by Sherry Ewing
The door flung open, and Dylan made a beeline directly toward her. The man had the gall to grab her roughly on her upper arms then turn her so he could use her body as a shield.
“Let go of me, Dylan,” Jenna shouted in a stern, firm voice. “What the blazes are you doing inside my apartment?”
“Take your hands off my lady,” bellowed Fletcher, who watched with apparent satisfaction when Dylan released her.
When Dylan continued to keep her in front of him, she saw the anger rise once more in Fletcher’s eyes. What a coward to use a woman for protection, Jenna thought as she stepped away from her ex-fiancé, who was all but trying to grab her hand to gain her attention.
Quickly, she crossed the room then looped her arm through Fletcher’s. Scowling at Dylan, her eyes narrowed as she observed the look he was giving her. She’d seen it hundreds of times during their relationship, his come-on-baby-you-know-you-want-me look. Gladly, she now had someone in her life who would appreciate her and wasn’t the shallow jerk Dylan was. In the short span of time that she had been with Fletcher, she now understood what had been missing in her life, and she planned to never take what they had found for granted.
“Well?” She stamped her foot for good measure. “What are you doing here?”
His expression changed immediately when he realized she wasn’t about to give in to his charms. “Clara left me.”
A sharp laugh escaped her. “So?”
“I want you back.”
“And you think you can just waltz back here and pick up where we left off, like nothing happened? Is that what you planned?” she sneered.
“Something like that,” Dylan replied, still wary of the man at her side. Jenna almost laughed at the way he looked at him, considering Fletcher took up a lot of space in the room while he stood with bulging muscular arms crossed on his chest and a very sharp sword in one hand resting against his shoulder while he assessed his would be opponent. He may not have been wearing any armor, but he certainly appeared every inch the twelfth century knight she knew him to be.
“I may have been a fool where you’re concerned, Dylan, but, I assure you, I’m not that big of an idiot that I would put on the same pair of rose colored glasses to let you back into my life.”
“I can change, Jenna, if you just give me the chance,” he pleaded.
Jenna tightened her grip on Fletcher’s arm. He could have been a statue, for he stood as still as stone, not moving even an inch, as he kept up his menacing appearance. “Save it for someone who cares or will listen to your lies, Dylan. Personally, I’ve had enough of them to last a lifetime. Besides, as you can plainly see, I’ve moved on, and he’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a partner to share my life.”
“You can’t mean that, Jenna. We have history together. Don’t throw our relationship away on some infatuation with Mr. Macho there.”
Jenna laughed out loud, and Dylan’s comment even caused Amy to give a snort of disbelief. “You have got to be kidding me. What a load of crap, Dylan. You threw me away, if you recall, and wasted no time finding my replacement. I think it’s time you leave, and we want our key back. You’ve more than outstayed your welcome.”
“Jenna, for God’s sake listen to─”
Apparently, Fletcher’s patience had reached its limit, as he pushed her behind him and made his way to Dylan. “The lady has requested you to leave her presence. You are no longer welcome here,” he interjected, thrusting out his hand. “The key, whether it pleases you or not.”
Dylan began swearing beneath his breath, but reluctantly handed over the key. “You’ll be sorry, Jenna, just you wait and see. This oaf will tire of you, just like I did, and then you’ll be crawling your ass back to me. Mark my words, it’s only a matter of time. I can’t wait to see your expression when it will be me deciding if you’re worthy enough to be welcomed back into my life after this little snit of yours.”
“I wouldn’t come back to you if you were the last man on the face of this planet.”
Dylan actually had the nerve to flip them all off before he slammed the door. Too bad it didn’t hit him in his sorry behind, Jenna thought, as he left.
Fletcher went to the door and, as he opened it, said. “I will ensure he leaves the premises and have speech with him that he not bother you again.”
“Thank you, Fletcher,” Jenna replied with a smile of gratitude.
Amy clapped her hands together. “Yea, thanks Fletch. That was just marvelous!”
His brow rose in seeming amusement at Amy’s shortened version of his name. “’Twas my pleasure, ladies,” he chuckled with a wide grin. After giving them a very formal bow, he left, and they heard as his footsteps quickly faded along the balcony walkway.
Jenna picked up their bags and took them to her room. Why she kept coming home and finding this room in a shambles was beyond her. She sensed Amy’s presence behind her. Looking over her shoulder, she saw her roommate had leaned against the frame of the door. “What was he looking for this time?” Jenna asked as she again began to put the room into some semblance of order.
“He didn’t say. When he found clothes that were obviously a man’s, he started going apeshit crazy and cussing you out. I’m surprised the landlord didn’t call the cops,” Amy answered. “It wasn’t a pretty sight, but I’m glad you guys came home when you did.”
“Me too.”
“Well…spill the beans. Did you two have fun?”
Jenna giggled. “That’s kind of an understatement.”
Amy spun around. “I’m so jealous and happy for you at the same time. Was he like totally fantastic in bed?”
“Amy! I’m not telling you details,” Jenna peeked at her friend and then blushed, “but, what do you think?”
“Damn. You’re so friggin’ lucky. Tell me, does he have a friend?” she asked with a gleam in her eye.
“Yes. Several of them, as a matter of fact, but you’d have to travel pretty far back in time to meet them,” Jenna replied with a smirk.
“It might just be worth it.”
“No way, Amy. Are you serious?”
Amy shrugged as she took the other end of the blanket to help make the bed. “Why not? What have I got here to look forward to but a dull job waiting tables and a bunch of shmucks that I always seem to find for another lousy date?”
“Sometimes, I just don’t know if you’re being serious or you’re kidding me,” Jenna declared with a quizzical gaze toward her friend. “I hardly doubt you’d fit in, dear, with your brightly colored spiked hair.”
Amy laughed, running her fingers through her shortened tresses. Her hair stood on end even more than it had before. “Well, you never know. Maybe, just maybe, I’d gladly grow it out just for the opportunity. If you find me missing someday, you’ll know I went jumping through Time to see if it’s all you said it was. Besides, I’d love to have a go at a real man for a change, no matter the century I found him in.”
The two women fell onto the bed in fits of laughter, just like they had done for years whenever one of them was truly happy. Jenna didn’t know what she’d do without Amy by her side any more than if she lost Fletcher. With thoughts of her handsome lover, she finished tidying the room and went to see what she could find in the fridge. Fletcher had a hearty appetite, both for food and what she had found with him between the sheets. Could a girl get any luckier?
* * *
Fletcher followed closely behind Jenna’s most annoying and obnoxious friend, and he termed that word loosely, ’til Dylan jumped into a car that appeared as if ’twas not in the same well-maintained condition as his lady’s. He supposed the man felt better cursing him as he departed, but Fletcher cared not what Dylan did, so long as he left Jenna and Amy alone.
’Twas the first time that he had been alone to walk these modern streets, yet still, he found no pleasure as he strode with no particular purpose in mind. ’Twas a nice area, as far as places to live went, he supposed. Neighborhood, she had called it, not that Fletcher had much know
ledge of these sort of things. He only knew of the term to use when Jenna had driven him in her car whilst they went, as she said, “out on the town.”
The streets were tree lined with growth that was old, as far as trees go. Houses here appeared well made, and the gardens with budding flowers and shrubs around them were meticulous. Turning the corner, he was surprised to see a large chapel, for ’twas most unexpected. His footsteps automatically took him up the steps. Since he had fallen into this time, he realized, he had not knelt in prayer, and he had much to repent, for his normal routine was to attend mass, both morning and eve.
The doors were large and heavy, yet he had no problem opening them. He was confronted with another set of wooden doors in the vestibule, with porcelain basins containing holy water set into the walls. Afore entering the chapel, he lightly dipped his fingers into the water and made the sign of the cross, glad that some rituals in this century seemingly remained the same.
The chapel was spacious, and beyond where a central, large basin of holy water atop a pedestal stood, the room was filled by row upon row of benches with backs. ’Twas indeed a most handsome church, and he nodded his approval whilst his eyes viewed the high beamed ceilings and intricate carvings set in stone. The windows were decorated with pictures etched in colored stained glass, a marvel to behold. Statues depicting several saints were scattered throughout the building, including one of the Virgin Mary to the side of the Sanctum. The Savior hung on a cross in a place of reverence high above the altar where several candles burned brightly upon a pristine white linen.
Somewhat surprised to see a friar in long brown robes sitting on one of the forward benches, Fletcher reverently moved towards the front and sat down on an opposite seat, so as not to disturb the man in his prayers. ’Twas peaceful here, and he was thankful for the solitude as he bowed his head and began to pray, giving thanks for the many blessings he had in his life.
He praised the good Lord above for sending him a woman he could love. He gave thanks for the food to fill his belly, along with a roof over his head, despite that he had not procured it with his own hard work and monies. He professed gratitude that he might ask forgiveness for any transgressions he had done whilst in this strange place and time.
With a brief glimpse at the monk across from him, Fletcher noticed how the holy man was kneeling upon a padded bench-like device. Looking down, he saw one for his own use and pulled it downwards, and it descended without a sound as it slid on the well-oiled hinges. He fell to his knees to further his petitions to heaven but felt awkward having the luxury of comfort beneath his legs. Generally, Fletcher had always known and felt within his heart, that his prayers were heard if there was some pain involved as an offering of penance on his part.
Dutifully, he moved the device back upwards into place and returned to genuflecting on his knees upon the hard marble flooring. As he bowed his head, yet again, he caught the monk staring at him, as though he was not used to seeing people upon the floor. The monk gave him a brief smile, and, with a nod of his head, returned to his prayers, as did Fletcher.
How long he knelt there, he did not know. Time had surely passed, since the interior lights came on as night fell. They were not bright but gave off a dim, peaceful glow. As his prayers were whispered on his lips, Fletcher felt the sudden urge that he needed further sacrifice on his part in order for them to be lifted up to God.
Though stiff when he rose from the floor, he thought no further of his discomfort. Coming out from behind the bench, he made his way forward ’til he was afore the steps leading to the altar. He hesitated, and he did not go farther. Instead, he laid down upon his stomach. His head touched the bottom of the first step. Arms extended, he used his own body to form the cross. With his forehead resting on the marble floor, he began his supplications once more.
He begged forgiveness of his sins. He begged for God to release him of his desire to return with Jenna to his own time. He begged to be forgiven of not fulfilling his duty to his family. He begged to learn of some knowledge of what became of Lancashire, his father, and of his sister. He begged on and on with his prayers, for guilt filled his soul that he had given up his past life in order to find love.
With thoughts of his lovely lady flooding his head, he started over from the beginning, yet again, knowing he had become distracted. And then, he heard a familiar voice giving him hope that all was not lost.
“Go to the ocean, Fletcher, for your heartfelt desires will be fulfilled there. Return to whence you came, my friend.”
With a smile lighting his face, he gave thanks to a familiar soul who continued to watch over him. He prayed for Rolf and that somehow, someday, a miracle of fate might find him so that he, too, could find love and live again. No one deserved it more.
Chapter 33
Jenna saw Amy waving her arms to capture her attention from across the darkened street.
“I found him,” she yelled.
Jenna was practically jumping out of her skin while she waited for the light to change in order for her to cross the street. She had been frantic with worry, wondering where Fletcher had gone off to. Minutes had turned into hours until night had fallen, and Jenna had had enough of waiting, which would explain why she and Amy had begun scouring the neighborhood looking for him.
“Jenna,” Amy called out again, gaining her attention as the crosswalk light flicked on then began counting down her time allowed to cross. “What the hell are you waiting for? Hurry up.”
She ran across the street. Amy tugged on her arm as they took off running down the lit sidewalk. They began backtracking toward her apartment until they were a few blocks behind the busy street they lived on. Jenna didn’t expect Amy to pull her up the steps of the local church.
“We can’t go in there, Amy. We’re not dressed properly,” Jenna declared with hesitation.
“Well, if you want to get Fletcher, then you’ll have to forgo the dress code and deal with your jeans. Besides, it’s not like mass is going on.”
Quietly, they entered. Amy was right. The chapel was more or less empty, with the exception of a few people. Jenna felt as if she were intruding on a private ceremony until she realized that the man face down on the cold marble floor was her Fletcher. He was surrounded by the monks of the church as they watched over him while he was apparently in complete submission saying his prayers.
Jenna took hold of Amy’s hand, and they sat in the last pew where she watched and held her breath, praying that God in His infinite wisdom would not return Fletcher to where he truly belonged. She raised her eyes heavenward, knowing that such a thought was selfish on her part, but she couldn’t seem to help herself. Jenna loved Fletcher and couldn’t imagine her life without him. With a mumbled apology to God on her lips, she returned her attention to the man she loved with all her heart.
Never had she seen anyone so devoted in prayer. Though she wasn’t overly religious, that didn’t mean she didn’t believe in a higher being. She just didn’t go into a building to express her belief. Still, her Catholic upbringing came rushing back to her in the blink of an eye, and even she could understand the implications of what Fletcher was doing.
He wanted to go home to his own time. It was that simple. In that very instant, Jenna knew she’d do anything in order to make that happen so he would be happy. She wanted him to be happy, even if she had to give up her life here. Of course, she wouldn’t let him leave without her, but if it wasn’t possible for her to follow, then she would even make that sacrifice so he could return to his own place in time. Bowing her head, she gave a reverent prayer asking God to let her follow Fletcher back to where he belonged, but it wasn’t God’s voice speaking inside her head, rather, it was the voice of a knight who had lived long ago.
“Take yourselves home, Jenna.”
“Thank you, Sir Rolf,” she whispered with a smile, knowing with all of her heart he didn’t mean her apartment.
Amy leaned over to speak softly in her ear. “Did you say something?”
/> Jenna looked over to her roommate and then took hold of her hands. “You’ve been a wonderful friend all these years, Amy. I don’t know what I would have done without you holding me up during the trials of my life when all I really wanted to do was fall down.”
Amy’s eyes narrowed. “Why do I have this weird feeling you’re saying goodbye?”
A smile came from nowhere. “I am…we’re going home.”
“Well, of course we are,” she replied, looking confused.
Jenna shook her head and gave a nod in the direction of the man lying on the floor. “No. I meant we’re going home…Fletcher’s home.”
“B-but you can’t,” Amy sputtered, her voice rising in volume and causing one of the monks at the front of the church to turn in their direction.
Jenna squeezed Amy’s hand. “I can. I love him, Amy, as I’ve never loved another. We crossed time because of the connection between us. How often does something like that happen?”
Amy sighed. “Like…never.”
“Then you can understand why I have to do this. How could I not do everything in my power to keep what we’ve found? I’d never find something this deep with a modern man, and I don’t want to.”
They sat in silence until one of the monks began making his way toward them. Jenna rose from the pew and met him halfway down the aisle.
“Good evening, Father,” Jenna said as the priest bowed his head in greeting to them.
“Good evening, my children,” he replied with his hands inside the sleeves of his brown robes. A belt made of rope hung around his hips. At its end dangled a cross. The ornament was nothing fancy, but reverent in its simplicity. “Is he a friend of yours?”
“He’s my boyfriend.”
The monk nodded. “I see, but, I believe he is so much more, isn’t he?”
“Yes.” Jenna’s answer was barely above a whisper.