Against The Odds

by Senna Fisher

  “I don’t know, but there is a pattern. Also, I still don’t understand why you became a lion in his presence. I can’t fit that piece of the puzzle.”

  “I was not a lion. I was just frustrated. He was the first person I saw.”

  “No. He was almost speaking to you, and then you calmed down. I was there, remember?”

  “Jono, am I going crazy, my friend?”

  “I don’t know. But if you are, then so are Jackie and I. If I had not been at the house that day, I would have had you committed by now. No Clayton. There is something that does not fit. You and that family, there is a link. How do we begin to find out?”

  “Rebecca. It has to be Rebecca. No-one else.”

  “The gods certainly have a twisted sense of humour. Think about it. The moment you start dating a psychologist, you start going crazy.”

  “Yes, it is twisted. But I am not laughing.”

  “I think for our entertainment, Jackie and I want to invite you two for dinner. We just don’t know what will happen.”

  Jonathan was laughing now, trying to ease his friend’s burden.

  “Yes, I might become a lion again.”

  He raised his hands and roared.

  “But seriously, you two must come over, so we can check it out. That way we will all be committed to a padded room with a psychologist.”

  They went back to the office and Clayton was looking and feeling much better. He looked over to the harbor and enjoyed the quiet motion of ships moving slowly. Rebecca had left a message on his cell phone, thanking him for the plant. He smiled, hearing her voice, so cheerful and pleased.

  Jonathan, however, was not smiling. Does my friend have special powers? He wondered about the wine glass. He had to have known. But how?

  *****

  Chapter 11

  Rebecca had been so pleased with the plant that she kept it right on her desk. She went home for lunch to meet with her parents. She wanted to discuss her new idea with them.

  “Mum, Dad, I need your help. I want to fight The Darkness, my way. I want to take it on, alone.”

  “Rebecca, it is not done like that. It is the power of the love of a man and a special skill he has that destroys it. You cannot do it alone. Others have tried and it just comes back. It will go away temporarily and then return. My grandmother was just like you, stubborn, wanting things her way. She removed it for a year and then it came back after Nana was born. It ruined the two of them, because they had a child and were so vulnerable. That is why Nana was so strong. It had been in her family when she was baby. Don’t you understand? It will wait until you cannot leave the man.”

  “Mum, I have to try. There has to be a way. You always said all spells can be broken. Why not this one?”

  They were silent for a while. Should they tell her about Clayton? That she was close to success?

  No. Don’t take the risk with my Sweetpea. Leave it alone, Rowena.

  But she has the butterfly blues so bad now. She has been upset before, but never like this. She might do something really stupid. She is upset, George.

  Comfort her. Hold her and give her strength. He is here now. Things have to improve.

  Rowena went to her daughter and hugged her.

  “Okay, look, let me make some calls. With the Internet these days, maybe someone has found the unbinding spell for it. Then we can see what to do. Rebecca, it is very dangerous to go it alone, you know.”

  “I know, Mum, but I need to do it now. I am ready. Please, help me.”

  “Yes, we will. Some of my sisters in the coven specialize in unbinding. I will start today.”

  That’s better.

  Shut up, you old fool, before I bind your tongue.

  Try me, you wicked witch.

  “Okay, before you have that conversation, I need to go back to work. Tonight we are going to my favourite restaurant at the Craft Centre. You will like it there, okay?”

  When she had gone, George hugged his wife.

  “Yes that was clever, my dear. That buys us some time. I asked Nana to speed things up with the boy. But he is as stubborn as Rebecca. They seem to be taking their own time.”

  They went into the garden and chatted to the butterflies, whispering to them their wish that Clayton should realize who he was. Rowena went to the phone and began her calls. It was not very successful. Some of them had never heard of the spell or said it was unbreakable. No matter, I will try again tomorrow. They were leaving on Wednesday, so she could talk properly to her friends when she got home.

  Dinner at the Craft Centre was great. They met a strange assortment of Rebecca’s friends and they liked to see her so relaxed and happy. When Brad came over and gave her a huge hug, George cringed in fear. He was tall, good looking and clearly had strong feelings for his daughter.

  Rowena just smiled. Calm down dear, he is just a friend. He likes her, that’s all.

  I hope so, because I am sure he is that super rich kid, you know, the one who owns the huge construction company.

  Yes, but I know he has his own love problems coming, and they have nothing to do with Rebecca.

  When they got home, Clayton had left three messages for her, so they went to bed.

  When she called, he had been working.

  “Hi, working hard?”

  “Hmm. Something I need to do by tomorrow.”

  “Thank you for the plant. It was a lovely gesture.”

  “It was my pleasure. How was your day?”

  He wanted to ask her where she had been, but knew better.

  “It was okay, not too bad. I went out to dinner with my parents tonight at the Craft Centre. It was very nice. I ate too much, though.”

  “Hmm, I went to eat at Jackie’s fridge. I was too lazy to cook.”

  “Ouch, that sounds terrible. How was your day at work?”

  “Tolerable. I didn’t get much done though. I could not seem to concentrate. I wish you could shock me now.”

  His voice was seductive.

  She laughed.

  “Be careful what you ask for, you might just get it.”

  “I ask, I ask. How about lunch tomorrow? Only one hour though because I have to work.”

  “Okay, 12.30? Where?”

  “I will pick you up. We can do something different.”

  “Sounds interesting.”

  “I hope so. I promise to behave, okay?”

  “Okay, but do I have to behave?”

  “Very brave, aren’t we?”

  “Yes, remember my parents are here, especially my father.”

  “Yes, I guess that should make you feel brave. Rebecca, I was watching them. They have a special bond between them. How do they do it?”

  “I think because they trust each other so much. They have shared everything. They are partners in life. She was crossing the street and their eyes met and they knew.”

  “Knew what?”

  “That they were tied together, that they would be together. He followed her home, just like that. I would have called him a pervert and called the police!”

  “Yes, I’m pretty sure about that. You don’t trust easily, do you?”

  “No, I don’t. I have no reason to. I feel a dark blue coming up.”

  He laughed. “Yes, it was. But, okay, not now. Tell me about you, Rebecca.”

  “Well, I am this sexy, young thing who shocks men. How’s that?”

  He did not laugh

  “That was a joke, you know.”

  “I know. It’s not funny.”

  “Okay, no sense of humour. This is not good.”

  “If you keep teasing me, I will definitely not behave tomorrow. Go to bed, Princess, before I come over there, father or not.”

  “Alright, will see you tomorrow. Please do not forget your sense of humour. Pack it neatly in your briefcase. You are being too serious. Goodnight, Clayton, sweet dreams.”

  ~ ~ ~ ~

  But Clayton did not have sweet dreams. Nana was determined to give the boy the message and she app
eared that night, a sharper image this time, Rebecca’s screaming louder. She did, however, wait until it was 5 o’ clock in the morning. After all, the boy needed all his strength.

  ~ ~ ~ ~

  Clayton took Rebecca out for a lunchtime picnic. Lorraine had been completely horrified when asked to organize the basket. Who on earth was getting a picnic out of him? He never bothered with women in any serious fashion. Who was she, anyway? But neither Clayton nor Jonathan gave anything away.

  It was delightful to sit on the grass and eat their prim sandwiches. Clayton had been prepared. He was not wearing a suit, but casual pants. He looked even better and Rebecca wished he was her lunch. He touched her once on her back and of, course, he was shocked. He was beginning to like it.

  She laughed and said, “I warned you”, as if it was the most natural occurrence.

  She did not know what it meant, neither did he. But Clayton knew he liked the feel of it. He put his hand on her leg while talking to her and nothing happened. Okay, it’s her back, he thought. But it was not so. When he put his left hand casually on her arm, she jumped away from the shock.

  “Shit, that hurt.”

  “Sorry, I don’t know about this. I think we need to sit down and explore each other’s bodies to find out how this works. I can’t figure it out.”

  She thought he was joking and laughed.

  “That is the most original line I have ever heard. Come, honey, let me find out where I shock you.”

  But his eyes were dark blue.

  “Rebecca, has this ever happened with another man?”

  “No, never. It is a bit disturbing for me.”

  “And you?”

  “Never. That is every man’s fantasy, I might tell you. I am afraid I am going to have to keep you forever.”

  He was smiling, but she was not. If only, she thought.

  Clayton had seen the shadow pass over her face. Okay, she has a problem with long term plans.

  “Clayton, can you come over for a bit tonight? My parents are leaving in the morning and my father seems to have taken a liking to you. Come for a drink and my mother would have cooked for an army. Can you?”

  “Yes, of course. I would like to see him again.”

  Clayton was very pleased at the opportunity to meet the man again. He could observe things a lot better now that he had spoken to his criminal lawyer friend. He would pay more attention to detail. Jonathan had told him to look for patterns that seemed familiar. That I can do.

  When he arrived, the older couple were sitting in the garden, having drinks. They looked so relaxed and happy that he envied their easy, comfortable life. He could be happy with their daughter like that, if only she would let him. Rebecca was so relaxed around them that she did not have that look of fear or anxiety when they were near. He paced in the garden, looking at her plants and herbs, intoxicated by the scents. He was particularly drawn to the smell of jasmine, which filled the air. He sat next to a large hedge where it flowed untamed over a pillar. That was her smell. That is what he remembered the most the first time they had met, how the smell of jasmine had interrupted him, sitting on the terrace trying to get some fresh air.

  Clayton noticed that George was always the dominant speaker, telling them stories and teasing Rebecca. The mother was a far more passive person, who observed everything and everyone. When they went inside to eat, George sat next to his wife and held her hand. That was when he noticed their rings. Rowena had a large amethyst ring, which looked like a small piece has been broken off. George had the exact missing piece on the ring on his finger. The pieces clearly fitted together. How odd. It had been so carefully done that it was not obvious to a casual observer. He noticed also, that George liked to touch his wife, not on her back, but her hands. Okay, that is familiar, the need to touch.

  “Relax, my boy. You seem so consumed today. Anything important?”

  “No, just an observation. I see your rings. They seem to fit, is that so?”

  “Yes, it is a symbol of our love and commitment to each other. Each of us with a piece of it. You will see her stone is much larger and that should tell you who holds the power.”

  He was laughing at his wife’s mock surprise.

  “I wish I had more power. He is always trying to tell me what to do, or rather what I must not do. ‘Rowena, stop interfering, stop being a nag, stop thinking so much’,... and so it goes.”

  They started arguing about which one of them had the power, but they were teasing each other. George got up suddenly and went to the door. He opened it and then closed it again.

  “Sorry, I could have sworn I heard the bell.”

  “No, Dad. Who were you expecting?”

  “No-one, dear. It must have been in my head. Your mother drives me crazy.”

  About 10 minutes later, the bell did ring. It was Rebecca’s neighbour, looking for her cat. She had stepped in, not expecting other people and stopped dead in her tracks. She was staring at Clayton, clearly impressed. Rebecca introduced her to everyone and she apologized for interrupting them. Clayton did not even notice her interest in him.

  He simply said, “it is in the garden, under the far bench.”

  He had not thought about it, but assumed he had seen or felt the cat there. She collected her cat and left.

  “Thank you Clayton, I can never find her cat. It creeps in somewhere and it takes hours to find it.”

  Rebecca was relieved that it had been found quickly, because she did not want her wondering around, looking at Clayton with such keen interest.

  Well, it takes one cat to find another, don’t you think?

  Shut up, woman.

  After they had eaten, Clayton and the George went into the garden. George wanted to have a cigarette and took Clayton with him.

  “Well, Clayton, it has been very interesting to meet you. I am glad that Rebecca has you at her side.”

  “Yes, it has been interesting. But you should know that I am not at her side. She pushes me away all the time. It has made me do strange things. Even my dreams are getting strange.”

  “Really, how so?”

  “I have dreams about her, afraid and me, trying, but unable to help her. I wake up and my body is hot like I have a fever, even if it is cold outside.”

  “How awful for you.” God, Nana was laying it on thick.

  “George, I have watched you with your wife. What is it that binds you two together, so...clearly and tightly?”

  “Love, of course. The first time I saw Rowena, I was drawn to her. I knew I would never be happy without her. She knew it too. I was a young man. A hot-shot lawyer and she was a fancy-pants accountant. I knew it as a certainty. You know, it was odd that we had never met before that day, because her office was two buildings away from mine. I had thought I knew all the pretty girls in the area, but one day, her green eyes flashed at me, as if telling me to get out of her way and it hit me. I followed her home. She lived with her mother and I just went straight there and asked her out. She stared at me for a while and then said ‘sure’. No excitement, no fanfare. The interesting stuff happened months later. We fought a lot those days. She would attract men like flies to her and she would simply smile at them. I hated when she did that. She still does it now, just to make me mad.”

  He was laughing now.

  “Rebecca has that same look. She simply smiles and a father can go crazy trying to protect his daughter from leering men. Her mother would simply tell me to bugger off. When they went shopping together, I would worry so much about my two beautiful women smiling at strange men, especially because they seemed to enjoy the attention.”

  “I can imagine. That would drive any man crazy.”

  “If you love her, Clayton, then listen to your heart, not your head. It is the only way.”

  He got up and led the way back inside. He had nothing more to say and Clayton knew that was all he was going to get. The only way for what? Why? He wanted to ask, but he knew George had finished.

  Inside, Rebecca and h
er mother were sitting on the couch giggling.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Nothing. Girl talk,” the mother said.

  “Come, husband. I want an early start tomorrow.”

  When they were alone, Clayton said, “girl talk?”

  “Yes, she was telling me secrets on how to get a man to behave. Think I need those tips Clayton?” she said softly.

  “Hmmm, I wonder what you have to do. It might be interesting to find out.”

  She walked up to him. “Well, she says I must stand really, really close to you, like this and look into your eyes, touch you lightly like this.... and watch your eyes.... then…”

  He bent down and kissed her. Ah, this is beautiful. He kissed her over and over again and wanted to claw her clothes of her. Yes, that’s what I need to do. He grabbed her blouse.

  “No, Clayton, you are supposed to behave now.”

  “No.”

  He cupped her breasts and felt their warmth in his hands. There was no shocking this time, but a gentle wave that carried them away. Rebecca clung to him.

  “Oh Clayton, if only ...” and stopped.

  That broke the spell for him

  “What, if only what, Rebecca?” His eyes were dark blue again.

  “I don’t know what I was going to say. I don’t know.”

  She moved away from him and turned away.

  Clayton started pacing now. He wanted to shake her until she answered all his questions, to pin her down on that couch until he was satisfied with her. He wanted her and wanted to know everything. He was battling for control and it did not help that she stood there, silently, not moving. She looked worried again and it eased some of his tension. Go easy, don’t push her, he persuaded himself. But he could not let it go.

  “Rebecca, show me your butterfly again.”

  She turned and stared at him. Shit, Jonathan and Jackie are going to kill me. I raised the butterfly story again.

  “It is very beautiful. Please I want to see it again.”

  She turned her back and lifted her blouse. It sat on the edge of her jeans and he stared, transfixed. Yes, this is definitely my butterfly.