I have some good news and some bad news...
The bad news is (at least as far as this story goes) that I am going to be moving on July 21st to my brand new house. I will not have internet service for about 2 months. Therefore, I will not be able to post any new chapters for that length of time. I do apologize.
The good news is that I will post as many chapters as I can up and to that point.
I will be back, just be patient and don't forget about, TIME BETWEEN US. I will probably be able to start on my next story too...so, it's not all bad.
Thanks for the reviews!!
TIME BETWEEN US
CHAPTER 10
It was all a bad dream…he would wake up and it would have all been just an amusing trip through his own sick mind; the problem was, he couldn't even muster the strength to lift his eyelids.
And what a storm! Winds like he had never witnessed before…practically sweeping him off his feet, and he wasn't a small man…the whole thing was amazing! The rain had seemed so real…pounding into his flesh with such force as to create divots in his skin; but, he had always had an active imagination. It had been one of his companions throughout his miserable existence: his music, his arts, and his imagination; what strange bedfellows they all made.
He was lying down, but he didn't remember getting to the bed; all he remembered was a voice in his head – urging him to find the strength to stand; a sweet, guarded voice that had to belong to some divine creature with strong, sure hands and the patience to deal with him.
You have finally done it Erik…your mind is gone and now you must rely on your good looks to get by. He thought, self-mockingly.
As ridiculously comical as that thought was, Erik did not laugh. He seemed to be hurting everywhere. He pooled his strength and opened his eyes…hoping to find that the last two and half years of his life had all been a delusional trip into his demented and damaged mind. Perhaps he had turned to morphine or laudanum after Christine had torn his heart out, and he was just now coming off a two-year, drug-induced journey.
However, Casper's voice was still so fresh in his mind, as were his timeless tales of God's love and time travel. I could not have imagined such a man…even I am not that crazy!
Viewing his surroundings with guarded interest, he found he was resting comfortably in a very soft, feminine smelling bed, surrounded by many strange objects. Pictures scattered the walls…photographs it seemed. Erik had difficulty focusing, but they looked harmless enough. A mountain of plush, soft animals stared back at him from the foot of the bed, they were lined up as though awaiting execution: a white, long-haired cat with black eyes, an interesting looking unicorn, something that appeared to be a colorful, harmless looking dragon; and oddly, a pillow with a hairy, grotesque looking beast with huge teeth and big eyes adorning the surface of it.
He blinked a couple of times, opened his eyes again, and frowned when nothing had changed. Where am I?
He tried to focus his eyes, but there was still a pounding in his head that threatened to leave him incapacitated if it did not cease – and quickly. The hands he drew to his forehead were bandaged, neatly and cleanly, leaving Erik to wonder what in the world had happened to him. His thoughts were still fuzzy, if what was going through his mind gave any indication.
He ached everywhere and although the scientist in him longed to set up and survey his surroundings even more, the pragmatic side of him knew he needed rest. He settled back down into the pillows, once again eyeing the stuffed animals that seemed to be guarding him. Wherever he was and whoever's room he was in…he felt strangely comforted. That thought did make him laugh; comforted...when is the last time I felt comforted by anything or anyone other than Bernadette?
Assessing his peculiar surroundings, Erik deduced that the room he was in belonged to a young girl - or had at one time. I do hope she has not been frightened off because of my hideous appearance. Erik didn't like the idea of being observed and ridiculed while he slept. He had less experience with children than he did with women, but he knew they were curious little brutes with a large dose of candor and absolutely no tact.
He arose off the bed far enough to catch his reflection in the mirror that hung on the back of the door. His scar was prominent and mocking, his hair was askew, he had scars all over his chest and arms; I remember having a shirt on...panicking, Erik pulled the sheet up to peek beneath it. Whew! I am still clothed! His suddenly sober eyes scanned his surroundings, his jacket and vest were resting on the large chair in the corner of the room, but he still had his pants on.
He visibly relaxed and breathed a sigh of relief, "At least my dignity is still intact."He looked at the large bandage on his chest and tried to remember how it had gotten there, but he was having no luck.
He was horrified by the thought of anyone, especially a girl of any age, undressing him and putting him to bed. Besides being indecent – it was also highly improper; there were parts of his body that even he did not care to look upon – let alone some young, impressionable girl.
I can hear it now...some poor mother trying to explain to her young daughter that not all men are as hideous as I am...I am sure that would be an interesting conversation.
Erik's self-deprecating thoughts were interrupted by the abrupt entrance of a woman carrying what appeared to be bandages and some sort of elixir. She had yet to look his way, but Erik pulled the covers further over his naked chest and was busy adjusting them for maximum coverage when he heard the young woman gasp and the items she carried tumble to the ground.
Erik was quite used to such a reaction when it came to his face, that he hardly blinked his frustration. She was older than he had originally thought; though still, she was fairly young – mid-twenties perhaps. She was dressed in form fitting breeches made of a course looking blue material and a skimpy top with no sleeves and a rather low neckline; upon seeing the expanse of her creamy skin, Erik immediately dropped his eyes.
"Oh! You startled me…I did not expect you to awaken just yet…." She looked around the room with what Erik took to be panic or embarrassment in her eyes, "…Dr. Heinz thought you'd be out for a couple more days."
How marvelous...some doctor was here to gawk at me while I was none the wiser. I wonder if he is out selling tickets as we speak, 'Come and see the monster; alive and kicking! Come and see it before we have to put it down.' He almost laughed at the crudity of it.
She bent down to pick up the fallen bandages and elixir, and Erik put aside the biting thoughts in his mind and noticed the abundant drape of hair that fell over her shoulder; it was the color of a deep, fiery sunset, Erik found his eyes glued to it. He had never seen such a color before…not in hair. As she stood back up, Erik noticed that she was very feminine in all the right places, and as she came closer, her eyes were a light mossy green.
"Are you feeling better?"
Her quiet question made his brow arch in surprise and the aqua green of his eyes grow even deeper. They disturbed her – his eyes – not in a bad way, but they were so fathomless and consuming that when she looked into them, Randi almost forgot her name.
At first, Randi thought he was deaf and had not heard her address him, but when he finally shook his head, indicating that he did feel better - she knew he had heard her. He certainly was not offering any other information, and seemed to carry an edge in his stare that spoke of pain.
Without any hesitation, Randi went to his side and set about changing the bandages on his hands. They were nice hands; long, tapered fingers with small calluses on the tips, a slight tan, and clean fingernails. The wounds were almost healed and Randi gently cleansed them as she had been instructed and changed the wrappings.
Erik watched with rapt attention as she tended to his wounds. Her determination and attentiveness convinced him she had to be some sort of nurse, but he was certain he was not in a hospital. She caressed his wounded hands with the soft pads of her fingers and seemed intrigued by them…even awed. No one had ever so willingly touched him…except Bernadette; and she had sometimes had the rough hands of a motherly figure.
This angel put his hands down and stuffed her own into the pockets of her very form-fitting trousers. Erik's eyes were immediately drawn to her legs and he drank them in before averting his eyes and silently scolding his bold interest. No woman wants a creature like you ogling her…get a hold of yourself!
"I'll turn on the TV now that you're awake."
She stood up and moved away from him to turn a knob that was attached to a large box looking item. Immediately, a moving picture appeared on the box and Erik almost jumped out of his skin. Mesmerizing sounds and colors skirted across the box, music came from somewhere and Erik was instantly captivated.
There was a long, pregnant pause as she waited for him to say something – but he never did – his eyes never wandering from the moving picture box. She finally clapped her hands together quietly, "It is almost dinner time; you must be starved after being unconscious for three days….I'll bring you some dinner."
Barely hearing anything she was saying – but very aware of her – Erik tried to keep his eyes from following her. He heard her quietly shut the door leaving him alone with his own, wandering thoughts and a crazy talking box.
I think it is safe to say that I have successfully traveled forward in time…that would explain a few oddities that I have already encountered. His eyes once again focused on the "picture box", I cannot give any outward indication that I am surprised in any way by the things that go on around me…or that I see or hear.
He frowned deeply, The girl was speaking a peculiar form of English and the voices coming out of that strange box are speaking in much the same language…I do not think I am in France anymore.
That thought gave him a slight tremor…where had he gone wrong in the calculations? He should still be in France but he was not. How could the longitude and latitude have changed in the short time he had checked it and the moment he had been flung through time?
A sick feeling settled deep within him as he remembered his knee knocking against something in the final spin before entering the wormhole. He must have altered the settings on the dial before the final thrust…and the results had landed him here…wherever "here" was.
"We succeeded Casper…but now I have no idea how I am going to cope with this!" Erik whispered with caged enthusiasm.
Thankful that he had not been deeply locked within himself due to some sort of addiction problem, Erik let it all came back to him, in vivid colors: Casper, DIANA, the research, the trial and error – everything. He had traveled through time and landed in this woman's back yard…literally. She had risked her own health to haul his wet, immobilized body into her home and had allowed him to sleep undisturbed; a kindness he had seldom been shown.
While she was still foremost on his mind, the young woman knocked on the door and entered after a few seconds. She carried a tray with a steaming bowl of something that smelled delicious. Erik tried to set up straighter in the bed, but found that putting pressure on his hands caused sharp, shooting pains to ride up his arms.
"You'll have a hard time handling a spoon with those bandages on her hands, why don't you allow me to feed you."
Placing the tray down, she didn't ask, she just picked up the spoon, scooped it through the burning liquid, blew on it, and then caught Erik's eyes on her. They said, "I don't think so", with their intensity – even though he did not speak a word.
Randi stubbornly lifted her chin, challenging him with the same intense stare, and continued to hold the spoon in front of his mouth until he opened it and ate. She would not back down.
"You'll never win this…I have had to feed Cody too many times when he was sick, and I always won in the long run. Of course, he's only a child and you are a man of about thirty…but the concept is still the same."
Well…the cheeky wench has guessed my age, challenged my stubbornness with her own, and seems refreshingly unaffected by my ugliness.
To reward her determination, Erik opened his mouth and accepted the soup. It was quite tasty – despite being fed to him as though he were an infant. Erik knew he couldn't handle the spoon, but he certainly did not appreciate having to be reminded of that fact.
"You don't say much do you?" She stated, waiting for his response – which never came. "Anyway, you've been out for a little over 36 hours….you ran a fever and mumbled a lot…but I didn't murder you while you slumbered…" his brow arched beautifully at that statement, and Randi couldn't help smiling brightly and teasing him just a little, "…that's a good thing."
In actual fact, Randi had been scared to death. His fever had escalated as soon as she, Dr. Heinz, and Cody had managed to drop his heavy, very solidly built body, on the bed. He seemed to drift in and out of consciousness, but most of the time he had been delirious. She had taken liberties that she was certain were not going to go unnoticed by removing the fine waist coat, the vest, and his shirt. His shoulders were wide and supported two well-toned, muscular arms, which in turn tapered down to very masculine, long-fingered, well-manicured hands.
His jumbled words – muttered while he slept – had been in French; so Randi deduced he was either from France or Canada – or perhaps New Orleans. Dr. Heinz had returned twice to give a penicillin shot and to check the stitching; after that, he had seemed to improve. Thank heavens, now he looked at her with full knowledge of his current state, and he appeared to be calm…so far…but slightly confused.
She managed to feed him the entire contents of the bowl and Erik had taken the time to examine her closely. She was a beauty, that was obvious, but she had spirit like no woman he had ever known. She was strong and confident, but very feminine; and from the way she spoke, she was well-educated; not that any of these qualities mattered to him.
What do I care if she is beautiful? It does not matter one bit, I will not allow myself to make the same mistake twice.
Erik had pretty much written off the entire female gender…knowing that there would never be one who would accept him – flaws and all. Logically, he knew he had never given them much of a chance, but it didn't take a genius to know he was not attractive; he had learned that lesson hard and well.
The second day of consciousness was much like the one before; she fed him, read to him, talked to him – endlessly – and kept him occupied. Her brother came in and sat at the foot of the bed, listening to her tell stories; his sweet, little-boy smile made the whole situation easier to bear. He was nothing like Erik had pictured children to be; he didn't stare impolitely at the "ugly" man, or drop his head in pity every time their eyes met.
That night, after the house had gone quiet and Erik's bedside clock hit the midnight hour, quiet footfalls in the hallway stirred his curiosity. He managed to pull his legs over the side of the bed, ignoring the pains that shot though his muscles from lack of use, and precariously limp his way to the door.
He had grown mind-numbingly bored with lying around in bed and not speaking to anyone – which he found ironic, considering he had spent numerous years of his life not speaking to others. He had no desire to explore why he desired to hear the fiery-haired pixie speak to him…she chattered endlessly about every subject imaginable.
While he revisited many of their conversations over the last couple of days, he annoyingly found that his mind focused on the jeweled pools of her eyes, the generous fullness of her coral lips, the silky tendrils of her light auburn hair, and the alabaster perfection of her skin.
Erik closed his eyes and gave a stubborn shake of his head, forcefully jarring the visions out of his mind. Unfortunately, he realized that the footfalls had ceased and whomever it was that had made them had disappeared. Frowning, he turned to go back to his bed when the soft chords of a piano made their way to his well-trained and music-starved ears.
They played well…very well…whoever they were. Erik listened intently while the artist played Bach, Schubert, and Mendelssohn without error. The music calmed him, relieving him of the anxious and erratic beating of his heart and the sleeplessness that had robbed him of any rest for the past two nights.
It was only when he heard the voice attached to the fingers that Erik knew who it was that graced him with such a gift, the fiery-haired pixie who had managed to enchant him on many levels. He was not familiar with the song…but her heart beat in every word and in every chord…baring her soul to him….
When I was a young girl I used to dream of a lover,
to be my shining knight of strength one day.
He'd carry me to a castle in the heavens and battle all my dragons on the way.
And he'd ride down on a great white horse he'd bring me love I was longing for
He'd bring me joy and lasting peace on a great white horse he'd ride away with me.
Her voice was pure and natural…not needing any criticism or reprimand. Erik could not even compare her voice to Christine's; they were two completely different styles. He quietly stood in the hall way and continued to listen to her; the longing in her voice was palpable
When I was a young man I used to dream of a maiden
with long soft hair flowing in the wind.
Her laughing eyes and loving arms would follow
when I'd sail around the world and back again.
And I'd ride down on a great white horse I'd bring the love she was longing for…
I'd bring her laughter and sunny days…
And on a great white horse I'd carry her away.
There was loneliness in her tone, blanketed by the sweetness of the song; but Erik had lived far too long without the love she sang of…and he heard a kindred spirit calling out to him. As he made his way back toward his room, he could still make out the final verse…
The time has flown - I find there are no dragons
and I don't wanna sail the seven seas.
Anywhere we are becomes our castle
and the only world I want is here with me.
And we both ride on a great white horse…
we found the love we were longing for.
You're my sunshine on a rainy day,
you're my April you're my May.
Song is "Great White Horse" by Buck Owens
Sleep seemed to come much easier that night, the simple perfection of her voice playing repeatedly in his mind, lulling him to sleep. What he would have found even more strange, had he realized it, was the fact that Christine's voice had never given him the peace and serenity that her voice had…maybe he wasn't quite ready for that knowledge yet.
۞۞۞۞
By the next morning, Erik was feeling much better and sat up straighter in the bed, awaiting his breakfast. He hadn't thought too much of it over the past few days, but it dawned him that by the time she brought him his breakfast, she had already been up for several hours. He was a light sleeper, and had heard her padding down the hallway at four in the morning. She would go out a door and be gone for a couple or more hours and then would come back in, prepare breakfast, and spend the next few hours entertaining him.
This morning, he paid closer attention to the way she carried herself. Although she seemed strong and impenetrable, Erik could tell she carried a great burden on her shoulders. He had yet to talk to her, but had spent the last couple of days learning her speech patterns and word usage; when he spoke to her, he wanted to be able to converse with her in a way that would be satisfactory to both of them. She had not brought him breakfast, but said she was going to get him out of bed and to the kitchen to enjoy it like normal people.
Erik's thoughts went a different way, She wants to get me out of bed...when will a woman ever want to get me IN to bed. He refrained from laughing and continued to watch her beneath hooded eyes, she longs for help from someone stronger than she is…she is holding back a fierce need that I feel pulsing through her. Perhaps we are not so different…she and I.
She had unwearyingly asked him for various responses on various things, but Erik had – so far – refused to carry on a conversation with her. She patiently took the lead when determining what foods to bring him, what books to read to him, or any such things. He was impressed with the quality of care she gave him, although he was surprised that she seemed unaffected by the scarred remnants of his face.
"You still look at me as if you expect me to kill you in some horrendous way and then dance like a crazy woman on your grave…lighten up." She chirped, hoping to gain a response of some sort.
The dark wing of his brow arched inquisitively, but she saw nothing but amused understanding in their depths.
"My name is Randi….well, it's Miranda – but everyone calls me Randi…" She paused, giving him time to respond in some way, "…you do understand me…why don't you speak to me?"
He blinked a few times, interesting name – it suits her. He thought, raising his bearded chin, and peering at her down his straight, patrician nose. He supposed he ought to tell her his name since she told him hers, "I am called Erik…" he banked a crooked grin before continuing, "…and that is what everyone calls me."
Randi was taken aback by the sound of his voice; deep and melodious with a sensual French accent; just the few words he had spoken moved over her skin like the finest silk. She swallowed visibly, smiled, and then let out a long breath.
"I am so glad you speak English, I was afraid that you didn't understand anything that I was saying to you…I mean, you never said anything."
"I apologize for my rudeness…I am a private person and am not used to being around people, especially women." He hoped she could understand his words; he knew his accent was rather pronounced.
She lifted her head as if a light had just come on and new understanding had developed. She had what appeared to be a frown on her face as if something was quite disappointing to her.
Figures…he's gay. She thought with a strained smile.
"What a waste." She whispered quietly, but not before he heard her.
Erik pondered her unusual words, trying with all of his might to decipher what she was talking about, but nothing came to mind. In the end, he ignored it and decided to ask a few questions of his own.
"Could you instruct me as to where I am?"
Her look was priceless – a cross between disbelief and amusement, "How can you not know…where have you been, living under a rock?"
"So it would seem." He answered quickly; looking rather surprised.
Randi sighed and sat down in the chair beside the bed. "You're in Colorado…a little town called Rand."
His brow furrowed and his eyes narrowed slightly, "Colorado?" He had never heard of such a place…wait, I have heard of it, "…Colorado, territory of the United States in 1861."
She lifted both brows and tried not to giggle out loud, "Yes…and a full fledged state in 1876…anything else you wish to tell me?"
Erik didn't hear her jesting tone; he was busy wondering how he had allowed himself to get lost in country almost half way around the world from where he had intended to end up. He would simply have to do his best to learn the culture and better master the language if this was where he was to be, at least for now.
She sighed remorsefully and sat down beside him on the bed…shocking Erik with her boldness, but ignoring the glare he gave her. "You have been listening to me rattle on and on for days about anything I could think of to keep you alert…now I want to hear all about you."
Erik had learned so much in the two days he had been silently observing and listening. Randi had introduced him to so many things, as had Cody. Other than the TV – as he had deduced it was called - the most amazing thing was a small box-like device she had used to "surf the web" as she called it. The thing was called a "laptop" and Erik, not wanting to appear as ignorant as he actually was, just observed all the keys she used and knew that when given the chance, he could operate it.
The technological advances alone would have amazed and humbled Casper; and Erik felt even smaller in a universe that had all but cast him aside. He had enjoyed the times she had entertained him in such a way, but he had also enjoyed the times she had read to him. Her voice, with its alluring accent, was a sweet sirens call to his senses. He had had few opportunities to be so close to a woman, and he intended to make the best of it and enjoy what little time she would give him. She seemed fine with the idea of sitting right down next to him on the bed; giving him the added benefit of seeing the adorable scatter of freckles across her nose.
"At least you speak English…that's a plus…because my French is sad…really sad." Randi assured him; again watching that dark, perfectly shaped brow arch over his gorgeous eyes.
"Yes…" he stated, pulling the word out as though questioning something, "…I do speak English." A slight smirk played about his full lips, "I have recently learned from a very good teacher."
He found her accent charming; much like the rest of her, but he quickly brushed the fleeting thought from his mind. He had no intentions of courting disaster by developing feelings for another female…no matter what century he was currently residing within.
The red-headed imp just smiled at him; a teasing glint lighting her eyes from within. Looking at her, Erik was certain she had already figured him out. She seemed to look into his very soul and see far more than he wanted her to see…or anyone to see, for that matter.
"Well, judging by your alluring accent, I'd say you're French…or possibly French-Canadian…." another amusing lift of his brow and a sparkle in his aqua-marine eyes, "….but I'm going to go with French." She ended the statement on a high pitch, indicating for him to affirm her assumption.
He gave one nod of confirmation and then watched her shuffle about the room opening the curtains. She was graceful and athletic in her movements, and rather tall for a woman. Erik appreciated the curve of her hips and the swell of her bosom as she lifted her arms to straighten the long curtains. Before she could notice his eyes on her, he averted them and hoped he wasn't blushing. The lower part of his anatomy certainly was responding in a most upsetting way; Erik shifted beneath the sheets to avoid further embarrassment.
"Was that your talents I heard displayed on the piano last night?" Erik decided to confess his nocturnal spying.
She slammed her eyes closed and frowned. She certainly had not meant to disturb him or anyone else last night; apparently she had under estimated the extent of his healing. Randi had no idea how endearing her aghast look was to Erik. A pleasant blush colored her cheeks and caused her lips to curl in a broken smile…he once again focused on the spattering of freckles across her pert nose and thought he had never seen a more enticing woman.
"Yes…I'm so sorry if I kept you awake…I tend to turn to music when I'm restless or nervous…or whenever."
Now that...he completely related to…Erik searched her features, finding within them the sparkle of intelligence shining in her stormy eyes, small crinkles around her eyes that spoke of deep sorrow she had endured; and a beautiful soul that bore the scars of experience way beyond her years.
"I know an experienced musician when I hear one…and you are gifted, my dear…very gifted." He believed in giving credit where credit was due, and she deserved it. "Why are you not performing somewhere?"
Randi stared at him, marveling at the sheer beauty of his voice and the confidence with which he spoke. She had no doubt that he knew what he was talking about; there was an manner of arrogance about him…not an in-your-face kind of arrogance, but an arrogance born of years of practice and patience.
"Thank you…do you play?"
Erik felt the tingle in his fingers and the swell of adrenaline in his stomach as he thought about once again whisking his hands over the silky cool keys of a piano and allowing his soul to vent its pent up emotions.
Soon. He told himself. There are other priorities right now. "Yes, I do…but I have not had the opportunity for quite some time." He watched her eyes light up, bringing their color to new heights, "You were also singing…I was quite impressed."
It was so good to have someone who once again made her feel good about herself…someone who wasn't family. He had paid her two compliments, and she didn't even know the least bit about him. Well, unless one considered knowing that he had the most delicious set of biceps and that the hair on his chest was just the perfect amount to set her pulse racing…or that she had dreamed of him for the past two nights in most unscrupulous ways; if that were the case, then yes...she knew him.
Erik had no idea what the look in her eyes represented, but he had certainly never seen it before – on her or anyone else. She sat down next to him and checked the bandages on his hands, finding them almost completely healed. She unwrapped them completely and noticed the faint smudges of dirt that lingered on him for the night he had collapsed into the mud. From there, she took in his rumpled hair and slight smell of perspiration that covered him; he needed a bath. She stood up and smiled.
"Why don't you take a bath in the big bathroom down the hall – if you're feeling up to it – and then come to the kitchen and I'll fix you a good breakfast…" she smiled sweetly, bringing more sunshine in to the room. "…I'll send Cody in to help you if you need it." She exited the room in a flurry of energy, leaving Erik to stare after her.
He pushed the sheets back and drew his legs over the side of the bed. He felt incredibly weak, but he assumed it was an after effect of having been unconscious for a couple of days and not getting out of bed for some time. He circled the events of the last few days in his head, and was pleased that Casper's invention had worked…but here he was, lost in the 21st century. He had no knowledge of the things around him, the people he had come in contact with had no knowledge of his origins, and Erik knew that he would never be able to tell them.
Erik finally stood up and sorted through her instructions. Take a bath…I sure do need one… he stood on wobbly legs and waited for the blood to evenly distribute through his body. She had said there was a large bathroom down the hall, but Erik peeked into the one that was not far from where he stood. The room was light and cheerful, decorated with some sort of colorful mermaid design with smiling fish and an interesting looking lobster character. There were towels with the same design hanging neatly on a bar fastened next to what looked like a bathtub, as well as a colorful, mermaid studded shower curtain. For all intents and purposes, it looked much like the baths of the late 19th century, only it seemed to be much more logically designed; something Erik could appreciate. There had been many a time when he had enjoyed a long, leisurely bath in his lair…knowing he would never be disturbed; even foregoing the need to wear the layers of clothing that were demanded by society. Many times he had wandered through his lonely, subterranean estate with naught on but a long shirt and stockings.
Bringing his thoughts back to the present, Erik knew he needed a towel and spied one hanging over a rod on the wall; it was the only one he saw and he was not sure how many there were, so he snatched it up and left the colorful bathroom for the bigger one she had asked that he use.
It was much bigger but not quite so colorful. The walls were a light yellow with lavender trim and accents. He filled the big, round rub with water; leaving the bubble bath he found alone…as it smelled rather feminine; and allowed his large body to soak in the tub for a while. He eventually picked up the soap - which had a pleasant "clean" smell to it - and scrubbed the grime from his skin; he found the bottle labeled, "shampoo" and washed his to-long hair. The shampoo was not too girly, so Erik was pleased with it. He finished up in the tub, pulled the plug, and removed himself from it; using the towel to dry off.
Of course, it was after he was headed back into the room he had convalesced in that he realized he had no change of clothes. Brilliant Erik…now you are standing in the middle of the room garbed only in a towel with a young, impressionable woman in the house and her brother…just brilliant.
He was certain his lack of clothing would offend her, but he had little choice. He hoped she had something he could put on…just until he was able to purchase some clothes. He gave himself a long, scrutinizing look in the mirror; his hair was unruly – doing its own thing – and he needed a shave…badly.
A soft knock signaled the woman's entrance and Erik refused to look flustered as she glided into the room without any care as to his state of undress. She stopped suddenly when she saw him and Erik could feel the heat of her eyes as they raked over him from head to toe.
"I apologize for my state of undress…I have no other clothing." He mumbled.
Randi had to keep the hungry sigh that was lodged in her throat from surfacing or he would think she was going to attack him; but it had been a long time since she had seen such perfection. She finally settled her eyes on his chest and abs, but she could tell he had long, muscled legs beneath the pink towel he had wrapped around slender, masculine hips.
Pink towel!! She tried to hide her embarrassment, but wasn't sure she had succeeded. "It's fine….that towel looks wonderful on you." She teased, still draping her eyes over his fine body. Carved muscles that resembled granite, a sinfully flat six-pack stomach, the perfect amount of dark hair splayed over his luscious chest – her mouth was watering and she could swear her eyes were glued to his body.
He fidgeted in front of her – obviously uncomfortable with the situation. Of course he's uncomfortable, Randi…he's gay! She reminded herself, stop looking…stop looking… but she just couldn't do it.
"Don't worry, my father's things should do for now…." Randi dropped her eyes, but not before she smiled, "…he was slightly shorter than you are, but there might be some jeans that will fit you."
His embarrassment amused her; too many of the men she had known in her life were complete jerks – grabbing their crotch or making obscene gestures toward her to indicate their "interest" in her…it was disgusting. Most of them looked really good on the outside, but once they opened their mouth...yeah…not interested. They looked good as long as they kept their mouths shut.
Randi stepped into her parent's bedroom, ignoring the gnawing emptiness that seemed to emanate from the walls. She had not conquered this room yet…hadn't packed up any belongings or changed the décor. She couldn't bring herself to close that chapter of her life just yet.
She pictured Erik's naked chest in her mind as she sorted through her father's clothes; stirring up fond memories of his bright, loving eyes and strong, capable hands. He had always been a pillar for her to lean on…now he was gone. She lovingly caressed a pair of faded blue jeans that had always been too long for him, and a western cut black shirt with red stitching. She also grabbed a pair of boots, wondering if they would fit.
She opened the drawers of the dresser and thankfully found a package of unopened boxer shorts and some socks. She had never picked out clothes for a man before…let alone intimate clothes; she wondered what he would do when she presented them to him.
On her way out the door, she grabbed a belt, slipped into the bathroom to get some cologne and anti-perspirant for him, and then headed back to her old room.
When she handed them to him, he looked at each piece closely; a completely baffled expression on his face. In fact, he acted as though he had not the slightest clue about how to dress himself.
Erik's furrowed brow hardly described what he was feeling. He was used to completely covering himself – no exposed skin unless it was necessary. These clothes were nothing like what he was used to. There was no vest, no jacket, no cravat – nothing to hide beneath; and the pants….he could tell just by looking at them that they would hug his legs, and other areas, like a glove.
Cody came strolling into the room about that time….dressed in much the same manner as Erik presumed he was supposed to dress. The boy was probably around twelve and Erik saw the familial resemblance in the eyes and mouth…other than that, the boy had sandy brown hair, where as the woman's was the color of a fiery sunset.
"Hi Erik." The young boy announced with bravado.
Erik shook the small hand that was extended toward him, and smiled a winning smile.
"Hello Cody…." Erik picked up the package of boxer shorts and flipped it over a few times before dropping them back on the bed, thankfully; Randi chose that exact moment to stroll back into the room.
"You sure are big…Randi and I had a hard time getting you on the couch so we could make you feel better." Cody looked up at him with the big, innocent eyes of a child, and Erik felt his inner walls begin to crumble.
He had never really been around children…they were discouraged in the opera house and anyone who had children kept them at home or ended up giving them away. As he thought about it, Erik realized that life in the opera house had not been ideal…for many. Meg was the only child he had known, and her mother had kept her at home until she was able to start training as a ballerina.
Erik smiled down at the child, feeling a connection with him in some idealistic way. When he felt the woman's eyes on him again, Erik remembered he was standing in front of her with very little clothing on.
"Your hands were cut pretty badly…" Cody stated, "….the doctor put a few stitches in places and then they were bandaged…Randi changed the bandages regularly; she took care of you."
The boy certainly was fond of his sister; his eyes were bright with an emotion that was completely foreign to Erik. For her part, the young woman pulled at her brother's arm to get him out of the room.
"Come on, Cody…let Erik get dressed so he can eat."
Erik managed to do just that, although it took him longer than usual with less clothing; but after it all was over, he stood in front of the long mirror and sighed.
"It will have to do." He shrugged, not feeling at all comfortable in such light clothing.
He went back into the room he had slept in and pulled the coin out of the hidden pocket in his coat. It was time to kiss his past good-bye and see what the future held. Maybe Randi and her brother could help him find a future…neither of them seemed too disgusted by his appearance; maybe they would allow him their friendship.
TBC