“The whole situation at Delta was…”
“No…” she stopped me again and smiled, “…before that. You had just saved the girl and were in a crowd of admirers, sorority girls swooning and you held an almost totally unconscious sleeping beauty in your arms.”
“I saw only you. It was like I wanted a cocoon around us, a shelter. I just wanted to keep you safe, protect you. It wasn’t conscious, it was instinctual.”
“Why’d you call me little bird?” she pushed her turn a bit too far.
“Cheating!” I chuckled to try and lighten up the room, “…but I’ll answer. My mom called me that when I was a kid, when I was hurt or upset or angry. It always seemed to calm me. I’m not sure if I said that and was rocking you for my benefit, or yours. I probably just reverted out of sheer shock or panic.” I shrugged.
“Your turn. Truth.” She crossed her arms defensively.
“Ok, why such an interest in that phrase, it’s just something I said in a stressful situation, but it’s the second time I’ve been asked about it.”
“Dare.”
“What? No way!” I boggled.
“You won’t like the answer to that one, and I like… um… what we have going.” She cringed.
“That’s the game, we push and push till one of us doesn’t want to play the game anymore. It always ends up awkward in the end.” I raised an eyebrow.
“If I answer, honestly… I don’t think you will like the answer and you have to promise not to like freak out, or get angry or, freak out.”
“You said that one twice.”
“Mmm hmm.” She opened her eyes wide and nodded her head.
After considering for a moment, I took a deep breath. “Ok. I promise.”
Eve shook her head and seemed to talk through her teeth, “Martin… your father, called me that sometimes.”
“What?” I looked at her dumbfounded.
“I know it doesn’t make sense, and I can’t explain…”
“Oh, oh yes you can…” I let loose a light faux chuckle. “Explain.” I demanded.
“Martin was a friend; I don’t want you to get any ideas like that. He was very loyal to your mother, there wasn’t anything like that going on, not really.”
“You are lying, you are what, twenty? Twenty two? He would be like, almost fifty by now.”
“If you will let me, I will explain what I can, but I can’t tell you everything.” She pursed her lips and raised an eyebrow as I interrupted her.
“Your dad saved my life too, much different circumstances, sort of.”
“Whole lot of sort of’s and not really’s in this explanation.” I was getting angry.
“Ok, that’s fair. Look, I liked your dad, like really liked him. But he was in love with Samantha, and there was no budging. He wasn’t like that, even though the times were different. The world was different. He saved my life, from… an accident, his last words to me were, ‘I’m sorry little bird.’ And when I heard you say it, even in the state I was in I felt it, even after all these years I felt it. I think the shock of hearing you say it, and the questioning, is what made me fight so hard to stay alive.”
“Eve, I don’t want to believe you’d lie to me, but I’m feeling very manipulated here.” I tried my best to contain my anger.
“I’m not lying!” she doubled down on the impossibility.
“The timelines don’t match, what you are saying isn’t even possible. I don’t know how you found out my mom’s name…” I was becoming visibly angry.
Eve reached out and touched my hand, “Simon. Suspend your disbelief, just for a moment. Take a deep breath. I have literally no reason to lie to you; I don’t need or want anything from you other than your company. It would have been easier to lie, or keep this from you, but I don’t believe in coincidence and I don’t lie.”
I took a moment to consider. I had nothing she needed, nothing the Deltas needed or wanted, I wasn’t rich, I wasn’t powerful, I wasn’t interesting or even marginally gifted. Even after the impossibility of her statement, something in my chest tugged toward her, I stayed silent and just stared at her.
“Your turn, truth or dare?” she asked.
“Dare.” I said coldly.
“Ok, I think…” she looked down frustratingly. “…just help me back into my chair.”
It was this, and not the entire previous conversation that sent me into a wild panic. The sudden possibility of her leaving, especially with such a wedge between us was unacceptable to me.
“Wait, please don’t go. I…” I stammered.
“A… are you sure?” she cocked her head and spoke in a suddenly much more mature tone.
“I just don’t understand. I’m sorry.”
“Just don’t shut down, don’t lock me out.” She pleaded. “But, I would like to sit in my chair, I’m getting kinda stiff.”
“Oh, alright.” I helped her slowly and carefully back into her wheelchair.
“Oh wow, it’s warm and everything.” She laughed.
“Truth.” She said as I sat in my desk chair opposite her.
“Still playing then?” I asked.
“If you will.” She looked at me and I thought I could see tears in her eyes, but I wasn’t sure if it was from our interaction or the pain of moving off the bed.
“Ok. How is it possible that you could not only know my father but, have interacted with him when he disappeared before I was born? Did he have a second family or…” suddenly I panicked, “…aw shit, are you my sister?”
Eve laughed loudly and shook her head. “No Simon, nothing like that.”
“Then…” I prodded.
“Ok, I am not ready to explain a lot of this to you; I will have to talk to Ross and Gavin first. But Martin being your father is, amazingly helpful.”
“Helpful? You are avoiding the question.”
“I can’t answer it, not yet.”
“Are you immortal or something?” I narrowed my eyes at her.
“That’s a stupid fucking question.”
“No it’s not!”
“You saw me beaten and bloodied, half dead and my brother in a panic thinking I died. What do you think?” she made a face.
“Ok, that’s fair. I’m just trying to make this all make sense in my head.”
“You are trying to put together a jigsaw puzzle, but you are missing half the pieces. Just ignore it for now. Let’s change the subject.”
“Fine. Still my turn. Why do people say you have been walking this campus since the nineteen-seventies, even your clothes match the rumor… are they right?”
“Ooh, that’s… I don’t think I can dodge that one.” She winced.
“Good. I think we are beyond…”
“Yes.” She interrupted.
“Yes what?” I was a bit shocked by the simple answer.
“Yes, they are right.” She stated matter-of-factly.
I took a deep breath, about to flood her with more questions.
“You can’t tell anyone, not that they would believe you. Rumors are rumors and nobody really believes what they know to be impossible.” She shrugged, “People like to tell ghost stories, people like to have something to talk about.”
“I don’t understand.” I shook my head in disbelief.
“I know.” She smiled slightly, “Truth or dare?”
“I guess it’s only fair. Truth.”
“Do you hate me, or do you like me?”
“Can it be both?” I shook my head but smiled as I crossed my arms.
“I guess.” She seemed disheartened.
“Eve, look…” I was still panicked, “From the first time I met you something has pulled me toward you, forgive me, but it’s almost like…” I paused embarrassed, “Aw fuck it, look, it was love at first sight ok! When it comes time for you to walk back out of that door you will take a piece of me with you. I can’t…”
“And the hate?” she spoke to save me from myself and I was thankful.
“Temper t
hat with everything we have talked about and the fact that I don’t believe any of it, it’s just…” I took a breath, “How can I instantly trust you and believe everything you say, while at the same time know that absolutely nothing you have said to me is the truth but not care?” I blurted out.
“Ahh…” she smiled, “the age old battle between heart and mind, soul and self.”
I just shook my head.
“Gavin says that love at first sight is a chemical reaction driven by intense loneliness and pheromones.” She shrugged, “I told him he was full of shit.”
I laughed slightly embarrassed at letting so much about my feelings slip.
“I feel the same way, but I am also conflicted.” She paused a moment, “ok, you said it first. Love at first sight, but how much of that was born from you saving my life, or the helpless state I was in… or the litany of drugs I’m on due to my injuries? I’m not just going to blindly jump into your arms either. I’m not stupid and there is a lot at stake, you could be some dumb frat boy who wants nothing more than to get laid and drink beer for the next four years and will spend his life after college chasing that feeling till the day he dies. This school has just as many of those types as brilliant minds. Trust me, I’ve seen them all come and go.”
“Ok, so? Where does that leave us?”
“That’s why I am here; I want to find that out. Two people, strangers really… desperately wanting to love each other, but we need to find out how much and if we are going to let the world get in the way?”
“That’s fair; we can leave it at that. We don’t have to keep pushing; we can just leave it for now.” I offered.
“I’d like that, I’d really like that. Can we?” she seemed to plead.
“I’d like a shower, I probably stink and I think we could both use a minute to breathe.”
“I’m not getting in that nasty dorm shower with you Simon.” She shook her head.
“That’s not…” I stammered.
“Just go, I won’t leave. But I am going to rifle through your stuff.” She made a playful duck face.
“I am pretty boring.” I shrugged and turned toward the bathroom door, suddenly worried that it would be locked with someone on the other side, and I’d look like an idiot.
“One more question,” Eve prodded, “Who’s Tammy?”
“Oh, her?” I let the question linger, “She is a senior that was my guide at the Gamma house.” I offered.
“Nothing there?” she asked, being careful.
“She’s pretty, but no. Nothing… and there isn’t anyone, no uh, attachments or strings. I’m not one for flings or games.” I left it at that as she looked toward my bookshelf and I figured it was safe to take a shower.
Chapter Six: Thursday Night
It was halfway through my shower, covered in soap and shampoo that I realized that I hadn’t yet added a password to my laptop computer and that the folder marked “Not Porn” sitting on my PC’s desktop would be dreadfully embarrassing, but would probably be irresistible to click on.
“Shit.” I said out loud and finished my shower with urgency.
As I emerged into my room, I found Eve sitting back on the bed with a leather bound album in her lap. It also didn’t escape me that my computer no longer had the screensaver on, so at the very least she had jostled my mouse.
I grabbed a shirt and comfortable pants, but not pajamas. I could feel her watching me get dressed but when I glanced behind me she was nose deep in the album.
“Interesting porn stash.” She said, while my back was still turned.
I froze, not sure how to react and probably turning colors from embarrassment.
“Well, at least I know you are straight and uh… adventurous?” she laughed confidently.
I couldn’t speak, I was struck dumb.
“These are interesting too.” She let me off the hook, changing the subject as I finally turned around. “You collect buttons? These are buttons right?” she ran her hand over the small round objects contained on pages in the album.
“Yea, it’s probably weird.”
“Be confident, don’t be ashamed of who you are. I like you already remember?”
“They are antique livery buttons from like the 1800’s, each one has a family crest or coat of arms on it. I don’t have a lot, probably about one hundred.”
“Ok so you know why I still wear bellbottoms. How did a kid from upstate start collecting buttons from an ocean and a timeline away?”
“I just like heraldry I guess, heraldry and genealogy. It’s kind of a hobby that marries the two subjects nicely. I enjoy the symbolism, and the beauty of the engraving. Each old aristocratic family would have servants that would wear uniforms, and these were the buttons on their uniforms. My grandfather collects them too, mom’s side. I guess it rubbed off.” I explained, “I would spend summers with him every so often.”
“So you are not all pretty eyes, saving girls, chemistry and porn? Nice to know there is something of substance. I was dreading hearing you talk about sports or worse.” She shuddered.
“What could be worse than sports?” I laughed.
“Fantasy football.”
I laughed and made a gagging sound. “Oh god no, not me at all. I do like horse racing, you know where it’s on TV like twice a year and nobody has to know? I don’t mind playing sports a little, a bit of casual soccer or baseball. But I can’t watch other people play, that’s boring.”
“I agree, although the thought of you running across a field kicking a ball drenched in sweat has its… appeal.” She smirked.
“Oh, really?” I smiled at her sudden flirtation.
“I just don’t want you to think I’m some prude or some ice queen. I’m just careful.”
“That’s fair.” I replied, “But yea, not big on sports really.”
We spent the better part of an hour avoiding any serious conversation, and truth or dare had finally ended in a stalemate. Our interaction consisted of banter, asking safe questions and getting to know each other’s opinions on life, interests, and hobbies with an occasional risqué flirtation to signal our interest and to keep the other interested.
“Ok, I feel gross. I really need to shower and change my clothes. I also need to talk to Ross and Gavin about, well, about you.” She said, “I promise to come back, can I bring you back dinner?”
“Shouldn’t I…”
“I may be vintage, but I’m not old fashioned. I will buy dinner. How about pizza? I haven’t had a decent pizza in years.”
“Pizza is good, ham and pineapple?” I asked for my favorite.
“Eww, really?” she scoffed. “Pineapple?”
“Fine, whatever you like.” I shook my head.
I opened the door for her and helped push her chair out into the hall. I started to get anxious again. “Eve, please come back, I hope I haven’t pushed you away.”
She looked up at me and smiled, “Simon, please let me come back, I hope I haven’t pushed you away.” and then steered her chair down the hall as the guard at the end of the hall spoke into a radio.
“Mavin coming down, get the car.” He said as they both descended down the elevator.
And then I was alone for the first time in two days. As predicted it felt as though she had taken a piece of me with her when she left and I didn’t like the sudden hollow feeling. Although I thought it would be a good time to gather myself and my nerves, as mentally I was in shambles.
Back in my dorm I just stared at myself in the mirror for a long time. Fit, red hair, light freckles, but good looking I supposed. My sweatpants and rocker tee-shirt weren’t going to win any fashion shows. But I didn’t feel like I needed to impress Eve as much as we both needed to figure each other out.
I took the opportunity to brush my teeth and check my email, spaced out on my computer a bit, and eventually I lay down on my bed falling asleep hard.
When the music started I wasn’t quite sure where I was, exhaustion and lack of sleep created a sudden fe
eling of disorientation where I sat up in bed in total confusion. It took a few seconds for me to recognize my ringtone.
“H… hello?” I answered.
“Hey it’s mom. You ok?”
“Yea, sorry. I was just asleep.”
“Oh, I can call back. Wait you’re asleep at 6pm?” She scoffed.
“Naw, its ok I am awake now. Yea, it’s been a really strange week so far.” I made the excuse.
“It’s a new environment and a new way of life, you will settle in. How’s the roommate?”
“He’s a work in progress.” I replied and we both laughed.
“Honestly though Simon, how are things. You doing alright?”
“Oh yea, I’m pretty good actually. Hey, can I ask you something?”
“Sure, what’s up?”
“Something about Dad?” I wanted to issue a warning shot before I let loose the whole salvo.
She paused a minute, it wasn’t a common subject. “Ok…”
“I met someone that says she knew him, way back then. Her name is Eve?”
Another long pause, “Eve…” she repeated. “Oh, the orphan girl! Mousy brunette?”
“Orphan girl?”
“You are talking about Eve Lucazka, right?”
“Uh, yea I think so?” I guessed.
“She was your Dad’s lab partner freshman year. There was some sort of accident at the Delta Lab and her dad was killed. She got real attached to him after that, followed him around like a puppy, but your dad wasn’t interested, she was a really nice girl though, I met her a few times. She was like a little sister, so your dad said.”
“Oh, uh ok.” I shook my head and tried to come to terms with this new information.
“Real shame about her dad though, Albert Lucazka was a brilliant part of UPT, that was a genuine loss for the entire campus, it was a big deal at the time. Is Eve one of your professors now? She was always kind to everyone. I do remember that.”
“Yea, she just mentioned it when I said I got accepted as alumni status. I thought I would ask about it. Thanks mom.”
“No problem, it’s good to know that people still remember him.” I could feel her drifting into sentimentality.
“How are things at home?” I switched topics. I didn’t know what was going on with Eve or the Deltas and she wasn’t ready to hear what happened in the alley and the craziness with Eve.
Deltas: Delta Horizon Book One Page 5