by Kimi Flores
“Stefen, I thought I told you that she was off limits!” Caleb snarled through his gritted teeth before releasing his vice grip.
“Damn, that hurt.” Stefen rubbed the shoulder that was sure to show a bruise by the next day. “I didn’t do anything. We were only dancing.” Stefen was pissed too now. Why the hell did Caleb feel as if he had the right to decide whom Leah could and could not be with?
“I saw how you were dancing and holding her as well as everyone else here.” He raised his arm and motioned to the crowd. “There are a lot of women at this reception that are more your style that you can dance with. Why her?” Caleb now stood close to Stefen with his arms firmly crossed in front of his chest. They hadn’t fought in a long time, but Stefen was not about to back down.
“I don’t know. There is something that is attracting me to her.” He looked down, not believing the words that just came out of his mouth. “Why the hell is she so special to you anyway? She’s just another girl.”
“Do. Not. Screw. With. Her. I’m not kidding Stefen. She is an important part of my family, and I will not let you do something to mess that up. I will drop you before her.”
Stefen stepped back, trying to comprehend what Caleb had just said. “What the hell? Nice, bro. You genuinely would choose her over me.”
“Without even having to think about it. She is my wife’s best friend and you don’t screw with that. I know she is going to show you around while we are gone, but I’m telling you right now, leave it at that.” Caleb stood a full four inches above Stefen, which would normally intimidate another man, but this was his best friend threatening him.
“Whatever.” Stefen shook his head as he exhaled his furious breath. He was fuming, but also hurt.
“I’m going to find Abby. We are leaving in a minute.” Caleb turned his back and stomped away.
Stefen’s sister, Bri, timed her approach. “What was that about?”
“Your overbearing cousin thought he should warn me to keep my distance from Abby’s precious friend.” He couldn’t even hide the fact that he was offended.
Bri placed a delicate hand on his back and spoke softly. “Stefen, I’ve spent the whole week with Leah. I’m sorry, but I agree with Caleb. She’s a lovely girl and doesn’t deserve heartbreak from you. Please be gentle with her, for me.” This approach pulled on his heartstrings. He would do anything for his baby sister.
“I will. For you.” Moving in closer, Stefen kissed her cheek. Needing a change of subject to dampen his temper, he asked, “So what time are you and Leah’s sister leaving for San Francisco?”
“Right after the bride and groom leave. Dani’s car is already packed, and it’s only a five hour drive from here.” She was excited. Bri had traveled all over the world but had never been to the Bay Area before.
“I really wish you would wait until the morning.” He worried about his sister far more than any brother should, and had done that their whole lives. Their parents had never extended any concern for either one of them.
Pointing to Abby and Leah hugging, Stefen said. “Well, it looks like that time is coming now.” The bride had already changed into a short forest green dress, small black jacket, and killer black heels. He hadn’t seen her dressed like that too much; it seemed as if she usually wore more casual clothing.
It seemed that they’d already said goodbye to their guests. Stefen joined the mob headed to the driveway and watched as Caleb led his bride into the limo that was taking them to the airport. Caleb looked over at him, waved, and then gave him a stern look that spoke volumes. WTH! Did Caleb honestly think that he wasn’t good enough to be with Abby’s beloved little friend?
Fuming, he headed back to the reception as the limo pulled away. A few minutes later, he looked at his watch and realized that there was still another hour to go. He contemplated just going inside of the house and calling it a night when he noticed Leah and her sister staring at him. Leah made eye contact while she was shaking her head back and forth to something her sister said.
Starting to formulate his plan, Stefen made a decision. He was going to give Leah such a fantastic time during his stay that she wasn’t going to have a bad word to say about him. Not breaking eye contact with her, he stalked toward them then extended his hand to her sister, the full figured one. That should earn him some brownie points.
“May I have this dance?” Her sister looked up surprised, then over to Leah whose mouth was wide open. Not quite the reaction he expected, but he’ll work with it.
“Um... sure?” She was still looking at Leah as Stefen led her to the dance floor. He was quite sure that his invitation to dance was a new experience for this girl. She had a beautiful face and curvy hips like Leah, but she could stand to lose some weight for sure. Although Leah was the one he saw eating so many pieces of cake, he imagined this sister doing that quite often. Surely, Leah would think he was the nice guy here, but when he glanced back, she was scowling as if she were jealous. There is no way she could believe that he was actually attracted to her sister. He was uncomfortable even touching her while they silently danced, with plenty of space between them.
As soon as the song ended, he politely thanked her and went on his way. Since it didn’t turn out the way he planned, Stefen decided to call it a night. He walked over to Leah and said, “I’m turning in now. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow morning?”
Doing everything in her power to avoid eye contact, she looked off to the side when answering. “Yeah, see you then.” The sour expression never left her face. Well at least I had some kind of effect on her.
If you had the ability to heal with just one touch, the capability to absorb other’s pain by making it your own, would you do it?
The gratifying feeling she gets from helping others intoxicates Ally; the glowing warmth within constantly simmers, incessant on bursting free. Ally was born to do this, but how much more damage can her body take?
Theo finds himself getting close to the girl that continues to inflict pain on herself. When he discovers her secret, his overwhelming concern drives him to do everything in his power to prevent Ally from getting hurt, no matter how lovely her intentions are.
Theo also has secrets and will take any measure to keep them hidden from the girl he is falling in love with. He knows better than to let her get too close. She can never find out the information he conceals because she cannot help him anyway.
Devastating circumstances. Helpless love. Where there’s a will, is there actually a way?
Sitting in my room, cross-legged in the middle of my bed, I write random thoughts in my journal. The softness of my mink blanket wraps around me, making me feel safe from the turmoil within. Scents of lavender from the oil burner drift by helping to soothe me. The words I am unable to share with any other person pour out of me and onto the paper.
Hopelessly alone.
Suffocating silence.
Loveless.
Unhappy.
Numb.
Why do I sit here, day after day,
Night after night,
Lump in my throat,
Dreaming,
Hoping,
Forever hoping?
I have this incredible longing, an unfulfilled desire, to go explore what is out in the world. Heck, I would even settle to be able to wander out in my own neighbourhood.
I understand why mum thinks it’s safest if I stay home. I honestly do, but I can’t remain hidden away forever. At some point, I’m going to have to be able to look after myself. I’m older now, wiser. Surely, I could resist temptation when I’m out in the world, couldn’t I? Whom am I kidding? I certainly could not resist it.
13 years earlier...
Mummy brought me to the park so I could play with James. She is talking to James’ mummy while we are on the swings.
James is older than I am, and he can go extremely high. “You have to swing your legs real big, up and down,” he explains to me. I can feel the wind rush against my face as he moves. He goes up, up, up,
and then falls off, and I hear a loud crunch.
Both our mummies run over as James starts screaming. Giant tears are running down his face. They try to make him better by kneeling next to him and speaking softly, but it doesn’t work.
I don’t want James to be hurt. Maybe if I give him the lollipop in my pocket he will be okay. Lollipops always make me feel better.
I peek around Mummy’s legs at James. His arm looks strange. I reach out to touch it, wishing very hard that I could make his owie go away. Mummy tries to block me, but when James stops crying, she lets me pass.
My hands have a strange light coming off them. They heat up and it’s as if an invisible rope pulls them towards him.
Now my arm feels funny. No, it hurts! “Oww, Mummy, oww,” I scream in pain, “Oww!”
We quickly learned that I always felt compelled to relieve the pain of others. We also found out that I was able to do so simply by touching those who are sick or injured and wishing them better. It sounds too good to be true, right? Wrong. Every single time I help someone, his or her troubles transfer to me. I have never found a way to avoid it.
That day in the park, along with many similar instances after, left mum unable to explain to onlookers what had occurred. A few were frightened, but mostly they just wanted to tell others about the “astonishing phenomenon” they had just witnessed. They immediately started pulling out their phones to spread the word to the world, causing a scene of utter chaos.
Within moments, we would flee, abruptly upturning our lives again and again. If needed, we would make a brief stop at the emergency ward and then would frantically pack our essential items, flinging them by the armfuls into our worn leather suitcases and run.
Mum is terrified of me becoming a government science experiment. The anxiety practically radiates off her. She has begged me to stop. Naturally, she cannot stand to see me relentlessly inflicting harm on myself. I have to be physically refrained from going to someone’s aid though. I believe the pull to help others is part of my ability, something within me that is out of my control. I was born to do this, I want to do this, and I can handle the pain. I will live; I am used to it now. It is such a gratifying feeling to be able to take away someone else’s pain for them. To be honest, I am somewhat addicted.
After years of running, mum constantly having to find a new job in another town, and pulling me out of countless schools, she decided it was safer if I got my education at home. I left the house as seldom as possible.
So here I am, secluded from the world, in my room, writing in my journal. I have no friends to share all these thoughts with.
My phone beeps pulling me from my memories.
Mum- I will be home in 30 minutes. Would like to have a chat about something during dinner. Love you xoxo
I inwardly groan and roll my eyes in typical teenager fashion, even though I am by no means a normal teenager. I collapse backwards on my bed with a loud thud.
The same old lecture again. Great, I look forward to it. I realize heavy sarcasm isn’t an endearing quality, but I have to act like the average teenager whenever I get the chance.
I push the food around my plate with a fork, not actually eating. The smell of butter chicken is wafting through the air, but it is not enticing me. An uneasy feeling rolls around in my gut. I just want to get this over.
“Ally, you know I have always tried to do what is best for you,” Mum begins. Cringing, I slide further down in my chair. “In the past, you have been too young to understand the depths of the problems that may arise when you help people.” She pauses, staring at me and tapping her nails on the tabletop, clearly irritated that I am not paying her enough attention.
Agitated by the whole conversation and the ongoing tap, tap, tap of her nails, I continue to frustrate her by fixing my eyesight on my thumbs, twiddling them in my lap. Realizing she is not going to get my attention anymore then she already has, she goes on, “However, I am aware I can’t protect you forever. You need to start living in the outside world on your own.”
Letting hope trickle in, I raise my head slightly. It suddenly feels lighter, and I let an enormous grin slowly cover my face. My sullen mood disappears, replaced with the erratic thump of my heart. I can see mum is struggling with this, so I try to contain my excitement. With her features and posture wound tightly, she tries to hide her distress from me. She can’t quite mask the glazed over look in her eyes. I know she just wants to wrap me up and keep me safe.
Reaching across to hug her, I summon up as much conviction as I can muster. “It will be okay mum. We will take it slowly, one step at a time.” She hugs me back tightly and then relaxes. I feel more elated than I have in years.
Keeping my promise to mum of starting out slow, I told her I would take a short walk to the park near our house. I reasoned that it would be harmless and uneventful in the middle of a weekday. With a spring in my step, I bounded out the door toward my destination, calling over my shoulder that I wouldn’t be any more than half an hour.
With plenty of time to spare, I knew I could afford a few stolen moments of peace lazing in the open space. Lying down, I lean back on my elbows and admire the towering oak tree hovering over me. If the size is any indication, it must be hundreds of years old. Others just like it are scattered all around the edges of the fields. Through the branches and leaves, in varying degrees of greens, browns and oranges, I see glimpses of blue from the sky above. Puffy white clouds are drifting by, continuously changing shape. This doesn’t seem like much, but to me it is so beautiful to be able to enjoy this moment.
My arms are itchy from the ground beneath me, and my hair blows across my face from the light breeze, but I don’t care. I am out of the house, on my own. I inhale deeply, and that glorious clean smell of nature instantly rewards me; I can even notice the hints of bark in the air from the tree behind me. I sigh, Ahh freedom, it’s fabulous.
Dropping my gaze to scan the rest of the area, I find that it is fairly empty. The only sound is the leaves rustling in the wind, and I enjoy the silence. I think it is safe to say that the chances of me having to fight the urge to use my ability and help a person are slim. Closing my eyes, I relax and sink back into the grass. I feel the occasional autumn leaf float by as it falls to the ground. My body goes lax as I soak in the peaceful surroundings.
I may have assured to mum that this would be uneventful, but to me, this is the most exciting thing that I have done all year. No, make that the last ten years. I have led a mostly sheltered existence up until now. I am ecstatic to be out on my own, even if it is just here in the park.
Voices in the distance rouse me from my mind’s wanderings, and make me more alert, even though their proximity is not close enough to make me look up. My mind lingers on the tone of a guy’s voice. It is deep and gravely, soothing me, making me feel as though it is wrapping around me like a caress. Curiosity gets the better of me, and I peer over.
Wow! The view is fabulous. He looks even finer than he sounds. All tan, lean, and muscular, with scruffy brown hair and that’s just the back of him. I need to stop gawking. I strongly suspect that I may actually be drooling too. How attractive of me.
As I ogle this exceptional guy playing football with whom I assume is a friend, I wipe at my traitorous mouth with the back of my hand and slide further back into the shadow of the tree. I tell myself I am not being a stalker; I just do not want him to notice me. If I get up and walk straight past them, I will undoubtedly draw unwanted attention to myself. It is not an option, so I press into the rough bark of the oak tree and stay put.
As much as I wanted to be amongst the outside world, I am still extremely shy and not accustomed to interacting with others. This smoking hot guy is unquestionably not whom I fancy introducing me into the social world. The thought gives me sweaty palms and makes me nervous as hell.
I may have been a recluse for most of my life, although, as innocent as this may have made me, it does not mean I have not had dreams of knowing what it is like to be in
the arms of a man. Maybe all the pent up frustration I have from never getting to experience this is why I have a bizarre urge to move closer to him.
The friend he is with doesn’t seem to have the same pull on what I assume is my hormones, though he is equally good looking. How odd. Knowing I would ramble like a bumbling idiot if I went over to him stops my urge to go near. I remind myself I am taking baby steps; there is no rush.
“Ally, Ally,” I am jolted out of my trance by my mother rushing over to me, panic lacing her voice. Through her heavy breathing, she conveys what is wrong, “I was so worried about you. You said you would only be gone half an hour, and I tried to call your phone, only to realize you left it at home, and…” her hands are flying around, trying to emphasize her spiel. She is rapidly becoming hysterical and making no sense.
“Mum, slow down. Why are you so upset? I’ve only been gone for…” I glance down at my watch. Three hours? Oh my goodness, I have been here, zoned out on ‘Mr. Hottie’ for three whole hours? Averting my eyes, I let out a guilty “Oh.” Wrapping my arms around her, I rub soothing circles on her back with my palm until her breathing is back to normal. The refreshing smell of her light, floral perfume leads me to stay there a bit longer before I pull back and start apologizing profusely. When my conscious eases slightly, I hold my hand out to her, stare back at the makeshift footy field one last time, and then say, “I am sorry to have worried you. Come on mum, let’s go home.”
Life comes with its share of what-ifs, but what happens when an uncertainty from your past suddenly collides with your present?
Kaitlyn Thomas, a weary wife and mother, is taking a much needed getaway with her friends. All she wants to do is relax and rejuvenate on her weekend escape to the beach. Having a drink at the bar with the girls sounds like the perfect way to unwind. That is, until Kaitlyn hears a familiar voice from the stage that shakes her to her core. She grapples with her memory until Chris King, the lead singer of the band, walks up to her and eliminates the questions in her mind.