Provex City

by Michael Pierce

  “I was just waiting for you,” she said shyly.

  “Waiting for me? Where’s Eli?”

  “He got called into work. You mentioned you’d be meeting with Mr. Gordon, so I thought I’d come find you so I had someone to walk home with. I found your bag, so I waited.” She paused for a second, and I was about to say something, but didn’t. “What’s going on?”

  “You could’ve called.”

  “I did. It kept going straight to voicemail.”

  I took out my cell phone and saw I had three missed calls and two voicemails. Mr. Gordon went to his desk and organized his papers, putting some in drawers and some in his briefcase.

  Desiree looked at the mysterious door to the Room of Enlightenment and then back at me with a look on her face insisting that I explain.

  “What?” I asked, playing dumb.

  “What do you mean what? I may not be the most observant person in the world, but I do notice when a door appears out of nowhere,” she said and, just as she finished, her face suddenly contorted in horror.

  I turned back and immediately saw what prompted the sudden reaction. The door was gone and the wall was back to normal—with one large whiteboard extending halfway down the wall. I turned back to Desiree, who was still wide-eyed. We then both glanced over at Mr. Gordon, who looked up from his desk with a smirk and a shrug. “What seems to be the problem, Miss Behring?”

  “What’s going on? There was a door there. I saw it!”

  “Was there?” Mr. Gordon asked, obviously playing the devil’s advocate.

  Desiree nervously glanced over at me, and I tried to keep a straight face. “I think so. I’m not crazy, am I?” Desiree whimpered.

  I looked over at Mr. Gordon to get some kind of nonverbal cue as to what we were going to do with this unexpected breach of security.

  Probably not wanting to mess with her self-esteem and emotional stability too much, Mr. Gordon walked out from behind his desk and approached us. “It depends,” he started and turned his attention toward me and asked, “How much do you want her to know?”

  I thought for a moment. Desiree was the best friend I had here, and she had been good to me and loyal since the first day of school. I was nervous to bring someone else into this exclusive enlightenment circle, but it would be nice to share what I was learning with a friend.

  “I trust her. I think she’ll respect what we’re doing and can keep a secret.”

  Desiree now realized she wasn’t crazy and flashed a look of confusion, and then excitement for the privilege of being let in on a secret.

  “I can keep a secret!” she exclaimed.

  “I’m relying on that,” Mr. Gordon said sternly. “Oliver and I are meeting after school occasionally to discuss the great secrets of human potential, power, and possibility. We are all capable of great things—skills that can be realized, harnessed, and fine-tuned. Oliver has just passed the realization marker and is now beginning to harness the powers within him. Oliver is vouching for you if you’d like to join us. But we would like to keep these meetings secret, in order to avoid disruption, criticism, and to help you progress further, faster. What do you think?”

  “I don’t really know what to think. This is a little strange. Do I have a choice?”

  “You always have a choice.”

  “Do I have to wear a black robe or something?”

  “We’re not a secret society,” Mr. Gordon said straight-faced.

  I chortled out of reflex, and they both turned to me like I was acting inappropriately.

  “There was a door there, right?” Desiree asked.

  “Yes, there was,” I answered.

  “Where did it lead?”

  “To our meeting room,” I said. “The Room of Enlightenment.”

  “Cool. I knew I wasn’t crazy! Can I invite Eli to meet with us?”

  Mr. Gordon looked over at me concerned, not knowing who Eli was. He obviously didn’t want word of these meetings getting out to the rest of the school—and the more people involved, the more likely that was to happen. Then the administration would get involved.

  “I think it’s best if we just keep it between us,” I said.

  Desiree frowned, but agreed. “Do you meet only on Tuesdays?”

  “We don’t have a set schedule,” Mr. Gordon said.

  Desiree proposed we meet Tuesdays after school, and that became the plan from that day forward. We had just let her in and already she thought she was in charge.

  Throughout our long walk home, I explained everything I could recall to Desiree. I told her about Mr. Gordon cutting his forearm and instantly healing himself. I described the Room of Enlightenment and the number of priceless paintings that had manifested during our meeting earlier in the afternoon. I tried to explain the teachings and theories Mr. Gordon had been lecturing to me for weeks now. There was a lot to remember and I couldn’t recall everything in chronological order. So I took bits and pieces from each conversation and jumbled them together, rambled on, and got lost in circular reasoning.

  Desiree did her best to keep up. She seemed interested and asked questions as we walked through the neighborhoods. There was so much to cover, and before I knew it we were at our cross streets.

  “Well, this was an interesting day. I guess everything happens for a reason,” Desiree said.

  “What do you mean?”

  “If Eli hadn’t been called in to work, or if you had picked up your phone or not left your backpack in Mr. Gordon’s classroom, then I wouldn’t have found out about your little club.”

  “Even if it hadn’t happened today, I bet you would’ve found out sometime soon.”

  “Probably. Like I said, everything happens for a reason,” Desiree said and turned to look at her house before continuing. “Do you want to come over? Eli’s working late, and I don’t have much homework.”

  “Umm—it’s almost dinner time.”

  “You can have dinner at my house. My mom won’t mind.”

  “Are you sure that’s okay?”

  “Of course; let’s go.” She turned and began crossing the street, heading toward her house.

  While running after her, I flipped open my phone and saw that I had new messages and was about to listen to them until I remembered they were both from Desiree. Mom picked up when I called. I asked her about spending the evening at Desiree’s house, then awkwardly handed Desiree the phone. “My mom wants to talk to you.”

  Desiree eagerly snatched the phone from me and spoke and laughed with my mom until we reached her house. Then Desiree said, “Bye, it was nice talking to you,” flipped the phone shut and handed it back to me. “You’re fine.” She smiled and led me inside.

  Desiree’s mom was as quirky and vocal as Desiree, and forced us all to hold hands while she recited Grace before dinner. Melanie wiggled her hand free from mine halfway through the prayer, when our heads were meant to be bowed. Then, with a simultaneous burst of excitement, we all dug in to some type of vegetable casserole.

  “You never told me your family was religious,” I said to Desiree, sitting on her floor, leaning up against her bed.

  Desiree was on her computer, checking her emails, reading her Halloween party Evite responses, and chatting with Anna. “I didn’t know I was supposed to. My mom is. I’m not so much.”

  “Why doesn’t Anna just come over?”

  “She’s doing homework. Why, do you want her to come over?” Desiree asked, slyly.

  “I’m just saying. No, I came here to hang out with you.”

  “Anna says: Why are you hanging out with me when you should be hanging out with her?”

  “You said she was doing homework. No, wait, it doesn’t say that,” I said and crawled over to the computer. I knelt beside Desiree to get in on the conversation.

  Desiree began typing her response: Because he’s just not that into you.

  “Hey, don’t write that!” I slapped her hands away from the keyboard, and she giggled.

  She deleted the com
ment and typed: Because I’m a rock star! And pressed Enter.

  “So you do like her,” Desiree taunted.

  “Don’t even start on that again,” I said.

  “Oh, it’s already going and it’s gonna get ugly.”

  Oh please, Anna typed. Not even.

  Oliver wants to know what you’re wearing, Desiree typed.

  “What are you doing?” I gasped. “She’s gonna think I’m creepy!”

  “What are you getting all huffy for? Do you like her? Is that what’s wrong?” Desiree teased. “Don’t worry, she’ll play along.”

  He’ll have to come over and find out, Anna typed.

  Desiree burst out laughing. “What are you gonna do about that, Oliver? She’s waiting for you.”

  “I don’t have a car,” I said nervously. I was comfortable just hanging out with Desiree, but this three-way conversation with Anna was nudging me beyond my comfort zone.

  j/k, Anna typed.

  I sighed in relief, and Desiree groaned. It was just playful banter and there were no real expectations. I felt more at ease.

  “You guys would be so cute together. Don’t you think?” Desiree asked, swinging her chair in my direction.

  “That’s such a girly thing to say,” I said.

  “So, I am a girl. I’m matching you two up, whether you like it or not.”

  “That doesn’t sound like a good idea.”

  “It’s the perfect idea. You two aren’t doing anything about it, so I’ll play matchmaker.” Desiree sat up perfectly straight in her computer chair, crossed her legs, pretended to put on glasses, and spoke into an invisible microphone. “Bachelor number one, what do you notice first in the opposite sex?”

  “I’m not answering that.”

  “Oh, come on,” Desiree whined. “Bachelor number one, how would you describe your perfect mate?”

  “She’s got to be cute.”

  “That’s just a given.”

  “She has to have a nice figure.”

  “How very superficial of you.”

  “She should like me for me and be easy to talk to. And our connection should be easy and natural.”

  “That sounds good.”

  “And she should have nice legs.” I smirked.

  Desiree pulled up one of her pant legs and showed off a smooth calf. “It’s like you’re talking about me. I guess we’re destined to be together—”

  I had an eerie moment of déjà vu and it took me a few seconds to remember why.

  “—But before we find out, we need to hear from bachelor number two!”

  We both laughed, and I felt more comfortable with her than anyone else in a long time. I could relax without feeling self-conscious. We were like the best of friends.

  “I think Anna’s getting mad at you,” I said, pointing at the computer screen. Anna had typed ten to twelve messages, fun and teasing at first, but then growing in irritation as to why we were ignoring her. Desiree apologized, but they ended their conversation with a cordial “good night” a few minutes later.

  “Do you know what you’re wearing to my party yet?” Desiree asked.

  “I think so. I have an idea. I just need to find it.”

  “And?” Desiree gestured to give her more information.

  “Maybe I don’t want to give away the surprise yet.” I winked at her.

  “Okay, it better be good—no wait, it better be something! I’m not letting you into my party without a costume, Oliver Grain!” She said, riling herself up.

  “Don’t worry, if I don’t get a costume, I won’t come.”

  “You better come! I need to play matchmaker, remember? Parties are perfect!”

  “Stay out of it, Desiree,” I warned her.

  Suddenly, Desiree’s phone lit up and began vibrating on the table. She quickly picked it up. “Hey, Eli...did you just get off...what’s wrong? Oh...nothing much, just hanging out with Oliver. What? Don’t start.” Desiree covered the speaker of the phone with her hand. “Oliver, I think you should get going.”

  “Okay, sorry,” I whispered.

  It was time to show myself out. Desiree closed her door behind me. I skipped down the stairs and said “bye” to Desiree’s mom and Melanie, who were cuddled up together in front of the television. The walk home in the dark gave me time to think about why I was kicked out so fast and how awkward our group dynamic was.

  When I got home, I found Mom sitting on the stairs just outside the courtyard. There was a half-empty glass set beside her and the red glow of a lit cigarette dangling from between her fingers. I moved the glass away from her and took a seat on the stone step.

  “How was your casual date?” she asked softly.

  “It wasn’t a date.”

  “I said casual, but whatever. How was your evening with your little friend? What’s her name, Desiree? She seems like a sweet girl.”

  “She is,” I said, nonchalantly pouring the rest of Mom’s alcohol in the grass, hoping she wouldn’t notice.

  She didn’t. She puffed on her cigarette and looked out at the shadowed, empty street. It was getting chilly in the evenings. Mom wore a nappy wool sweater, and I wished I had on something a little warmer. Instead of going inside, I crossed my arms to preserve my body heat.

  “What did you guys do all night?”

  “Just hung out. Desiree’s mom made dinner. How’re you doing?”

  “I’m fine,” she said and put out the butt of her cigarette on a stair. She immediately lit up another. “How’s Jeremy doing?”

  “Fine, I guess. Why?”

  “Oh, no reason. He’s just gone a lot; seems to spend a lot of time with his new girlfriend. What’s her name?”

  “Leslie.”

  “That’s right. He seems to spend a lot of time with Leslie, or at least I assume that’s who he’s with. He doesn’t tell me much,” she said, whittling her cigarette down to another butt.

  “Honey, are you out there?” Richard called from the front door.

  “On the steps,” she answered.

  With the outdoor entryway light illuminated, Richard stepped out of the house and approached us. I felt this was a good time to take my leave and stood up before Richard reached the steps.

  “Oh, hey, Oliver. How was your date?” he said, sounding polite and interested.

  “It wasn’t a date,” I said, walking by him. I stepped inside the house, turned to close the door, and saw Richard sit down beside Mom.

  I awoke with the grogginess of a restless night’s sleep and prepared for school with my usual level of enthusiasm. I beat Desiree to first period. She arrived fifteen minutes late and disrupted the lecture by delivering a note to Mr. Clayton. She plopped herself down in the desk next to mine and looked disheveled and exhausted.

  “Are you okay?” I whispered and watched her fumble through her backpack and suddenly stop in frustration.

  “Fine. Do you have a pen I can borrow?” she asked softly.

  “Of course,” I said and handed her the pen I had been using and retrieved another from my backpack. Since the fiasco of the first day of school, I made sure to always carry an extra pen. I was finally able to repay the favor. Desiree didn’t seem to make the connection or even care. She frantically jotted down the notes from the board before they would be erased.

  After class, Desiree headed for the door without saying anything. She kept my pen assuming it was hers for the day, which was fine, but the assumption was rather rude. Her morning seemed to be going bad enough, so I let it slide.

  Leslie stopped before me to say “hi” on her way out. I quickly returned the greeting and ran after Desiree.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked, finally reaching her.

  “I slept through my alarm. I’m just in a bad mood, that’s all. The day can only get better. Thanks for the pen, by the way. I don’t know what happened to mine. Do you mind if I keep it for the rest of the day?”

  “Of course, keep it as long as you need,” I said, feeling better about her earlier la
ck of writing utensil etiquette.

  “Do you know what would make me feel better?”

  “What’s that?”

  “Knowing what your costume’s going to be for my party,” Desiree said, finally cracking a crafty smile.

  “I hope you’re prepared for more disappointment,” I said, not willing to give in to her manipulation.

  She frowned and said, “I’ll see you at lunch,” and walked off.

  I stood in the middle of the walkway, with students pushing by me on all sides, and wondered if I had made the right decision. Should I have told her what I was wearing to her party? I actually didn’t yet know myself. It was a dangerous game of deception. I left the scene of the botched conversation, followed by a dark cloud of self-loathing.

  And as it turned out, my day got worse before it got better. I caught a glimpse of Sasha as I walked through the locker room before gym. I looked away immediately so it would appear to everyone nearby that I hadn’t noticed him. But I felt him notice me, and the hair on the back of my neck stood at attention as I hastened to my locker. He was back from his suspension, and I had no idea what awaited me now.

  When I reached my locker, I changed with the speed and precision of Houdini during one of his death-defying escapes. At the other end of the row was the guy with the long brown hair. Again, he didn’t once glance my way. He remained focused on his own affairs.

  I finished and headed toward the door, toward freedom. I peeked down Sasha’s row, and he was already gone. I located Sasha and Greg on the blacktop, surrounded by classmates, waiting for their coach to take roll. They hadn’t waited for their friend, and they hadn’t waited for me. That’s when my day picked up. Not being hassled at the first opportunity on the day of Sasha’s return was a small victory, but a significant one.

  At lunch, my mood was further lifted to new heights. Desiree was back in usual Desiree form, Eli didn’t seem to hold any more hard feelings against me than usual, and Anna held my hand—though only for a minute. She took it back so she could more easily eat her lunch, but the gesture elated me all the same.

  “I invited some more people to the party,” Anna said.

  “Awesome! We should have a great turnout,” Desiree said in between spoonfuls of yogurt. “Hey, ask Oliver what he’s gonna wear to the party.”