I shake my head, as I still watch Lyon; he has made three sandcastles now.
The doctor would think I’m nuts if I told him. I don’t need that bit of information on my file as the sole guardian of Lyon. I know it’s for the best that I kept my mouth shut, but it still doesn’t explain what is going on with me. I sigh; the doctor in the end just gave me some home remedies to try.
Thinking of the possibility that I might be going crazy from stress has me back to square one of thinking about Tucker’s now assessment of our case.
He did reassure me that it was a simple open and shut case, but that was before this all happened. I really hope he still thinks so. I need to call his office Monday now that I know he’s ok and apologize to him for the behavior that was displayed. I bite my lip feeling nervous. Please don’t let it have changed things.
The sun starts to set at a more rapid pace now, and I know we have just less than forty-five minutes until it fully sets.
I guess it’s time to wrangle Ly in so I can get him home and get him in a bath, then in bed at a decent time.
“Lyon honey, we need to start packing our things up to go. It’s going to get dark soon and we both need a bath.” I see his little shoulder drop and know he isn’t happy with me. I sigh.
Here we go.
‘But Aunt Dill, I’m not even done with my castle!” he whines, begging me to see reason.
“I know sweetie, but you still have school tomorrow. Listen, if we can get through early with everything on Saturday we can make a new one! I will even help you.” I put on my best chipper voice hoping that my little bargaining method would work.
He pauses beside his sopping wet, blob castle and puts his little hand under his chin to contemplate the offer.
So cute.
“Okay,” he finally decides, “but only if we can bring the super big pales! I want a huge castle.”
“Sure thing munchkin.” I smile at him.
This seems a lot easier this time around, and for that I am thankful. Ugh, I’m beyond tired. Hopefully tonight I will get a solid dreamless sleep.
I keep having that same reoccurring dream of being stuck in a car with Deacon and Rissa.
After packing up the empty container from our dinner into the small shoulder bag cooler, I look up, taking off my sunglasses to see Lyon stomping on his sand castle roaring like he is Godzilla.
Great, sandy child equals sandy car. Good job I’m not a prissy aunt, worrying about a load of mess all the time. I mean, I bet those designer Moms would have a fit. I smirk, thinking how they would react if they saw the inside of my car since it resembles that a tornado of crumbs and sand, and god know what else. It’s from months of neglect of cleaning. I should really clean it all out, but I haven’t had the time. Plus, what is the point if it’s only going to get messier?
“Lyon stud, can you go wash off for me please?”
He continues to tromp of his sandcastles and lets out a vicious roar before replying in a growly voice. “I am not Lyon, I am Sandzilla and I’m here to destroy the town.” Then turns his back to me and finishes his demolition.
I roll my eyes, crazy child.
“Okay,” I chuckle, “Sandzilla will you please go wash off for me. I know what can defeat you and I am sure you don’t want Ticklezilla to come out and show you up.” I claw my hands at him and fake a lunge like I’m going after him.
“It’s me, Aunt Dill! Lyon is back!” He holds up his small palms trying to pacify my clawed ones.
That got him moving.
“I’m glad your back Ly, now will you go wash off? And make sure to submerge as much of your body as you can under and get the sand out of your shorts. I don’t think you want another sandy bath?” I question.
“No ma’am I do not.” He replies in all seriousness and starts heading towards the water to wash off.
I don’t think we both will be forgetting about that sand bath for some time.
I open my oversized, bright pink beach bag that says, ‘Life is a Beach’ then stand to shake the towels out to put away.
“Hey Aunt Dill?” Lyon calls to me. I turn around to see him standing in the water up to his chest.
“Yes munchkin?”
“Do you want to see how long I can hold my breath under water? I have been practicing in the tub in case I ever get taken out on a wave when I start surfing alone.” He has such a hopeful expression on his face.
I look towards the setting sun in the west and see we have enough time for him to show me. “Sure, just don’t go out any further I want to make sure I can see you.”
Thank heavens we went with the bright green board shorts today. He sticks out like a sore thumb in the water, which is exactly what I need in case he falls off the board when we are tandem surfing.
“Yes!” he jumps up from the water and thrusts his fist in the air over his victory. “Okay count me down.”
“Ready?” I ask. He nods.
“Make sure to count!” he shouts.
“Will do. Okay here we go, three….two….ONE!” I shout. He fills his lungs of air then dips his body under.
I change my view point so I’m now facing toward the water and not away. I start counting and carry on putting away our things.
One Mississippi, Two Mississippi. I count as I finally fold and put the towels in the bag. At the ten second mark, I look up and see Lyon is still under the water. I smile, proud of him for making it past the ten second milestone.
Maybe he will grow up with the love of surfing that dad and Deacon had.
Twenty-One Mississippi. Twenty-two Mississippi. I continue, as I keep glancing towards him as I gather up our things.
Seriously, this kid is better than I was during his age. It was one of the hardest things I had to overcome when I began to learn to surf on my own. I move to grab his pales and shovels and put them in their special, water proof bag. I wipe my sandy hands on my legs then look up again and see he’s still under around the forty second mark.
He should be up anytime now.
Around fifty seconds I start to get the inkling of worry fluttering in my heart.
I mean, I know he has been practicing, I had been there watching him in the tub, but it has never lasted this long.
My skin starts to prickle with a hot flash and then dread settles into my stomach.
Does he look to still? I start to question, unsure if he is still holding his breath, but also not wanting to over react because we have got close to this mark before. I don’t want to rob him of a small victory.
My hands start to sweat; my heartbeat begins to speed up. After I watch a too still form for another five seconds full on terror releases into my system; he has barely moved. I swallow past the lump in my throat.
Oh my gosh no, no, no. I drop his beach toy bag and start running towards the water’s edge.
Something isn’t right. I can’t… I won’t lose him too.
As I get closer to the edge the hot flash coats my entire body. I spasm, as if I’ve been hit by a live wire. I drop to the wet sand, crying out, unable to stop the seizure. I have a strong pressure in my head; it feels as if it’s going to burst. White, hot, searing pain runs through my body as if an iron has been placed into a fire and become extremely hot; until the tips turn white, then with extreme heat it’s touched my skin. It feels as if hours have passed, but I know only a few seconds has by the sun.
Suddenly, my searing pain disappears. I breathe heavily, blinking at the darkening sky. I stand up disoriented, noticing Lyon is still under.
I know what I have to do.
I walk in a trance, my ears ringing. I just stare ahead where Lyon should be. I’m running on sheer emotion, although now I feel a little numb. I just keep putting one foot in front of the other robotically.
I need to get to Lyon.
My toes finally meet water and the pressure in my head finally releases. I blink, stumbling. The relief is short lived as I keep looking ahead for Lyon, almost as if in a daze. I barely comprehend th
at as I walk into the sea; the water in front of me parts slightly, making a small footpath.
Once I’m where I last saw Lyon, my brain doesn’t fully register the fact the water has parted completely now on both sides. The waves are unable to penetrate where I stand and for about thirty feet onwards. As if an invisible barrier has been put up exposing the sea bed and... Lyon’s body. I run to him on the now exposed sand and scoop his tiny body up.
“Aunt Dill!” Lyon says in pure shock, and it snaps me out of my trance. As soon as my concentration is breaks the waters which I seem to have been holding back come crashing down around us and over our heads.
Shit!
We come back up spluttering as we drag our heads back above water, Lyon still in my arms.
He’s okay. He is perfectly fine.
I try to wrap my brain around the truth
“What happened?” he questions, as I adjust his long lanky body on my hip and walk him back to our belongings that I had abandoned when I raced out to meet him.
“You were under a long time Lyon, you scared me.” I tell him honestly, still feeling the aches of my fluttering heart. As we reach our towels, I feel so exhausted, like a drained battery.
“Really?” His eyes light up in excitement.
“Yes really,” not giving a crap about extra mess in my car, I plop my butt in the sand and cuddle Lyon in my lap holding him as close to my chest as I can get. I wipe his wet blonde hair back from his face and see his radiant and proud smile shinning up at me.
“How long did I stay under for? Did I beat dad’s record?” He questions as he begins to bounce in my lap. I let out a long breath feeling my heart and emotions calm down knowing that he’s now safe.
“I think I lost count at a minute and eight seconds munchkin, you still have a way to go before you match dada’s record,” I answer then kiss his salty hair, just thankful that I over reacted.
I do not know what I would do if I lost him too.
CHAPTER NINE
“Everett is going to have a field day with this” – Connor
Connor
“So does anyone have any questions?” I smile to the packed auditorium, living off the high of being able to present this evening’s lecture. When no one raises their hand offering any questions I announce, “Class dismissed. Remember to come by and pick a paper out of the hat at random; it will be the subject of your next report. Write your name next to the folklore on the sheet on my desk and let me know if you have any questions.” I finish as I shut Childer’s notes.
I go to walk away, but an overwhelming feeling of light headedness overcomes me out of nowhere. I grasp the edge of the lectern, hanging my head, giving myself a moment in hopes that it would pass.
The students pass me to stand in line at the table to my right to pick their topics. I get a few concerned glances as they pass, but I manage to just lift my head and smile to the best off my ability.
Whoa dizziness. I pinch my nose and close my eyes.
Something doesn’t feel right. It feels as if…
“—Are you okay my boy?” I open my eyes to find Childer approaching me. He wears a concerned frown. Putting a hand on my shoulder he squeezes it.
“Yeah, sorry. I guess I just forgot to eat before I came into class tonight.” I tell him in hopes of easing the worry from his brow.
“Ah, well go sit down. I have a granola bar the Misses always packs for me in my brief case. I’ll go grab it for you.” I thank him and go sit behind the table the students have formed a line in front of.
I’m so damn exhausted.
My shoulders slump and I chew on the granola bar barely tasting it. I put my head on the table unable to keep it up right anymore. I leave my half-eaten bar to one side.
I’m pretty sure that what I’m experiencing is similar to what Tucker felt at the tee ball game. The only time I’ve ever felt like this is when I overused my Mikroelementy element. I also know something isn’t right because I had eaten a full meal before I even walked into the auditorium tonight.
Everett is going to have a field day with this; because I’m certain now this is the time to tell him about everything that’s been going on. This is just too big for me and Tucker to handle alone.
I pull out my cell phone and bring it up the text app. Tucker might not like my decision, but I can honestly care less right now. Too many coincidences have been happening lately, and they all seem to revolve around one woman.
Me: We need to talk ASAP
Geek Lord: I’ve got time now, what’s up?
Me: Can you meet me at campus; I am too drained to drive home.
Geek Lord: Sure, what happened?
Me: I will tell you when you get here. But, I think we have a problem.
***
Dillon
We made it back home and went through the usual evening routine without any further problems. Though to be on the safe side I made Lyon take a shower instead. If nothing more than to keep my mind at ease that he won’t try to beat his own personal record tonight. My sanity won’t allow me another incident like that again.
I uncork a new bottle of red once Lyon is in bed, and pour myself a hefty glass. My nerves need it. I love wine, but I have now become more conscious of the fact that Lyon was my main priority now. So, my normal habit of two or maybe three glasses a night has now been decreased to one. Sometimes on extremely hard nights, like this, I give myself an extra bit in my one glass.
I gather my drink, and the latest income reports from Deacon’s business and head to the living room couch to try and make sense of the budget. Tonight, I’m going to wear myself out in attempts to get a good night’s sleep.
I desperately need it.
Not even two sips into my glass the house phone starts to ring. I let out a huff of breath.
Why do I even keep the damn landline connected? Anyone important who needs to reach me has my cell phone number.
I cross the pine, hard wooden floors to the far kitchen wall in my bare feet. I pick up the receiver in annoyance.
“Hello” I answer, trying to inject a normalcy in my voice to overcome my annoyance.
“Dillon?” A soft feminine whisper questions on the line.
“Speaking. Who is this?” I frown, her voice sounds familiar, but I’m having trouble placing who it is. I rub my forehead. My mind is definitely too tired, and exhausted from the events from earlier on to do the guessing game right now.
“Oh my god I knew you of all people would still have the same number since high school!”
Ouch! I move the phone away from my ear. The woman on the other end is too loud and sounds way too excited.
“It’s me Michelle!”
Ah, yes that’s the voice. Michelle my so called best friend from high school; who I am still convinced only befriended because she had a crush on Deacon and his friends. She conveniently stopped calling me the day I left town for my internship.
“Michelle!” I force a fake excitement into my voice and cringe when I hear myself transfer back into the pacified girl I once was in high school. “How are you?”
“Doing great! My boutique now has branched out online and I am looking at opening a second location up in Boca Rotan!” She proclaims.
I must admit that is awesome for her so I’m able to respond honestly, “That is so amazing, I am super excited for you!” Let’s face it, no matter how much I don’t like a person or they annoy me, I always wish the best for them. I groan internally.
Yeah, in the end I’m a big softy either that or a huge freaking moron.
“Thanks love. Listen the reason why I called is because I have felt so awful for knowing you were in town for a while now and not having tried to catch up yet.”
“Oh no it’s fine, I understand. We both have busy lives” It’s the truth, I for sure haven’t thought about trying to get into contact with her even once since I moved back to town.
“I know but I am not going to take no for an answer. Let’s get together and get a co
uple of drinks. Kind of like the old days but we are totally legal now. What do you think?” She asks with so much anticipation in her voice.
Can I say I’m sick? Ooh, maybe that I’ve broken my big toe?
I scratch my head, finding it hard to come up with a valid excuse as to why.
Hell, in all honestly, I could probably use a night out.
“When are you thinking?” I question, already knowing I will give into her wishes just like I used to.
“Well, I am free tomorrow. Is that too last minute for you?”
“No, I think it should be fine. I just need to check with Lyon’s baby sitter. She’s supposed to pick him up for school and stay with him while I’m up at Deacon’s shop. If she doesn’t mind staying for a few hours later I don’t see the problem. It’s too late to call her tonight, but if you will give me your cell phone number I will text you when I know an answer.” I reply.
“Yay, I am so excited. I have missed you so much Dill and I am so sorry for everything that has happened. Please always know you can call me if you need anything. I would really like to go back to how we used to be.” My heart swells a little at hearing her sincerity.
“Thank you Michelle I appreciate that.” After getting her cell number and saying our goodbyes, I hang up the phone. I feel a little lighter knowing I have plans to get out and take a break from things for a little while. I walk back to the couch and sit down in another attempt to relax for the night. About five minutes of getting lost in the figures, the numbers start to blur together.
Screw it! I drain my glass in four big gulps; the guys at the shop can just explain it all to me tomorrow. I need to get some sleep.
CHAPTER TEN
Controlling the Elements (The Manipulator Series Book 1) Page 8