“Not sure.” He shrugged and popped a piece of toast out of the toaster, shoving half into his mouth. He grabbed his plate full of eggs and sat at the edge of the counter.
The teapot whistled and I got up to turn it off. I poured the packet of oatmeal into my bowl and drizzled steaming water over it.
As I stirred it up, I asked, “Where did Mom go?”
“Who knows? She didn’t even look at me this morning when I passed her in the hallway.” He was looking down at his plate, messing with the eggs and not eating them. He was clearly upset.
“Caleb…” I started to say before I was interrupted by a faint knock at the front door.
Caleb smiled at me. “You should get that. It’s probably Austin,” he said, batting his eyes.
I gave him one big shove before proceeding to the door.
Opening it slowly, I wasn’t expecting what would come next. I felt a little twist in my stomach, and suddenly I was more nervous than I should’ve been. Seeing Austin standing in front of me, he had a different look about him today. It wasn’t that he made himself look different - although his white shirt brought out the beautiful color in his skin, making his eyes look brighter - it was just that I didn’t see him as the old Austin that I once knew. The sun was shining behind him. It streamed through his blonde hair and made it glow like golden grains of sand on a beach. There was definitely something different about him today. He seemed a little taller. I pondered what it was.
“Hi.” I smiled.
“Wow, Bre, you look beautiful,” he said in a warm voice. His bright smile lit up his face and the knots in my stomach flared up again, hitting the walls of my stomach.
“Thank you,” I replied, blushing. Embarrassed, I turned away quickly. “Wanna come in?”
“Sure.” He stepped through the doorway, and I shut it behind him watching him take in my living room. “Wow…it’s the same as I remember.”
“Really?”
I guess it was still the same. Same old beat-up tan sofa that’s seen better days. Same TV from ten years ago. You would think that my mom would want to make her home look better than this. She’s always been one to only mix with the wealthy, wanting to appear to be “in the club.” Why wouldn’t she want to make her home look better than this? Then again, she was never here and probably didn’t see this home as her own.
“Hey Austin!” Caleb excitedly exclaimed, walking into the living room.
“Caleb! Wow! Man, you grew up,” Austin was evidently surprised at what a “little man” Caleb had grown into.
“We tend to do that,” Caleb said sarcastically, smiling.
“Right,” Austin chuckled.
“Well then…you two crazy kids have fun today,” Caleb said, like he was all grown- up, and punching me lightly on my arm.
“Thanks,” I pushed him away playfully. “You do the same, little brother.”
“Ready to go?” Austin gestured for the door.
“Yeah, I just need to leave a quick note for my Dad.”
In the computer room, I found a pad of paper and a pen and started writing.
Dad,
I went out with Austin today. Tonight I’m spending the night at a friend’s house. Be back in the morning.
Love you, Bre
I placed it in his bathroom since it was usually the first place he went when he got home.
“Alright, I’m ready,” I said as I walked down the hall.
Austin held the door open for me like a gentlemen. He even opened the door to his truck for me. I wasn’t use to this kind of treatment, but I liked it just the same. I slid into the truck and wondered what the day looked like for us.
“Where are we off to?” I took in his grinning profile.
Putting the truck into reverse, he turned in my direction. “It’s a surprise.”
A surprise? I hated surprises. I never understood why people made plans without discussing it with the other person. What if I didn’t like the surprise and I had a horrible time? I guess I’m just too logical and like planning things out so there are no surprises. I supposed I’d just have to wait and see before I judged it.
At the edge of town, he passed under the freeway and turned left onto the onramp heading toward Medford.
“I’m glad you decided to go with me today,” Austin’s voice was light, but I could tell by the shakiness in it that he was all nerves.
“Me too.”
I was still a little unsure, but it was nice to be near Austin, even if it was discomfiting knowing his feelings for me and all. There was a peace being near him that I had never felt before, for anyone, not even my own family. It was nice.
“So…anymore run-ins with your mother?” He peered slightly out of his right eye at me, then looked back to the road.
“No, thank goodness. I think we’ve been avoiding each other and that’s fine with me.” Austin’s face sunk. “What wrong?” I asked.
It took him a minute, “It’s just that, I feel bad for what you have to go through with your mother. I mean, I look at my mom and she’s amazing. Loving, caring, and I just wish you had the same.”
I shouldn’t have said anything. I didn’t want him to be sad for me. “No, it’s alright…I mean…it’s not something I wanted, but I’ve dealt with it my entire life, and after awhile you…I guess…become immune to it.”
Even after I said it, I wasn’t sure I believed it. As much as I’ve tried to convince myself, you never fully get over losing a parent’s love.
“But that’s the thing, Bre,” his tone still serious. “You shouldn’t have to deal with it.”
We fell silent for a long time after that. It was like the heaviness of the issue weighed on us both, and I began reflecting back on life situations with my family and my mother. It wasn’t until we reached Central Point that the conversation started back up again. We talked mostly about his mom and her new husband, Brian. He told me how they met.
“They were at a wedding and at the very end of the night, right before my mom was about to leave, Brian walked up to her and asked her to dance. They’ve been inseparable ever since.” He smiled at me. “It was Fate,” he added, looking back to the road. He meant it too.
I was so deep in thought that when I looked up to see where we were, it took me a minute to decipher that we weren’t in Medford, but in Ashland. Ashland is a quaint, little town on the outskirts of Medford. The town was breathtaking today with the sun shining down from the almost crystal, clear blue sky with only a couple of big, puffy white clouds lingering overhead. Now I was hoping – as we drove down the center of town - that wherever Austin was taking me, it would be outside and not in. On a day like today, no one should be indoors.
There were many people outside, enjoying the weather before the rains picked up again. People strolled down the sidewalks along the charming little shops and restaurants that lined the streets. I wasn’t much for studying buildings, but I couldn’t help but appreciate the architecture around me. Everything looked historic and wonderfully restored. It made this tiny little town something to appreciate and I wondered why I didn’t come here more often. It was amazing to see how many people were riding their bikes. There were almost as many bikes as there were cars. Austin pulled the truck into a parking spot just across the way from a park.
“We’re here,” he said, getting out of the truck quickly, running over to my side to open the door for me.
“Thanks.” I hopped out onto the sidewalk. “What is this place?” We headed for an opening and a canopy of trees.
“This is Lithia Park, my favorite place to come, especially on a day like today when the weather is so nice.”
“It’s beautiful. I can see why you like it.”
It was unlike any place I’d ever been. I had been to some gorgeous parks before, but none compared to the exquisiteness of this one. There was so much color in the trees and the bushes that it looked like a painting. Bright yellows, oranges, reds, purples, browns and greens all mixed together making a perfect sa
nctuary. I wondered why I had never heard of it.
“These are the Japanese gardens,” he explained, pointing over to my right.
I had never seen plants like these and the colors were astonishing. The mixtures of red and yellow were so vibrant that I could have just stayed right there all day and looked at them. The brilliance and depth was mesmerizing.
“And over here is one of my favorite spots,” Austin explained, guiding me to a new area. I almost gasped at how enchanting it was.
He walked me over a little grassy hill and down to a pond where a flock of ducks swam. The water was a murky green. Anywhere else the water would appear dirty but not here. It blended beautifully with the rest of the landscape. I couldn’t imagine it any other color. We sat down on a bench at the edge of the water and I closed my eyes to breathe in the clear, crisp air that hovered around me, listening to the sounds of nature, soaking it all up.
“Are you glad I brought you here?” He asked. I could feel his eyes on me, but I was too entranced by the images I held in my mind of the scenery, the smells, and peacefulness of the area to open them and look at him.
“I don’t want to ever leave.” I tilted my head up to the warm sun.
Listening even closer, I heard a crowd in the distance, people clapping.
I opened my eyes and glanced at Austin, who was already looking at me. “What’s that?”
“The Shakespeare Festival. They must be putting on a play.”
“Oh.”
“Ever been to a play here?” he asked.
“Nope. Never. I’ve only driven by, never stopped, but that was a long, long time ago. I really don’t remember anything about Ashland. This is all new to me.”
Austin’s mouth dropped. “You live so close and you’ve never been here?”
I shrugged, pushing my lips together and raising my eyebrows. “Nope.” I smiled sheepishly.
“Wow…” He rubbed his hand through his perfectly straight, blonde hair. “I guess we’ll be having some more dates here very soon.”
Dates? That sounded strange when he said it out loud.
He kept going, “I think the play season ends before winter. We’ll have to go in the spring.”
“Sure.” I shrugged.
It was quiet again, but I didn’t mind the silence. I just took in the peaceful surroundings. I’d have to bring Beck here someday. She’d love this place.
“So,” Austin softly spoke. “Have you had anymore visions since the last time?”
“No, not really,” I muttered. After I said it, I realized that I should’ve left out the ‘not really’ part. As Austin’s head turned toward me, I knew what he was going to ask.
“What do you mean, not really?” He held my glance as I fought for something to tell him.
Here we go. This was the one subject I didn’t want to discuss with him, ever. For one, I didn’t want him thinking I was out of my mind, that I was fantasizing over someone I’d never met before; and two, that I had feelings for someone else. I had to think quickly.
“I haven’t had a vision like the last.” I hoped that would work.
Didn’t look like it. He frowned, pushing for more information. “But you had a vision of something?”
“Kind of…” I slowly mouthed, squinting and biting my bottom lip. He sat very still, waiting for me to go on. I needed to get a little more creative. “I haven’t had visions, but I’ve had dreams about someone I don’t know.”
“What’s it about?” He listened intensely.
“Well…” I paused then decided to give him a little, but not the whole dream. I didn’t want to spoil this beautiful day or destroy his expectations. “I’ve had this dream…“
“Uh-huh.” His eyes widened with curiosity.
“And all I see is a big car accident in a place I’ve never been before. I couldn’t even begin to tell you where it is.”
“This place, what does it look like?”
Thinking back to the dream, I tried to explain what I saw.
“It was in the middle of an intersection in, I think a big city but I’m not sure. There were a lot of people on the sidewalks and a lot of cars parked on both sides of the street. The buildings were really tall and I think some of the houses looked like they were connected.”
“You mean like row-housing?”
“I don’t know what row-housing is. It looked like town houses, but much bigger and the architecture was very different.”
“Sounds like row-housing. The homes are connected and they’re typically found in large cities,” he explained.
“But it probably doesn’t mean anything because I saw it in a dream, not like the other one.”
“So…you’ve only seen it once?”
“No, a few times,” I answered.
“Really?” he raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Hmm…well, I wouldn’t rule out the possibility that this isn't a vision just yet. Maybe, it’s coming to you differently.”
“You think so?” I looked down at my feet, thinking.
“Yeah, I mean, if you keep on having it over and over I’d think it could be something just like the other one. But that’s just my opinion.”
I had thought about it, but it really didn’t sink in until now. I tried to bury my thoughts about the dream and Collin, but that started my panicking, questioning, wondering.
“Are you cold?” Austin took his jacket off and draped it over my shoulders.
I hadn’t noticed I was shaking. That’s when the panic in my silent thoughts came out and I said quickly with one breath, “Austin, do you think it could’ve already happened? Or that maybe because it’s a dream I can’t do anything about it? Since I don’t even know where it’ll take place or, even if I do go there, how will I know or be able to do anything about it? Oh my gosh! I need to find out where it is! You said that it was in a city? Which cities have row-housing? Which ones, Austin?”
“Bre, Bre, calm down. Take a deep breath.” He grabbed me and tried to pull me into him, but I pushed myself back.
“No, I can’t. I almost didn’t make it to the Andersons in time. I need to know…I can’t…” I shook my head, thinking about what I’d lose if I didn’t get there in time. “Austin, what if Col…” I froze my words.
“Bre, if it’s a vision, I’m sure you’ll get to whoever it is in time,” he said, brushing the back of his hand against my face.
But I couldn’t handle it. What if I couldn’t get there in time? I let my head sink down as Austin cradled my cheek in his hand.
“Austin…” I started to say, but I felt helpless.
“This was supposed to be a good day and here you are worrying your pretty little head about someone you don’t know, or even if it’s real.”
I looked up at him and he was smiling his bright smile at me. I couldn’t help but smile back. “You’re right. I won’t bring it up again,” I said, and he took his hand from my face.
His expression became serious all of a sudden.
“What is it?” I asked, confused with his abrupt change in mood.
“I’ve been wanting to ask you something.” He paused, looking more nervous than before.
“Yeah?” I tensed. What was he going to say?
“Well...” he took my hand in his. “I was wondering if...I know it’s kind of early…but I don't want someone beating me to it...”
I waited.
“Would you go to the winter dance with me?” he spit it out fast.
“Oh, um...the dance,” I said. That was the furthest thought from my mind. “The dance...sure,” I finally answered.
His shoulders relaxed. Smiling, he looked down at his phone. “It’s about eleven thirty so why don’t we go eat.” He stood and reached for my hand.
I came to my feet, but he didn’t let go. His warm hand seemed to suppress the shaking a bit, but it didn’t feel right since Collin loomed in the back of my mind. It almost felt like I was cheating on him with Austin. You’re completely insane! Yes, I was insane, but it was
so real no one could convince me otherwise. I just knew that Collin was out there, somewhere. But what haunted me was whether I would ever see him alive.
We were driving back from Ashland. It was five o’clock and the sun was starting to touch the tip of the trees, making dusk sweep over the terrain. It had been a perfect day and I was looking forward to the party just a few hours away.
“Austin, thank you for today. I think I have a new favorite place now. If you can’t find me, it’s probably because I’m at the park.” I smiled at him.
“I knew you’d love it. It’s been special to me since the first time my father took me there, back when I was a little boy.” He smiled back.
We were just outside of Medford and heading back toward Rogue River.
“Your Dad, umm…” I guess now would be a perfect time to bring his father up. I hoped I wasn’t touching on a sore subject. “You’ve never talked about him before. Is he still around?”
“No, he left when I was really young. I haven’t seen him for a while. In fact, it’s been years.” He shrugged. “I only talk to him on holidays.”
The tension in his voice was evident, and I didn’t say anything further. I leisurely took in his profile. His face was pained. He was deep in thought and every breath taken seemed to be a small struggle.
When he spoke again there was softness in his face. “I was supposed to see him a few weeks ago,” he admitted, his deep blue eyes glistening in the fading sunset. He curled his lips up into a half smile. “But…” he paused and looked back to the road.
“But what?” It was apparent that it was difficult for him to say, not sure if he was protecting my feelings or his. He took his eyes off the road again and looked at me with the same expression the day he saw Josh and I talking. I could see the worry.
“I was supposed to go visit him the day you saved the Andersons from getting on the plane,” he confessed.
“Oh…so you missed your plane because of me?” I quietly said twisting my hands together.
“No,” he corrected. “I mean, yes, I missed the plane, but it was alright. I would do it again even if it meant I got grounded.”
Awaken (Awaken Series Book 1) Page 19