“What about your father, Cassandra?”
I sighed. “I’m brokenhearted for Dad. But, Sarah, my father used to feel a horrible sadness when he looked at me. The sadness on my face was a perfect mirror of his own, and my reflection was horrible on him. Dad is proud today. It’s a better feeling and I know it.”
“Losing you was not better,” she said.
“I can’t tell him, Sarah. He’s not young; he had too many traumas. A thing like that could kill him.”
“What’s your plan?”
“I don’t know how Julie was. My new character is driving Eric to doubt me. Robert knows too much now…”
“Robert?” She looked startled.
“Not the Robert you know. Robert Miller.”
“Who’s that?”
“I used to be secretly in love with him,” I confessed, bringing my head down.
“Ha! Cassandra knew love. Who knew?” She laughed. “What did you tell him?”
I didn’t know how to explain to her what had happened. There was just too much that she speculated.
“I didn’t talk to him. I was at the memorial event for Cassandra and he was there too. He looked at me with a startled face.”
“Ah, it’s not like you think. He was probably admiring you.” She laughed.
“No, I gave my speech about Cassandra as if she were me. I think he noticed.”
“Did anyone else notice?”
“No, it was just him. Then I fainted.” I suddenly remembered that Sarah and Elionora weren’t at the memorial, and it made me curious to know why. “Why weren’t you there?”
“Because I was angry,” she murmured. “Elionora wept over your loss many times. She wasn’t going to listen to that killer Dr. James.”
“Look, I need your help. I can’t stay much longer here; I must walk back home. Let’s meet tomorrow after classes at Julie’s house.”
“Oh no, I’m not going there.” She walked toward the door.
“Sarah, help me out a little. I don’t even know how to act on campus…I’m being Cassandra as far as I know.”
“All right. Now listen carefully, don’t talk to anyone except these idiots Eric’s friends. Anyone else, just act as if you can’t hear their words, as if no one is speaking next to you. When you walk around in the cafeteria don’t look at people, look at the door you’re heading to, look at the seat you’re heading to. And most importantly, when you see me don’t talk to me.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m not popular. Duh!”
“Since you know all these details, why don’t you abide by them and become popular?” I said.
“Look, I still can’t take talk like this from you. You still look like Julie to me, so don’t get me angry will you? Oh, and with Eric, make sure you always end the conversation, the meeting, whatever you do together. You used to be like this; it’s why he can’t get enough of you, because you’re always running away.”
“How do you know this?”
“Um…” She paused a little. “I used to be friends with someone like Julie. She’s graduated now. She’s a good source of information.”
“Oh.” I walked toward the door. “Let me call your number. Message me when I do something wrong anywhere on campus.”
She plugged her number into my phone and called herself. I whistled for Luna and we started walking away. The woman from the cafeteria was giving me angry looks, but I didn’t glance at her face until we got out of the residence. I started running a little because it had become dark and extremely cold.
By the time I reached the house, Donna was parking. I approached her offering to help. I took two paper bags into the kitchen, ignoring the surprise on her face. Luna padded over to her water cup and drank thirstily. I grabbed a small bottle of water myself and poured it in a glass. Donna came in smiling and started emptying the contents of the paper bags. I walked toward the fridge and removed the note I had stuck on it. Simmi came in and helped Donna arrange the stuff she had bought. I started emptying one paper bag too. Instantly Simmi and Donna stopped working; they looked at me then at each other and laughed.
“What is it?” I smiled.
“Where are you going to put them?” asked Simmi with a smirk on her face. It was probably the ugliest smile I had ever seen. She was frowning while laughing, an awkward combination of gestures.
“I’ll put them on the table for now, then I’ll ask you where each item needs to be placed.”
“You don’t have to do that.” Donna smiled.
“I would like to help. Really,” I insisted.
“You should’ve lost your memory a long time ago,” said Simmi, laughing. Donna became angry at what Simmi said.
Dinner was going to be served at eight. I went to my room to shower and prepare clothing for the next day. The closet looked like a shop. Everything was nearly new and well arranged. Even the clothes were arranged in colors. I picked gray pants and a white top. I picked another red jacket with gray fur around the hood and placed it on the loveseat. I showered quickly and went down for dinner.
One hour later I was back in my room. I looked for Julie’s diary or notes, but I couldn’t find them anywhere. Finally I went to bed and resigned into my final thoughts before sleeping. The mobile phone I had placed on the bedside table signaled a text message. I reached for it and realized I had two messages, one from Eric and the other from Sarah. I went through Eric’s message first.
How was the walk?
I couldn’t help feeling happy the more Eric contacted me for silly matters. I liked to think that he searched for reasons to keep up a conversation with me. The message was sent twenty minutes earlier. I gazed into the phone for some time before I managed to write back.
Refreshing, what did you do?
I sent it and went for the second message, from Sarah.
Late registration and drop/add are on Friday. I’ll try to change to a common course with you. How is the mother?
I was overwhelmed with Sarah’s help. No words could explain how happy I was to have shared this secret with someone I trusted.
Really appreciate that. I have only one class on TTH, Anthropology. Try to take it so we can talk during class. Eric has no classes on those days. Donna is doing better having me around.
Quickly I received another message from Eric.
I built a snowman. You should come and see it tomorrow after your class.
I had this idea that Eric would be with some friends having a beer or glass of wine somewhere. It was hard to imagine a guy that enjoyed being alone.
It wouldn’t be fair unless I built one of my own. You should give me a day to catch up.
I waited to get a message back from him. I didn’t feel like sleeping anymore, but I knew I had to so I could wake up early for the physical therapy exercises.
Because you are a girl, you can have two days. I’m the gentleman type.
Sarah’s earlier advice interrupted the great happiness that Eric’s message brought to me. She had told me to cut off all conversation myself and somehow run away.
That sounds generous of you. All right then, I will close my eyes now. See you tomorrow.
I waited a little more for his final reply, if any. And there it was.
Happy dreams, of me.
I had a safe feeling when I was around Eric. Nothing could touch me or scare me; only he would scare me sometimes when I thought he was able to notice the differences between Julie and me. I closed my eyes feeling happy and joyful. Things were a little less of a maze.
Chapter 13
lunch with eric
morning light dazzled me as Simmi opened the curtains. I wasn’t awake as she entered the bedroom, nor do I think she even knocked on the door. I couldn’t see her face for the first minute as I woke up, but I heard this deep man-like voice hissing as she walked around the room without a single word.
“Um, good morning,” I said.
“You are late.” She walked out of the bedroom.
&nbs
p; I quickly grabbed the phone and it said seven-ten. Simmi must have thought I had class at eight since I woke up so early the previous day. It was my fault anyways; I should have told her and Donna about my new schedule. It was hard to sleep now that the morning light had invaded my room. It didn’t matter since I had Adriana anyways for physical therapy. I quickly washed and dressed in some sportswear and went downstairs where Adriana was waiting.
“Am I late?” I asked shyly while coming down the stairs.
“No, in fact I just arrived.” She smiled.
“What do we have today?”
“I was thinking since you’re all in shape now, you don’t need me anymore. You can do the same exercises for the rest of the month and afterwards just try to walk a little on the treadmill. If the weather is good you can always take it outside.”
“You are really bored with me, huh?” I joked.
“Very much, yeah.” She laughed.
I started the morning exercises and forty minutes later went back to my room. I had a quick shower and wore the clothing I had picked out earlier. My first makeup trial looked fairly good so I kept it and went down quickly for breakfast. Donna had prepared a seat for herself too opposite to mine.
“Morning, Donna, Simmi,” I said.
“Good morning, angel,” said Donna, smiling. Simmi didn’t reply.
“I must have forgotten to tell you yesterday that I have only one course today.” I installed myself in the chair. “At eleven.”
“That should spare a few hours of sleep,” Donna said.
Simmi started laughing, but if I didn’t know how weird Simmi was I would have thought she was crying. Her dismal behavior didn’t seem to affect Donna’s smile this morning.
“Lovely breakfast.” I pointed to the hot tea and omelet. A basket of fruit was placed in the center of the table with a jar of honey and jam.
Donna sat with me at the table; we ate slowly. We talked about the weather changing to harsh winter this year. Of course I wouldn’t know since it was my first year in Colorado, but I agreed to her comments. About an hour passed until Simmi signaled the arrival of Eric’s car in the yard. Donna hurried and wrapped me with a scarf that Simmi handed her. I put my gloves on and paced my way toward Eric’s car. He came out and helped me get seated.
“Hey, Donna,” he said.
“Thank you, Eric,” she said through the distance.
The moment he got into the car I was able to smell his cologne. It was lovely but not too strong.
“Good morning.” He kissed my cheek and pulled himself back into his seat.
“Good morning,” I replied shyly.
I stared at the white hills that were now covered with even more snow.
“It must have been snowing all night,” he said with a low voice.
“It’s lovely.” I felt a little melancholic.
“What’s wrong?” Eric stretched toward me while keeping his eyes on the road.
“The weather is so calm. It’s beautiful.”
“Yeah, but summer is always better.” He turned the heater up and lowered the music. “I’ll just be in the library during your course. I’ll be waiting for you right in front of the cafeteria by the time you have finished.”
“Thanks, Eric.” I smiled broadly.
“I can walk you to class,” he said as he parked the car facing the cafeteria.
“This one is easy,” I demurred. “It’s on the second floor; I saw it yesterday.”
“Call me if you’re lost.” He grinned.
It was only a few steps until I was inside. I walked slowly in between the crowd going straight to class. I heard a few guys I didn’t know call my name, but I recalled Sarah’s advice and didn’t look back. Soon I was in class; I picked the first seat so that it was harder to have someone speak to me without the teacher noticing, as it was awkward not to answer them. Luckily, a girl sat next to me. She seemed quiet and serious.
“Hello,” she said, smiling.
“Hi,” I replied politely.
She didn’t talk to me for the rest of the session. I felt happy that I had found my seat partner for the rest of the year.
The teacher was a man of about fifty with large glasses on his face. His skin was uneven and one of his eyebrows was partially missing. I think he must have been through a car accident where broken glass distorted his face. The moment he pulled the book to his face, everyone in class laughed because he almost stuck the book to his face in order to see. That’s when I learned he had a vision problem. It was funny indeed, but I couldn’t help feel sorry for him. As the class went on laughing every time he did that, I distracted myself from laughing by reading a few lines of the first chapter. Suddenly I remembered another means of distraction, messaging Sarah.
Anthropology teacher can’t see. Perfect site for our future chatting.
It was a few minutes before Sarah replied. Now there was a guy trying to talk to me from the seat behind me, but I acted like his voice was too low to be heard.
Sounds great, can’t wait for Friday. See you at five my place?
I thought it wasn’t a good idea to be seen at Sarah’s place and not be friends at university.
Let’s meet as new friends at a coffeehouse of your choice. I’ll go there to read a little.
A minute later she replied.
The coffee shop near your house end of street, we can go there.
After class, the weather was a total mess. It was snowing like Antarctica by now. Eric was waiting in the car, and as I walked to his car a few students that I recognized from the class were staring at me. Eric kissed my cheek again and took off.
“You know, it wouldn’t be such a good idea to take a few days to make your snowman because I might as well use this time to make some major amendments to mine.” He pressed his lips together.
“Well, you seem very confident, Mr. Green.” I pulled off the gloves and stretched my hands toward the heater to warm them up.
“You can ask for help. I’ll be glad to give a hand and fix the debris you’ll make.”
Somehow what he said reminded me to look today for a tutorial lesson on drawing in colors before tomorrow’s class. Maybe Sarah would be able to help me out if she knew anything about drawing.
“Yeah…I mean no. I wouldn’t need your help in that.” I rubbed my hands together.
“Are you hungry? I was thinking we could have lunch together.”
“Starving,” I replied, but then I realized I was being too spontaneous. “Um…I mean I could eat.”
“I have in mind a very special place, warm fire and very hot plates,” he said with an irresistible accent, his beautiful front teeth showing as he smiled.
“Sounds great.” I put my gloves back on. “Will it snow all day long?”
He turned on the windshield defroster. “For two days at least.”
I watched him drive silently for less than a minute when we reached a house that didn’t look a bit like a restaurant. I wasn’t sure if we were going anywhere before lunch, but I decided to follow and see for myself. There was no bell on the door; Eric didn’t even knock. He just slid the door open and ushered me inside. The entrance looked like the lobby of a restaurant, with the chairs and tables on the right side. Someone had decorated the tables with red ribbons and Christmas flowers.
Eric smiled at my expression of surprise. “They believe it’s Christmas here as long as it’s winter.”
He raised his hand to signal a waiter for a table for two. I watched the waiter look around for a table before he hurried toward us.
“Mr. Green, miss,” he said. I could tell Eric was a known client at this restaurant. “Sir, would you rather sit on the upper floor, or do you prefer a table here?”
“Just here near the chimney please.”
“I have a free table not too near the chimney but close enough, sir.”
“We’ll take that.” Eric offered me his elbow, and I walked along his side to where the waiter was heading.
Jazz music
played softly in the background. I could guess it was Eric’s favorite type of music. I leaned back relaxed, watching Eric remove his jacket and place it on the empty seat at our table.
“Are you cold?” He looked at me with smiling eyes.
“No.” I straightened myself in the seat and tried to look like most of the girls in the restaurant.
“I brought you here because you missed Christmas. This place keeps the celebration ambience as long as it snows.”
“It looks nice.” I scanned the room until my eyes were back on Eric. He hadn’t stopped staring at me.
I looked around me once again at the girls and women. I didn’t know how to sit, whether I should keep my elbows on the table or put my hands on my lap. It was dangerous to go out with Eric before I actually had some instructions from Sarah about how to act and what to say. I suddenly spotted a couple coming inside the restaurant; I kept my eyes on Eric and glanced at the girl every now and then to learn how to move.
“Would you like me to read the menu for you?” His eyes were shining.
“Um, no thank you.” I was extremely shy toward his kindness.
His excessive calmness today was somehow unusual. It was like nothing I’d seen in him before. He turned the pages of the menu slowly and gently, glancing at me before going back to reading the menu he was holding. I liked being around him so much that when he wasn’t there, an annoying feeling came to me. On the other hand, the girl I was looking at had her back straight against the chair, so I pulled myself into the same position. I realized by now that I was farther away from the table than she. I preferred to ignore this little detail until I realized that she had her elbows touching the table and I couldn’t reach the table with mine unless I bent. I started to pull myself and the chair toward the table when the waiter offered to help me out.
Different Minds Page 17