REAP THE WHIRLWIND
by Josh Aterovis
© 2003 Josh McCready
All rights reserved
Publishers Note: This book is a work of fiction based entirely on the authors imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons is purely coincidental. Real places mentioned in the book are depicted fictionally and are not intended to portray actual times or places.
All rights reserved. No part of the book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Author or Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
ebooksonthe.net is a subsidiary of: Write Words, Inc.
2934 Old Route 50
Cambridge, MD 21613
ISBN 1-59431-088-2
Fax: 410-221-7510
Bowker Standard Address Number: 254-0304
Warning: Redistribution of this file, either on disk, CD, or over the Internet without consent of the author or publisher is a violation of United States Federal Copyright Law and of several International Trade Agreements.
ii
For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind.
Hosea 8:7
iii
vi
REAP THE WHIRLWIND
PROLOGUE
I opened the door and stepped into the well-appointed office, closing the door behind me. The room was intimately lit by incandescent table lamps instead of institutional fluorescent overhead lighting. An oriental design rug covered the floor, and two upholstered armchairs sat facing a massive dark-colored wooden desk. Glass-fronted oak bookcases lined the walls. Behind the desk sat a small man, slightly balding, wearing a dark brown, high quality suit and glasses.
Hello, Will, he said, Its been a while.
Yes, I said simply.
Sit down, please, he motioned toward the chairs and smiled encouragingly. I sat down on the closest one.
Whats on your mind? he prompted.
You said when I was ready to talk to call you.
And youre ready to talk now?
I nodded.
Why now and not before?
I shrugged.
Just ready? Or did something happen that made you change your mind?
Something happened...
He sat, waiting for me to elaborate.
3
JOSH ATEROVIS
I dont even know where to begin, I said. So much has happened since I saw you last. I need to talk to someone. I feel like Im going crazy.
Will, he said softly, you are not going crazy. Instead of starting at the end and working back, why dont we start at the beginning? Pretend weve never talked before. Tell me everything.
The beginning. It seemed like so long ago now. Could it really have been only a few months? That could take a while, I said.
He shrugged and pushed a button on his intercom.
Yes? the receptionist answered.
Linda, cancel the rest of my afternoon appointments, please.
Yes, sir, she answered.
He looked up and smiled, his kind eyes radiating understanding. Now weve got plenty of time, he said to me.
I took a deep breath.
4
REAP THE WHIRLWIND
CHAPTER ONE
Nothing can stay the same forever. We get in trouble in life when we think it can and will. Everything changes, or as King Solomon said in the Bible and The Byrds sang in the 60s, to everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven. Its not a particularly easy lesson to learn, or a fun one for that matter. I learned it the summer between high school and college, and my life would never be the same.
***
We burst into the house, laughing and shoving each other playfully. We were both sweaty from playing bas-ketball on the driveway. The black macadam drew heat like a magnet. For what must have been the millionth time I looked at Joey and thought about how different we were. We were a study in contrasts, a true testament to the old adage that opposites attract. Wed been best friends since we were toddlers, but we couldnt have been more different. Joey was tall, a little over six feet, and I was...well, short. If I wore my Airwalks with the thick soles I just managed to eke out 56. He has poker-straight pale blonde hair that he wears cut off bluntly just above his shoulders. Today he had pulled it back into a ponytail but half of it had fallen down and was 5
JOSH ATEROVIS
stuck now to his face. My black hair was so curly I had to keep it cut short or it sprung out into an afro. Joey has a year-round tan that darkened to a golden brown on the first day of summer. I have pale white skin that burns over and over, never tans, turns an unflattering shade of red if you even look at me funny, and breaks into freckles across my nose at the first hint of sunlight.
Joey has these huge puppy-dog brown eyes while mine are a deep blue. Actually, my eyes are my favorite feature. They are so dark they are almost violet, and these incredibly long black lashes frame them. My other best friend, Laura, is always saying that she would kill to have my eyes.
The differences didnt end at the physical, however.
Even our personalities were polar opposites. Joey was gregarious while I was shy. He was caught up in popularity games while I was content to hide in the background. Joey took everything at face value and rarely looked deeper while I tended to be introspective, always looking for a deeper meaning.
Laura, Joey and I were almost inseparable all through high school. Wed grown up in the same neighborhood and played together since we were old enough to walk.
Everyone at school had called us the three musketeers.
Since wed graduated though, things had started to change. We didnt see each other nearly as much as we used to. Laura had met Gabriel, or Gabe as he preferred, and they had started dating. Over the summer, they had grown closer and closer. I had been dating Beth on and off all through high school and I guess you could say things were semi-serious between us. Beth was from the neighborhood, too, and while she had never really been a part of our little clique shed been around enough 6
REAP THE WHIRLWIND
that when we had started dating no one was really surprised. She was a year younger than the rest of us, but she was always the most serious one in the bunch.
The latest blow to the three musketeers had taken place two weeks ago when Joey and Laura started college at Pemberton University, a local school here in town. Both had been accepted at other schools, but picked Pemberton when I decided to take a year off to work before going to college. My main reasoning behind this decision was that I hated school and really couldnt see jumping right into more studying just as soon as I was finished with high school. Actually, my intense dislike of school had less to do with the aca-demics, Id always gotten above average grades with very little effort, and much more to do with the fact that I never did well in the complex social environment that was the public school system. So Joey and Laura had stayed in order to keep the musketeers intact. The only problem was I had hardly seen them since classes took up. Today was the first day Joey and I had really been able to spend together. I was surprised how much I missed him and without thinking, I suddenly grabbed him in a tight hug.
Dude! he said pushing me away roughly. What the hell was that for?
Language! my mother called from the next room.
Joey rolled his eyes and I shrugged. I dunno, I answered, choosing to ignore my mother. I guess I just miss you.
Yeah, well, I miss you too, but you know I dont like all that touchy-feely stuff.
That was another difference between Joey and me. I was f
rom a very affectionate family and I wasnt afraid 7
JOSH ATEROVIS
to show my affection; Joey was very reserved emotionally, the typical macho man who never shows his feelings.
Lets get something to drink, he said as he headed for the kitchen, dribbling the ball as he went.
Dont bounce the ball in the house, Mom called.
I trailed after him, mentally kicking myself all the while.
God! When are you going to get out of here? he said as soon as we were in the kitchen. Its like were still twelve. You make enough at your job that you could get an apartment; especially if you had a roommate.
I would definitely need a roommate, I told him. I dont make that much. So that means its pretty much out of the question.
Why?
Because I dont really know anybody.
Well, it just so happens that I do.
My eyes lit up. You?
No, not me, dumb ass. You know every penny I make goes right to ye olde tuition fund. I felt my face heating up and knew I was turning red. Thankfully, Joey had his back toward me as he hunted in the fridge for something cold. He came out with a carton of orange juice, grabbed two glasses out of cabinet, and proceeded to pour OJ all over the counter as he tried to get it in both glasses at once.
Jeez, Joey, wreck the kitchen why dont you, I com-plained.
You sound just like your mom, Joey grumbled as he mopped up his mess with a towel. Anyway, as I was saying, theres this guy at school, his names Aidan, and he has this two-bedroom apartment so hes look-8
REAP THE WHIRLWIND
ing for a roommate. I told him Id ask you.
Whyd he get a two bedroom if its just him?
I dont know, Will, what difference does it make?
Are you interested or not?
I dont even know this guy...whats his name?
Adam?
Aidan. And I do know him. Hes a really nice guy. I think you two would get along. Look, he just moved in and hes having a kind of house warming party tonight.
Im supposed to go; why dont you go with me? That way you can meet him, see the apartment, see if you like him...the whole nine yards.
He handed me my glass of OJ and started gulping his down.
I wont know anyone there, I protested.
Yes you will. Laura and Gabe will be there. Gabe knows him from last year; they had some classes together or something. Therell only be a couple other people there, so you dont have to worry about your terminal shyness.
I dont want to crash his party, especially if there arent even that many people going. I was getting weaker and Joey knew it.
He said I could bring a friend. I hesitated and he moved in for the kill. Theres going to be someone there I want you to meet besides Aidan.
Who?
Come and youll find out.
I played my last ace. Im supposed to go out with Beth tonight.
So cancel! he yelled throwing his hands up. Come on, Will. You just said you missed me. Heres your chance to spend some time with me plus meet some 9
JOSH ATEROVIS
new people and maybe find some new digs. Live a little.
Bethie will get over it.
I sighed and Joey grinned. He knew hed won. Why he still got any pleasure from it was beyond me since he always won. Youd think hed be used to it by now, the manipulative bastard.
What should I wear?
Whatever you want. Its just a party not a debutante ball.
A what?
Look it up.
Oh so you dont know either.
Shut up. He laughed and punched me in the arm.
Ow! I shoved him back and soon we were wrestling around the kitchen, crashing into the table and knocking over a chair.
No roughhousing inside! Mom called.
We froze and looked at each other, then collapsed into a giggling heap on the floor...just like old times.
***
An hour later, I stood in my room with a towel around my waist as a puddle of water collected at my feet. I stared at the phone wondering if there was any way I could avoid picking it up. I had been getting out of the shower when Mom called up that Beth was on the phone. I dreaded the inevitable confrontation when I broke off our date tonight...for the third time in a row. As I said earlier, Beth is my on-again-off-again girlfriendmore off than on. Not because of Beth; she would have us engaged if she had her way. I was always the one who put things on hold and Beth was always the one who talked me into going out again. I was content just to hang out with Joey and Laura. In fact, 10
REAP THE WHIRLWIND
Beth was the only girl I had ever dated. Going to dances with Laura because she didnt have a date doesnt count.
Laura says I have a problem with commitment and maybe I do, but I really think Ive just watched too many romantic movies. I want that kind of romance where you light up when you hear their name and melt down when they walk into the room. That just wasnt there with Beth. We got along fine; she was comfortable
but there was just no spark.
I sighed and knew I couldnt put it off any longer.
Hello? I answered.
Well, its about time, my mother joked as she hung up. My parents loved Beth to no end.
What happened? You fall down getting out of the shower? Beth said.
No, I guess I got lost in thought, I said lamely.
Oh? And you were thinking about me of course,
she teased.
Actually, yes.
Dont sound so excited.
Listen, Beth, about tonight...
No! Will! she interrupted. Dont do this to me again. Tonight was going to be special. You promised.
Just you and me.
Something came up. I was dying and I knew it.
Let me guess, it has something to do with Joey, right?
What does Joey have to do with anything?
Everything with you has something to do with Joey.
Joey always comes first with you. When is it my turn?
You treat me like you treat Laura.
Whats that supposed to mean? Whats wrong with how I treat Laura? Shes one of my closest friends.
11
JOSH ATEROVIS
Thats just it, Will. She sighed. Lauras your friend.
But Im supposed to be your girlfriend. And whats wrong with how you treat both of us is that anytime Joey wants to do something, we both get shoved aside.
At least Laura has found someone who knows how to treat her.
Did she...did Laura tell you this?
She didnt have to. Look, Will, this obviously isnt working. You arent committed to us. I think we should take a break until you figure out what you want.
Wait a minute; youre breaking up with me?
You can call it that. Just dont call me until youve figured things out. Its your move this time.
Figured things out? Whats to figure out? What I want is that...that spark of chemistry. That feeling that everything is all right when youre with them, that youre finally home. Dont you want that?
Yes, Will, I do, she said quietly, but the thing is, I thought I had itwith you. Im sorry you dont feel the same way. I hope you find it. I really do. Goodbye.
Beth... I tried, but shed already hung up.
I stood there with the phone in my hand for several minutes replaying my conversation with Beth in my head. She had said so much it took a while for it all to sink in, and when it did, I didnt know whether to be angry, laugh, or cry. Maybe all three would suffice.
***
The car horn sounded, letting me know that Joey had arrived to pick me up for the big shindig at Aidans. I checked mysel
f in the mirror and was somewhat surprised to see that I was wearing jeans and a short-sleeved dark blue pullover shirt and leather sandals. I didnt remember choosing that particular outfit, but 12
REAP THE WHIRLWIND
then I had been kind of preoccupied with my thoughts since Beths phone call. At any rate, it would do. At least the blue brought out my eyes.
Hey, I said as I slid into Joeys Jetta.
Hey, he gave me a close look then threw the car into reverse and backed onto the road. Okay, whats wrong? he asked as soon as we were moving forward.
What do you mean? I tried for the dumb approach.
Give it up, Will. We both know youre a terrible liar and I know you well enough to know when something is bothering you. Is it this whole apartment thing?
Cause if it is Ill back off. Its not that big a deal. Your parents are just a drag sometimes...
Its not that, I cut him off. Beth and I broke up tonight.
So? You guys break up like every other week. Its a tradition. Youll be dating again next week.
I dont think so. This time was different. She broke up with me.
Whoa! he looked over at me to gauge my reaction.
Look at the road, please, I said automatically. Having driven with Joey before, I knew we needed all the help we could get.
So, what happened?
I dont want to talk about it.
You? Mr. Lets-talk-about-our-feelings?
Its just...I need some time to think about stuff. She said some things that...I dont know. I just need to think about it.
She really upset you, huh?
Yeah.
The rest of the short ride was spent in silence. The apartment building turned out to be a renovated turn-13
JOSH ATEROVIS
of-the-century brick warehouse down by the newly re-juvenated river district. It looked like it once served an industrial function of some sort. The renovation project had included installing an elevator that was cleverly designed to look like a grain lift, complete with a wrought iron gate. I was thankful for the elevator considering the building was four stories and Aidans apartment was on the top floor.
aterovis_bm_reapthewhirlwind.p65 Page 1