot Casanova. You’re home early, did you get sick again?” She asked opening the donut box and choosing a glazed.
“No, the gym was closed for maintenance.”
“Oh really? Good, then you can come with me early then.” She grinned.
“After I do some laundry,” I told her.
“Laundry? Star that can wait, come on. It’ll be hard to find a good parking spot if we don’t go early.” She whined.
“It can but if I don’t do it now I won’t feel like it tomorrow and Joel wants to tag along so I’m riding with him anyway. Sunday is rest day.” I told her.
She groaned and rolled her eyes, “Oh alright fine, don’t take too long. I’ve got to go get ready and leave in a few myself. Yours truly managed to be one of the three lucky ones to score an exclusive interview with the guys from Fire Raiser,” She said excitedly, shoving the donut into her mouth as she headed to her room.
“Fire Raiser?” I raised a brow with a soured face.
“Yes and they are one of the more popular newer groups. They’re hot too, especially the lead singer, which is a nice bonus. There’s a bunch of new bands actually; Fire Raiser, the Screaming Demons, Code Red, Null and Army Oblivion to name a few,” She called out from her room.
I rolled my eyes and shook my head, but so grateful that for now everything seemed to be going well and normally.
“Sounds more like heavy metal to me.” I called back, still admiring my lilies and roses.
“I know. Well, Steve will have a field day networking that’s for sure.” She called back.
That was China, every musician was hot. I supposed that’s why she was dating Steve. He played bass guitar in his band Scarz, but their music was more local alternative industrial than rock.
In taking the time to gather together the contents of my hamper and stripping the muddied sheets off the bed, I was curious. I couldn’t get past what had happened in the park and knowing that I had seen and talked to Drake, and I distinctly remembered him touching my back. The wash of a cool sensation spreading across my back when he did, had me turning around in front of the full length mirror on my closet door, and lifting up my shirt.
My mouth fell agape as my heart began to thump wildly.
Every single scratch…was gone.
My skin was smooth and even once again, with no trace of the marks or scarring whatsoever that I could see let alone feel.
I swallowed. Now I know there was something supernatural about Drake, I was sure of it, and I thought of everything he said to me too. Demons can mask themselves as anything and anyone, which I knew, but before I drew my own conclusions about him and Cam, there was one more thing I wanted to verify.
I powered up my laptop with trembling fingers and pulse racing, as I watched it go through the startup screen and then launch all my regular programs.
Once I opened up a web page, my fingers hovered over the keys as I tried to gather my thoughts and form a question in my head before typing it into my search browser:
‘Can demons heal people?’
Once I hit enter, I impatiently tapped my fingers, and a list of all sorts of sites popped up.
Who was to say which was correct, accurate or even true and what would it be based on? Man’s theory? What made me even think I could find the answer to that on the internet anyway?
I suddenly felt stupid as I stared at the screen again for a moment before deleting that search, and typing in a new one:
‘Can demons disguise themselves as angels?’
I hit enter and…my screen froze and then my computer totally crashed to blue screen in that instant.
“Yes,” Something whispered right into my ear —making me gasp, as I spun and looked around my room frantically.
I backed up against the wall with wide eyes, and scanned every nook and corner of my room for any kind of presence, dark shadow or movement, but there was nothing.
I know what I distinctly heard, and I wasn’t so sure it was just my imagination either…in fact I know it wasn’t. The voice was neither male nor female, and though it was breathy it was still clear, direct and distinct, sounding as if it was coming more from the inside of my head than anywhere else.
I waited for the feeling of nausea and hot static to fill my room and confirm that there was a dark shadow or entity in here with me, but that feeling never came.
There was nothing dark in here that I could feel, sense or see.
That was both random and freaky, but I suddenly didn’t feel so afraid anymore.
When I glanced back at my laptop screen it was still on the search page with my second question still typed into the search bar, and a list of possible articles and web pages on the subject; as if it had never crashed to begin with at all.
It took me a few moments to even move from my spot, and once I finally did, I quickly closed the lid to my laptop shut and grabbed the laundry bag and basket along with my purse and duffel bag, and quickly left my room.
China was still in her room but her door was closed now, and at first I felt apprehensive about leaving her alone in here without being sure what or who that voice came from. I chewed my lip and debated waiting at least until she left.
Well, I could at least tell her I was leaving now then, I thought as I walked over to her door, and raised my hand about to knock with my car keys.
When I heard her moaning, Steve panting and the head board hitting the wall rhythmically; I stopped myself. That was quick. They certainly had wasted no time that was for damned sure.
I wondered when he had gotten here, but it obviously wasn’t long ago given the plate with leftover biscuits and gravy sitting by the sink in the kitchen.
She’d be fine, I rolled my eyes and smirked as I quickly turned on my heel and left the apartment.
~~~***~~~
I did what Drake had told me to do while it was still fresh in my head amid everything else, as I watched my colors tumble around to dry behind the large circular glass of the dryer in front of me.
The laundry room was actually empty right now, save for a skinny guy in a hoodie donning a skull with spiked wings on the back of it. He was sitting on the other side of the Laundromat, listening to his IPod and looking at a magazine.
When I took a break from writing to pop my knuckles, I was amazed that I had been able to write non-stop as the words just poured out of me onto paper without much thought to guide the pen.
I didn’t just want to write what I’ve seen in my dreams since I first began to have them ten years ago, but how it made me feel and my own personal thoughts on them. I don’t know why I’d never thought to keep a journal before.
I guess I figured there was no point.
I tapped the tip of my pen to my lip as I read over all I had written down:
October 9th, 2012:
‘As clear as high definition color, it was always laid out for me.
I can’t explain how I already knew what was about to unfold and not because it was part of an endless repetitive dream cycle. In this last one, there was no more sense of time or daylight and there was nothing to say or comment about what everyone thought was going to happen in the end. The Apocalypse, End of Times, the Rapture and whatever else anyone ever thought about what judgment day was going to be; proved only one thing no matter who or what religion they were…That we as human beings had all been wrong.
Death was coming for me in the form of a dark fallen.
I felt it more than I knew it.
Too much has happened, way too fast like a blurred nightmare where there was and is no end or escape. Those who preached non-stop falsely, fame hungry evangelists, extremists, killers, non-believers…some for obvious reasons, were all taken first because they assumed that they were the ones who were going to be whisked away to some safe house or planet while the rest of the labeled “wicked” and “non-believers” were left to be slaughtered or punished till near death and then left to be preyed upon by the scavengers.