It was hard for me to watch. I couldn’t stand watching another girl kiss my boyfriend, even if it was Emma and she really can’t stand him. I had to turn around. I could hear them talking and moving around on the bed. Alexander was ready to take it further, but Emma stopped him.
“Not tonight,” she said, “I’m sorry. I just don’t feel up to it,”
“I understand,” Alexander said, as he kissed Emma on the forehead.
“Emma, ask him to spend the night,” I said.
“Alexander, would it be ok if I brought some clothes to wash downstairs?” Emma asked him.
That’s not was she is supposed to be asking him.
“Sure, I’ll help you bring your bags down,” he said.
“It’s ok, I wasn’t gone long. So there isn’t much. I got it. You just hang out here,” she said.
“I’ll be here waiting,” he said before he kissed Emma again.
This is Emma’s way of saying that she needs to talk to me. She can only do it when there’s no one else around. She grabbed the suitcase with the clothes and walked out the door. I followed her.
”Savannah, do you need something?” my mom asked Emma as she walked through the kitchen to the basement door. My mom and Arianna were sitting at the table drinking something.
“No, Mom, I’m fine. I’m just going to wash some clothes,” Emma said.
“Honey, I can do that for you,” my mom said.
“It’s fine. I can do it,” Emma responded.
“All right. When you come up, grab the plate we made you. I don’t want you to starve,” my mom said.
Ch. 36
Emma turned on the light and closed the door. We walked down the stairs. We had gone down these stairs so many times in the past. It felt familiar. We walked past where I worked on my clothing. I saw my sewing machine and dress form. I saw my fabrics. What I wouldn’t have given to be able to sit at that sewing machine again and make clothes. Emma got to where the washer and dryer were. I sat on the dryer as she put the clothes in.
“Savannah, are you crazy? You want me to ask Alexander to spend the night? That would mean I would have to sleep with him. I would have to share a bed with him,” Emma said.
“Yeah, so? There are many girls who would love to share a bed with Alexander. I’ll have you know he’s amazing in bed,”
“TMI, Savannah. TMI,” Emma said.
“I’m sorry. I don’t usually have many TMI moments,” I said.
“I know, which is why I’m surprised. You have them, just not that often,” Emma said.
“You, on the other hand, have them way too often,” I said.
“No, I don’t,” she said.
“Would you like me to remind you?”
“Fine, you’re right,” Emma quickly said.
“Thank you”
Emma is the queen of TMI. She’s gotten better over the years. She used to tell me every time she went to the bathroom. I heard about every rash and illness. Thank god she’s gotten over it, because if I had to hear about another mystery rash somewhere on her body, I was going to lose it.
Emma wanted me to tell her to send Alexander home. I couldn’t. My parents, I’m sure, were pretty much expecting Alexander to spend the night. It would look bad if he didn’t.
“So I can send Alexander home?” Emma asked.
“Certainly not,”
“You know I can’t stand him. Why would you put me through that?” Emma asked.
“I could ask you the same question, but I won’t. If you don’t want people to get suspicious, then you will do what I tell you. It won’t be bad. He won’t try to do anything. If he does just tell him no and he’ll back off,” I said.
“You don’t get it. I’m not sleeping with him,” Emma said.
“That’s right. You’re not sleeping with him. You’re sharing a bed with him.”
Sleeping with someone and merely sharing a bed with another person are two completely different things. Besides, I don’t know what Emma is worried about. She knew Alexander well enough to know he is not the kind of guy to force girls do stuff they didn’t want to do. I know she’s uncomfortable about it. I am to.
“Stop worrying about the sex thing,” I said, “It won’t happen. Besides, it’s not like it would be you’re first time”
“I know, but he’s your boyfriend, not mine. It would be awkward,” she said.
“It will be fine,” I said.
She was quiet for a few minutes. Then she spoke again.
“What about the tattoo issue?” Emma asked.
I completely forgot about the tattoos. I have two small tattoos. Emma has none. Well, guess who is going to be wearing long sleeves for a while. Oh, and probably pants, no shorts since I’m supposed to have that tattoo on my ankle.
“Just make sure you wear long sleeves until you schedule an appointment with Duke,” I said. Duke was the guy who did my tattoos. They may have been small and on the dainty side, but he took pride in them and so did I. She would have to use a fake name when she see’s him. She was not excited about getting any tattoos. Of course Emma had to change the subject, no tattoo talk for her. She hates needles.
“You are so caught up in Alexander, that you forgot about Patrick. You seem to have forgotten about him already,” Emma said, “You have no chance with Alexander. Patrick is the one you’re meant to be with, now. I’m not trying to sound mean, but it’s true. You have to hear this”
Oh, that Emma, always trying to change the subject when she hears something she doesn’t want to hear. I hate to admit it, but Emma was right. Most of the time she’s wrong, this time she’s right. When I’m with Patrick, I forget about Alexander. When I see Alexander, I forget about Patrick. I’m in love with two completely different guys. One has a pulse, but the other has not had a pulse in over sixty years. This is just great. My heart can’t seem to decide. I need to just accept that I have no chance with Alexander ever again. Emma’s right about that. We’re through. I will focus on Patrick. He will be waiting for me when I get back to France. I can’t wait to see him again.
“You’re right,” I said.
“What? I didn’t hear you?” Emma said.
“You’re right,” I said louder.
Emma stood there basking in the glow of her being right about something for once. I let her bask for a few minutes before I spoke again.
“So, will you ask Alexander to spend the night, please?” I asked in my sweetest voice.
“Fine, I’ll do it. But only because you’re my best friend,” Emma said.
I hugged her. She doesn’t know how much this means to me. I’ll be supervising them of course. Emma wants me there anyway. After she got the clothes in the machine, she went up stairs. Arianna and my mom were no longer in the kitchen. Emma grabbed the plate from the fridge and walked through the living room. My mom, dad and sister were watching TV.
“There you are, Savannah. Good you found the plate. Can I can finish your laundry for you?” my mom asked.
“Sure, if you want. I’m going to go back up to my room, Alexander is waiting,” Emma said.
“I’ll bring it up as soon as it’s done,” my mom said.
“Thanks,” Emma said.
Emma walked back up the stairs. Sam, my family’s black Lab, followed her. Either he wanted to see me or he just wanted the food. When we got back to my room, Alexander was on the computer. Sam ran right up to Alexander and started licking him on the face. Alexander kept pushing Sam away, but Sam would not listen. I knew I had to step in.
“Sam, stop. Leave Alexander alone,” I yelled.
Sam froze. His tail stopped wagging and he bent his head. He knew he was in trouble.
“Go lay down, you were a bad boy,” I said pointing to one of the rugs.
With his tail between his legs, Sam walked over to the rug and dropped to the ground. He looked at me with his head between his front paws. I felt bad. I only yell at him if he needs it. Tonight he did. Meanwhile, Emma finally did what I’d asked he
r to do.
“Alexander, do you want to spend the night? It would mean so much to me if you did?” Emma asked.
“Yeah, I’d love to,” he said. He didn’t even have to think about it.
“Good,” she said, “Sam will behave, won’t he?”
“Don’t worry, Emma. I’ll make sure he behaves,” I said.
She looked over to Sam. He just ignored her. Emma walked to the window and pulled the curtains shut. Then she walked into the bathroom and closed the blinds. This woke up Boo, who jumped off the windowsill. He walked into the bedroom, where he froze when he saw Sam. Sam and Boo Radley don’t exactly get along. As soon as Sam saw the cat, he got up and ran toward him. Sam’s tail was wagging again. Boo Radley took off like a rocket. Emma and Alexander went after him. Boo Radley tried to climb up the shelves, but he was too big. He was knocking stuff down, it made me cringe. I hated messes. I turned around until everything was over. When I turned back around, Emma was holding Boo Radley and Alexander had Sam by the collar.
“One of them has to go,” Emma said, referring to Sam and Boo Radley. “I vote Boo. He can be a pain in the ass when he doesn’t feel like sleeping. At least Sam stays at the foot of the bed,” Emma said.
“I think I’d rather let Sam stay. Sorry Boo,” Alexander said as he reached over to pet Boo Radley on the head. Sam was happy to be free again.
Emma walked over to the door and opened it. She gently put Boo Radley on the floor and then closed the door. He began to meow in protest. I went out to comfort him. After I went back into my room -- excuse me, I mean Emma’s room. It was getting late and I could see Emma was getting tired. She looked exhausted. I wonder if there will ever be a time where I miss being able to sleep? I’m sure the day will come eventually. Right now, I don’t miss it. I just wish that I could be alive again because I could get so much done if I didn’t have to worry about sleep.
“Emma, you look exhausted. Go to bed. Tell Alexander you want to sleep. He’ll be fine with it. If he doesn’t sleep, he’ll listen to music or read. By the way, I’m telling you, I’m not asking you,” I said.
She was tired because right away she announced that she was ready to sleep.
“Alexander, if you don’t mind, I think I’d like to go to bed now,” Emma said.
“That’s fine. I’m not very tired yet, so I’ll just listen to music,” he said.
Do I know Alexander or what? I’m not saying he’s predictable, but I know him well.
“Thanks,” Emma told him.
Together they pulled down the sheets on the bed. Emma went over and flipped on the nightlight in the corner. Alexander walked over to the light switch and flipped it off. Lola and Sam jumped up onto the bed and took their place. Emma got into bed as Alexander turned on the light on the nightstand. He went to my closet and rummaged around until he found what he was looking for. They were the sweatpants he keeps here ‘just in case’. Those are his words, not mine. Anyway, he changed and got in bed. He then kissed Emma, which she handled really well. She kissed him back without me having to tell her to.
“Good night, Savannah,” he said.
“Good night, Alexander. Thank you for spending the night with me. I really don’t want to be myself. Promise me you won’t leave me alone,” Emma said to him.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’ll stay here as long as you want me to,” he said.
“Thanks. I love you, Alexander,” Emma said.
“I love you too, Savannah,” Alexander said before kissing Emma on the forehead.
Emma rolled onto her side and fell asleep. See, I knew she was exhausted. Alexander reached over Emma to grab his iPod off the nightstand. He turned it on and went through music until he settled on something. I’m not going to lie, seeing Emma in bed with my boyfriend freaked me out. I know they weren’t doing anything, but still seeing them together like that was weird. Knowing that Emma isn’t thrilled with this situation comforted me somewhat. As I was standing there, watching them, I heard something outside. It came from the front lawn. At first, I thought I was dreaming. Then I thought to myself, ‘Savannah, you can’t be dreaming. Ghosts can’t sleep, therefore they can’t dream’. What I heard had to have been real. It is something I’d grown up hearing. It is a sound that I associated with happy memories. Lola and Sam heard it as well. They lifted their heads up and looked around. Alexander didn’t notice.
Ch. 37
“Emma did you hear that?” I asked her.
She responded with a grunt-like sound that I took as ‘No. I didn’t hear anything, now let me sleep’. I then heard it again.
“I’ll be right back,” I said aloud as I walked through the French doors. The dogs followed me to the doors and then sat down, patiently until I returned. I looked down and couldn’t believe what was on the front lawn. It was Patrick, with two horses. They were ghost horses, obviously.
“Savannah? Is that you?” Patrick asked aloud.
“Yes, it’s me,” I yelled back, “What are you doing here?”
“Remember how I was an ass when I first met you?” He asked.
“Yes, you were quite an ass. How could I forget that,” I said.
“Well, I’m here to make it up to you,” he said.
He already apologized, so why would he be doing this. He doesn’t have to make it up to me. I forgave him already. I decided to go down to the yard. I walked off the balcony and floated down to Patrick and the horses.
“You apologized and that’s enough for me,” I said.
“I talked to your friends and asked them what I could do to make up for being a jerk and they said you loved horseback riding. They also said you loved fashion, but I know nothing about it. They said you loved music, but we both like very different kinds of music. So, I’m going to take you horseback riding,” he said.
Wow, I’m touched. He came all this way just to make up for how he treated me. This is so sweet. It’s so unexpected. But, I can’t go and leave Emma alone like this. Then again, she is sleeping. I don’t think she’ll be waking up for a while. If she does wake up, I won’t be there. Patrick did come all the way from France to see me. It’s not like it was that hard from him. If I don’t go, he might think I’m not interested in him. You know what? Emma will be fine without me for a little while. I’m ready for some fun and getting to know Patrick better.
“That’s so sweet. You didn’t have to come all the way to Connecticut, though. I’ll be going back to France in a few weeks,” I said.
“I really wanted to see you and I couldn’t wait until you got back,” he said.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to ride,” I said.
Patrick lifted me so I could get onto the horse. It was a beautiful brown and white paint horse. It reminded me of my own horse, Stella. She too is a paint horse, only she is black and white instead of brown and white. Patrick then got on his horse, which was a beautiful black horse. I recognized it from the last time I saw him. As soon as we were ready, he took off trotting down the street. I started after him.
“So where will we be riding tonight? Along the shoreline? We could go up to Cape Cod. It’s not too far away,” I suggested.
“Actually, I was thinking of taking you to where I spent my summers growing up” he said.
“And where would that be?” I asked, curiously.
“Northern Michigan,” he said.
“Oh,” I said in response.
I’ve never been to Michigan. I know it’s the Great Lakes state and that’s about it. I think there is a lot of forest. Oh, can’t forget about Detroit and all the cars. This could be interesting, I guess. I was really hoping we would just stay around here. I won’t say anything because I’m his guest.
“You sound disappointed,” he said. A car drove right through us. I stopped. Patrick laughed a little, “You’ll get used to it”
“I’m not disappointed about you taking me to Michigan. I’m just surprised. I’ve never been there before. I don’t really know much about it,” I said.
“You’ll like it, trust me. Prepare to throw away all your preconceived notions about Michigan. Trust me, you’ll love it,” Patrick said.
“I trust you,” I said.
We walked down the street a little longer. Patrick then directed his horse toward a wooded area behind a house. As we walked through the yard, a dog started following us. It was barking. Once we got into the trees, we went a little farther in. Patrick stopped when he got to a softly glowing circle. It looked like some sort of portal.
“What’s this?” I asked. I was stopped at least ten feet away.
“It’s a portal. It’ll take us to where we need to go,” Patrick said.
“Oh. So this is what a portal looks like,”
“You’ve never used one before? They’re the most efficient way for spirits to get around,” Patrick said, astonished.
Edgar, Camille, Whitney and William use portals all the time. They’ve tried to get me to, but I don’t feel comfortable yet. When we go places as a group, they’ll just walk or whatever with me. When they go places without me, is when they use the portals. I think it’s now time to face my fear of the big bad portal.
“No. I’m still new to this whole ghost thing. I’m just afraid I’ll get stuck in some other dimension and I’ll be lost forever,” I said.
“You won’t get lost in any dimensions as long as you focus really hard on where you want to go. Do that and you’ll get to your destination in no time,” Patrick said, “If you find you’re not in the right place, you have a few minutes until the portal closes again”
“What happens if you’re in the wrong place and the portal closes before you have a chance to go back through?” I asked. I was just full of questions.
“You look for a new one. They’re easy to find,” he said.
I feel a little better knowing that I can’t get stuck in between dimensions. Man, how much would it suck to be stuck in a different dimension for all eternity?
“Patrick. I’m ready. Let’s get this over with. Where are we going?” I asked.
The Middle Realm Page 18