Chapter 3: First date
I wake up recalling the weirdest dream I have ever had. I stand like an onlooker staring at millions of people at work in a hospital. Everyone is busy doing what ever it is that they do. Then I see Damon working on a patient injecting some guy with a needle filled with something I cant tell. The whole place looks calm and peaceful for a hospital at least. All of a sudden the loudest sound I've ever heard erupts. The whole place is covered with flames licking at the sides of desk and beds everything. Everyone is running and screaming except for a man that stands there running up to everyone and biting the doctors and nurses. He's a vampire or something I can assume by this point. They struggle for a minute then he release them and they jump out the back of the building. I see him go up to Damon to try the same thing and I start screaming
"NO NO NO NO NO DON'T TOUCH HIM NO NO NO NO NO NO" I'm screaming frantically begging him not to touch him but he does. Only when he done being changed he doesn't jump out the back like everyone else. Instead he jumps at me. I feel him slam into me and I wake up immediately to see my sister over me.
"Wake up," she says shaking me. She sees me come around and stops shaking me. "Are you alright?" she asks me, "You've been screaming for ten minutes now." I nod my head
"Yeah, just a bad dream," I say
I look up at my alarm clock already six thirty. I stay on a bed for a few minutes trying to shake the bad dream away. My sister has already left so, I get up and put some clothes on. I put on a pair of jean shorts and a black long sleeve shirt even though I could probably get away with not wearing the sleeves because the scars are almost healed, but I decide not to take the risk of Damon finding out. After I'm dressed I go to the bathroom to brush my teeth. My sister walks in as I'm brushing and of course tries to have a conversation.
"So, can I go or not," she asks not bothering starting a real conversation first. I don't answer her until I'm done brushing my teeth.
"Um, I don't think it would be such a hot idea," I say smiling sympathetically. I start to clip my hair up and put my make-up on hoping she'll just drop it but even I know my sister better than that.
"Oh, come on you know very well that that's not fair at all," she insists. I know that she has a right to go there but I don't want her to get caught up in arguing with the nurses and doctors.
"No," I say giving her a sharp look. Even she knows not to keep going after I tell her no. I'm glad she respects me the ay she does. Most people think she's crazy for respecting me the way she does but I appreciate it more than she knows.
"Fine," she says rolling her eyes. I smile.
"Oh, come on you said yourself that you hated hospitals now your begging to go to one besides you don't want to get caught up in all the argument that may take place"
"Well I take it back I love hospitals and yes I love the arguments too," I laugh as does she. Even she can tell a lost cause when she sees one.
After my hair is up and my make-up is on I head down stairs to go and eat something before I leave. I grab a granola bar from the cupboard for my sister and me. I'm about to open mine when the doorbell rings. I smile and set my granola bar down on the counter. My sister smiles to and rolls her eyes. I unlock the dead bolt and the chain lock so I can open the door. As soon as the door is open I see Damon's smiling face. He's wearing a pair of whit and blue plaid shorts and a blue button down shirt. He looked like he was ready to go to the beach or something, not a hospital. His hair as usual is styled messily. His hazel eyes sparkle in the morning sun.
"Hey," he says
"Hey, come on in," I reply, "sorry bout the mess," I add.
"No, harm," he says still smiling.
"You want something to eat, " I ask him politely
"Nah, it's fine I just ate," he says shaking his head. I nod and walk into the kitchen to grab my granola bar. I grab it off the counter and then walk back over to where Damon is still standing. My sister follows me to the door as I put my flip-flops on. Damon looks over and smiles at my sister. He's too polite for his own good.
"I'm sorry I couldn't introduce you two earlier Damon this is my sister Marissa. Marissa this is my boyfriend Damon. They exchange smiles but nothing else. "So you ready to go," I ask Damon.
"Yeah lets go," he says anxiously, "just one condition we take my car". I laugh but nod my head.
"Alright," I say.
I turn and open the door and walk out aware that Damon is right behind me. When were both behind the closed door he reaches over to intertwine our fingers. I smile and see that he's smiling to. We walk to his car eager to get back to the hospital and back so, that we can finally go out on our date. Damon has a really nice car. It's a red camaro. Damon walks me to the passenger seat then walks around to the driver side. Surprisingly he's already in and staring the car before I'm even fully into the car. He can probably see the shock on my face but if he does he doesn't question it. We make small talk on our way to the hospital. I want to tell Damon about my dream but something tells me that I shouldn't mention it.
"So, do you know what you're going to say yet," Damon asks me curiously
"No, I hadn't really thought of it I figured I would just sort of wing it," I say laughing dryly. He nods and doesn't say anything else. He pulls into the parking lot of the hospital finding a parking place fairly close to the front. We get out and start to walk up to the entrance. I'm happy to see that the same receptionist is there from yesterday.
"Well hello again," she says looking like she's delighted to see us.
"Hey, has everything been sorted out yet?" I ask stupidly but, to my surprise she nods and smiles.
"As a matter of fact it is you can take your mother home today." I'm sure even she can see the amount of surprise on my face. My jaw drops and I stare wide-eyed at her
"Are you serious?" I ask disbelieving what she just said
"Yes, I'm serious. She told us everything that happened. "
"And what is that," I ask hesitantly
"You know that she was doing some laundry and she fell down the stairs bringing a basket down." It is actually pretty far from the truth if you ask me but it was close enough to the truth that all we really needed. At least it's better than the other thing that she had insisted upon earlier. I nod not wanting to say anything. "Now I'll go and get your mother you two can just stay right here".
We remain silent as she goes and gets my mom but I can feel Damon's hand firmly in mine and I feel comfort from that. The nurse comes around the corner shortly after with my mom. I release my hand from Damon's quickly and walk over to her. The nurse hands her some crutches. My mom chose a bright pink color for her cast. Which sticks out over her tan shorts. She hobbles over to us using the crutches in the wrong way.
"Thank you," I mumble politely to the nurse as we leave. She nods and we walk my mom out to the car
"Who's car is this," my mom ask sourly
"It's Damon's he offered to drive us" I say quietly back. Damon's gets out his keys and unlocks the door. My mom hobbles over to the front seat. I'm about to argue it but decide against it jus getting ion the back so, as not to start an argument in front of Damon. He looks uncomfortable about the situation but gets in as well.
"So, nice of you to introduce me to your friends," she says sarcastically when we're all in the car.
"Well it was very nice of you to blame your entire fall on Meems as well," I say being a smartass, knowing very well that this is turning into an argument.
"Oh please I was intoxicated with medication. I didn't know what I was saying" she says defensively as if what she did was nothing at all.
"Yeah, well you certainly knew enough to put together a story as detailed as that."
"Exactly a story"
"Well they didn't think that it was a story they thought that everything that you said was the truth," I say
"That's not my fault," she says innocently.
"Yeah because the nurse was just supposed to know that the first thing you told was a down right lie, not that the second one was any better.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" she asks.
"Oh, I as doing laundry for my kids. Please you haven't done laundry for us in over like six years," I say immediately
"God this is how you treat your mother after she gets out of the hospital," she says trying to find sympathy from me, but I wont feel any
"Oh boo hoo," I say, "your thirty nine years old get over yourself already". Okay so even I have to admit that I had taken that just a bit to far. "I'm sorry", I say," I didn't mean that I was just upset"
"No it's okay I think you've made your point clear," she says. Thankfully we arrive at home just then. Damon was quiet the whole way here and I notice him for the first time. He looks awkward just sitting there listening to us argue. He stops the car and pulls into a parking place close to the front. As soon as the car stops my mom gets out and tries to walk up to the door and stumbles the whole time. She falls over almost immediately after getting out of the car. I stifle a laugh but go to help her out. She groans but accepts the help. She finds her balance and goes as quickly to our door as possible. I watch and make sure she gets in before turning back to Damon.
"I am so sorry about that. I didn't mean to argue like that in front of you". To my surprise I see him start to smile
"Truthfully", he says " I found I pretty entertaining" . I couldn't help but laugh to that
"Thanks, so are you ready for that surprise date of yours," I ask him flirtatiously.
"Your chariot awaits," he says gesturing to his car. I smile and get in the passenger seat. He gets in as well. I feel my back pocket to make sure I have my wallet with me just in case, I do. He starts the car and we pull out and start heading to this mysterious place.
"So, are you going to tell me where we're going," I ask him
"Why of course not then it wouldn't be a surprise, now would it," he says.
"Okay fine then how far is this place?" I ask curiously
" Not to far about a hour or so" he says casually. "Now no more questions," he says playfully.
"Fine," I say zipping my lips and throwing away the key he laughs at me and I laugh with him. We continue our playful conversation for the rest of the trip but he suddenly gets serious at one point.
"I guess you weren't kidding about you and your mom not having the best relationship," he says. I nod quickly not really wanting to have this conversation but at the same time I know it's unavoidable.
"It never really has been that good", I say softly. "for the past three years my mom has blamed me for my father's death and after a while," I pause thinking about if I should admit this out loud. I start again, "After a while I guess I just started to believe it. I have thought about it a lot and she's right about that it's really the only thing that we can agree on. I stop talking and look at out the window hoping he won't see the tears that are beginning to form. I fight them back before they can fall but I still don't talk for fear that that may return. I'm usually so good at hiding my emotions but ever since Damon they keep appearing.
"Will you tell me about what happened to your dad," he asks quietly not trying to push me any further than I can go. I'm about to shake my head no when that feeling comes over me again, like I can tell him anything in the world and he'll understand. I tell him all about the accident and how I was there and didn't help him at all. How the nurse told us that there was nothing they could do to save him that he died shortly after the crash.
"Do you see how it's my fault?" I ask him pleading for him to understand my part in killing my father. "If I was smart enough to do something then maybe he wouldn't be dead right now". I can feel the tears stinging behind my lids but I fight them back and instead keep talking trying to get this off my chest to someone. "If I hadn't bugged him so much about wanting to go out, them he never would even gotten in the car and never could have even had the chance of being hit by the drunk".
"Look", Damon says immediately, "it is in no way your fault that any of this happened. There is no way that you could have avoided it. For all you know that could have happened a day later or maybe an hour later you don't know". I flinch slightly when he says this but he doesn't seem to notice and continues, "You can't keep this guilt over you for the rest of your life. You have to accept the fact that not every bad thing that happens is your fault".
"It doesn't matter what happened it can't be changed"
"Exactly it happened you have to move on and except that it's not your fault. Do you see that?" he asks. I look up at him sadly but I nod my head anyways. I don't believe him and he can see that but he drops the subject anyways. He smiles and I smile back weakly. He touches takes my hand slightly and the pain from the earlier topic disappears. All I can feel is the warmth of his hand on mine. This time when he smiles at me I smile back genuinely. We arrive at the surprise place shortly after.
"Okay now close your eyes," He says
"But why, were already here I should be able to see by now," I say feeling like a child.
"Because I don't want you to see it until I'm finished setting it up," he says laughing obviously liking this.
"Fine," I say. I cover my eyes spreading my hands apart a little bit, enough to see where we're going
"Hey, no peeking," Damon exclaims.
"Alright, alright," I say laughing
I put my hands over my eyes again this time keeping them closed until Damon tells me to. My eyes are only closed for few minutes before the car stops. I'm about to open my eyes when Damon tells me not to. I groan but continue keeping my eyes closed. He leaves and comes back a few minutes later.
"Okay you can open them now," he says excitedly
I open my eyes and get out of the car. I look around and feel the warm beach setting in front of me. The sun is shining bright making the sand a simmering gold. In the sand is a blue blanket. Realization hits me, a picnic on the beach.
"What do you think beautiful or not," he asks worried
"Beautiful, Damon it's stunning. I don't have a suit though," I say.
"I know," he says deviously, "That's why we're going shopping first." He says I roll my eyes but walk with him. We walk down to a small shop on the boardwalk that looks promising. When we enter the little shop a bell rings signaling that we have entered. I scan the room quickly looking for a section the section that I'll get mine from. I find the correct section and make my way over there with Damon right beside me.
"Hi can I help you find something today," a woman asks approaching us. We stop She's average height with thick curly blond hair and bright make-up on. She stands there waiting for an answer. She looks annoyed that she has to do this everyday.
"No, thank you," I say as politely as I can. She nods gives me a fake smile and turns to go back to the counter where she reads a magazine. I turn my attention back to finding a cheap bathing suit. I see a rack that contains some bathing suits with a big sign that says 50% off.
"Oh, no you don't," Damon says seeing where I intend on going.
"What," I ask innocently even though I know very well what he's talking about
"You are going to go over to where those expensive bathing suits are and pick one of those out," he says laughing and pulling me away.
"But," say stumbling over my words, "I like that blue one over there". It's a terrible lie considering there aren't even ant blue ones on the rack. Unfortunately he sees that to.
"Yeah well I bet there's another pretty blue one over there," he says pointing.
Despite my protests I end up picking out and expensive bikini that's brown with a silver circle in between my breast and two strings that were to be tied to connect each side on the bottom part. It's one of the least expensive bathing suits that I can find. He gives me a disapproving look but agrees to it. We walk up to the front counter to check out. The lady that approached us earlier takes the bathing suit and rings it out.
"Thirty-seven, sixty-two," she says not looking up at us. Damon takes out his wallet and hands her the correct amount.
"Thirty eight cents is your change," she says handing him the change that's in her hand. She hands me back the bathing suit in a bag. I take it from her and leave the small shop with Damon.
"Lets go down to the bathrooms so, you can change into your beautiful new bathing suit," he says laughing
"Hysterical," I say sarcastically but I laugh with him. "What no bathing suit for my prince," I say skeptically
"Why, of course I have one princess. Mine is already on though under my shorts," he says smiling triumphantly and playing along.
"I wish someone had told me the bathing suit news then you wouldn't have had to waste your money on me," I say
"Never a waste if I'm spending it on you," Damon says. I smile ruefully at him.
We walk down the boardwalk for only a few minutes before we reach the bathrooms. I'm surprised that there is barely anyone outside. I have only seen three people total the whole walk down here. I go into the bathroom to change as Damon waits outside for me. I strip off my clothes and slide the bathing suit on over my body tying the sides of the bottom thankful that it fits okay. I look down at my arm and see that the scars are barely even noticeable, defiantly nothing big to notice. I could easily get away with saying that I fell being my clumsy self. I walk out of the small bathroom stall and look in the mirror. Even I have to admit it looks good. My b-cups filled out the top and my toned legs look great in the bottoms. I slip my shorts on over my bathing suit bottom assuming we're not going to be swimming first. My hair is still in a clip so I take it out. It falls in waves against my shoulders. I finger through it until it looks okay. I take two long deep breaths then walk out of the bathroom confidently but afraid of what Damon will think. Damon is looking out at the ocean at first but soon notices me and turns around. He smiles brightly staring at me looking me up and down.
"Does it look okay," I ask nervously
"You look better than okay you look amazing" he says astounded. I blush and look down. I see that Damon has switched his shorts and shirt out for a blue and white bathing suit with a Hawaiian design. His chest is evenly tanned and well- developed chest. I stare at him for a few seconds then peel my eyes away blushing deeper. He laughs seeming to notice me looking at him. We walk slowly back to his car. I put my other clothes in the front seat and wait as Damon finishes getting some stuff out of the trunk. He ditches his clothes too and comes up next to me holding a small blue cooler, which I presume has some food and a few drinks in it. I hadn't realized how hungry I am until my stomach growls. Damon and me walk down to where the blanket is put out. I sit down on the blanket and he does the same. I watch him as he takes out all the stuff from inside the cooler. First he pulls out two peanut butter sandwiches and some triscuits in a zip lock Baggies. He hands me one of each finishing up with two sprites. He pushes the cooler to the side and picks up his sandwich taking it out of it's baggy. I do the same looking into the ocean as I eat when a question I have been dying to ask comes to mind again.
"How can you afford such a nice car if you live in an apartment?" I ask curiously. If my question caught him by surprise he didn't show it.
"I have a really good part time job. I tell my mom that I can help out with the bills and stuff but she doesn't let me she says that its her responsibility not mine. I offer her money all the time but she always refuses to take it. One time I secretly paid for some bills and she nearly ripped my head off so, I let her have the self-pride of knowing she can pay all the bills," he says smiling. I wish my mom were like that. I have to pay for two of the bills including my cell phone bill. But I don't mention this to Damon. I finish my sandwich and start on my triscuits.
"Your mom seems nice," I say adoringly.
"She's really great you would love her," he says excitedly.
We continue to make small talk and playful conversation until we finish with our food.
"So, are you ready to go for a swim?" he asks
"Sure why not," I say feeling new found confidence I stand up and slide my shorts off my body so I only have my bathing suit on I start to run down the beach front and I can hear him running as well. He comes up behind me and scoops me up, still running, into the water where he throws me in. I laugh putting my hands on his head dunking him in the water. Instead he comes up quickly while I'm still on him making me end up on top of his shoulders I laugh and kick into the water splashing water all over. We continue to fool around in the water for a few hours. We head up to the water shore breathless.
"I'll be right back," Damon says running up to his car. I wait near the edge for him to return. He grabs something from his car and runs back down to me. He hands me a towel and, I take it. I dry one leg off then put it into the sand and do the same with the other so I don't get sand all up my leg. I watch Damon as he struggles to get all the sand off his legs. I laugh humorously and he looks up.
"What, am I amusing you," he asks.
"Truthfully, yes you are," I say laughing harder. He smiles laughing too. I watch him struggle for only a few more minutes finally he gives up and just starts to walk letting the sand fall off as he walks. First we walk back to the blanket and I slip my shorts on over my bottoms. I know that my bottoms will probably make them wet but I figure they will dry. I check my phone quick to make sure I have no messages from my mom. I have none so I put it back in my pocket. I don't bother to put my flip-flops on instead I feel the sand beneath them as I walk beside Damon. We walk slowly hand in hand down the beachfront. I look up and find that Damon's features growing rigid, and hard. Something is wrong with him. Even though he looks sweet most times as I take in his angry expression I'm honestly scared
"Damon what wrong," I ask
" What the hell did you do to your arm," he asks curiously trying hard to keep the anger from his voice. I'm so surprised that he can see them that it takes me a second to answer him with my readied excuse.
"Um, uh, nothing," I say tripping over the words.
"Your lying I can tell. I'm not going to push you to say anything though. You can tell me on your own time and in your own way," he says caringly. The feeling of wanting to tell him everything comes over me again but I fight I know that I can tell him this it's just too much.
"Thank you," I say smiling weakly. "It's just," I stop regretting even starting to explain myself.
"Yes," he prods me curiously
"I need to make sure that you're here and that your not going to disappear the first time you hear something about me that isn't great or amazing. I need to make sure you're here," I repeat softly.
"I'm not going anywhere," he says sweetly
"I know," I say adding," For now"
He stops caresses my check softly looking at me in such a way that I cant help but smile. His features are soft and gentle. He leans in and knowing immediately what he's going to do I close my eyes and lean in as well. Almost instantly I can feel his lips touch mine. His lips are soft on mine but also fierce with such passion and love that it makes my heart ach. Our lips move in sync like a perfectly choreographed dance. I reach up and wrap my arms around his neck pulling him closer and he puts his hands around my waist pulling me even closer. Our lips separate but not for long he kisses me again this time harder with more passion but still so soft. I can feel the fire from where our lips touch. We stop kissing but don't release each other as we look up smiling. Damon's eyes are bright with excitement as mine are to. His cheeks are as flushed as mine. After a few seconds of standing there we start to walk again hand in hand. Memories of our earlier conversation are gone. I notice a little boy building a sandcastle with his family, a picture perfect moment that I had envied for most of my life. I look back at Damon and smile as he leans in giving me a small peck on the lips. I look over into the ocean to see the green-blue waves crashing into one another. My left pocket vibrates interrupting the silence of this perfect moment. I take it out to look at the text from my mom.
Where the hell are you, it reads.
"Aaahhh," I groan audibly. Damon laughs at my sudden aggravation.
"What now," he asks; I look up and smile at him.
"Nothing just my mom as usual, "I says
"Oh," he replies simply
With a friend I'll be back soon I text her back quickly then put my phone back in my pocket.
It's that text that takes me back to reality. Here I am walking down the beach with some incredibly hot guy away from people. These kinds of things just never happen. I know that I have to stop before I come back to reality when he breaks up with me .I get the idea to run away while I can but decide I might as well live this out as much as I can. I look back into the ocean hoping it will distract me from what I'm thinking. My mom doesn't text me back with anything thank god. We continue to walk down the beachfront for a few hours more even I can tell there is a depressed look on my face but it still catches me by surprise to see that Damon notices.
"Is everything okay," he asks me.
"Yeah, everything is fine," I say without hesitation. I smile back at him with as much strength as I can. He believes my smile and nods. We walk for another half hour before we head back over to where the blanket is set up.. It's starting to get dark but not too cold yet. I sit down on the sand ignoring the blanker feeling the sand minerals sink beneath me. I squish my toes in the sand hugging my knees close to my chest. I look up at the sky seeing the reds and oranges and pinks of the sunset fading into beautiful shades of light blue.
"Beautiful isn't it?" I say gesturing to the sky. Damon comes over and sits down next to me.
"Nothing in comparison to the beauty in front of me but, yes I must admit it is very beautiful," he says admiringly. I don't respond, just look down blushing a deep red, almost as red as the sky in front of me.
It's this moment that I feel like the little boy that I saw earlier when we were walking. I rest my head on Damon shoulder soaking up the moment like a dry sponge that is placed in water. I look up and stare at Damon's face. His features are relaxed and peaceful perfectly content but his eyes are filled with excitement. He notices me staring at him a looks over at me a questioning look on his face.
"See something you like," he says quoting me from earlier. He smiles sweetly at me and I smile back.
"Lots," I say just as sweetly. I lean in and give him a quick kiss.
The wind blows softly and I shiver a little. Damon notices and presses me closer to him.
"Thanks," I say
"No problem," he says pressing his lips to my forehead.
We look up silently at the sky. The only color I can see now is just a light blue. The stars are beginning to come out as well. My phone rings suddenly interrupting the silence. I want to ignore it and not ruin the moment but when I look up at the caller id to see who it is I jump to my feet and answer it. Damon looks up at me concerned standing as well.
"Hello," I say
"When are you coming home," Meems says skipping the hello. I know something is wrong now. He tone sounds stressed and annoyed
"I don't know, why what's wrong," I ask concerned.
"Well don't freak out or anything but mom is drunk and yelling at me and I feel like I'm going to rip the hair out of my head," she says laughing without humor.
"Alright I'm on my way back now. Can you hold on for another hour or so," I ask her guiltily.
"Yeah but hurry. By the way where are you your that far away," she says curiously. I know she can't see me but I roll my eyes smiling.
"Good bye Meems," I say
"See you and hurry," she says. I hear the line click off so I hang up my phone and put it back in my pocket.
"I'm sorry Damon but can you drive me back now," I ask him.
"Yeah sure no problem," he says carelessly. "Is something wrong," he asks cautiously as he gathers up the blanket and the other stuff.
"Not, really my mom is just annoying the hell out of my sister," I say.
I watch as he gets up and gathers everything up in his arms. I start to help him but he refuses, ignoring the help and picking everything up himself. Once he has everything we walk back up to his car. He unlocks the car and sets everything from in his hands in the back seat. I get in the passenger side and wait for him. When Damon gets in and starts to pull out I get comfortable for the ride back home. I wished we didn't have to leave but I knew we would have to eventually, I guess I was just so lost in my delusional state of mind that I forgot that that's not my reality. I could sense the fear in my sister's voice over the phone and I can't help but think that something serious has happened. who knows what has been happening with my mom I hope that she's just sitting on the couch and sleeping and that my Meems is just over reacting but that dream is a little improbable. My sister was smart so she has probably been in her bedroom the whole night but she had to have come down eventually so I made sense. I guess I just got my hopes up way too much. Damon had a way of doing that to me. Damon starts the engine and pulls out slowly.
We arrive at the apartment complex in what seems like half as much time than it took to get to the beach. That's possibly because of the reduced amount of traffic on the roads. When we get there he pulls in getting a good parking spot close to the front. I get out and he meets me around on my side leaving the stuff we had used at the beach in the car. He takes my hand and we walk up to my door. Before I open it to meet what ever there is in store for me I turn to Damon.
"Thank you for this incredible day," I say smiling so he knows i'm sincere.
"Any time," he says revealing a gorgeous crooked smile that I have already come to love more than anything.
Before I can say anything else or leave he wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me into a sweet and intoxicating kiss. I allow myself to get lost in it for a few seconds before he releases me to leave.
"Bye," I say sweetly.
"Good night," he says musically.
Unlock my door as he walks back to his door. I can't help but sneak a peak at him before I go in, realizing he is doing the same. My door opens but, it's not me who opens it. I jump slightly surprised to see my sister standing there but continue to smile anyways.
"Thank god you're here," she says unenthusiastically
"Yeah, glad to be home," I say sarcastically. She doesn't look as amused as I do at the moment. "Sorry not funny, so what's going on with mom now," I says apologetically. I step inside and take of my shoes as Meems answers me.
"Mom is drunk and has already broken the good blue lamp in the living room," she says hastily.
"Ughh," I groan audibly. I should have known not to leave her alone.
I walk into the living room to find the broken lamp on the floor. It was one of the best lamps that we owned. I bought it for forty-five dollars at a Chinese auction because I liked the swirled blue design on it. I'm suddenly filled with so much anger that I can barely control myself anymore. I see the cause for the broken lamp as well sitting on the coffee table, a bottle of half empty vodka. My mom is sitting on the couch laughing so hard she looks about to fall off the couch. I try hard to contain the anger welling up inside me but I can't help it anymore. I take the half empty bottle and storm into the kitchen. I dump the bottle down the drain ignoring my mom's pleas in between a fit of laughter.
"Maria what are you doing. You better not be dumping that. That shit is expensive," she stutters and starts laughing once again.
I take a deep breath and lean back against the counter top, trying to relieve the anger that is starting to diminish. I take the now empty bottle and throw it softly into the recycling bin. She makes her way into the kitchen hobbling and using the walls for support.
"Maria I expect an answer when I ask you a question," she says not able to keep a smile off her face as she speaks with a fake sense of being in demand. I hate it when she tries to act like a real mom to me.
"What am I just suppose to let you get drunk and ruin the house," I say angrily.
"What are you talking about? Oh you mean the lamp, wow Maria its one lamp get over yourself," she says carelessly. I can't believe that even drunk she has the nerve to say that to me. I walk back into the living room to see if Meems is still in there.
"Marissa please go to your room until this is all settled," I say caringly but sternly as well. She knew this was coming I could see it on her face I said that all the time when I knew things might get bad. She sulked upstairs as mom came into the living room following where I am. She doesn't say anything to me and I don't say anything to her for a few minutes. She sits back down on the couch. I stare forward at the TV screen, which is turned off, but she must find something hilarious about that because she starts to laugh more than anyone has ever laughed before. I last time I had seen her this drunk was at my dad's funeral. Of course she was drunk a lot but she usually knew when she should stop.
"What the hell are you laughing at now," I ask her as calmly as I can but it still comes out full of rage.
"The TV," she laughs," it's such a pretty color". All I can think to do right now is get her into bed.
"Okay well mom why don't we go upstairs and try to get some sleep," I say gently taking her arm.
"NO," she screams then adds quieter, "I don't want to right now". I keep my hand remained on hers and insist on continuing to try and help her.
"NO," she screams, "I DON'T WANT TO".
She reaches up and pulls her arm back and swings forward. She misses swinging too far to the left, but she has a go at it again swinging her arm back. BAM! She hits me right in the eye and on the side of my nose with her ring. For a drunk she had amazing aim, although I shouldn't have found it so surprising because she had practice being a drunk. I made the mistake of underestimating how much she could still be herself in some way while she drinks.
"Shit," I says going on my knees. It hurt like a bitch. I don cry instead just look at the blood that has gathered inside of my hands.
"Gasp," I hear my sister make a noise behind me and so I turn around to look at.
She comes over running quickly to my aid. My mom sits back on the couch looking pleased with what she had "accomplished". My sister touches my face softly as the blood continues to fall down my nose.
"Are you okay," she asks worried.
"Yeah, I'll be okay. Come on let's go out for a little bit until mom calms down," I say glancing over at my mom who is looking peacefully at the floor.
I get up quickly and walk swiftly into the kitchen. I look up relieved that my sister hasn't had a chance to put on any pajamas yet. I really didn't want to stick around here any more than I had to. I take the ice down out of the freezer and grab a towel out of the far left drawer. I put almost the whole tray of ice into the towel and place it as gently as I can against my face. The sting from the pain was almost unbearable but I resist the temptation to crawl under my cover in my room and cry myself to sleep. I guess this is what I get for having such a good day. Her rings were on so they probably tore up the side of my face and she got the crevice of my eye in that one hit as well. The blood that comes out of my nose is coming down slower but still bleeding slightly. My sister stands off to the side watching me. I don't cry instead I focus on getting her out of the house and fast. I try to stay as strong for her as I can, I always have. I motion her forward and walk over to the front door slipping on my black flip-flops which I usually on over the feet, Meems does the same with her bright hot pink ones. I mean to bite my tongue and not say anything but instead I turn back to where my mom is once again.
"Look I don't know what the hell your problem is but you need to figure it out or things are going to change around here; and I mean big changes
"Don't threaten me bitch you're not my mother it's the other way around," she says furiously.
"Yeah I know that thank god," I say just as furious.
I hope that Damon isn't outside to see me like this but my hopes are soon deflated when I see him outside his door. There is a small puff of smoke forming around him and it's not cold enough for your breath to be seen. Great first I get punched and now I find out my boyfriend is a smoker. As I get closer to him I realize that this isn't Damon outside but, it's someone who certainly looks like him. He has the same muscled body type that Damon does and dark messy hair. I walk fast so, maybe I don't catch his attention usually I don't have a problem with that but, with my nose bleeding that may not work out so well.
"What happened to you," he asks curiously.
"Uh, nothing," I say not wanting to look but I steal a glance in his direction. I stop surprised at how much similarity he and Damon have. This must be his brother, I conclude.
Damon's brother rolls his eyes and steps forward towards me. He removes the towel from my face and looks at it. He examines it cautiously not wanting to hurt me at all. Something flashes on his face that makes him look like he wants to do something but, he resists and his expression changes quickly. There is no fire in his touch like there is with Damon but there is defiantly some warmth in his touch.
"So, what are you a doctor or something," I ask him distracting myself.
"As a matter of fact I am," he says wryly, "I work up at the hospital in the pediatrics center. He removes his hand from my face and the warmth disappears almost immediately but still slightly lingering there. "Your nose doesn't look broken but you should defiantly keep some ice on it for a while."
"Thanks Mr.…,"I say stopping at the end waiting for him to give me his name.
"Please call me Jason," he says chuckling softly. I smile softly and feel a slight tug on my side as I go to tell him my name.
"I'm Maya," I look down as if noticing my sister at my side for the first time, "and this is my sister Marissa or Meems for short," I say outreaching my hand towards my sister and pulling her around in front of me.
Jason smiles brightly and reaches his hand out to shake her hand. She shakes it then retreats her hand quickly like it is a monster that is going to tear her arm out of its socket. I don't know why but something about the way she looks at him scares at me. It's as if she sees something that I don't about him. She has always been able to know things about people before I could. I remember one time six years ago, before I started to minimize my friends list, I was best friends with this girl in my English class. I decided to bring her home over for a sleep over and Meems kept looking at her weird. When she left Meems came and talked to me in private and told me that I shouldn't tell her anything secretive about me that it would come back to haunt me. Of course that night I had spilled my most precious secret at the moment to her. I had the biggest crush on this guy named Andy Collins in my global class. The next day that I went to school the whole class knew Andy laughed in my face and told me that I shouldn't get my hopes up and that he would never in a million years go out with me. Of course back then we were still little kids eating past. I figured I would ask Meems about it later when we where safe and secure in my car out of Jason's hearing.
"Wait, are you the Maya that my brother has been obsessing with ever since he got home god I finally had to escape the constant jabber," he said seeming to have no regret at having blown his brother in like that. I smiled brighter than I had in while and looked down flushing a deep scarlet red.
"Well, I hope so," I say not looking up. He smiles at me and we stay quiet for a few seconds before a conversational question comes to me. I liked talking to Jason it was nice conversation. "Hey if you're a doctor aren't you supposed to know how bad smoking is for you," I ask skeptically, raising my eyebrow.
"Well we all have to have some flaws," He says flashing a devious smile in my direction. Once again I forgot amount Meems standing to the right of me hugging close to my side refusing to let go. I remembered the look in her eye when she met Jason so, I was eager to talk to her.
"Well it was nice to meet you Jason but I have to get going before my mom comes out," I say glancing hesitantly back at my door.
"You are a horrible liar, but suit yourself," he says. Something dark flickered in his eyes, and it scared me, but just as quickly as it came it was gone. I could tell my sister saw it to and she flinched. I smile at him anyways. Unexpectedly he leans in and gives me a hug without hesitation I wrap my arms around him as well. I let go first less than a few seconds after it started. I look over at Meems and motion forward with my head. We walk quickly back to my truck, and I hear Jason stomping out his cigarette.
"Oh And Jason," I shout after him. He looks up in my direction like he knew that I was going to say this. "Can you not tell Damon about this". He hesitates as if thinking about it for a little bit. Finally he answers me
"No problem but, I think you should," he says. I let out a breath that I didn't know I was holding.
I get in the truck start it up and, wait for the heat to come on: it was a chilly night. I look over at Meems expecting her to say something but she doesn't. We drive in silence to the ice cream parlor.
We order our usual ice creams and find a small table near the far corner of the room. Meems licks her ice cream a peanut butter cup double scoop as I lick mine a medium twist. One again the silence is almost unbearable. I can't understand what could be making my sister so quiet usually she's chattering away with conversation. I decide to make small talk before I ask her about her intuition on Jason.
"So, how have you been?" I ask nonchalantly.
"Maya," she begins not answering my original question," I need you to stay away from Jason I got a bad vibe from him.
"Well not exactly the answer I was looking for but ok. Why what's wrong with Jason," I ask curiously.
"I don't know exactly but I get a weird feeling about him. There is something about him that says evil to me something I see in his eyes. The way he looked at me it's just some kind of intuition thing. Look I know I probably sound insane but you have to listen to me on this stay away from him he's not…normal," she says worriedly looking down as if ashamed that she had spoken.
Ever since Meems was little she has been able to sense weird things. I know it sounds insane but she has. A couple years back when my dad was still alive and I was still very social with people I had become best friends with this girl in my science class. I brought her over to my house for a sleep over and I saw Meems give her a strange look. The next morning after my friend had already left I asked her about it. She gave me no explanation just told me that I should stay away and I shouldn't tell her anything I didn't want other people knowing about me. Of course it just so happens that I had told her who I had a crush on that night. I shrugged it off at first but when I went to school the next day the whole grade knew whom that I liked him. I was so furious but I never second-guessed her ever again.
"Look I understand what you mean about him being creepy sort of but really is he that bad," I said trying not wanting to believe that Jason could be in any way bad.
"I don't know," she said and shook her head confused. "Just please stay away from him," she said looking up at me pleadingly.
"I'll try but Meems he's my boyfriends brother it may be harder than you think. Besides I don't think you have anything to worry about it's not like he's some kind of demon that's going to kill me," I said laughing dryly. Meems looks at me like that's exactly what she was thinking.
"Where did he say that he worked again," she asked. I gave her a puzzled expression but answered her anyways.
"The hospital but what does that have anything to do with," I stop short as I comprehend what she was getting at, "Oh Meems you have got to be kidding me. You don't actually believe that do you," I said but her face looked like she believed just that in fact.
"Think about it Maya it makes sense. He works at the hospital I get the feeling like he's some dark creature, it goes together," she said.
"Look Meems I'm sorry to burst your imaginary bubble," I said doubtfully, "but if all we have to go on is that he works at the hospital and you get a bad feeling around him well we're not going to get very far with that theory".
"Your right we need evidence," she said suddenly serious.
"Meems hold your horses we are not getting any "evidence". Now right now all I want you to do is finish your ice cream so I can get home and sleep I have to work tomorrow and I have to find a way to hide this," I said pointing to my eye. She nods but she doesn't look like she believes a word I said.
We sit in silence and finish our ice cream both afraid of hurting each other's feelings. When finished mine I waited and stared at the ground while my sister polished off hers. I didn't believe that Jason was evil for one but I did have the impression that there was something different and inhuman about him. The look in his eyes had frightened, but that could have just been me hallucinating. What my sister was proposing was completely impossible there was no such thing.
My sister finished off her ice cream a few minutes after I did. We drove back home making simple small talk about how different our lives would be if we didn't have mom to interfere. When we walk in the door mom is passed out on the couch with a bottle of scotch on the table next to her. It was like she never slept in her bed anymore, she was on the couch every night this month. I go into bed without taking off my make-up, or putting my hair up. As soon as my head hits my pillow I'm asleep.
I dreamed I was in the most beautiful garden I had ever seen. Achilleas, daises, and tulips cover the left side while pink alliums, pink alstroemenias, and purple anemones cover the right side. There is a white gazebo that I was standing in, right in the middle of the garden. It was circular with long green vines wrapping around the top and all down the sides of it. I twirled and spun and fell into careless dips. I looked up to see whom I was dancing with, to find Jason. He smiled and I smiled back. We danced for a while until I separated from him, exhausted, to sit on at the small artfully carved wooden bench off to the side of the garden next to the gazebo. The bench appeared to come out of nowhere. Jason gave me a devious smile and his eyes turned dangerously black. Suddenly his features changed and he became hairy and larger. I stayed perfectly still not wanting to say anything for fear that he may attack me, but he doesn't he just stays where he is changing into the repulsive monster. He growled. I flinched but kept staring as he turned into the most hideous black wolf I had ever seen. Before I could get a good look at his features he changed and became a different animal then another and another. He began to change so fast that I could no longer make out the different animals he was becoming. His changes from animal to animal seemed like blurs of different colors fading into one. Suddenly he stopped and became Jason again. I stared at him and continued to say quiet. The whole time it looked like I was someone looking in on someone else's dream.
"I don't get it," I say childishly. He smiled even wider and came closer to take my hand.
"I don't have much time," he said but continued to go on, "I'm not normal, and neither is Damon he is like me". His expression got serious as he talked. "We are not normal," he repeated, "if your smart you'll stay away".
"I still don't get it," I said.
All of a sudden there was a loud sound that jolted me awake. I sit up and look around but there was no one there. I knew this would sound insane but I swear I saw the back of Jason's dark hair fly out of my open window. A few seconds later I realized that I hadn't even opened my window before bed. I get up in one swift movement and closed it tight even though I was sweating. I turned on my lamp and looked at my clock, which sat on top of my TV, stating it was only three thirty. I opened my door and subconsciously walked to my sister's room, I looked over at her sleeping head underneath the covers of her bright pink bedspread. I found what I was looking for on the bed table next to her. I picked up the book and read the front cover, supernatural explanations for strange events. I placed the book under my arm and walked hurriedly back to my room. I took the book over with me onto my bed. I flipped over to the index and searched for the name that Meems had told me about.
"Muertos Sanadors por la Noche…pg. 76"
I flipped hesitantly to page seventy six and skimmed through the pages before finding something. .
"New discoveries lead to evidence of supernatural occurrences from the burning of a hospital back from over three hundred years ago. These creatures are very discrete and are able to live among us without our knowing. These creatures are known as Muertos Sanadors por la Noche (mu-er-tos san- adore-s por la no-cha), or healers of the night. They were former doctors that worked at that at the very hospital that burned down. They were changed into these amazing creatures by god himself. Although these immortals are said to have powers that are beyond our understanding they are amazing in the way that they were created to help mankind. These remarkable individuals can heal the broken save the dammed and cure the weak. You are able to see when they are using their powers because their eyes will grow dark and they will take on the characteristic of being rigid."
I toke the book and chucked it swiftly across my bedroom. The book hit my wall with an audible thud.
"Ugg,"I groan.
What the hell was I thinking? How on earth could I possibly even propose that Jason was this Muertos Sanadors por la Noche thing? It was completely impossible. The chances that he was one of those had the same possibility that I was a vampire. Opps bad comparison, but still. And on top of everything if Jason was a whatever you call it then that would mean Damon might be a whatever you call it. You know for arguments sake I am going to consider these Muertos Sanadors por la Noche things healers because that is part of the English translation to their name. Anyways I know that Damon can't be a healer because; well actually I didn't know that. In fact there was something about him that seemed inhuman but how could that be. I have had the weird sense that there was something strange and different about him but no it was impossible.
I fell asleep again to my own voice repeating the words that I hoped would be true. It's impossible; I said it over and over again. This time when I fell asleep there were no weird dreams or nightmares I woke up screaming from. It was dreamless sleep.
I woke up late past lunch time actually. I checked my phone to see the time ten thirty. Holy shit I have never slept that long in my entire life. I rushed quickly out of bed to get ready; I still had to get ready for work. I quickly pulled on my uniform for the dinner I worked at and went to work with my cover-up.
The job I had was really good I got paid 5.50 an hour plus tips. I usually work a five hour work day five days a week. It usually came down to about a hundred and eighty dollars or so a week.
I started with my cover-up. I applied layer after layer. Soon it just looked gross so, I washed it off and started over again. I did twice before I looked at the time and saw that if I didn't leave now was going to be late. I skipped breakfast and grabbed my coat