by Allison, J
I stopped dead.
9.
Standing in the doorway at the end of the hall was Robert.
“I did knock,” he chuckled gently his gaze trailing over me, lingering a little too long, before he quickly looked back into my eyes, “I didn’t realize you would be so eager to see me.”
My face burned as I flushed deeply, quickly gathering my singlet in front of me, I tried to regain some dignity.
“You could have knocked louder, or called out you know.” I grumped, totally humiliated, he started to speak but I was too embarrassed to stand there while I was half undressed.
“Please leave, I’m finally getting a night to myself without having to watch documentaries, go away.” Turning on my heel I marched straight into my room, his expression turned to bewilderment from where he still stood in the doorway.
“Try calling first next time!” I rolled my eyes before slamming the door, cutting him off before he could say anything.
I fell back against the door, the cool wood made me shiver, I couldn’t believe it, of all people to walk in on me stripping in the hallway. I started to laugh softly at the situation.
Finally pushing myself up I walked slowly towards my mirror, unsure of what I was going to see when I turned around. Dropping my singlet on the bed as I passed, I turned slowly, looking back over my shoulder. Starting at my neck, I moved my eyes down the length of my spine. The bruising over my ribs had crept around to my back a little, although the majority of it was definitely on the front of me.
And then I saw it, Sally was right, at the very base of my back, on my right hand side, was a hand, or should I say hand print, the bruise was as perfect as if it were tattooed there. There was no doubt it was a hand, there was no way it was an accidental shape created out of the colorful collage of bruises on my back, to start with it was on the complete wrong side.
Now I had seen it for myself I couldn’t believe I had managed to shut her up so easily, unless of course she still thought Grandpop had done it and didn’t want to press me, the thought of that made me feel nauseous. I hoped beyond hope that Sally believed what I had said, I couldn’t have her thinking my grandfather would do this to me.
Okay, there was nothing for it now, I had to talk to Robert, there was no other place this could have come from. No-one else had touched me and I certainly hadn’t done that to myself, even if I had inadvertently been the cause of all my other injuries yesterday.
Damn It! I shouldn’t have sent him away, but I had panicked, standing in my bra in front of him hadn’t made me think very clearly. It was hard enough to think clearly around him at the best of times, without being half naked.
Pulling my singlet on again I walked back into the scene of my earlier exposure, I didn’t linger in the hall.
I strode directly into the kitchen looking for the phone, I would call him and ask him to come back, no, I would tell him he had to come back. The phone wasn’t on its base station. I headed for the lounge, it was probably on the table next to Nans recliner, that was normally where she left it after one of her lengthy gossip sessions or should I say ‘information gathering discussions’ as she jokingly called her conversations with Marge Wilkinson down the road.
He was there, sprawled out on the couch looking completely at ease, the TV playing quietly, a football game on. I stifled a scream, my heart almost leaping from my chest in fright.
“Geez Robert!” I cried, taking a moment to catch my breath.
“Oh hey.” he didn’t look up from the game, “Fred and Norma stopped by on their way to the James’s, asked if I’d mind keeping you company for a few hours while they headed out.”
I detected a bit of humor in his voice, he found all this quite hilarious, I bet Nan did as well. I could imagine the smile on her face now, ear to ear as they drove through the night.
“Did they.” I murmured dryly.
“Hmmm,” he still didn’t look up, however it looked like he was trying desperately not to laugh. I stood there watching him a moment longer, it was hard not to, the contrast of his long athletic body stretched across my grandparents faded old couch was almost laughable. His blonde hair seemed to glow and his face, as usual, was indescribably handsome.
I was more than slightly annoyed at my Nans match making, but while we were alone we could discuss things and I wasn’t going to let the opportunity pass. I took a deep breath, trying to gather my questions into some sort of logical order.
“You know… I don’t follow you.” I started,
“What do you mean?” his attention still on the television set,
“These changes in your mood, most of the time your arrogant and self-righteous,”
“Am I?” a smile pulled at the corner of his mouth, he didn’t look up.
“And then other times you’re happy and laughing and I want to be around you.”
His expression froze,
“You do?”
I walked towards the television flicking it off, the thing was so old it didn’t even have a remote.
He didn’t speak, just swung himself into sitting position with the grace of a gymnast and beamed a heart stopping smile at me, I was sure I was going to need to be put on a cardiac monitor later with all the stress my heart was going through tonight.
“So, since I’m head baby sitter …” he actually was sniggering now, his entire body shaking softly,
“What would you like to play first?” He tried to look serious, and failed miserably, laughter danced across his brown eyes and his perfect square jaw was straining against the threatening waves of hysteria.
Well I might as well hit him with the unexpected.
“How about Truth or Dare?” I tried to smile seductively, not at all sure if I succeeded, he paused for a moment, his eyes thoughtful.
I grabbed the bottom of my shirt with both hands and slowly began to lift it.
“…I want you to…”
“Whoa…” he finally looked a little unsettled, his smile forced now, a worried look warring with the now pretend humor he was trying to portray.
“I think you’ve shown me quite enough for our first night together.” he joked,
“You wish,” I snapped, dropping the pretense I swung my back to him, lifting my top half way.
“Explain this to me if you would. The truth.” I looked over my shoulder and watched his eyes dance across my back, lingering a little too long on the shape of it. His expression reverted back to his cheeky half smile, it looked like he was going to say something smart until he saw the bruise. Instantly all emotion disappeared, his face a mask of indifference, the same look he had worn the first day I met him. Pulling my top back down I sat opposite him in the recliner. I didn’t say a word, I waited, trying to read the impossibly emotionless mask that his face had become. I didn’t think he was going to bolt, although he did look uncomfortable. Surely he had expected something like this to happen when he came here.
The seconds ticked by and nothing happened, I didn’t want to speak first, the only thing that could happen now was answers, and only he had those.
I sat back, regarding him for a moment, fine, if he wouldn’t talk then I sure as hell would!
“What were you doing in the paddock Robert?”
He stared back at me, his eyes giving nothing away, he didn’t make any move to speak and I got the feeling he was at war with himself.
“Robert I won’t tell anyone if that’s what you want, just tell me the truth at least, what was that yesterday?”
“You won’t understand.”
I pressed on, before his tongue could turn to stone again,
“Try me, it can’t be any worse than half the things I’m already imagining.”
This earned me a smirk and I felt a cold chill run the length of my spine.
It couldn’t be worse could it…
I sighed, completely frustrated.
“I can keep a secret, it’s a little too late to pretend, I know you’re hiding something.”
&nb
sp; “And you’re not afraid of what I might tell you?”
“No…” I was transfixed by his eyes again, “I’m not afraid.” I finally stammered, blinking to break his gaze so that I could gather my thoughts.
Everything was so quiet, I could hear the clock ticking from the kitchen, I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“I’m sorry,” he almost whispered, he truly looked remorseful.
I opened my mouth, stammering as I tried to think of something to say. Sorry wasn’t what I had expected. Why was he sorry?
Sorry he couldn’t tell me? Sorry he didn’t know what to say? Sorry I had found out that he was different?
“I didn’t mean to bruise you,” he continued quietly, “I thought that may have happened when I caught you last night, I had to reach for you with such force, to get to you before you hit the floor when you fainted.”
“Oh,” I floundered for something to say, “Better than letting me land in the glass,” I smiled, “Apparently you took off really quickly, although I imagine the pace was slow for you.” I gave him a knowing smile, “I didn’t get a chance to thank you for catching me.”
He wasn’t ready to lighten the mood.
“I had to,” his voice came quick and strained, “I moved so fast so I could get to you, I was terrified Claire or Norma may have noticed, may have realized.” he shook his head to himself,
“I guess I’m lucky they were so focused on you, they didn’t see just how quickly I got from one side of your kitchen to the other.”
“You didn’t have to risk yourself.” I answered in a voice just as quiet, “A few extra cuts would have just added to what I already have.”
He raised one eyebrow, looking at me like I was a little insane, I let it slide.
“Robert what’s going on?” I tried looking into his eyes but he wouldn’t meet my gaze, instead he looked torn and unhappy, as though this discussion was causing him pain. I hadn’t realized that trying to press him into answers would cause so much angst.
“You can’t possibly understand how I feel right now Ava.” he sighed, finally meeting my eyes, my heart skipped and then sped up, “I’m so confused.”
I didn’t know how to answer this and my heart went out to him, I wanted to tell him I was as confused as he was, that he didn’t have to worry, that I wouldn’t tell anyone what I had seen.
He stood abruptly and I thought he was going to leave, to run from whatever he was trying to hide. But instead he was in front of me in a movement so fast my eyes didn’t even register it, I jumped in fright at his sudden closeness, he grabbed my hand, his grasp unusually warm reminding me of our trip in the pickup.
“Come with me.” he finally smiled, his eyes told me he had made a decision. We walked slowly hand in hand down the hallway and out onto the porch. At the top of the porch stairs he let go and looked me in the eyes, I felt my heart speed to an alarming rate, I was starting to lack control when I was around him.
“I can see you aren’t going to let this go,” his smile was both forgiving and patronizing, I couldn’t speak, I had no idea what was about to happen so I just nodded.
“So rather than tell you I’m going to show you,” his face brightened even further, “After all,” he added, his smile teasing, “You showed me so now I’ll show you. You can’t say I don’t play fair.”
“Hey!” I started to defend myself, I didn’t know he was going to turn up tonight.
But before I could finish he had disappeared, he was there and then he wasn’t, only the soft whoosh of air betrayed any movement. I stood alone in the dark, the only light came from behind me, through the open door to the house.
Turning slowly in a circle I tried not to panic, could he actually become invisible?
Was I actually losing it!
“Robert,” I spoke softly, barely voicing his name.
“Here…” his voice came from above, I jumped, my head flying up, he stood on the porch roof peering over the edge at me.
“How…” I started, and then he was gone again. I turned quickly, looking out from the porch, I found him bathed in moonlight, his blonde hair illuminated like a halo, standing on the top rail of the bull pen at least a hundred yards from the house, it had taken him just a few seconds.
He stared back, his own expression suddenly vulnerable and at the same time challenging, could I deal with this?
I was careful not to show any emotion, although my mind was going so fast I could barely keep up.
Could I deal with this? I didn’t know the answer to that myself.
Holding my gaze he leapt twenty feet into the air, slower this time, graceful, landing a full fifty yards away from the pens in front of Pops old pickup, the one the hands used on the ranch. I knew I should be afraid, a part of me was, he didn’t make me feel uneasy in person but his actions terrified me. Both he and I knew we were at some kind of turning point, a large fork in the road at which neither of us knew which way we would turn.
He held out his arm, pointing at a deep dent in the passenger door, giving me a wink, melting my heart just a little further, he lay a finger on the dent and I watched unbelieving as the tip began to glow blindingly white, the light seemed to envelop the door and when he moved his hand the dent was gone.
My legs begin to tremble, this was a bit to take in and I sank rather ungracefully to the ground.
“And for my next trick,” he grinned, trying to put me at ease with his tone, speaking like a circus performer. Flicking his hand in the direction of the door, it crumpled once more, into the same dent it had been only moments before.
“Easier to keep it the same then explain an overnight panel beating job,” he smiled.
In a blur of blonde moonlight he covered the distance between the truck and I in an instant, to stand in front of me smiling a little sheepishly.
“And you have already seen my amazing powers of natural destruction, killing trees and the likes.”
I took a deep breath feeling completely and utterly speechless, and then everything went black as I fainted.
I came around quickly, Roberts warm hands propping me against his chest.
“Sorry,” he murmured, his eyes searching mine, “I didn’t mean to frighten you, I guess it’s a bit to take in.”
I blinked up at him, still struggling to recover the power of speech.
“Ahhh,” he narrowed his gaze, “so is it just me or do you make a habit of fainting?” I could hear the smile in his voice, finding my legs I stood carefully, checking my balance before attempting an answer.
“It’s definitely you.” I smiled, turning from him so I could gather my thoughts. The nights here were cold in contrast to the day, I shivered wrapping my arms around myself.
I had known he was different, had suspected after yesterday of course, but seeing just how different… I must have looked a little ill.
“Ava?” his voice was smooth, but sounded strangely distant as the world spun again, his hand was immediately on my back, balancing me, burning into the bruise he had left last night.
“Are you okay you look a bit… off?”
I stared up at him, I still couldn’t manage proper words, pushing myself from him I wandered towards the hammock at the far end of the porch, taking the opportunity to clear my mind, sitting gently the hammock swayed as it took my weight. Robert took a deep breath himself before slowly following me.
“Do you mind if I ahhhh…” He gestured towards the hammock.
“Sure.” I waved my hand towards the other side, he climbed in slowly trying not to tip me out, laying back against his side he stared intently at me, mirroring my own look I was guessing. Our legs bent in the middle touching gently from knee to ankle, I could feel the usual fire of his skin burning through his jeans where our legs touched.
The hammock swung slowly, the beam above groaning under our combined weight, I prayed we weren’t too heavy, I didn’t think I could handle falling down again.
“What are you thinking?” Robert was watch
ing me, his expression curious as he looked for some clue as to what was going on in my head.
Surprisingly I laughed, sounding crazy even to my own ears, but I was so overwhelmed, Robert looked completely stunned, jumping at my outburst, he hadn’t been expecting it either. I was quietly smug that I had at least been able to surprise him in this one small unhinged act, even if it did throw up questions about my sanity.
“Sorry,” I choked, trying to cut off my giggles and form the questions I had swarming around my mind. I looked out to the sky, taking a deep breath, the night was stunning. One thing I did love about Huntington was that I could see the stars, so thick and numerous it was hard to believe that many existed. You couldn’t see them in Chicago, there was too much other light blocking them from view, here they almost took your breath away. I looked back at the person sharing the hammock with me, Robert did take your breath away. I still could not believe what I had seen but I knew I was going to have to because there was nothing else that I could do.
“Does anyone else know?” I asked quietly.
“No.”
“How long have you been able to do… that.”
“Forever.” he shrugged,
“Can you do anything else?”
“Like what?”
I had finally asked something he found amusing, his mouth threatening to lift in the corners.
“Do you mean can I read minds, or fly or something?”
“Yeah,” I nodded seriously, I couldn’t see why that would be so impossible if he could fix pickups with his crazy glowing hand.
“No.” he smiled “No, I can’t do either of those things, if I could read your mind answering these questions would be a lot easier, I would be more prepared.”
“Oh there’s plenty more questions coming don’t worry,” I smirked,