Dark Moon

by Victoria Wakefield

  Michael gave me a sexy pout. “I suppose I can live without you for one night,” he said. “So when do I get to meet Maryanne?”

  “I told her she should come out with us to dinner one night, but she complained about being a third wheel. You could bring a guy friend of yours, maybe? I haven’t met any of your friends, either,” I pointed out.

  “That’s because I don’t have any worth meeting,” he said.

  “I find that hard to believe!”

  “I had a good friend once, but that’s another story, for another time,” Michael said lightly.

  “Alright, you win, for now. But I want to know every detail of your life, Michael Reynolds, no matter how boring,” I teased.

  Michael intertwined his hands with mine. “We have plenty of time for that,” he said softly. He leaned forward to kiss me, but I turned my head.

  “Let me brush my teeth first!” I exclaimed, jumping out of bed and running to the bathroom. I had forgotten to do it last night, and Thai food morning breath didn’t sound very appealing.

  “Mind if I do the same?” Michael was standing at the doorway. The bathroom was spacious, with double sinks.

  “Of course not,” I tried to reply around the toothbrush and mounds of frothy paste.

  “You’re cute in the morning.” He grinned.

  When we had both finished brushing, Michael pulled me towards him for a long kiss. “You taste like mint.”

  “Better than yesterday’s Thai food,” I shot back.

  “Hey,” Michael said, “since I won’t see you tonight, why don’t you join me in the shower?”

  “Okay,” I whispered. Whether it was sex in his bed, on a counter and now in a shower, I always felt the same nervous anticipation.

  The shower had a sliding glass frosted door instead of a curtain, and the walls and floor were a bumpy, rocky surface.

  “It’s so you don’t slip,” Michael explained. “Apparently it’s all the rage at spas now. Also, they say if you walk on the rocks it massages your feet. There are a lot of nerve endings in the feet. I’ll have to show you some time,” he said in a flirty voice.

  We didn’t have long. Michael pushed me against the wall, and pressed his body against mine. The combination of his skin and the water cascading down us sent shivers up my spine.

  “Are you cold, baby? I’ll warm you up.” I moaned in pleasure as Michael kissed me, my hands caressing first his shredded body, then moving downwards…

  “I wish that we had more time,” he whispered. Michael slid himself inside of me. With each movement, I pressed my hips into him, trying to bring him deeper inside me. It was delicious, sexy, and I would have been happy to spend all day doing this, but we both had responsibilities.

  After we had finished and washed off from our ‘shower,’ Michael echoed my thought. “If only we could play hooky today...” His voice trailed off. “But the problem is a day’s not a enough. No amount of time is enough.” He paused. “We should take a trip. Next school break you have. Can you imagine: four, five days with no care in the world? Doing whatever the fuck we want to do,” he said suggestively.

  “That would be so amazing,” I agreed.

  He groaned. “I hate to leave you but I’ve really got to get going.”

  “Call me tonight when you get home?” I asked.

  “Promise.”

  We walked out of his apartment, kissed goodbye and got into our cars. Is this the feeling people mean when they say they are walking on cloud nine? Why had I been so negative about love? Why had I thought, foolishly, that I was locked into my destiny? How come I’d never considered free will?

  Of course, when I was thinking those things, high on Michael, high on my life, I had no idea that my world was going to come crashing down around me.

  Chapter 12

  The downward spiral didn’t start right away. And so I continued on, blissfully unaware.

  Knowing I wouldn’t see Michael that night, the day was even more boring than usual. When I got home that evening and opened my books, I realized that I had a lot of work to do. I’d planned to catch up last weekend, but ended up blowing off everything to spend it with Michael (which I didn’t regret) but now I had two additional days of assignments, plus the reading I was supposed to do for next week. I wanted to scream.

  “Why are you so frazzled?” Maryanne asked me.

  “Because I’m never going to catch up,” I said morosely.

  “Just do what I do. You figure out the bare minimum of work you can turn in and still keep a C average. Then you cram for the tests and hopefully bring that C up to a B. If not, you beg the teacher to let you do extra credit, promise you’ll try harder, be more serious, blah, blah, blah. You wouldn’t believe how many times it works.” Maryanne rolled her eyes. “I’ve even talked my way from a D to a B.”

  “And was that with a male teacher, perhaps?” I asked wryly.

  “Perhaps.” She mimicked my tone and stuck her tongue out.

  “I’m not sure that’s my style, but you’ve at least given me an idea of how to tackle this mound of work. I know which teachers will let me have an extension, and which won’t,” I said.

  “Now you get it.” Maryanne nodded approvingly. “Are you spending the night with Dr. Sexy tomorrow?” she asked.

  “I don’t know; he’s supposed to call me when he gets home. But, truthfully, I have way too much work to do.” I groaned. “I’d better get to it,” I said, shooting Maryanne an apologetic expression.

  I grabbed my headphones, put them on, and forced myself to focus.

  ###

  Wednesday morning I was feeling slightly better, after having stayed up until nearly three o’clock to make a dent in my schoolwork. Even though I stopped to talk to Michael for an hour when he got home, I’d still managed to catch up on all the written assignments, and even read ahead for next week.

  But towards the end I could barely keep my eyes open. The second time I woke up with my head slumped in my hands and drool coming out of the side of my mouth, I knew it was time to call it a night.

  I had slept in for longer than normal, since I was already at my own place and I really didn’t give a shit about dressing up or making any effort to look good. I put my hair in a loose ponytail, grabbed the first pair of jeans I could see that were (hopefully) clean and pulled on my worn out Nine Inch Nails 2009 tour t-shirt.

  Classes dragged, and I soon found out that drinking cup after cup of coffee wasn’t exactly a substitute for sleep. By the time I got to the hospital, my heart was racing like crazy from all the caffeine. Not that good I’m-about-to-touch-Michael racing heart, more like the oh-shit-what-if-I-have-a-heart-attack kind.

  Nurse Evie looked surprised when she saw me. “Late night?” she asked, raising her eyebrows suggestively.

  “Yeah, but it’s not what you think,” I said. “I had a shitload of work to do.”

  Nurse Evie frowned. “What’s with that shirt? Not very professional.”

  “Oh, I didn’t realize. They told me I could wear whatever I wanted.”

  “Yeah, jeans are alright, but some ragged old band t-shirt isn’t. You might as well have come here in your pajamas,” she scolded.

  I blushed. “It won’t happen again. I can go home and change?” I offered.

  “No.” Evie shook her head. “I have an extra pair of scrubs I keep in my locker. You can borrow the shirt.”

  She retreated to the employee lounge and came back a minute later with a drab green top. I dutifully pulled it over my head.

  “Much better,” she said. “So, how was your date Monday night?”

  “Great,” I said distractedly. I really wasn’t in the mood for small talk. I wished she would just tell me what I needed to do.

  “Well, where did you go?” Evie pressed. “Anywhere exciting?”

  “We ordered Thai food and watched a movie,” I replied. Why did I tell her I have a boyfriend? My motto has always been that the less people know about you, the better. Being with Micha
el shouldn’t change that.

  “Interesting.” Evie’s eyes had lit up, a strange expression on her face.

  “What?” I muttered, annoyed. What could she possibly be about to ask? Did he eat it off my body, like it was all the rage to eat sushi off of naked women circa early 2000s? The thought made me even more annoyed. Who would want to eat anything of off anyone’s bare body?

  “Oh, I just find it interesting” – there was that word again – “because yesterday Dr. Reynolds brought all this Thai food up here and told everyone to help themselves.”

  Fuck. I instantly wanted to kick myself. I willed my face to remain expressionless. “Weird,” I said. “I guess we’ve got the same taste in food.”

  “Hmm.” Evie was studying my face, which, shockingly, did not go red. I returned her gaze coolly.

  “You’d better get to work,” Nurse Evie snipped, turning back to her computer.

  I can’t until you tell me where to go, you stupid cow.

  “Nurse Evie, I still need an assignment for today.” I forced a laugh.

  Evie paused for a moment, then a smile broke out on her face. “ICU has very specific visiting hours. Many families sleep in the family waiting room until they’re allowed to go inside. You can check if they need anything: coke, coffee, snacks…or maybe just a shoulder to cry on.”

  Evie turned her back to me, the conversation obviously over.

  “Okay,” I said in as cheery of a voice as I could muster. She had obviously tried to think of the worst possible job she could give me. Surrounded by grieving people, waiting for updates from the doctors on their loved ones’ critical condition. Possibly hearing someone get told that a family member had just passed away. I shuddered.

  So Evie didn’t like me, but she couldn’t really know about Michael and me. Thai food was a dumb coincidence, and even if her pea brain tried to make something of it, I wouldn’t slip up again. She would never know the truth.

  The ICU waiting room was as bad as I had feared. There was a husband, wife and their young daughter in one corner of the room. The woman’s eyes were bloodshot, and the man was holding the little girl, who was probably about twelve, as she cried into his chest.

  How am I supposed to go ask if they need anything?

  I surveyed the rest of the room. There was a man by himself, tapping away on his phone. I walked up to him.

  “Um, excuse me, sir, could I get you anything? Something to drink? Or a snack?”

  He looked up at me blankly.

  “I was just wondering if you needed something…” my voice trailed off.

  The man seemed to snap to attention. “Oh, thanks,” he said. “Could I have a Coke, if it’s not too much trouble?”

  “Of course it’s not.” Happy to leave that dreary room, I stepped back into the hospital hallway. Naturally, Evie hadn’t bothered to tell me where to get the stuff these people requested. If it was like the Cheer Cart, I probably needed to go to the gift shop.

  I was heading in that direction when I jumped as a voice came over the intercom. “Lana Luna, please report to floor three.” What the hell? Floor three was the new mother and newborns floor.

  I contemplated abandoning my mission to get the sad man a Coke, but it was the least I could do. And whatever they needed me for could wait five minutes. I picked up the pace and was almost out of breath by the time I arrived at the gift shop. A young man I had never met before was working there.

  “Hi,” I said. “I’m Lana Luna. I’m helping out in the ICU family waiting room and someone has requested a Coke.”

  “Sure,” he said, going into the side room where the supplies for the Cheer Cart were kept. I followed him. He reached into a mini fridge and handed me a cold drink. “That’s all?”

  “Yes, and I won’t be back for anything else. I’ve been instructed to work on floor three.”

  “That’s too bad,” he said, eyeing me up and down.

  I pretended not to notice. “Gotta go!”

  After I had dropped off the drink, I finally headed to the third floor. I’d never been there before, so at least I might be doing something different. Anything was better than the ICU waiting room.

  “Sorry it took me so long,” I told an older lady when I reached the nurses’ station.

  She gave me a warm smile. “No worries, dear.” Phew. Thank God she’s not a drill sergeant like Nurse Barbara.

  “My name is Lisa. We’re short staffed today and need you to help watch over the newborns.”

  Nurse Lisa started walking and I followed her. “So how are you enjoying your volunteer work?” she asked me.

  “It’s wonderful,” I said automatically. “Very fulfilling.”

  She laughed. “That sounded a bit rehearsed. But I understand. Being in a hospital can take a real toll on you. But I like working in this area, and I think you will too.”

  We stopped in front of the room with all the newborns, which we were separated from by a glass wall.

  “I’m afraid it’s against hospital policy for you to go in the room with them,” Lisa said. “But we’re required to have eyes on the nursery at all times. It’s incredible, how even in this age, there are still crazy people who come to the hospital to take a child.”

  “Really?” I asked in surprise.

  “Oh, yes,” she replied. “Usually we take turns checking on the mothers and watching the infants, but as I said, we’re short staffed today and there are quite a few new mothers staying with us.”

  I nodded. “I don’t mind watching them,” I said honestly.

  “Good. The other nurses and I will be in and out. I’m going to introduce you to them; if you see anyone other than us in the nursery, call security immediately.” She pointed to the phone on the wall behind me.

  “And, don’t worry, these babies are healthy. There shouldn’t be any issues. But if you get concerned about one of them, just grab a nurse and we’ll check on him or her.”

  “Sounds good,” I said. I sat down on the stool outside the viewing area.

  At first it was fun, watching the tiny hands and feet wriggling, marveling at just how small the infants were, how incredible to think some of them had been born merely a few hours ago.

  But after awhile, the novelty wore off. I found my mind drifting to Michael. He’d sounded so tired when he called me last night. Happy to talk to me, but exhausted. He had promised to call today, but I hadn’t heard from him yet.

  What if a night apart made him realize he doesn’t like me? I knew I was worrying without reason, but love makes you irrational.

  My phone vibrated and I reached into my pocket to check it. It was a text from Michael! I can’t go another minute without seeing you, Lana. Come straight to my apartment after the hospital? I’ll be waiting xxx

  I quickly texted him back. I have to go home first! I look like a mess xxx

  Michael replied that I never looked like a mess, and he had a surprise for me.

  Smiling, I returned my attention to the babies.

  After my shift ended, I dropped Evie’s top back off and signed out. “Thanks for letting me wear this,” I said, not meaning a word of it.

  I barely listened to her response as I zoomed out the door. On the way to Michael’s apartment, I called Maryanne, but she didn’t answer, so I left a message that I was staying at his place tonight.

  I’ll have to set up a girls’ night with her soon, I thought guiltily.

  When I got there, I paused before going up to the door, even though I was dying to see Michael. I should have gone home anyway. My ponytail was messier than it had been when I’d started the day, and I wasn’t wearing makeup. I felt exposed.

  Suddenly Michael was pulling my car door open, and there was no time to think. “I’ve missed you so much,” he said, wrapping me in his arms. I hugged him back, feeling all of the doubt and worry leave my body.

  With our arms around each other’s waists, we walked into the building and got on the elevator to go to his tenth floor apartment. We were
the only ones on the elevator, and as soon as the doors closed Michael’s lips were on mine.

  Every time I touched him, it was the like first time all over again. I found myself trying to pull him closer, to press our bodies into one.

  “Ahem.”

  We both jumped apart guiltily. Neither of us had heard the elevator ding that it was stopping on the fourth floor.

  Face blazing, I refused to look at the older gentleman who had gotten on with us. He pressed the button for floor nine and right before it stopped, he turned to us.

  “You know,” he said, his eyes twinkling, “I was young once. I remember those days. You two lovebirds enjoy yourself.”

  Michael pulled me out of the elevator and into his apartment. “God, Lana, you’re beautiful,” he murmured as we stumbled inside.

  We started kissing again, but suddenly Michael pulled back. “What’s wrong?” I whispered.

  “Everything is right,” he said, caressing my lips. “But I bought you something. You don’t have to wear it, if you don’t want to. But you’d look fucking amazing. And I’d love to spend time taking it off of you. Come see.”

  He stood up and we walked into the bedroom. Michael picked up a small white bag that was sitting by the bed. “For you.”

  Tentatively, I pushed back the tissue paper and pulled out what was inside. There were red lacey see-through underwear and a red corset-like top with black lace trim.

  “Do you like it? You don’t have to wear it,” he said again.

  “I love it,” I said, smoothing my hand over the beautiful fabric.

  “It’s silk. Originally, I was going to get you black; I’ve noticed you wear that color a lot, and don’t get me wrong, you look stunning, but then when I saw this red one I knew that’s what I wanted to buy you.”

  “When did you get it?” I asked.

  “I took a long lunch break.”

  “I want to wear it,” I said, my heart racing, “but can I take a shower first?”

  “Of course. You can try it on later. I would join you in the shower again, but I’ve got to wait for the delivery guy.” He grinned sheepishly. “I really do enjoy cooking, but sometimes delivery is so much more convenient.”