After the ice cream, Claudia dozed off. She looked tired. I watched her like a devoted guardian, just as Joseph watched me.
“Will you relax,” he said. “She’s fine. Let her sleep. Why don’t you get some rest yourself?” Joseph was watching as I sat, leaning over her.
I looked up. I hadn’t noticed him staring until I heard him speak.
“We’re both here, so nothing is going to happen to her,” he continued.
I looked at Michael, who smiled. It seemed they had both been watching me guarding Claudia.
“I can’t help it,” I managed to say.
“I understand,” Michael said. “She gave you a scare.” There was still a smile on his face. “She mentioned your plans further.”
Michael looked at Joseph, not sure whether he knew what was going on.
“My uncle knows,” I offered to ease his worries.
“I do?” Joseph voiced drolly, realizing what I meant. “Of your wishes to not go overseas, right? Yeah, he mentioned that to me, Michael. So, don’t worry. You’re not revealing any new secrets.” He winked at Michael, which was odd. Since when was he that laid back with Michael?
“Just make sure you’re both making the right decision. I can see you’re really in love with her. There is no doubt in my mind now.” He exhaled slowly. “I will help with anything I can. But I must ask you, John, to speak with your father.”
I rose when he said that and took a few steps away from the bed, my guardian observing me closely.
“I understand, sir. You’re worried about getting involved, I can understand that. He made you a lot of promises regarding Claudia’s education and your own career goals. He makes it sound like the choice could alter the outcome of your futures,” I said matter-of-factly.
Michael was considering my words. Very bold words they were, given the expression on Joseph’s face.
I went straight to the point. “I just want him to know that this was your decision. The man has been very upfront about what he wants for you and I don’t want him to think that Claudia had anything to do with your decision to stay.”
“But she is a big reason I’m staying. I love her. Besides, isn’t it too late. Once he knows I’m staying with her, it won’t matter.”
Michael seemed concerned with what I was sharing.
“And I’m old enough to make my own decisions.”
“I only want the best for Claudia,” he stated.
“So do I, sir. In that, we can both agree.”
“Relax, Michael,” Joseph said. He had made his way to the sofa and parked himself right beside Michael. “I’ll have a talk with my brother. You know, regardless of what people think of him, or how he might come off, he’s actually a nice guy. He can be reasonable.”
Michael seemed doubtful. I seconded that doubt, but if I knew anything about my guardian, it was that he was trying to help me ease Michael’s mind regarding dear old dad.
“He’s just the kind of person that hates to appear any less around others … if you get my drift. Being a doctor, he has to deal with a lot of BS. I bet in private, I can change his mind, or talk him into keeping John somewhere in the states rather than sending him overseas. Besides, he hasn’t gotten to meet Miss Belle yet, so he knows very little about her. He doesn’t understand how sweet and kindhearted she is.” He grinned. “John needs her in his life. He’ll see that—”
“Are you suggesting an invitation to dinner?” Michael asked, confused. I doubted he wanted to do that a second time.
He looked at me; I was shaking my head, protesting the suggestion. Oh, please no, I thought.
“Let me talk to him before we do anything like that. His schedule is quite busy. Usually, if he makes the plans, he’ll be there, but if you or I make plans, he’ll definitely cancel.”
Not true, I wanted to say. Michael’s lips pursed in thought. The words in his mind almost leaked from his lips before his phone rang. He excused himself, so he wouldn’t wake Claudia.
“Nice move, uncle,” I said when Michael was out of the room. “He’ll cancel? I call that bullshit. You know that man will never cancel something this promising, especially if he suspects the source is in Milton.”
“Hey, I had to say something. I could already tell the man was considering inviting him to another dinner. I think I’ve had enough dinners with Dr. Nicholson to last me a long time.”
“Yeah, since when?”
“One is enough for a lifetime, nephew. Besides, I’ve been at this longer than you have. Do I have to remind you?”
I laughed. I was interested in his other dinners with the man. I was curious as to what they had involved.
Joseph caught me drifting and whispered, “Snap out of it. By the way, I wanted to discuss what I have set up for you regarding your departure.”
“Ah, finally.”
“Not now, John, after the prom and graduation.”
“Why not now?”
“Because I want you to relax and know I’m on it. You got that?”
He was serious and when Joseph was serious, I knew he was planning something good.
“I’ve set up an account for you and Miss Belle and a safe house. You’ll have all those things ready after said prom and graduation.”
My heart started pounding.
“I don’t want to say any more. I want you to stay focused and keep your mind on what’s taking place now. Got it?”
“Yeah, I got it.”
“Keep your cool, kid, you’re almost out.” Joseph rose, adjusted his suit, and buttoned a couple of buttons.
“What about what I asked before? You know, about you leaving too?”
He glanced back. “We’ll talk about that later, kid.” He looked at his watch. Something was bugging him.
“Where are you off to?”
“Reports.” Joseph grinned, ruffling my hair.
I hated it when he did that. I felt like I was twelve.
He moved to the door, but stopped short. His mouth parted as if he wanted to say something, but his phone went off. As he picked it up, his eyebrows raised. “Keep me posted on Miss Belle’s condition and if anything changes. I’ve got to take this.”
I wondered who was calling. All sort of possibilities fluttered through my mind: Dr. Nicholson, Ms. Stephens, any one of his many contacts.
Joseph left with no further explanation.
I was alone with Claudia. I dropped into the chair and watched her sleep for a moment. She looked peaceful. I wondered what she dreamt of and if I could merge into her dream. I leaned back and closed my eyes.
I found myself on a boat. The sails above me were moving rapidly with the tough winds. The ocean spread in different directions. I felt alone … until I sensed her close.
Claudia, my mind raced. My veins were on fire, screaming her name. I wanted to be close to her.
I walked to the deck and strolled to the opposite end of the large yacht. There she was, but she wasn’t alone. Another man was seated next to her on a beach chair. They were both in deep conversation, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. I was jealous immediately and hurried over.
As I drew close, the intruder reached out and cupped her cheek. She looked startled at this sudden movement, but it seemed as if she couldn’t pull away. Did she find him appealing?
Did my eyes deceive me? Was he truly daring to kiss her?
He leaned forward. She didn’t pull back. There was a smile upon her face as she closed her eyes to welcome his kiss.
“Claudia?” I called over. I stood only steps from them. The stranger’s back was to me.
Claudia blinked, her smiling eyes now regarding me.
John, she rejoiced.
I felt betrayed and heartbroken. But my anger was directed toward this man who dared to try to take my beloved.
Then I felt her love, as if what had happened was a mere fantasy.
“John, look who’s here,” she said, but I wasn’t listening.
I reached for the intruder trying to separate him from her. Claudia was startled. As I turned him to face me, I immediately recognized him.
Jack glared back. He was smiling in that arrogant and haughty matter of his, when he knew he was fucked and had gotten the best of me.
“It seems we love the same woman, brother.” He simpered.
I lunged at him and began to squeeze his throat. “She’s not yours! You will only hurt her! You don’t deserve someone as beautiful as Claudia. I won’t let you have her!”
Jack clasped my hands, prying my fingers from his neck, breaking my pinky in the process. I grabbed my hand.
“You have to learn how to share, dear brother. You can’t keep me from her. She’s connected to me.”
Claudia raced over.
Jack grabbed her arm and pulled her close.
Claudia looked lost, not like she did when she was with me.
“No!” Beneath, on the floorboards, a black substance stuck to my feet and I couldn’t move.
She looked at me, dazed. I could sense she was forgetting me.
Jack pulled her with him and she wrapped her arms around him. He lifted her in his arms. From behind them, a vortex appeared.
Claudia passed out.
I can be anyone, anywhere. I will do anything to possess her.
“Claudia?!”
Jack was gone and in his place was a tall, blond man wearing a black suit and red tie. He smiled back as he stepped into the vortex. He was swallowed by the lights of the portal.
“Claudia! Claudia!” I awoke, screaming. Sweat covered my brow. I sat up, breathing heavily, and looked towards the bed. Claudia was still laying very still, asleep
The light outside the window was dimming. I looked at my watch. Michael was asleep on the sofa.
What had I seen? Had that been her dream or mine? Why was she dreaming of Jack? Or was it me who had been dreaming of him? Could I write it off as just missing him?
I pushed such nonsense away. This thing was playing with both of us. Claudia was seeing him and dreaming of him and now I was, too.
I got up. The hours seemed to have passed fairly quickly. Checking my phone, I noticed there was a text from Joseph, wanting an update. I quickly texted him back with one.
Putting the phone back on the table, I walked over to Michael’s side and shook him awake. He sat up, startled, and looked around, gathering his bearings before he looked at me.
“Sorry, sir. I was thinking maybe you could go home and get some rest. I can stay here with Claudia. Tomorrow is another workday.”
“Are you sure? I can stay if you want to go home.”
“Sir, I wouldn’t allow it. I want to be here with her.”
Michael smiled and nodded. Rising, he stretched and grabbed at his phone to check the time, then walked over to Claudia’s bed, leaned over, kissed her forehead, and moved away.
After Michael was gone, I dropped onto the sofa. I glanced over at Claudia. The drugs the doctor had given her must have really knocked her out.
Closing my eyes wearily, I hoped not to go back into that horrible nightmare …