by Celeste Buie
“Jared just sent a text. They’re on their way,” he said as I closed the heavy door.
“Good. Are we going to the usual place, or are we going to switch it up?” I asked. I walked into the kitchen, put my purse and keys on the counter, and pulled out a stool at the long island.
“Are you saying you’re tired of chicken pitas?” he asked with mock horror.
“Not officially. I think Coney will be packed today.” Usually I was the one who wanted to go to the same place, but today I felt like something different. “So how did you spend your morning?”
“I played combat video games online.”
“That’s always fun,” I said with a smile more for him than me. I couldn’t understand how killing animated people and having their fake blood splatter everywhere was a good time. “Did your online friends school you again?”
He gave me a warning look, and I smiled back at him.
We heard car doors close. He looked out of the large bay window and opened the front door.
As they approached, I heard Elyse teasing Jared about caring more for his truck than her. She knew he cared about her more…but only marginally. Jared kept his truck in immaculate condition. He didn’t allow anyone to eat or drink in it. He used the back window to proudly display a large Old English “D” logo for the Detroit Tigers, and while Elyse liked going to the occasional game, she was not a super fan by any means. He insisted on driving his truck whenever we went somewhere as a group because he felt cars were midget vehicles.
“Why are you so opposed to the upgrade?” Jared asked Elyse.
“I just think you’re putting all this money in your truck, and it’s not going to last forever,” she said.
“Bite your tongue. That truck’s immortal.”
She rolled her eyes.
Trevor asked for a vote. Buffalo Wild Wings won, our second favorite restaurant, so we piled into Jared’s truck. We grabbed a booth in the back and ordered when the waitress came around.
The topic quickly went to our plans for the summer. A month ago, there had been mention of taking a trip to Cedar Point and another day trip to Tawas, the prettiest public sandy beach near us. I wasn’t allowed to go on unchaperoned overnight trips with boys, so anything far away was out of the question. We had to settle for local activities—close enough to do in a day, and sometimes that meant leaving before dawn and returning long after sunset. Metro and state parks were great options.
“What are the days you two are in school?” Elyse asked.
“I go Monday through Thursday, and he goes Mondays and Wednesdays. Both in the mornings,” I answered.
“Alrighty. Let’s plan this out. Most of our weekends are booked with graduation parties.”
“Yep. So we’ll have to plan the bigger trips on Fridays.”
“I can’t wait until Alyssa’s party Saturday. I heard she’s going to have specialty booths for us to take advantage of…chair massages, pedicures, and even a psychic.”
Jared crossed his arms and gave a disgusted sigh.
I ignored him. “That’s cool. It’s always fun to have your fortune read.”
Elyse playfully tapped his arm. “Don’t be so negative. It’s all for fun.”
He looked between Elyse and I. “It’s not fun. It’s ridiculous.”
“Unless you believe in that kinda stuff. Right, Brynn?” Trevor chipped in.
Their heads swiveled toward me. “I think there has to be some truth to it,” I said. “I know there are people who are total frauds, as there are with any profession, but at the same time, I think it’s totally possible for people to have special abilities.”
“You’re telling me you really believe in that hocus pocus?” Jared challenged.
“Sure. Why not? There have been enough police investigations using them to find evidence to convict someone of a crime or locate a body. Or they point police in the right direction. Don’t even say they were part of the crime so that’s how they knew, because it’s been across the country.”
Elyse smiled. “Okay, it’s settled. We’re all getting read at the party.”
The guys groaned, but they were fighting a losing battle. Their best hope was that the psychic was fully booked before we showed up.
Our food arrived, ending our conversation.
CHAPTER 3
It was weird being at a party with people I wouldn’t normally hang out with. Alyssa was closer to Elyse and Jared than we were, but we went along anyway. The sense of the recent grads not seeing each other for years—or ever again—was palpable. I tried to put myself and my friends in that situation, but then I quickly dismissed it. It was too surreal.
Elyse’s first order of business was to seek out the psychic and put our names on the list. With our appointments secured, the guys could only hope she’d lose track of time.
They wish they were so lucky.
Elyse and Jared went first. They sat together in front of her table, but she read them individually. I stood close enough to hear but not close enough to look like I was eavesdropping. I knew instantly she was someone I could be friends with, even though she looked closer in age to my mom. She had one of those outgoing, yet loving personalities that drew people to her. Maybe it was her carefree fashion style, or the way she styled her short red hair, that projected that sense. She was accurate with their personalities, likes and dislikes, and hopes for careers. Even Jared seemed impressed. I didn’t know why he had felt so threatened about it. It was harmless fun.
Then it was our turn.
Trevor’s demeanor changed immediately when he saw her. He didn’t break eye contact as he walked to a chair. He sat and crossed his arms; I couldn’t imagine why he would have an issue with her. She smiled and looked briefly between us. I reached over to hold his hand, hoping the gesture would calm him.
“Big changes coming, Trevor. You’ve already started them. Don’t doubt who you are or your direction. She’ll be a big part of it.” He shot out of the chair when she mentioned me, and I felt anger radiating from him. She dismissed his hostility and continued, “Reconsider your decision to exclude her. It will prolong the resolution and potentially change your future together.” He turned on his heel and stormed out.
Then she looked at me and politely smiled, as if apologizing for his behavior. “My dear. You also have changes coming, and they will take you in a new direction. You sense things are not what they seem. Trust in that and let it guide you. A new…” she hesitated as if searching for the perfect word, “method to answer your questions is going to present itself soon. It is all meant to be, Brynn. Find strength in that.”
I dazedly thanked her for her somber message and left the tent perplexed, disappointed our readings had gone so differently than our friends’.
The prediction of our future together being jeopardized nearly knocked me over. I knew Trevor was keeping something from me; she had confirmed it better than any outsider could have.
Elyse and Jared waited for me with cautious anticipation. Trevor wasn’t with them, and I didn’t see him in the immediate area. I scanned the crowd before finding him immersed in a group of people. I didn’t recognize any of them at first glance and lingered on their faces, trying to place them. They looked like they had already graduated and were definitely old enough to be in college. One of the guys turned his head and caught me staring. My eyes locked onto his chocolate brown ones for an instant before a nudge pulled me out of the trance.
“So pretty heavy stuff, huh?” Elyse asked.
“Yeah.”
“It’ll be okay. Trevor will forget about it after he’s cooled down a bit.”
Jared said, “Let’s eat. The food smells good.”
I followed them to the appetizer table. I risked a glance to the mystery guy and caught him looking at me again. Did he just look up or was he staring at me the whole time? I held his gaze longer than I expected myself to. It turned from an innocent stare into a challenge over who would look away first. He did.
Tr
evor kept his distance the rest of the party, and although he wasn’t specifically upset with me, I didn’t push him for an explanation. I had to make sense of it too.
• • •
That night the dream returned with greater intensity, and I woke up in a tangle of sheets.
It was definitely haunting me.
I had enough on my mind between Trevor’s strange behavior and deciphering the subtext of the reading. I didn’t want to deal with the frustrating dream. Nothing ever changed in it anyway. I was stuck on the patio; he stayed in the woods. I sighed. I didn’t know what to do about that, but I could do something about Trevor. The psychic’s message lingered in my thoughts. Was he going to continue to push me away, or would he acknowledge the danger of doing so? I couldn’t imagine him not in my life.
CHAPTER 4
A large group of us took a trip to the beach at least once a summer. Like our annual cider mill trip in the fall, we’d taken this outing as long as we could drive. We made a day of it, leaving early in the morning and bringing enough food and drinks to last the day. We’d accumulated most of the stuff we needed over the years, so it was less and less of an investment. Besides coordinating a trip to the grocery store and contributing some money for food and ice, all everyone needed was a bottle of sun block, a towel, and a change of clothes.
We met at Zach’s that morning. The distance between the houses offered plenty of space for parking and leaving our cars all day without causing an issue.
We quickly loaded up for the two-and-a-half-hour drive. The bed of Jared’s truck held the coolers, Lauren’s Explorer was full with our towels and bags, and Wayne’s minivan carried all the beach equipment. We needed each of the seventeen seats.
Trevor sat up front with Jared, while Elyse, Samantha, and I sat in back.
The drive passed quickly, and soon we pulled into the parking lot. We unloaded our stuff and staked out a space on the large sandy beach. The girls sunbathed while the guys threw a Frisbee around.
There were very few clouds in the sky, and I needed to cool off after lying in the hot sun. I pulled a cover-up over my head and grabbed a chilled bottled of water from the cooler on my way to the water’s edge.
I loved the beach. The sound of the gentle waves diffusing across the sand, the heat of the sun, and the calm breeze gliding over my skin relaxed me. My friends’ muted voices carried over the distance, in harmony with the sea gulls’ calls and rhythm of the waves. I felt peace.
Leaving footprints for the waves to wash away, I walked along the shoreline, looking for brightly colored or uniquely shaped stones. Finding distinctive items was another of my favorite activities here. I’ve even found worn sea glass—or lake glass—on occasion. I kept everything I found in a glass cylinder on my dresser.
A glint of light in the sand caught my eye. Before I could act, a wave covered it. Thinking it was a nickel or a bottle cap, I waited for the water to retreat. The water pulled away and exposed a few silver links. I plunged my hand into the sand and plucked it out before it was lost again. I used the rushing water from the next wave to remove the remaining sand in my hand and looked at it.
It glistened in the sunlight. It was the most beautiful, intricate bracelet I’d ever seen. Stunned at my discovery, my first thought was that I couldn’t possibly keep it. I glanced around, trying to spot anyone looking for something lost. How would I find the rightful owner? I certainly couldn’t bury it again in the sand; its beauty would go unappreciated. I hesitated, then wrapped it around my wrist, looping the toggle clasp. I turned my wrist over to take in its brilliance. The large, oval, yellow center stone, set east to west, was surrounded by smaller, light green rectangular stones and pale blue circular stones held in place by delicate filigree. Just before the thick silver links sat a square, bluish, iridescent stone on each side.
Once it was on my wrist, I didn’t want to take it off. Ever. The colors matched practically everything I wore. I’d never felt so strongly about a material thing. I had always been drawn to gemstones. Giddy with my find, I promised to diligently watch for anyone searching for something lost in the sand. If by the end of the day, I didn’t find its rightful owner, it would be officially mine.
At dusk, we reluctantly agreed to pack up and head home. Elyse commented in the truck about my new bracelet, and everyone agreed what a cool find it was.
• • •
I fell into bed, and sleep came quickly. I found myself in the dream again. Standing on the edge of the patio, drawn to the trees but held in place by an invisible force, the frustration rose inside me.
I was determined to confront this guy. I resolved to do something new—even if it was only to move off the patio or to speak. My mind screamed at me to ask what he wanted…why he was here…but I could not will my mouth to form words. I would have settled for a word at this point. One word. That would be better than just standing there, mute and rooted in place.
I didn’t want the dream to disappear until I understood it. I’d read that our subconscious works on our problems while we sleep. It helps us figure things out, piecing events together like puzzle pieces. There was a reason I couldn’t shake it. It kept returning because I didn’t understand its purpose. I hadn’t acknowledged the message yet. I knew if I could just see him or talk to him, I would get answers.
I focused on him and on me. On the expanse of space between us. I willed the distractions to lessen: the music to fade, the voices of my friends to subside. When the noise and commotion decreased, my focus sharpened. I wasn’t walking out empty-handed again. As the sounds grew fainter, my vision took on the dream-like quality I was familiar with: sharply in focus where I looked, blurry around the edges.
I knew I could walk. If I could change all those things outside of myself, surely I could move my own muscles. I found myself stepping off the patio, onto the grass, shortening the distance between us. Each step brought me closer to him. Just as I reached the edge of the yard, a buzzing caused me to pause. Awareness came hard and fast. My alarm. I felt myself pulled back into my room. I fought it, trying to root myself in the dream. I’d finally changed it, and I was going to disappear before I had any answers.
I felt his contentment as everything faded. That was the encouragement I needed. I knew I was on the right track.
I woke up smiling.
CHAPTER 5
With only two weeks of summer left, I reflected on how quickly it had passed. The grad parties, the college course and subsequent studying, and our planned day-trips took up nearly all of my time.
Trevor had called to suggest we meet at one of our favorite parks. I thought it was strange he didn’t offer to pick me up, but after a week of not seeing him, I didn’t dwell on it.
I drove to a favorite spot of ours: a picnic table underneath a huge weeping willow. I loved the natural feeling of the overgrown branches. They created a private sanctuary in the open space.
I parked next to Trevor’s car and turned off the ignition. My heart pounded. We needed to have a serious talk about the state of our relationship. I scrambled for a way to approach the topic without confrontation. I kept waiting for him to return to himself. I didn’t want to drive him away with persistent questions. Maybe if I focused on how I felt and how his actions made me feel, it would be less aggressive.
I took a deep breath and headed over to him.
His agitated voice drifted through the breeze as I approached our tree. “I already said I’d take care of it. I can’t do anything until Keith does his part. No, no one else knows about the assignment. I’ll call you later if you feel the need to go over the details again. I have something else to take care of right now.”
I ducked beneath a group of branches. He set his phone on the table.
“Hey, Trev,” I said. I bit the inside of my lip, wondering which I felt stronger: embarrassment or frustration.
“Hey.”
“What about me do you have to take care of?” I asked when he didn’t say anything further.
“It’s not like that, Brynn.” He sounded exhausted. “I want to talk. Would you please sit down?” he said, gesturing to the space across from him.
I sat.
“Brynn, you know things haven’t been right between us for a while. And it’s me. It’s all me. I’ve been trying to keep my old life in the shadows of my new one. And I just can’t anymore. I’m bound to mess up. And that can’t happen. I worry about it all the time.”
“You can still have a similar life even though you’re starting college. It doesn’t mean everything has to radically change.”
“No, it’s not college. It’s…” He sighed. “I wanted to do this in person rather than over the phone, but it’s not any easier. It’s not that I wanted to do it at all, but I can’t keep doing this to you. You deserve so much more than what I can give you right now. I hate cancelling on you. I hate my unpredictable schedule.”
“I hate it too. It makes me feel like I’m not a priority anymore. Especially since you won’t tell me what comes before me. Or what changed. I feel like you’re right in front of me, but you’re so far away. It’s like you’ve shut yourself off.”
“Because I love you and I can’t…I can’t…”
I knew what came next. Tears stung my eyes and blurred my vision. I should have confronted him before it went this far. I should have demanded answers instead of hoping it was all in my head.
I blinked rapidly at the canopy of the branches overhead and said, “You feel bad about cancelling on me, yet you don’t choose to stop cancelling on me when it’s in your control to stop.”
“No, it’s not in my control. I have orders…I mean, I have things I have to do.”
“You’re not making any sense! If you don’t want to be with me, just be honest and say it.” The tears freely ran down my face. I didn’t bother wiping them away.
“I do want to be with you, just not right now. We need a break until I figure this out.”