A Crossed Reality

by Gerald Pruett

  “I love animals,” Michelle said. “I’m thinking of being a veterinarian.”

  “I can see that you have a way of gaining their trust.” Michelle just grinned. Phyllis held out the picture of Randy for Michelle to take before she continued to say, “Here’s that picture of Randy that you wanted.”

  As Michelle was taking the picture she said, “Thanks.” Michelle then put Tiger back on the floor. After she stood up she gestured towards the door. “Well, I need to be going. My mom wants me to stop by the store and buy some milk.”

  “Dear, if your brother and sister do find Randy, I would like for Randy to call me.”

  “I will pass on your message, Mrs. Miller.”

  “My number is different from what it was a few years ago, so I wrote my number on the back of the picture.”

  As Michelle and Phyllis were walking towards the front door, Michelle looked at the phone number. When Phyllis opened the door Michelle said, “Thanks, Mrs. Miller, for the picture and I hope you have a good day.”

  “You’re welcome, dear, and good day to you.” Phyllis watched Michelle walking away for a brief moment before shutting the door.

  After Michelle got into the car she stuck the picture in her purse. She then put on her seat belt and drove away.

  As the minutes passed, Michelle went to a video rental and rented two movies. After leaving the video rental she stopped at a gas station that sold food items and bought a gallon of milk.

  Michelle returned to the house at 7:00 P.M Central time and after putting the milk in the refrigerator, she went straight to her room and turned on her computer. Once the computer was on, Michelle scanned the picture and then emailed it to Doug. After that was done she called him.

  When Doug answered the phone, Michelle asked, “Okay, Doug, what’s going on?”

  “Michelle?” Doug asked.

  “Yes, it’s me. What’s going on? Why are you looking for a guy that ran off three years ago?”

  “That’s a bit complicated; especially to say over the phone. Were you able to get the picture?”

  “I just emailed it to you, and Phyllis wants Randy to call her if you find him. How do you know Randy?”

  “I met him several years ago, and I didn’t know that he ran off the way he did. I think I know where he went though.”

  “Where did he go?”

  “Michelle, I can’t answer that. I’ll talk to you later. Okay?”

  “I have a feeling that something weird is going on.”

  “I can’t really tell you anything over the phone, but I promise to explain when I see you again; now bye.”

  “Fine; bye.” After Michelle hung up the phone she pondered the situation for a brief moment. She then picked the phone up again and dialed it. When the phone was answered, Michelle said, “Heather, it’s me, Michelle.”

  “Hey, Michelle,” Heather said. “What’s going on?”

  “Do you still want me to go to Boston with you this weekend?”

  “I do, actually. Do you now want to go?”

  “I do. So can you get your parents to talk to my parents about it?”

  “Did you and Billy have a fight?”

  “No; we’re good.”

  “Then why are you now willing to skip going to Billy’s football game and come with me?”

  “I was thinking about the sales pitch you made.”

  “What sales pitch?”

  “You said, how if I go to Boston with you, I can see Alex’s and Doug’s dorm rooms.”

  “Michelle, I know you, and I know there’s more to what you’re saying than what you’re telling me.”

  “Okay, fine. Alex and Doug are up to something and I would like to find out what.”

  “Okay, Veronica, I will talk to my parents and get them to talk to your parents.”

  “Thanks, and stop calling me Veronica. I’m not Veronica Mars.”

  “You’re right. Veronica Mars is a television character that will always be on top in the long run. You on the other hand are a real person and will not end up on top in the long run if you don’t stop snooping in other people’s matters.”

  “Heather, the position to be my mom is currently and permanently filled by Beverly Larson, so quit applying for it.”

  “Ha, ha, very funny, but one of these days you are going to snoop in the wrong place and things are going to blow up in your face.”

  “And when it does, you can tell me, ‘I told you so.’ Until then, I don’t need a second mom.”

  “Fine. Bye.”

  “Oh, Heather, thanks again for talking to your parents about me going with you and your family.”

  “No problem. Bye.”

  “Bye.” After hanging up the phone, Michelle turned on her TV and DVD player, and stuck in one of the movies she rented.

  Tuesday, October 26, at 11:00 A.M. on Harvard’s campus, Alex was studying while sitting on an outside bench. Stephen walked up to her and sat down beside her.

  When Alex looked up from her book, Stephen said, “I understand that you called work last night and said that you won’t be able to work this Saturday and maybe even Sunday.”

  “I did,” Alex confirmed. “And why are you concerned about me not working Saturday and Sunday?”

  “This is just typical of you.”

  Alex scowled at Stephen before questioning in a matching tone, “Excuse me?”

  “I said, it’s typical of you.”

  “I heard what you said, but how is not working Saturday and Sunday typical of me?”

  “You only think of yourself and the parties you can go to.”

  “Stephen, I for one don’t know what you’re talking about. Do you?”

  “Alex, when you applied for the job, did you stop and think that you might not be able to go to those parties that are coming up?”

  “I don’t know what you’re thinking, and truthfully I don’t even care, but I do not have plans to attend any parties of any kind today or anytime in the near future.”

  “So you’re telling me that you’re not planning to attend that Halloween Bash that will be happening this weekend? It’s supposed to be the biggest bash in years.”

  “I don’t know of any Halloween Bash, and although this is none of your business, the reason I took the waitressing job was to make enough money so I can go out of town to visit a friend. The means to visit this friend were actually fulfilled by another friend, so I’m leaving Saturday morning.”

  “So you’re actually not attending any parties?”

  Alex shook her head while saying, “No. You didn’t want me working there anyway, so why do you even care that I’m not working Saturday and Sunday?”

  “Surprisingly you’re actually the best waitress Victor has hired in years. Victor even said that the first night he watched you work. I just didn’t want you blowing your job over a few stupid parties.”

  Catherine was walking up as Alex said, “Well, thanks for your concern for my… my employment status, but there’s really no need for concerns.”

  “I just see a change in you for the better and I don’t want to see you revert back to your previous self.”

  Before Alex was able to respond, Catherine stepped up and commented, “Doesn’t this bring back memories from last year?”

  Alex quickly looked at Catherine before saying, “No; it doesn’t.”

  “I wasn’t trying to imply anything,” Catherine said. “I was just taking note about how you two are getting along. Anyway, Stephen, Becky just called me. She said that she has been calling you for an hour, but you’re not picking up your phone.”

  “My phone was actually ripped off last night. I already reported it stolen.”

  “Well, Becky was out and had a flat tire.”

  “Becky is out stranded somewhere?” Stephen asked.

  “No, a stranger stopped and helped her out. She’s not happy with you at all though.”

  Stephen stood up and said, “Give me your phone, Catherine. I’ll call Becky and tell her w
hat happened.”

  “Do you want to borrow my phone?” Alex asked.

  As Catherine was pulling out her phone, Stephen said, “Alex, will you stop trying to cause trouble between Becky and me.”

  “What did I do?” Alex innocently asked.

  “You know perfectly well what you are doing.” Alex made a gesture as if she didn’t know what he was talking about. “Becky knows your phone number and if I would use your phone, your phone number would show up on her ID. She would then be even more steamed with me for using your phone.”

  “Do you really want a girlfriend that you have to walk on eggshells to please?”

  “Alex, please stop.”

  “All right; fine, I’ll stop trying to help.”

  As Stephen took Catherine’s phone, he echoed, “Help? You’re being malicious. I guess some things will never change.”

  Alex gave him a distasteful smirk. Stephen ignored the look he got and walked away. He dialed the phone when he got a few feet from the bench.

  Catherine sat down and said, “I see you’re still holding a grudge over Stephen and Becky getting together.”

  “I’m actually over it.”

  “Yeah, I can tell,” Catherine sarcastically said.

  Alex grinned before standing up. As she was putting her books in her book bag, she said, “I’m going to get some lunch.”

  Alex was putting her purse over her shoulder as Catherine was saying, “If you wait a minute or two, I’ll join you after Stephen returns my phone.”

  “All right.” Alex retook her seat and placed her book bag on the ground.

  “So have you received anymore flowers lately from your secret admirer?”

  “Nope; last Saturday was the only time.”

  “When do you work again?”

  “I’ll be working tonight and every day this week. I’ll then be off Saturday and I might be off Sunday as well.”

  “Friday and Saturday would be the two days Victor would need you the most. So how did you manage to get Saturday off?”

  “I basically told Victor that I had something important I had to do this Saturday and it might bleed over into Sunday and that I was taking those two days off. I told him that I would call in if I was able to work Sunday though.”

  “And he didn’t say anything against you taking off those two days?”

  “He did, but I then told him that he can fire me if he wants because what I have to do this weekend is worth losing my job over. He was silent for a brief moment. He then told me that he would need me to work next Monday.”

  As Stephen was returning, Catherine said, “Victor must like you. You are the only person I know who got by with taking off like that.”

  Stephen stepped up and as he held out the phone for Catherine to take, he said, “Here’s your phone. Thank you for letting me use it.”

  “No problem.”

  Alex stood up and after she picked up her book bag she said, “Well, I’m going to the lunchroom for who wants to join me.”

  “I’m meeting Becky,” Stephen said. “Thanks anyway.”

  “I’ll see you later then,” Alex said.

  Stephen walked towards the parking lot while Alex and Catherine walked towards the building.

  After walking a few steps, Catherine asked, “So what are you doing this weekend that you’re taking Saturday and Sunday off?”

  “I took the job at Little Bucks so I can solve a personal matter…”

  “I remember you telling me that. What about it?”

  “The opportunity has come up to where I can get closer at solving that personal matter, and I’m not passing up that opportunity.”

  “You never told me what needed solving.”

  Alex grinned before saying, “And I’m not going to either.”

  “I might be able to help if you confide in me.”

  “Sorry, Catherine, but this is something that you can’t help me with.”

  “I just might be able to, but suit yourself. I won’t ask again.” Alex just grinned.

  Minutes later, Alex and Catherine were stepping out of the food line with their trays. Alex saw Miles sitting with two others from the soccer team. As she pointed towards Miles she said, “Let sit with them.”

  Catherine stopped walking and practically demanded, “You want us to sit at the same table as Miles Appleby?”

  “And that is bad because?”

  “You know why I don’t want anything to do with him, and I can’t believe that you do.”

  “Perhaps you should refresh my memory.”

  Catherine gave Alex a curious look before saying, “The very first day at Harvard, he ruined my favorite blouse by dumping a tray of food on me. He says it was an accident, but I know he did it deliberately. From that day on, Miles and I have never gotten along. You even told me that you were going to support me by not having anything to do with him either.”

  Alex thought for a second before saying, “Catherine, the food tray being dumped on you would have happened regardless if it was Miles or another player from the soccer team.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “There was a dare made by the senior players for one of the sophomore or freshmen players to dump a tray of food on the next freshmen student to walk through the cafeteria doors. You just happened to be that student.”

  “How do you know that when I don’t?”

  “I just do. Now I’m going to go sit with Miles and his friends. You can join me if you want.”

  As Alex walked towards Miles’ table, Catherine sighed before following. When Alex stepped up, Miles and the other two stopped their conversation and looked at Alex. Miles slightly grinned before saying, “I think everyone here knows each other, so, Alex, have a seat.”

  Alex put her purse and book bag on the back of her chair. As she was sitting down, Catherine stepped up and asked, “Can I join you guys?”

  Miles gave Catherine a surprise look before asking, “You want to sit at the same table with me?”

  “Two years is a long time to hold a grudge, and I thought it’s time to let bygones be bygones… unless you don’t want me sitting here,” Catherine said.

  “I don’t know why you are forgiving me now when you wouldn’t forgive me before; however, I’m not complaining. Have a seat.” As Catherine was taking a seat, Miles continued to say, “Catherine, in case you don’t know, my two friends are Andy and Mark.”

  “I believe we all know each other,” Andy said.

  Miles looked at Alex before saying, “I wanted to make sure.” Alex slightly grinned.

  Mark continued the conversation at the point where he, Miles and Andy had left off. As everyone talked, Catherine felt a vibe between Alex and Miles.

  Seven minutes later, Miles, Andy and Mark were done eating and had their trays stacked off to the side. Alex had eaten half of her meal before getting full. She then pushed the rest away. Catherine was swallowing the last bite she had. She then stacked her tray on top of the others.

  As Andy was telling everyone about the worse date he had ever been on, Mark looked at his watch before interrupting with, “Hey, guys, we should get going. The coach wants us on the practice field in fifteen minutes.”

  “All right,” Miles said. He then stood up and grabbed all of the trays. “Alex, I’ll see you later.”

  As Andy and Mark were standing up Alex said, “Okay, bye. See you guys later.”

  As an afterthought Miles said, “Bye, Catherine. See you around.”

  “Bye,” Catherine said.

  “Bye,” Andy and Mark said.

  After Miles, Andy and Mark were out of earshot, Catherine said, “Last Wednesday night I asked you to go somewhere with me on Thursday night, but you told me that you had a date and you wouldn’t tell me with whom. You went out with Miles last Thursday night and you wouldn’t tell me because you knew what I would have told you. That is also how you knew that Miles spilled his tray on me as a dare.”

  “I didn’t go on any dates last
Thursday.”

  “And why don’t I believe that?”

  “Okay, you’re right. I had a date with Miles last Thursday, but that date was canceled because Doug and I went to St. Louis Thursday evening.”

  “Why did you go to St. Louis?”

  “Doug and I needed to talk to a friend of ours.”

  “You had to go there in person instead of picking up the telephone?”

  “His phone number had changed since the last time we had spoken to each other, and it was very important to talk to him.”

  “Is that friend part of this personal matter that you’re trying to solve?”

  “He is, and I won’t tell you more than that.”

  “All right, fine. I’ll change the subject back to Miles.” Alex gave Catherine a curious look as Catherine asked, “Are you planning to make another date with him?”

  “We won’t be dating anytime in the near future. I do like his company though, so get use to me being seen with him.”

  “So if I still have a problem with Miles you would choose Miles as a friend over me; a person who you have been friends with since the second week of our freshman year?”

  “I won’t be choosing either one of you over the other, but if you stop talking to me or having lunch with me simply because I’m friends with someone who you don’t like then you’ll be the one to have chosen.”

  “It’s good for our friendship that my problem with Miles isn’t all that great.”

  “Well, I’m going to the library to study.”

  As Alex went to stand up, Catherine asked, “Do you have to study right now?”

  “I don’t have to. Why?”

  “When I ran into you and Stephen, I was actually heading for my car to go to the mall. I was hoping that you would come with me.”

  “I have a class at three, so I have to be back before then.”

  “No problem.”

  As Alex picked up her book bag and purse, she said, “Well, I want to put my book bag up.”

  Catherine stood up and said, “I guess I can let you do that.” Alex just gave her a smirk.

  After Catherine grabbed her purse, she and Alex left the lunchroom.

  Alex and Catherine met up with Trudy in the dorm room while Alex was putting her book bag up. When Trudy learned that Alex and Catherine were going to the mall, she joined them.