touch (10 page)

I could picture Belinda gloating holding her baby as
everything of value disappeared from her house and wondered how long it took
Belinda to realize her situation.  I’d been poor my whole life and it wasn’t a
fun thing.

“Her father heard what she had done and grieved over his
misjudgment.  What he’d done in an effort to ease her life only caused her
hardship.  He called me once more and asked that I take his life and break our
deal.  Since he did not value his life, I could not either.  I can’t make a
deal without a payment.  He died a few days later in his sleep brokenhearted. 
Belinda’s husband hopeful of a small inheritance hung himself when the news
reached him that her father had nothing left.  Belinda, penniless and without a
husband, suffered a hard life of her own making.”

Stunned, I leaned back and took a small sip of now tepid
water.  How did Belinda not see her mistakes?  She condemned her daughter to a
worse fate by making the second deal than the first deal had done.  “I just
don’t understand.  Why was she so afraid of you?”

Morik laughed.  The sound of it startled me.  “That you
asked means you do not fear me as she did.  She feared the concept of me.  In
her mind, a creature unlike herself could only be the work of evil.  Her view
never angered me.  I tried talking to her, but she saw the practice of using
someone else’s body, as I am doing now, as proof of evil.”

“Well, it’s not nice,” I reiterated.

“As you’ve mentioned before.”  He gave me an arched look and
I decided to it’d be wise to refrain from repeating my opinions.  “I don’t like
occupying others, but it’s my best chance to speak with you.”

I studied him wondering why having a companion was so
important to him, but didn’t ask.  He had been annoyed when I mentioned the
possession.  A show of annoyance meant he could anger as well.  I didn’t know
him well enough to ask him too much about himself.  He seemed fine answering
questions about my history, but I didn’t want to push too far and find out the
wrong way the full extent of his capabilities.

Noting the dark circles underscoring Clavin’s eyes, I hedged
for time to think.  “Clavin really doesn’t look good.  Would you mind letting
him sleep now?  There’s not much time before I have to boot him out.”  We’d
talked close to an hour.  It’d give Clavin an hour of well-deserved sleep.

Morik agreed and walked back to my bedroom.  Within seconds,
Clavin slept peacefully while I wondered where Morik went when he left a body.

I went through the motions of work on Sunday with half my
mind focused on the story Morik shared.  It twisted and turned in my mind. 
Belinda had been a self-centered woman and I pitied her father.  I understood
her hesitation about choosing Morik.  I wasn’t sure I could either.  But to
make that second deal… to condemn countless boys to a premature death to save
her daughter instead of sacrificing herself, saddened me.  She’d robbed all of
her descendants any chance of true happiness.

My mom told me my dad had been a good man.  I’d never known
him.  He died before my second birthday.  From her, I knew he’d loved me very
much.  She told me stories about his kindness and his willingness to help
others.  I’d once asked my mom why she’d picked him if she knew he was such a
good man.  She’d smiled sadly and said she’d loved him and he’d loved her.

Mona didn’t seem to notice my distraction.  Like the day
before, we worked in tandem taking and making orders.  I did most of the
serving while she stayed behind the counter assembling the sandwich orders. 
After a particularly grueling rush, I went back behind the counter and found
half a ham and swiss sandwich plated with a cappuccino next to it.

I looked up at Mona questioningly and she answered with a
grin.  “There’s about a ten minute lull.  Enjoy while you can.”  She pulled out
a bar stool from the dark recesses under the counter and sat down propping her feet
on a down-turned empty five-gallon bucket.

My stomach rumbled, the bowl of cereal I’d eaten for
breakfast just a memory.  The smell of the rye bread teased me.  Leaning
against the counter, I quickly glanced at the handful of people still in the
shop sipping their coffee before taking a bite.  The tang of the brown mustard
blended perfectly with the other flavors.  I sighed happily.

Mona hadn’t exaggerated.  Within minutes, the bell above the
door started jingling once more.  Fed, I greeted the new customers with a smile
and started all over again, taking and making orders.

As soon as the flow slowed around one, I started washing up
the tables and wrapping up a few of the less common sandwich ingredients.  Mona
had everything under control at the counter, so I went in back and sliced several
more tomatoes to start her out for tomorrow to restock the empty container. 
While in the supply room, I wiped everything down and restocked the other
things we’d used in the ingredient containers.  Turning off the lights in the
storeroom, I went to the coat rack to grab my jacket.  When I came back out,
the sign said closed and Mona sat at a table counting the tips.

“We were out of tomatoes, so I cut a couple up for
tomorrow.  I wasn’t sure how many you’d go through.”  I put on my jacket and
pulled the mittens out of the pocket.

“Not so fast,” she said looking up.  From under the table,
she used her foot to nudge out a chair.  “Have a seat.”

I sat and she finished counted.  At least, today I felt like
I’d done more work.  “Looks like you’re a keeper, Tess.”  She handed me forty
dollars with a wide smile.  “We’re serving them faster than their used to and
they like it.  It doesn’t hurt that you’re nice and smile,” she added with a laugh. 
“I was toying with the idea of staying open for the afterschool crowd.  Would
you be willing to help out after school if I do?”

Inside, I frowned.  Working after school wouldn’t be a
problem in fall or spring.  It was just the wrong time of year for that.  “I’m
sorry Mona.  I have to be home before dark every night.  My great grandma and
great aunt live with us and I have to help out at home.”  I hated using the
religious excuse that my mom used.

“That’s what makes you such a good worker, knowing your responsibilities. 
If things change, let me know.  Otherwise, we’ll keep it just like this
weekend.”

I nodded in agreement and stood.  She walked me to the door
and locked up behind me.

A strong northern wind swept down the street robbing me of
breath.  The brave souls that walked the sidewalks downtown did so at a brisk
pace.  It wasn’t the weather for leisurely strolls.

I spotted Clavin’s car a short distance away and headed
straight for it.  Not bothering to knock on the window, I tugged open the door
and slid in.  Sure, he helped bash my face in a door, but he’d also cried in
front of me and came to me asking for help.

Closing the door with a heavy thud, I turned toward Clavin
who watched me tiredly.

“Need sleep?” I guessed.  He nodded.  “My mom’s home this
time, but she’ll be okay with it.”

I didn’t add why she’d okay with it.  Yesterday I’d barely
gotten him out of the house before everyone came home.  No one said where
they’d been and I didn’t ask.  I’d been too busy worrying that they would see
something out of place or that they’d smell his cologne in my room.  Inwardly,
I cringed at the hopeful excitement his presence would bring everyone else.

“I brought homework just in case we needed a reason,” he
added helpfully as he pulled out onto the road.  With that comment, he broke
down a little bit more of my deep aversion to him.

We parked in front of the house and Clavin grabbed his bag. 
Before he opened the door, I reached out to stop him from bringing his homework
in.  I’d removed my gloves because his car was warm.  My bare hand skimmed his
wrist as I reached for him.  The flashed image of our future bulleted into my
brain and I gasped softly.

Clavin heard and turned back toward me.  As he turned, Morik
took over.

“What did you see?” he asked.

“You’ve got to stop doing that!” I scolded.

He watched me patiently waiting for me to answer his
question.

“I’ll tell you what I saw if you tell me how you always know
just when to pop into someone.”  The timing was too perfect.

“I stay close.  I watch.”  He spoke as if the answer should
have been obvious to me.

“All the time?” I wondered.  He nodded.  The thought of him
constantly watching me unsettled me, so I changed the subject.  “It wasn’t what
I saw as much as what I saw changed.  It’s never done that before.”

I looked out the window toward the house and noticed a
curtain move.  My mom had noticed me.  I wondered if she knew the car.  They
knew of Clavin’s involvement in the bruising of my face.  Would they try to
discourage me from choosing him?

“What changed?” he asked quietly as if sensing my
distraction.

I tugged on my gloves as I turned back toward him, the
temperature in the car already starting to cool.  “Before he would have been a
jerk, not mean, but selfish.  Now, it looked like he’d be nice, very considerate
of me.”

For a brief moment, Morik frowned before schooling Clavin’s
features.  He made no comment, but I knew he didn’t like the change in Clavin’s
personality.

“I guess getting hit by a car changes a person,” I
commented.

He titled his head studying me.  “Perhaps, you’re right. 
I’ll refrain making undesirables more desirable in the future.”

I grinned at him glad he’d caught on.  It wasn’t that I
actually considered choosing Clavin.  I just didn’t want to see anyone hit by a
car ever again.

Getting serious again, I said, “Time for you to go.  There’s
no way I can bring you into the house with everyone home.”  Without a word, he
left.

Clavin blinked at me with confused eyes.  He no longer held
his bag.

“Come on, you.  You’re way too tired.”

I opened my door wondering what he noticed.  That he didn’t
have his bag, that my gloves were now on or maybe the cooler temperature in a
car he thought he just turned off?  He didn’t say anything.  Just followed me
as he’d done the day before.

My mom had the door open before we reached it.  She eyed
Clavin’s cast for a moment before flicking a questioning gaze to me.  I ignored
the look and motioned for Clavin to come inside.

She shut the door behind us as I started to take off my
jacket feeling the eyes of the whole family on us.  Gran stood in the kitchen,
checking an apple pie in the oven.  Desert was rare, but welcome in our house. 
Aunt Grace sat on the couch knitting.

They waited for me to say something.  I turned to Clavin who
again looked close to tears.  He wasn’t oblivious to the tension.

“Everyone, this is Clavin.  I invited him over for a few
hours.  We’ll be in my bedroom.”  Clavin grunted in surprise next to me and I
hid my grin.  Probably the first house he’d been to where the girl announced she
was taking a boy back to her bedroom unsupervised.  “Mom, can you take Clavin’s
coat while I get us a snack?”  I didn’t want to touch him again so soon.

Mom hesitated, but then smiled tentatively at Clavin to take
his things.  He looked at me helplessly as I walked away.  They’d figure it
out.  Being nice shouldn’t be hard so for people.

I opened cupboards with no luck before whispering to Gran to
see if she had an idea.  She offered to bring in pie when it finished baking,
but I shook my head.  No interruptions.  Her eyes widened for a moment, but she
nodded.  I’d just given Gran the impression we’d be getting busy back there.  I
wanted to groan and hide my face.  Instead, cherry red, I led Clavin back to my
room without a snack.

As soon as I closed the door, I motioned for him to take my
bed.

“Are you sure this is okay?” he whispered.  “They know who I
am.  Your mom didn’t look too happy.”

“It’s fine.  Don’t worry.  I’ll protect you from them while
you sleep.”

I changed my socks to the heavy wool ones I kept for at home
and threw on a sweater.  Mom kept the house set to fifty-five in winter to
reduce the heating bill.  It made working at the Coffee Shop and going to
school that much more enjoyable.

Clavin, shoes already off, crawled into my bed pulling the
black and white, paisley-patterned quilt over himself.  His breathing slowed to
a steady cadence in seconds.  I moved to my desk and pulled out my homework
looking for something to do.

Bored after twenty minutes, I tried playing solitaire with
the dog-eared deck of cards I had buried in a desk drawer.  Clavin started to
snore.

I looked at my bedroom door wistfully.  If I walked out,
they would pounce on me, asking me questions I couldn’t answer.  They would
want to know why I chose him, which I hadn’t.  And when I told them that,
they’d want to know why I brought him here.  They wouldn’t buy it was because
of bad dreams.  They would want to know why he thought I could do about them. 
Sure, I could go into the whole guilty mind and needing forgiveness thing, but
I hated lying.  The more lying I did, the worse it would be when I came clean. 
And I knew I eventually would tell them everything.  I just didn’t want to
yet.  I needed to figure more out.  I needed to decide on my own if I could
trust Morik.

After a while, I had to fight to keep my eyes open.  Despite
my good night’s sleep, all the running around at work, or maybe just listening
to Clavin relaxed soft snores, made me tired.  Clavin had rolled toward the
wall leaving enough room for me to lie next to him, but I hesitated.  I slept
too much the way it was.  If I fell asleep now, that would set me up for a
headache tomorrow morning.

Rubbing my hands over my face, I went back to my cards.  The
suites gradually started to swim before my eyes and I tossed them down.  Giving
in, I lay on top the covers next to Clavin, my back toward him.  The chilly
room would ensure I didn’t sleep too deep or for too long.