Awakening

by Karice Bolton

  “Really?” I asked ribbing him in the side as he forked in the next mouthful.

  “Well, not to burst your bubble or change the subject, but you have to tell us if you have any vacation time that you can take from your job or what exactly might be going on with that because we would love for you to come home with us over the holidays to Seattle. I mean if you don’t mind. Athen kind of mentioned that you weren’t that fond of the holidays. I totally understand why and don’t want to take anything away from you on that, but would love to change your mind about them.”

  I looked over at Athen wondering if he had told her everything from the first night we met. I didn’t know if it was the couple of drinks I had downed or Athen’s presence but talking to him that first night was so effortless on the way back to my condo. I literally poured out my soul to him. I told him about losing my parents and having no family to bring me up or even a recollection of one. I also mentioned how I had received an inheritance but still worked to create sort of a social circle for myself by working. I told him how much I missed my parents or at least the idea of having parents since I didn’t remember anything about them. I even told him how I felt so alone some nights when I had no one to go home to, except of course for Matilda, who more than made up for it. All I had of my existence was newspaper clippings. In hindsight, it was all probably things that should’ve scared him off, but instead he listened intently as if I was telling him something about his own past. It was a special night. I had hoped that level of trust and openness wouldn’t go away, and in a sense it still hasn’t.

  “I told my sister how the holidays weren’t your favorite because you didn’t have family around. I hope I didn’t overstep my bounds.” Athen whispered truly concerned, looking up at me.

  “Oh, of course not.” I looked at both Arie and Athen recognizing nothing but kindness and concern radiating from them. I was so relieved.

  “Well, I can certainly talk to my boss. I have never missed a day since I have been there, and I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. He brought on a couple new girls for the winter so there should be plenty of coverage. It would be great to get another perspective on the holidays. I love the idea of them anyway.”

  Cyril went over the food table to replenish, and Athen was next when I looked down and noticed I had hardly touched my food. I looked over at Arie who was almost finished as well. I started to play catch up on my plate, and, on my last bite, Arie hopped up and asked if there was anything else I wanted. I actually was super full, but because it all tasted so good I decided to get a second round of my favorites and then, of course, dessert.

  “Yeah, I think I will join you in filling my plate for round two.” I got up and grabbed my empty plate. I turned to go with Arie, and Athen’s hand brushed my back as he was walking back to his seat, which sent an incredible sensation through me. I could do this forever. Once we got to the food table, Arie began to whisper something to me so quietly that I had to lean in to hear what she was saying.

  “Ana, Athen likes you, and this is very unusual for him to be this struck. I’m getting the impression it is the same for you. I’m not trying to interfere, but I want you to know that I think this could be the real thing if you let it. I have never seen my brother this way with anyone else, ever.”

  My heart started pounding as she whispered the magical words to me. The thought that I wasn’t imagining the feelings I was experiencing with Athen was miraculous. I didn’t understand the circumstances or the pairing in the least bit, but prayed with every part of my being that this would turn into the real thing.

  “I haven’t ever gotten this close to anyone before Arie, in two days or two years so please don’t think I’m taking it lightly. I almost feel like I’m in a dream and don’t want to wake up. I have never had this kind of ease before with people, and that includes with you too. The last couple of days have been quite odd.”

  “I knew it.” Arie sang on her way back to the table.

  I grabbed the rest of my seconds and floated back to the table with such happiness zipping through my veins. I looked up at Athen as I got seated, realizing I had better get used to looking at him, but at that moment he looked up and caught my eyes. The blush resurfaced. I gave him a faint smile and dropped my eyes back down to my plate determined to make the last of everything fit in my stomach. Being around him was going to be harder than I thought.

  The mushers were getting the dogs all situated to take us back on our journey to the cabin, and my heart sank a little at thought of leaving Athen. My condo definitely needed some tender loving care, and that is what I planned to focus on once I returned this evening. At least that is what I was telling myself to get rid of the gnawing disappointment that was washing over me.

  “Ok, guys. Anyone want any thirds? We did well on the salads and chicken, but it looks like we still have two brownies left.”

  “I got it.” Both Athen and Cyril yelled in unison.

  Arie and I walked over to the sleds to pet the beautiful huskies as the guys gobbled up the last tidbits of food. The mushers put the platters, bowls, and utensils back to where they came from and turned off the heater. I promised myself that I would treasure the ride back even more then the ride to the picnic. I glanced at Athen, noticing his hands running through his hair nervously. Then he turned towards me, staring intently at me, leaning effortlessly against the log post again. He was talking to Cyril, but it was painfully obvious that he wasn’t paying much attention to anyone but me.

  “One last check,” Taylor announced, “Everyone got everything, gloves, hats? It is no fun to leave something out here, especially if you hope to get it back.”

  “Nope, we are all good. We’ve got everything.” Arie assured him.

  Athen walked over to me and grabbed my hand as we walked to enter our sled. When we got to the sled I could feel the dogs’ newfound energy after their lunch and knew this was going to be an exciting ride back, and I’m sure far too fast. Athen got me fastened in before sliding into the sled himself, and, before I knew it, we were off. This time, however, the mushers were going back around to enter a different trail than the one we came in on. Good, I thought. Anything to keep myself from getting sad at the thought of the day being over.

  “Hey, Athen. Did you catch that?” I heard Cyril yell.

  Athen held up his fist as if to acknowledge the sighting that Cyril was referring to. I had no idea what they saw, but, whatever it was, it made Athen uncomfortable. His entire body tensed up.

  “What did you see?” I asked Athen, “What did I miss?”

  “It was only an animal we have been keeping our eye on for awhile up here. No big deal.”

  “Huh.” I replied thinking that was an incredibly unbelievable explanation. The gnawing feeling began to make its appearance again. I did my best to make it go away, but the feeling only went down to a low simmer. I decided I was going to press Arie and Cyril on it next time we had a chat. As we turned the last corner, I saw a glimpse of the lodge again and realized that route was much shorter than on the way to the picnic, which gave me a feeling of overall gloominess. Our dogs gave an extra charge in the home stretch as they saw the lodge. I took it as a personal insult as we slid in onto the patio. Once again, the mushers exuberantly jumped out of our sleds and turned to face us.

  “So what did you think? Did you have fun with that?” Dave asked us.

  “It was great!” Arie exclaimed. We all seconded Arie’s exuberance as we climbed out of our sleds.

  “Well, wonderful. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Our dogs are part of our family so they will be pleased to know you had fun, which translates into extra salmon for dinner for them and a few extra belly rubs for sure. There are drinks awaiting you in the front foyer. I wouldn’t be surprised if there weren’t more baked goods as well.”

  I was rearranging my jacket and hat when Athen lifted me up and carried me up over the steps. I looked behind me only to see Cyril doing the exact same thing to Arie.

  “Holy crap, Athen. Yo
u scared me to death.”

  “Get used to it,” I heard Arie proclaim, “It seems to be the only weight lifting they like to do.”

  “Oh, brother.” I said laughing.

  Athen and Cyril put us down so we could be somewhat presentable as we opened the lodge’s doors leading into the foyer. Once they were opened, I saw the quaint room from earlier turned into a dreamy setting from another place. The lights had been dimmed. Candles had been placed everywhere, with the fireplace blazing, and Chopin playing softly in the background. It was a purely splendid setting.

  “Geez, man. Could you get anymore over the top? There are more than just you two here you know.” I could see Arie kick him gently in the shin, and he grimaced as we all walked in through the wooden doors.

  “Wow, Athen. Did you do this for us? This is so touching.”

  “No, I did it for you.” He whispered into my ear. Chills began to run through my entire body, creating energy between us both.

  It was as if we were the only two in the universe. He led me to the table that was set up with wine glasses and a couple buckets of wine. The table had a luxurious silk tablecloth in an ivory that reflected the candles flickering an orange glow all over the room. The oversized log chairs were so comfortable that were surrounding the table, especially after the sled ride.

  Everyone got situated around the table, and I thought it would be the perfect moment to ask about the animal that Athen and Cyril have been tracking. I wasn’t sure whether to be serious about it or joke about it so I tried my best at making light of it.

  “Well, since tracking is kind of an off pastime, I’m kind of curious about what kind of animal you have been seeing and keeping tabs on up here? Is it the elusive Sasquatch or how about a werewolf?” As soon as the words left my lips, I felt the air get sucked out of the room. In that instant, I wished I hadn’t said anything because the strain in the air definitely took away the relaxation that we experienced all afternoon. I saw Cyril look over at Athen and nod his head. I couldn’t imagine that they were taking serious either of the creatures I threw out as possibilities, but something happened in the room. I just didn’t know what.

  “Um, there is an animal that looks like a bobcat that we have been noticing. The problem is that the coloring is off so we are trying to figure out what it is. Nothing more than that for a story. Unfortunately, nothing as exciting as your Sasquatch or Werewolf theory.” Athen quibbled lightly. He gave me a squeeze, and Arie began talking nonstop to me about her favorite activities. I realized I had better drop it for now.

  My heart knew that they had nothing to do with the missing hikers. Karen’s silly paranoia was no longer mine. The good night’s sleep did wonders too. The last thing I wanted to do was destroy this special time that Athen planned for me. I reached for my glass of wine and tasted the warmth run through my entire body as I sipped it slowly. I hoped that I could make this family mine.

  ******

  We had gotten back to my condo around 8:00 pm that evening with Cyril and Athen, of course, dying of hunger; so Arie and I raided my pantry trying to put together something halfway decent. As I scanned my shelves and empty refrigerator doors, it dawned on me that I hadn’t done my usual weekly grocery shopping and was now completely out of the staples. I was thankful my dog walker was in town this weekend so she could at least spend time with Matilda, but I made a mental note to give Matilda extra snuggles in the night. I definitely had to go to the pet store and grocery store the next day. Matilda only had enough food for the next morning.

  Arie began defrosting the chicken as I gathered together the items to make a quick pasta dish. At least I still had cilantro, and a lime rolling around in the fridge drawer. Hopefully, that would do I thought to myself. The television echoed in from the living room, and I heard the guys discussing something rather low. I couldn’t decipher what they were saying, but my gut was telling me that it had to with the infamous bobcat that they were or were not looking for.

  “So, have any special plans for tomorrow?” Arie asked me. She was squeezing the lime for me and had a hopeful look in her eyes.

  “Well, I was going to play catch up and do some shopping and cleaning and stuff like that. Nothing that is too out of control. How about you?”

  “Pretty much the same thing. I was going to try and squeeze in a facial though if you would be into a spa thing, my treat?”

  “Sure. That sounds like fun before I hit the workweek again.” I could hear Matilda snoring hard in the living room. My guess was that one of the guys let her on the couch with them.

  “So, this alleged bobcat scenario. Are you by any chance going to let me on the secret? I highly doubt that Athen and Cyril are biologists or something.” I asked Arie and judging by the look on her face she was not expecting it at all.

  “Ana, I swear it’s true. They are trying to figure out if that is a bobcat they are seeing.”

  “You aren’t very good at lying. But if you don’t want to tell me either, I will leave it alone…for now.”

  The microwave beeped at the perfect time for Arie to spin away from me and start on a new task. I grabbed the placemats to set the dining room table.

  “So are you two in there scheming about the bobcat or what?”

  “Boy, you are persistent.” Athen said as he started coming towards me as I finished setting the table.

  “Oh yeah? Well, I’m pretty skeptical that you guys are so interested in an animal. I’m dying to know what got you two so riled up. Nothing personal but I don’t take you two for biologists.” I said grinning.

  “Well, alright. You got us. But it won’t make any sense right now. I promise we will tell you when we figure out exactly what’s up. Is that a deal?”

  “Just as long as it doesn’t have to do with the missing hikers, I think I can handle it.” I told Athen giggling a bit. “You know, Karen will kill me for telling you… but that first night I went out with you she was rattling all sorts of reasons why I shouldn’t go out, and that popped out.”

  “Wow, good to know. We won’t mention any invites to her about camping then.” Athen said grinning. I noticed concern swelling in his eyes. I couldn’t place why that would be. Arie’s laughter began ringing through the air, which broke my thought once more.

  “That is pretty worrisome about those hikers though.” Cyril piped up. “I wonder what did happen to them.”

  A shiver went through me. I shook my head in bewilderment. Being that I had never gotten this far before in obtaining an answer I took it. Besides, I knew I would keep digging until they told me the truth so I would eventually win.

  Then the images began flooding in. I saw one of the female hikers completely disrobed, in a fetal position staring bleakly onto what looked like a crimson puddle of liquid. Rainwater was rolling off of the cave walls that she was in, keeping a steady beat as it dripped to the floor to match her rocking back and forth. It was almost like I could smell the mustiness of the cave. I couldn’t see any of the others. I sensed that there were more around her though. Not being able to see anyone else, I didn’t know if it was the other hikers or her capturers in the cave.

  A sigh escaped at the realization that my nightmares no longer had the need to wait until my eyes closed. I did my best to shake the despair that was rising in my chest. Being awake had been my one and only escape from these terrors. I guess that was no longer the case. I forced myself to come back to reality. I couldn’t let these people in on my ever-growing stash of terrible secrets.

  I looked up to catch Athen’s eyes, which were lodged with worry.

  “Is everything ok, Ana? You look ashen. Did I do something?”

  “Oh, gosh no. I’m sorry. Just ignore me. I thought I left something on the trail earlier is all. I didn’t though. Not to worry.” Lying didn’t come naturally, and I was pretty sure he knew that too.

  Arie yelled from the kitchen for help from the guys as I sat down at the table while dinner was served. It was nice to have a table full of people in my di
ning room. I think Matilda appreciated it too as she waddled in from her resting spot in the living room to right under Cyril’s feet. The guys dug into the pasta as if they hadn’t eaten for days. It was a good thing I wasn’t that hungry after the latest thoughts had invaded my mind as pile after pile went on their plates.

  “So, Ana and I are going to do a spa thing tomorrow.”

  Athen looked at me with a huge grin as a long noodle began its way down to the tablecloth, which he grabbed with his fingers in an instant. The poor noodle never had a chance. “You are going to go with Arie, huh? Well, that will be an experience.”

  I was baffled, and it must have shown because Arie jumped in to make sure I didn’t back out on her.

  “He is only kidding, Ana! I happen to enjoy the spa and can make it an entire day’s process but not to worry! I know you have a lot of stuff to do tomorrow so it will be a quickie.”

  “Yeah right.” Cyril muttered under his breath.

  “Well, whatever the case, I will get up early and get everything done beforehand so I don’t rain on Arie’s parade.”

  “See, Athen, I told you she was a keeper.” Arie said as she pushed the bowl of pasta toward me.

  “Sweet! Hopefully all I have to do is keep spa dates penciled in to stay on everyone’s good side.”

  “You already are!” Athen replied beaming, and laughter filled the air.

  It got silent as everyone dug in, which gave me a chance to look around the dining room absorbing how wonderful things had become since I met these people. A void was slowly beginning to be filled. I might be ok after all. Matilda had given up on getting any scraps and was sound asleep under Cyril’s chair. Minutes had gone by, and no one had said anything, yet it wasn’t awkward at all, just peaceful.

  “Well, I wanted to thank everyone for such a wonderful day today. It was pretty amazing. Totally unlike anything I have ever done before.” I peeped up, noticing I was only staring at Athen, which made my cheeks begin their usual chameleon act.