Totem

  Liz smiles a big smile. She seems very grateful that I finished the sentence.

  “You are the first,” replies Liz. She looks around at the children and at the old woman sitting across the pool. “We usually get together on weekends here. This is our retreat and this land has been in my family for generations, but this weekend is geared specifically for you. Very few outsiders have been brought in.”

  “But then again, Ty has never brought a girl home,” replies a familiar voice from behind us. I turn to see Sarah, Ty’s sister, walking up the stairs with Ty.

  Liz smiles at me. I give Sarah a kiss on the cheek and hug when she arrives at the top of the steps. My heart begins racing faster as I begin to realize the magnitude of this weekend. This is not just a weekend away where we have fun and roast marshmallows around a campfire. This is a weekend where they tell me their deepest secrets. They are putting their trust and faith in me in hopes that I can keep their secrets. To me, that is amazing.

  “I’ll let you go change first.”

  Ty hands me my bag and gives me a kiss on the cheek. I happily take it and walk down to the bathroom to change. Like all girls, I am insecure about my body in a bathing suit and the sight of the children makes me regret my two-piece Victoria Secret bathing suit I packed, but I do not like the way I look in a one piece. I quickly change into the suite pausing a second to look in the mirror and adjust the straps to fit the contours of my body before walking out with my towel. On the way up to the pool, I wrap the towel around my waist. I leave my bag in the changing room area. Keeping my back straight and tummy sucked in, I walk up to Ty and his family with a smile. Ty smiles back before walking away to change.

  “It’s good to see you Sarah,” I say with a smile.

  “You as well,” replies Sarah. She takes my hand and pats the back of it. It reminds me so much of how my great grandma used to do that. “I am very glad we have you here. Sorry I didn’t see you last time you were at my house, but I heard you and Ty enjoyed yourself.”

  She gives me a wink. I feel my cheeks turn red from her words. I remember the night filled with rose petals and candles all too well but Sarah goes no further. She simply smiles. Sarah’s smiles are warm and she has always been nice to me, but there is a change in her. There seems to be even more happiness and warmth mixed with a knowledge of something I do not yet know. The excitement radiating from her is viral as I feel it catch inside of me.

  “This camp is such a great place. It’s so big” I switch topics in hopes of settling down.

  “Yes,” replies Sarah. “We have people who live in the blue plantation house over by the water year round. They take care of the property and oversee it. On top of that, there are five cabins which are all privately owned by relatives and then the huge sleeping gazebo. The land is communal and there is a lot of it. All of it adds up to a great place for retreats and weekend getaways when the weather is nice.”

  “Wow,” I reply. “That’s pretty amazing.”

  “Don’t forget to tell her about the horses,” Liz chimes in. “We have a stable on the east side with a half a dozen horses. I’m sure you saw it when you drove in.”

  “Those belong to you too?” I ask.

  “Yes, they are our family’s horses,” states Sarah. “Do you ride?”

  “No, I have only ever ridden when I went to camp in the summer time a long, long time ago.”

  “You will have to get Ty to teach you sometime,” replies Liz.

  “That would be amazing.”

  Just then, I see Ty walking out of the bathroom. He is wearing only red swim trunks. My heart picks up pace as I watch him walk up the stairs. The term beautiful is not one you use for men, but it is the only term that comes to my mind. The sun is low in the sky and to Ty’s back. It sends light shooting around him making him appear as if he is glowing. His stomach is flat and his abs slightly chiseled, with muscles all in the right places. His russet skin only accentuates each line of his body.

  He gives me a hug. Our skin touches sending my stomach a flutter. I look at our arms. My white skin pales in comparison to his. It is as if we are not made from the same mold. We are so different in color.

  “Are you ready to jump into the pool?” Ty asks.

  “Sure,” I reply feeling even more self-conscious about my body. I remove my towel and place it into the vacant chair beside Sarah and Liz.

  Ty has already walked over to the edge of the pool. First he tests the water. Then he slowly sinks into the pool. He comes up with his hair naturally sleeking back as the water drips off of it. I stand at the edge watching him in awe.

  “Are you coming in or what?”

  I test the water with my right foot. It is the perfect temperature for a pool. It is cool, but not freezing.

  “Well?” Ty asks again.

  I smile at him. He can test the waters gently and slowly, but I am ready to jump in. I take three steps back and angle my body toward the empty deep end of the pool. I run forward and jump up lifting my body into the air. Just like the little boy I saw earlier, I quickly pull my legs up to my chest and hold them as tight to my body as I can. I close my eyes as my body makes contact with the water. The coolness surrounds me hugging every inch of my skin. It engulfs my body relaxing me instantaneously. I began kicking to the surface. I break the water and open my eyes to Ty smiling at me from the edge of the pool.

  “That was an amazing cannonball!” cries out little boy from across the pool

  Ty lets out a laugh. The pool quickly comes to life as me and Ty start a game of Marco Polo with the kids. Screams and jubilant cries of excitement fill the air as the sun begins to set.

  “Time for dinner,” chimes Liz.

  “Awe mom! Do we have to?”

  “Yes,” replies Liz in a stern, authoritative voice. “Y’all have been in the water for almost two hours. Your skin is going to prune. It is time to get out for the day and grab some dinner.”

  “Awe mommy,” protests the little cannon ball maker.

  “Come on. They are cooking burgers and hotdogs in the gazebo.”

  She begins handing out towels to the water soaked children hopping out of the pool. She then makes sure they all put on their flip flops before herding the small group towards the gazebo. The old woman sitting on the chair quietly at the far end grabs her cane. She tucks her craft with threads under her arm and begins walking out. Her long hair drops down framing her face. She takes her time relying on support from the cane as she moves.

  “You two can join us when you’re ready,” she says to us with a wink.

  Ty waves at her and then turns his attention back to me. The little voices slowly fade as they walk further away from the pool. Ty grabs my pool noodle that I have under my chest and pulls it toward him. Slowly he kisses me. Of all the moments in my life, I would say that floating in a natural spring pool with Ty ranks at the top of my list of best moments ever. It is a list quickly being populated by little moments with him. I wait for Ty to be the first to pull away from the kiss.

  “So is Liz a relative?” I ask to make light conversation as we float together in the pool.

  “Yes, she is my cousin,” replies Ty.

  “Is she a first cousin?”

  Ty knew what I was getting at.

  “No. She is actually the daughter of my first cousin, James. My first cousin died a few years ago.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” I reply.

  “He was older. He died of a heart attack when he was 60 years old. Liz is his youngest child. I am just glad he got to see his grandson for the first 6 years of his life before he passed away.”

  I look at Ty. He is looking down at his hands as he moves them through the water.

  “Is it hard for you?” I ask hesitantly. “I mean... you know…” I am lost for words.

  “Is it hard for me to watch everyone grow old?” Ty clarifies.

  I shake my head yes and grab Ty’s hand under the water.

  “Yes and no. It makes me sad to know t
hat life is so short, but then I see what they do with their lives. They have children. They take each moment and make it last.” He pauses to look at me. “I think what makes it even more bearable is that I know I will see them again someday. Their spirits live on and on. Eventually, I will join them.”

  “So you can die?”

  Ty gives me a skeptical look.

  “I mean,” I begin rephrasing, “of course you can die, but I mean, can you grow old?”

  “I can.”

  Ty turns me around so my back is to him. He pulls me in close and wraps his arms around me. I feel his pool noodle pad my back. He leans his head in to mine and kisses my right temple.

  “I can grow old, but not right now. Right now, I am frozen in time. At least until the others come forward.”

  “So it is out of your hands?” I ask.

  Ty rests his chin on my shoulder.

  “Not necessarily. It’s a little of both. It is my choice to stay this age, but it is also a necessity since the others haven’t come forward. I am the only Totem right now.”

  “I know,” I reply. “It’s for your people.”

  “Yes,” begins Ty. “It is. When I first showed signs of my powers, there was another Totem there to guide me through it. It is scary at first and he was there to help. I don’t want to leave the next Totems alone with these powers. I am waiting until they are found so that I can help them.”

  “So, this might be a ridiculous question, but how does the whole aging thing all work? Do you play catch up with all those years and age really quick?”

  “No,” Ty laughs. “I get to pick back up right where I left off. It is as if I was frozen in time. It’s like a pause button on a remote. You can stop the movie to go make popcorn and then get to start it back up again.”

  “So you’re making popcorn?”

  “If you call fighting crime making popcorn, then yes.” He chuckles sending vibrations through my chest.

  “How long will this popcorn take?”

  “I don’t know.” replies Ty.

  “Is there any way to make you hit the un-pause button sooner rather than later?” I ask as I turn around in the noodle to face him.

  “There could be a way,” says Ty slyly.

  I lean in to kiss him, but stop short. I want to tease him.

  “A way?” I say coyly as my lips linger centimeters from his.

  Ty leans in and gives me a kiss but the kiss doesn’t stop at one. It turns into more kisses as he lets his noodle float away latching on to mine. His arms wrap around me as the kisses go deeper and deeper. I feel my heart racing and the passion building up between us as we become more urgent. Every kiss feels better than the last. They get quicker and deeper.

  “Eh hemm.”

  A voice from the gate interrupts us. There standing on the steps is Sarah. I pull away slightly embarrassed that she has caught us making out.

  “You might want to go grab a burger before the herd of little beasts finishes them off. The pool seemed to have made them extra hungry.”

  “Yes,” replies Ty. “We will be right there. Thanks, Sarah.”

  “You’re welcome.” She turns away with a devious smile walking back towards the pavilion. That smile must be genetic.

  “Well, I guess that’s our queue to get out of the pool.” Ty separates from me swimming over to the side.

  I follow and am the first one out. Ty lingers in the pool for a little while. My guess is so that he can ‘cool off’ and let something settle down. I smirk at the thought. I dry off a bit with my towel and then wrap it around my body. My flip flops are closer to the stairs. I grab them on the way out. As I slip them on, Ty jumps out of the pool.

  “Where’s your towel?”

  “I must have left it in the bath house,” replies Ty. “I’ll get it as we walk down.”

  “We can grab our bags together.” I reply.

  “It would probably be best if we leave them there for now.”

  “Do you mind if I put on a sweatshirt really quick?”

  “Sure,” replies Ty. I open the door of the bath house and walk in.

  Our bags are on the small chaise bench in the front. Quickly I pull my sweatshirt over my bathing suit.

  “You can change really quickly if you want,” remarks Ty.

  “I’m comfortable in my bathing suit. I also want to take a shower before we tuck in for the night. Speaking of which, where are we going to sleep tonight?”

  Ty points up.

  “Wait, what do you mean?”

  Ty lets out a chuckle.

  “I was going to wait to show you this until after, but part of the perks of being a Totem is your own little hut.”

  “And yours is above the bath house?”

  “I liked the view and easy access to the pool,” replies Ty as he picks up our bags.

  I follow him out of the bath area. For the first time, I notice the whole building. I guess I was so nervous meeting a bunch of people that I didn’t see it before. Below are the two changing rooms complete with showers and bathrooms. Beside the one farthest away from us is a storage closet I only assume is where they keep the things to clean the pool as well as any pool toys. Then I notice the second floor.

  “How do you get up there?”

  “The stairs are on the other side.” Ty replies as he grabs my hand and begins walking.

  We curve around the building. On the other side is a black metal spiral staircase that winds around to a wooden deck. Ty leads me up the stairs. On the deck facing the blue plantation house and a view of the bayou are various chairs dispersed. Ty lets go of my hand as he opens a glass door. The second door has a punch code lock on it. He punches in a code unlocking the bolt. Throwing me a smile, he opens the door and flicks on the light.

  “Keep in mind that I did not decorate this,” states Ty.

  He is not taking claim, but from a woman’s perspective, the living space looks great. It is a little small studio, but open. Ty places the bags on the counter as he gestures for me to walk around. To the left is a small kitchen. There is not even room for a large fridge. After closer scrutiny, I notice the small fridge built in to the cabinetry below the counter. The tops of the counters are black slate and all the cabinets and appliances are stainless steel. The spacious living room doubles as a bedroom with the bed on the side wall in the back. A little black night stand holds a picture and a lamp. The bed has a gold comforter with white pillows. The colors stand out against the merlot walls surrounding it. Separating the bed area from the living area is a simple couch. A soft gold blanket drapes across it as it faces us. On the wall with the door we just walked in is a black display of shelving which houses not only many books but a huge flat screen television.

  “So you didn’t decorate any of it?” I ask pointing to the larger than needed television.

  “That,” states Ty pointing to the television, “is pretty much the only thing I added to the scheme of this apartment. The bathroom is all me as well. It is through the kitchen and there is also a walk in closet that doubles as a pantry right before then, but that is pretty much it. It’s small and simple –“

  “And perfect.” I interrupt. “I love it.”

  “Well, I am glad you like it,” replies Ty.

  His crooked smile lights up his face. My heart begins to race as the realization of being alone in a room with a bed comes to mind. Ty’s smile grows larger making my face flush.

  “You hear my heart don’t you?” I ask.

  “Yes,” replies Ty. “I don’t know what it’s for though.”

  I smile at him and then look at the bed. Ty’s eyes follow mine.

  “Oh,” Ty states realizing why I am getting excited. He leans in planting a kiss on my lips. “Maybe later,” he replies. “Right now we should go get some food and wait for the chief.”

  “The chief?” I ask.

  “The elder telling the story,” he replies as he opens the door.

  We step out of the cozy little room and onto the deck.
The sun has just set casting vibrant purple and red hues across the sky. The water in the bayou reflects the colors through its murky waters as moss hangs lazily from the cypress trees above it. The temperature is dropping and in the distance you can hear the faint noise of locusts sleepily calling for the night to come. Down the steps we descend and on to the grass. Passing the fenced in pool and a few large oak trees, we walk up to what I guess to be the gazebo. A buzz of voices grows louder as we draw closer. Smoke billows out of the highest point in the center of the large, enclosed circular structure. Ty opens up the screen door and the source of the smoke resting in the center of a brick ring comes into view. Around the ring are many seats. Along parts of the walls are bunk beds. Beside the entrance is a table covered in plates of food.

  “Hey guys,” calls Liz from her seat next to the fire. “Help yourself.”

  Ty and I grab a plate and dig in. Feeling nervous more than anything, I settle for a hamburger with some chips and avoid the potato salad and cookies. Even then I cannot finish my food. It is pitch black outside by the time we are done eating. Ty leads me to a seat around the fire. There we join in on the conversation that Liz and Sarah are having. Most of the talk is pertaining to Mardi Gras and the upcoming parades. The conversation halts suddenly as the screen door flies open.

  I turn in my seat to face the door behind me. There standing in the door frame is an older gentleman. His face, crinkled by the passing of time, houses two coal colored eyes. His brow furrows down over them. He walks in with the slow, steady pace of a man his age. The room grows quiet as he approaches the center. Sarah gives him her hand to greet him. He squeezes it in passing as he moves to the opposite side of the fire. Across his body is a strap that leads down to a pouch. The man digs through the pouch pulling out three small, brown leather sacks and places them on the stone edge of the fire pit. Slowly he pulls open the first one. I glance around to see everyone staring intently at the man in front of them and do the same.

  With pouch open, the old man looks at the many faces in this small crowd. Nearest to him is the group of children eager to hear the tale. The women I met earlier and a few others whom I did not meet are scattered around the room in various groups. He continues to scan the crowd until his eyes finally rest on Ty. Ty looks back at him and gives him a nod. With that, the old man reaches into the pouch and pulls out a handful of dust. Quickly he throws it into the fire and brilliant blue sparkles in the fire as red smoke begins billowing up. The man keeps eye contact with Ty as he begins to speak.