I pulled out from her hold and looked into her porcelain face. I had thought she wanted me to stay away from him. But maybe she just wanted me to make my own decision.
“Wait, see Justin? I knew it! You were there in the office. I saw your feather floating in the room. Your feathers changed colors because you were visiting me again. Why did you spy on me then? Did you not trust her?”
“No, I was her. Sorry, but you were really talking to me not Dr. Beamer. I took her body for a while.” She bit her lip in shame.
“What! I was not talking with a doctor? I was talking to you the whole time? I thought I had found someone who I could really talk to and she was on my side. You tricked me and lied to me.”
Not only was I embarrassed now I was really mad at Ianni. I didn’t like being angry with her because she was the one person who has always been there for me but I couldn’t help it. My face was hot and I turned my head. I didn’t understand her. I remembered her from before, her kindness and her strength, but now she seemed a bit devious. And she was tricking me too. Telling me one minute to stay away from Landon. Then saying he has good intentions.
“Don’t be upset with me. I knew that if you walked in there and told her all this,” she waved her hand around the room, “that she would surely send you to the nut house. I told you not to go there. I was only trying to protect you and lead you too the right person to help. Justin White. Well, you probably don’t remember me telling you because it was in a dream and you don’t remember your dreams do you?” I nodded. I didn’t remember any dream where she told me not to go see the doctor, or to see this guy Justin.
“As far as Landon, I don’t want you to be with him, because it’s not what you wanted. You’re going to wake up soon so listen to me very carefully. Keep drinking the tea it will help you sleep and connect with me. Go on your dates with both guys and remember Landon will not remember dreaming all this. He disconnected his soul to be here. He will have no idea that this occurred. That’s all I can say because I can’t tell you your future. Last, but not least, go meet Justin. I have to go and so do you. So, Avery wakeup.”
Chapter 8
Trust
My alarm woke me up and I reached over sleepily to shut it off. I sat up and stretched, raising my arms to the ceiling. I felt great. I slept for a full night and I had the Yulu to thank for it. Once I got up I made my coffee and headed to take a shower. I realized that I didn’t wake up feeling that horrible impending doom that always ruins my mornings. I felt great for once.
The shower felt more than great it felt terrific. Something about taking a hot shower always made me feel good. When I closed my eyes I tried to remember if I dreamt anything last night, but I couldn’t seem to remember a thing which wasn’t anything odd for me. I finished up in the shower as fast as I could, even though I didn’t want to leave it. Today was going to be a good day. I was off from work this morning. I only had to work a short night shift from eight to midnight. The four hour shifts were courtesy of Kerri. She knew I was having problems sleeping and she wanted to help me out in anyway that she could. This did help me and I was very thankful to her. I wanted to spend the day with my best friend and show her how thankful I was and tell her how I slept like a baby last night. I also had to fill her in on juicy details of Landon and Dallas. I dialed her number and got a sleepy answer on the other end.
“Wake up it’s a beautiful day and I want to get some breakfast with you. I have so much to tell you it’s unbelievable.” There was dead silence so I paused. “Um, Kerri you awake or did you fall back asleep?”
“Nope I’m here I just can’t believe you are calling me at eight thirty. What the hell is wrong with you girl?” I did know better than to call her this early. She was notorious for sleeping in on her days off.
“Don’t be lazy! Meet me for breakfast at the little café by the library. I will be there in and hour so don’t be late.” I hung up the phone. I knew she was mad but she would get over it. I sat outside on my balcony watching the people below me. It was nice to sit and people watch sometimes. I drank my coffee slowly because I knew it would take Kerri a while to get ready. I figured I would give her some time.
I finished my coffee, threw on some pants and a tee shirt and left my hair down for once. After all Dallas did say he liked it better down. I came across a tube of lipstick sitting on my dresser. I haven’t worn lipstick in years and I had no idea where this came from. I figured it was Kerri’s and she left it here. I put it on and the pink shade was actually really complementary for my face. I stared at myself in the mirror for a few seconds. I looked different today, no dark circles under my eyes. I actually looked somewhat attractive. I laughed at myself for even thinking like that.
I left the apartment and walked to the café. It was not a short distance but I needed to stretch my legs. When I got there Kerri was still not there so I put our names in with the hostess and waited outside for her. She was always late but it didn’t upset me today. Nothing would ruin my day today.
I felt my leg start to vibrate and I realized that it was my phone going off in my pocket. It was Dallas calling, I got really excited like a little schoolgirl and I took a deep breath before answering.
“Hi,” I answered hoping that I didn’t sound too excited. I wanted to remain cool and calm.
“Well good morning beautiful. You sound like you’re in a good mood today. What are you doing today?’’
“Well I’m waiting for Kerri right now, were going to have breakfast. And I think I will go for a walk later. What are you doing awake?” I knew he worked last night and he usually sleeps late when he works.
“I just woke up and I wanted to call you back. Sorry I missed your call last night. It was a busy at work. I missed you though and I wanted to call you.” It was incredibly cute how he said he missed me, because I missed him too, but there was no way I was going to tell him that. I wanted to do this the right way and I didn’t want to sound too desperate.
“Thank you. Well, it’s nice to hear from you.” Wow, did I really say that? How dumb did that sound?
“So, you going to come in tonight and have a drink after your shift?”
“We will see. I have to work until midnight, so it all depends on how tired I feel. I will call you if I can’t make it.”
I saw Kerri’s car pull up and I knew I had to get off the phone. I didn’t want her to embarrass me while I was on the phone with him. She was notorious for that kind of behavior. I didn’t want to end the call though, I wanted to talk to him more, so I decided I would try my best to see him tonight no matter how tired I was.
“I have to go Dallas, Kerri just pulled up. But listen I will try to come see you tonight. We are still on for tomorrow, right?”
“Oh yeah we are I just wanted to see you earlier. Is that too much?”
The fact that he was asking me if that was too much to see him twice was a little funny to me. Here was this super attractive man who could have any girl that he wanted, and he was worried about smothering me. I laughed and told him, “No, of course not. Go back to bed Dallas, you seem sleepy. See you later.”
We hung up with each other and I had this permanent smile I could not erase from my face. When Kerri walked up she looked at me funny. She probably has never seen me this happy before. I don’t think anyone has ever seen me this happy. I felt as if I was dreaming and I was waiting for someone to pinch me and wake me up from this beautiful nightmare.
“Hey you look…um… really good and actually a little sexy. What is with the lipstick and the tousled hair Av?”
“I thought I would be different today so I found this tube of lipstick you left at my place and I borrowed a little. You don’t mind do you?” I handed her the tube. I wanted to return it to its rightful owner.
“My lipstick? Sorry that’s not mine I don’t wear that shade. I only wear Pink Promise. It’s all I have ever worn since I started wearing lipstick but you should wear it more often, it looks great on you. Where is your rubber band?
What is going on? You need to fill me in on everything!” She grabbed my arm and entwined it with hers and we walked into the café. Our table was ready so we sat and she gave me a “you better start talking” look.
I spilled all the details of the last few days. Leaving out my appointment with the strange Dr. Charlie and her weird referral to a psychic that I have yet to call. During my spilling of my guts all she did was sit and sip her soda, with no interruptions, just focusing on my every word. It must be strange for her to hear me talk about guys when she has always been the one to talk about her boyfriends. After I told her all about Dallas and our kiss and how awesome it was, and about my upcoming date with Landon, of course leaving out the Angel visits and how we were once married, she smiled showing her white perfect teeth.
“I’m so happy for you Av, You have no idea. You totally deserve the best but…” She paused looking down at her plate and bit her lip.
“What, what is it? Kerri what are you not saying?” She was making me nervous.
“Well I was talking to Alyssa, you know the waitress from La Costa? And she said she saw Dallas with another girl last night. He spent the whole night serving her and talking to her. Then he left with her. He drove her home.” I felt as if I was going to cry and my stomach turned. Suddenly I felt the pinch I was waiting for and now I was awake and my dream was gone. I pushed my plate away and tears started to well up in my eyes. I was angry and sad I knew this was too good to be true. I was just a game to him. He was trying to play me just like all guys do.
Kerri touched my hand and she gently rubbed it.
“Avery, you know guys like that, they do this all the time. Don’t worry you still have that date with Landon. I say ditch Dallas and go for Landon” She was trying very hard to help me out. “You want to leave and go somewhere else?”
“I do, I want to go home.” I got up from the table and I scanned the room for the waiter. He came over with the check in his hand. I took it and paid without giving Kerri a simple look or a goodbye. I just left her there sitting alone. I was mad now and I wanted answers. So I knew when I saw him tonight that I would get them.
I started my shift at work later that day and the first thing I did was apologize to Kerri. She did not deserve that from me. I explained how mad I was and she was very understanding. She told me she would be here for me no matter what. Then she proceeded to tell me about a new guy she had met.
“He is so perfect,” she gushed. How many times had I heard these words describing a new prospect? Too many to count.
“Well, what’s his name?” I asked, even though I didn’t really feel like talking. She just met this guy.
“Justin White. He is so cute Av! I think this is it, I think he is the one.”
Justin White. Could it be the psychic that the shrink wanted me to see? What was going on in my life? Everyone was linked in this weird way, how much worse could this get? She said she was having a dinner party at her place on Saturday and she wanted me to come meet him. I, of course, did not say no to her after seeing her this excited. I just smiled and told her I would be there with bells on. This made her so happy and that of course was the point, to see my best friend happy.
I did my rounds, which included seeing Mr. Grey. He was happy to see me this time and he told me his sink was clogged and he needed help with the DVD player. I helped him with it all and also sat and watched Titanic with him. He said that it was a great movie and that statement was the highlight of my night. I had almost forgotten about seeing Dallas tonight until I noticed that it was already eleven-thirty.
I left Mr. Grey’s apartment. He was a bit sad to see me go, but I told him I would see him on Saturday morning. I did my reports and when I was done it was twelve. So Kerri and I headed to La Costa to see Dallas.
It was crowded, more than usual tonight, when I saw him serving drinks. I told Kerri to get a table and she did. Dallas spotted me and he waved me over. I was mad and I know it showed on my face. He still looked happy to see me though.
“Hey princess how was work? You look like you need a rum and Coke tonight, am I right?”
“Is that what you called the girl from last night? Princess, or do you call her something else? Alyssa told Kerri everything so cut the crap. I don’t want you to call me anymore. And I don’t want a drink tonight because I’m here to eat not be at the bar with you.” I was so mad I was shaking. And I noticed my words were shaking too. My throat was becoming dry. “As a matter of fact this is the last night I will be here at all.” I was going to throw up all over him if I didn’t stop yelling at him. He looked at me with serious eyes. And then he started to laugh. How could he laugh right now? What was so funny to him?
“The girl from last night, well she was my Aunt Lisa. She just moved here with her son. She was way too drunk to drive so I drove her home. You should tell Alyssa to get her facts straight before she runs her mouth. Now you want that drink still or not.”
I stood there with my mouth wide open and I could feel my cheeks start to burn. I was totally and completely embarrassed. I knew better then to listen to third party stories, I just don’t know what came over me. I believed my friend without talking to Dallas in a calm manner first. I nodded and he poured a glass of water instead of my drink and I slowly took sips. Soon the nauseous feeling passed, but not the embarrassed feeling.
“Sit down, I’m afraid you’re going to pass out. You do believe me right?”
“Yes, I just feel so stupid. I can’t believe…” He interrupted me. “Stop don’t blame yourself. You didn’t know who she was. I commend you on your boldness, but it wasn’t needed Avery, you just need to ask me next time not yell.” He was sort of laughing as he said this but I know it had to have flustered him.
“I was yelling, I’m so sorry. You probably want to cancel our date tomorrow don’t you?” I searched his eyes for an answer but he was still smiling at me and laughing a little more.
“No, but I want to take you to meet my Aunt Lisa first. She is awesome and I think you would like her. She needs to make friends here. My cousin moved here too. So it would mean a lot to me if you would just have coffee with us first. Is that alright?” I didn’t think having coffee would be bad, I just felt nervous about meeting the family already.
“Sure, that sounds okay, is any other family going to be there, like your parents?”
He looked down at the floor and he looked almost disappointed or sad. I noticed his eyes went dark and the light that Dallas always portrayed had disappeared.
“My parents are gone; didn’t I tell you that before?”
“No I, um … I’m sorry.” We had something in common both are mothers and fathers were no longer with us. I, at least, knew I could understand what that was like.
“My mom died when I was twelve. And my dad, well, he is dead to me in a different way,” I told him.
“Yeah, well I had to bury both my parents two years ago. They were killed by a drunk driver on Christmas Eve. If your father is not dead than you should try to mend it. I’m just suggesting it, I don’t know the whole story, but we only get one dad.”
I knew what he was trying to say but Dallas didn’t know the whole story and I didn’t plan on telling him about Richard. In my mind he was dead, just as dead as Dallas’ parents. I thanked him for my water and apologized once more for my accusations.
“I don’t want you to worry about it just be ready to go by ten, ok?” How could I say no to him? He had just witnessed my super crazy side and he didn’t even care.
“You got it! See you in the morning. I better go home and try to get some sleep.” I didn’t expect a kiss but he jumped over the bar and put his hands on my shoulders and kissed me very sternly, as if to say that he forgave me. I could feel Kerri and Alyssa’s eyes burning into my back. I knew they were really confused but not only did I believe him, I would have proof tomorrow when I met his Aunt Lisa.
Kerri walked me out to the parking lot with a puzzled look on her face.
I explaine
d everything to her about his Aunt Lisa and how I would meet her tomorrow. She did not uncross her arms or say any kind words. I knew that she doubted his story but it was not for her to decide. He was my friend and it was our relationship that we were building here. I left my nose out of her relationship drama, so all I could do was ask her to trust me. I drove off and left her standing in the parking lot with her arms still crossed.
Once I got home I took off the lipstick ran a brush through my hair. I jumped into my pajamas and slid into bed. I forgot all about drinking my Yulu tea so I only slept three hours and when I woke up at 4:00 am I was very upset. It was too late to drink it now. That Yulu tea was very strong and I would have slept at least another eight hours. So I turned on the TV and watched some old black and white movie until it ended. What was I to do now? I closed my eyes, forcing them shut. All of a sudden, like a flash in my head, I remembered my dream from my deep slumber the night before.
I sat with my eyes still shut, seeing all the visions that I saw in that dream. I saw Henry and remembered our conversation. I saw Ianni telling me all about how she took over Dr. Charlie’s body. Now I was not mad at Landon for coming to me in my dream as Henry, I felt sorry for him. I knew he loved my old souls and all he wanted was to be with me again. When I opened my eyes Ianni stood there in all her blue brilliance at the end of my bed. Now with electric blue wings and her feathers flying around my once clean room.
The Many Lives of Avery Snow Page 7