Pulled

by Danielle Bannister

  My head starts to throb, too much information is trying to be absorbed and I can’t process it.

  “What is it? What’s wrong?” Naya asks.

  “Nothing. I’m fine. I think I just need to lie down for a minute,” I say, surprised by how hollow and absent my voice sounds.

  Naya

  The sound of Etash closing the door to his room floors me. I shouldn't have showed him my tattoo. I've freaked him out. And now he knows what a complete head case I am too. At least Seth had understood me for what I am. Maybe he's the only one who ever will. Hurt and now painfully alone, I curl up on the couch and cry myself to sleep.

  Chapter 14

  Etash

  I hated shutting her out like that, but my head was killing me, and I couldn't think straight. I was hoping that if I could just get some sleep, I would be fine.

  But sleep was not to be found easily. Instead, nightmares consume me; pulling all of the pieces of my recent past together in a mesh of pure and utter confusion. Seth's constant presence during the night torments me. He's always there, just out of reach, wielding his belt, hitting her, over and over again.

  I try to get to her, but my feet seem glued to the floor. Seth starts laughing at me, then he picks Naya up and throws her at me like she was a piece of trash.

  Her body crashes against mine in the dream, and it's such a relief to feel her against me. Her arms wrapping around me feel so real. My fingers trace the sides of her face, and she smiles at me. My hands start to move slowly down her body, over her shoulders and down her arms. The tips of my fingers touch the rounded edge of her breasts, before continuing to the small of her waist, where they land firmly against her hips.

  This dream just got light years better. It’s only when I hear her sigh, like really make a real noise in my ear, do I realize this is not a dream. I open my eyes and find her on top of me, her mouth covering mine.

  “Naya!” I bolt upright, pushing myself away from her and grabbing the sheet to try and cover my obvious arousal.

  “Sorry. You were having a nightmare,” she whispers.

  “No. I was kissing you,” I say, panting a bit.

  She blushes. “That’s not what I meant. What were you dreaming about?”

  I hesitate. I’m not sure I can tell her, at least not about the ending of the dream. “You,” I finally say.

  “Me? What about me?”

  I sigh. “About Seth hurting you again.” She looks down at the bed.

  “You kissed me,” I begin, “while I was having a nightmare?”

  “Um…yeah.” She says, covering her face with her hands, clearly embarrassed. “I didn’t know what else to do. You wouldn’t wake up. I was shaking you and yelling your name but you just kept screaming. I wasn’t thinking, I guess.”

  Her answer is so honest that I can’t help but laugh.

  “Naya, don’t you know you’re not supposed to wake up someone who’s having a nightmare?”

  “Why not?”

  “Because, silly, then the nightmare comes...true,” my voice becomes thick as I realize what I’ve said.

  “Who sold you that stupid superstition?”

  I swallow hard. “My grandma.”

  Thankfully, she hasn't picked up on my worry, so I change the subject. “You should go back to sleep,” I tell her, glancing at the clock. “It’s only like 4:00 in the morning.”

  “You go ahead. I’ll be fine.” She starts to slide off the bed, and I can tell she’s feeling rejected somehow. My hand slips into hers even before her feet have a chance to hit the floor.

  “Then stay,” I ask, “for me. I’m afraid I’ll start dreaming again if you leave, and-” I don’t think I can take that again.

  She smiles. “I’ll stay.”

  Settling herself safely on top of the sheets, she leans against the pillows while I sink back under the covers. I turn to face her, and wince as the bandage pulls against my scar. I can feel whatever scabbing had occurred has just been disturbed, but I don’t care. I need to see her. See her not in pain. I reach out and find her hand. Perhaps out of pity, she takes it. Feeling her safe beside me, I’m able to slip back into sleep, not waking again until morning.

  I'm beaming when I find her sound asleep beside me, a small smile spread across her angelic face. As quietly as I can, I turn back the covers and place them over her, brushing a stray hair from her eyes. My God, she is beautiful.

  Tiptoeing out to the kitchen, I put on the tea kettle. Now, what to make for breakfast? I’m just pouring pancake batter into the pan, when I hear her open my door.

  Naya

  When I awake it is morning. Etash isn't beside me and I can’t help but long for his presence. My head throbs when I stand up, but then I smell the undeniable aroma of heaven. He got me coffee. I hurry out of bed, suddenly desperate to see him.

  “Morning, sleepy head,” he says. “I’m making pancakes.” I'm not prepared for what I see.

  He's standing at the stove supervising a frying pan in his bare feet, wearing only his faded blue jeans and a smile. They are my favorite button down jeans he wore during the auditions. The top button is hanging dangerously open showing off the tip of navy blue boxers.

  “Amazing,” I gasp.

  Mercifully, his face is focused on the frying pan so he doesn’t see the drool that is sure to be running down my chin.

  “The coffee’s done if you want some,” he says, turning to point with the spatula.

  “Coffee. Right. Good. Coffee would be good,” I sputter.

  After my first blush-removing sip, I turn to face him and realize he's taken off his bandage.

  “Hey! Where’s your ice pack?”

  He shrugs his shoulders and moves a pancake to the plate beside him.

  “I don’t need it anymore. The bleedings stopped.”

  I frown.

  “And I made sure to clean it this morning. Satisfied?”

  “Not yet,” I say under my breath. Putting my cup down, I rub my temples trying to push back a throbbing that is starting.

  Etash turns the heat off the stove and comes over to me, tipping my chin up.

  “Head hurt?”

  “Yeah, a little,” I admit.

  “Mine too,” he smiles. “There's some aspirin in the medicine cabinet over the sink in the bathroom,” he says before he goes back to the pancakes.

  “Are those chocolate chips in there?” I ask.

  “Yup,” he replies with a wink.

  “Aspirin and chocolate. What more could a girl want?” He chuckles at me as I head for the bathroom.

  Once inside I quickly look at myself in the mirror and groan at my monstrous reflection. Well, you look attractive! Trying to fix the night’s damage, I run my fingers though my matted hair before giving up in a huff. I settle for a quick splash of cold water and a swig of his mouthwash to ward off my rank morning breath, before opening the cabinet to retrieve the pills.

  “How many pancakes do you want?” Etash’s voice sings from the kitchen.

  “Umm. Two?”

  “I’ll give you four. You won’t be able to stop once you start,” he yells back.

  I down the aspirin and walk back to the kitchen, surprised by what I see when I get there.

  “Breakfast is served, fair Juliet.” Etash is standing by his small kitchen table, which he has managed to set while I was in the bathroom. A cup of coffee and orange juice sit at each setting, along with an enormous stack of chocolate chip pancakes in the center of the table.

  “Jam or syrup?” he asks, pulling out a chair for me. And right there, in the doorway of his bathroom, I feel a wave of doom wash over me. The image of him being all domestic like, should have made me smile and feel safe. But it doesn’t. Instead, it makes me realize just how bizarre this whole experience has been. Not two weeks ago, I was a simple college student, and now I am stuck in the middle of something I can't even comprehend. Being with Etash has felt like living in some sort of protective bubble of happiness. And I know in the depth
s of my soul--that this feeling can’t last forever.

  Etash

  “We’re almost there,” I say, turning off the highway. I’m nervous as hell for Naya to meet Grams, but seeing her tattoo has spooked me, and I need Grams to calm me down.

  “This doesn’t look like a nursing home,” she says when we pull into the parking lot.

  “Yeah, this one is pretty cool. Only eight women live here. They each have their own bedroom that actually looks like a bedroom and not a hospital room, there’s a common room with a fireplace and a real kitchen where they all eat together as a family. You know, like at a real dining table.”

  “Wow. That sounds wonderful.”

  “It is.” I get out of the car and walk around to get Naya’s door, offering my hand as I do. She seems reluctant to take it, but after a moment, she does.

  “Come on,” I say, pulling her towards the front door.

  When we get inside I can see her taking in the beauty of the home, and smile. She places her hand on the worn banister and I swear she’s wondering about past hands gliding along this railing as I always do.

  “Is there an elevator here? I mean, they can’t all make it up these stairs, can they?”

  I nod behind me. “Behind the stairwell. But most of the residents who live upstairs won’t use it. Those in wheelchairs and walkers live on the first floor. There are only four women up here, and they’re all tough old broads. They refuse to use the elevator, even if they’re tired.” Stubborn fools.

  “The nurses have the area on the third floor for offices and stuff. I’ve only been up there once. That’s the only part of this house that does look like a hospital.”

  We reach the second floor and my heart speeds up. I am unbelievably anxious for Grams to meet Naya.

  “She’s right over here.”

  Upstairs, the four dark wood doors encircling the stairwell greet us. Both Martha's and Helen’s doors are closed, as usual. They are both in their late eighties and spend most of their time behind closed doors. It’s a relief to see Grams' door open, but I wonder grimly, how many more years it will stay open. I hesitate in the hallway.

  “Um, I should probably check to see if she’s okay for company today.”

  “Sure, no problem. I’ll wait here,” Naya says, going toward the window.

  “I’ll just be a minute.” Reluctantly, I release her hand. My hand feels cold after, so I tuck it into my pocket and peek inside. “Grams? You awake?”

  “Etash! You came. I knew you’d come,” her small voice replies. I go in and close the door behind me.

  She’s starting to get up from her chair, and I rush over to her side.

  “Sit, Grams, don’t get up.”

  “You bring her to me, yes?” Her eyes are twinkling.

  I smile. “Yes, she’s right outside. I just wanted to make sure you were okay for visitors today.”

  Grams shakes her head at me. “Etash, how often you think I get to meet a Twin Flame? Okay or no, I will no miss the chance to meet her.” She brushes her fingers along my face. “Bring her to me!”

  Naya

  As I wait, I glance out the window which overlooks a large, lush back yard filled with flowers and a small vegetable patch. There is a resident outside pruning a rose bush while a younger woman is kneeling down beside her laying fresh mulch.

  “You here to see Naimi?” a voice says from behind me. Startled, I spin around.

  “Oh dear, I didn’t mean to frighten you, hon,” the woman says. “I’m Grace. I live next door to Naimi.” She looks to be in her early eighties, tall and frail looking. Her thin gray hair is styled perfectly, and she's wearing a string of delicate pearls around her neck. “You one of her grandkids?” she asks.

  “Um, no. I’m…a friend of her grandson, Etash.”

  She smiles. “A friend, huh? That’s not what we called them in my day.” I blush a deep red.

  “We attend the same college,” I say, as if that simple fact would explain our friendship as nothing more than platonic.

  “Well, I’m glad Etash has found a ‘friend.’ I was starting to get worried.”

  “Worried?” I ask.

  Her expression changes as though she has been caught telling more than she should. “It’s just … after his accident, you know, his scar and all. We all thought he’d be doomed to be alone forever.” I open my mouth to speak, but no words come. Grace moves closer to the window and looks out.

  “Course, Naimi knew different. She knew he’d find you. That’ll teach me for doubting her. She’s always right. She has a gift, that one.”

  I look at her, perplexed, but she just continues to stare out the window.

  “Naya,” Etash’s voice calls from behind me. “She’s okay for company. Hello, Grace.” He waves politely to Grace.

  “Morning, Etash. Good to see you,” she coos back, then she turns back to me, gives me a quick wink before she slips down the stairs.

  Quickly, I make my way over to Etash, who holds out his hand again for me. “Ready?” he asks.

  Nodding slowly, we walk inside.

  The room is large and open. Sunlight pours in from two enormous bay windows. There is a small bed covered with an ivory bedspread off to one side and a small sitting area next to a fireplace. His grandmother is seated in a pale green wingback chair and is dressed in a light blue silk dress. She stands as we get closer.

  Her small frame surprises me, but there is no mistaking her for Etash’s relation. He has her exact same coloring and the same delicate oval shape of her eyes. She smiles kindly at me and offers me a seat across from her.

  “Naya! It is wonderful to finally meet you!” I bite my lip, strangely embarrassed.

  Etash

  “This is her, Etash. It is her!” Naya looks at me nervously.

  She leans in and touches Naya’s knee gently. “I knew you would come into his life.” She sits back into her chair, grinning smugly at me.

  “Grams …” I say, rolling my eyes, “don't start in with that, okay?”

  A look of shock fills Grams' face. She cocks her head and sits up a little straighter.

  “Do not tell me that you still do not believe, Etash? After all I have told you? After everything that happen to you?” She is getting upset and that is not good for her blood pressure.

  “You know, Grams, maybe this wasn’t a good idea,” I say, taking Naya's hand and pulling her up from her chair. But Grams ignores me and looks at Naya.

  “You two are destined for each other.” She pulls Naya back down into the seat. I start to intervene, but Naya waves a hand at me signaling that she's okay.

  “Your paths are forever connected,” Grams says with an authoritative nod. “It should have happened years ago, of course, but your flame was not strong enough yet. It is strong now. I feel it.” My hand tightens on Naya's.

  “What do you mean before?” Naya starts to ask.

  “Grams,” I begin, but before I can get a word out, Grams' hands clasps Naya’s. She turns her palm up and bends her head down to inspect it.

  “Grams, stop.”

  “Um, what is she doing?” Naya asks me, trying unsuccessfully, to yank her hand away.

  I sigh, embarrassed. “She's trying to read your palm. Grams, come on, don’t make me call a nurse,” I warn.

  But she doesn't let go of Naya. She is deep in concentration, no longer able to hear me or my idle threats. All at once her face goes pale and fills with fear.

  “Stay away from the ice man,” she says urgently, shaking Naya.

  Naya looks at me, not sure what to do.

  “Okay, Grams, let her go now.” I move behind Grams to pull her away from Naya, but she’s fighting hard against me. She’s stronger than she looks.

  “The ice man will smother both your flames!” Grams is frantic now.

  “Grams?” I give her a shake, but she stays frozen. “Nurse!”

  I manage to get her back into her chair and grab the emergency cord. Two nurses come running in through the do
or a moment later and take over for me. Right away they tell me her blood pressure is through the roof.

  “I’m so sorry about that. This was clearly not a good idea,” I tell Naya after we’ve been on the road for awhile. She hasn’t spoken a word since we’ve left and her silence is killing me.

  Naya

  I know I probably should be thinking about his grandmother and her 'vision', but I'm not. Although her intense stare did frighten me a bit, Etash warned me that she was delusional and I’m old enough not to believe in people being able to read palms.

  All I can think about right now is last night. About how I was kissing him, and more importantly, how he put an end to it. That's twice now he's pushed me away when I kissed him. Twice. And then it hits me, like a swift kick to the gut. He doesn't feel the same way. But it's not like he can just kick me out. He's too much of a gentleman to send me back to Seth, so he's forced to keep me around. Forced to put up with my unwanted advances.

  It's painfully obvious now. I feel like such a fool.

  Etash

  Just when I'm about to go crazy from her silence, she finally speaks.

  “I’ll leave as soon as we get back,” Naya says. Her bottom lip quivers a touch. That's it! This ends now.

  Like an ass, I slam on the brakes and pull over to the side of the road, ignoring the blaring horns passing me by. When the car stops, I rip off my seat belt and storm over to her side, yanking her door open as well.

  “Get out!” I order. She does so, slowly, and I slam the door behind her. “Look at me!” I yell over the sound of cars flying past us.

  When she does, her eyes are sad and determined. I'm not going to lose her because of what Grams said. I just won't. I have to make her understand.

  I trace my fingers along her face and she gasps, but doesn’t pull away. Taking her chin in my hand as tenderly as I can muster, I have only one thought: you’re mine. It’s such a dark and primitive thought, that I am disgusted with myself for thinking it, but I can’t help myself. My entire body is claiming her as my own.