Crash.
The three of them came to an instant stop.
“Good heavens!” Mr. Nanjee declared as he twisted around to view the wreckage. The car that just passed them had crossed the road and was wrapped around a tree behind them. There was no movement within the vehicle and he hurried over. Jayden and her withdrawal-quivering mom followed more slowly. Patty was clutching her heart, saying, “He could have killed us! He could have!”
“No, Ma,” Jayden said in her most soothing tone. “He wasn’t even close.”
Before Mr. Nanjee could reach for the car door, it opened and Connor stepped out. His deep blue eyes zeroed in on Jayden’s green-eyed gaze.
Jayden blinked, and then shuffled backward a couple of steps, releasing her mom. This can’t be happening.
“Young man,” Mr. Nanjee boomed. “Are you alright?”
Connor didn’t answer. He was certain his galloping heart was going to leap out of his chest cavity and burst into a million pieces. His heart banged on but his eyes never left Jayden’s.
Mr. Nanjee looked from Connor to Jayden and back to Connor. Every fibre of his being was screaming with conflicting directions: ‘use caution’ shouted one half; ‘leave now’ shouted the other half. Mr. Nanjee took a deep breath and commanded his senses to be calm. A moment later, with calmness reigning, he reached for Jayden’s hand. Her icy fingers were unresponsive yet her eyes remained glued to the young man’s in some kind of magnetic stare-down. The air around them was super-charged with electricity and Mr. Nanjee realized something special was transpiring between the two.
Patty’s whiny voice snapped the stare-down into real-time. “I want to go to my room!”
Jayden sank to her knees, the visual bond broken at the sound of her mom’s voice. Connor came to her side immediately.
“Whoa there, young man,” Mr. Nanjee interjected. “I’ll take care of my daughter.”
Connor crouched lower, placing his face inches from Jayden’s. “That you, Jayden? You know who I am, right?”
Jayden nodded.
Mr. Nanjee placed his hand on Connor’s shoulder and moved him a few steps away from Jayden. “Okay, young man, I think you bumped your head when you drove into that tree and you might be seeing things. In my daughter.” Mr. Nanjee decided that the ‘use caution’ directive from his inner being was the path to take.
A car stopped on the road beside them and an elderly gentleman rolled down his window. “Do you need help?” he asked.
Mr. Nanjee turned to Connor. “Do you require medical assistance?”
“No, I’m fine, sir,” Connor replied. “Just in shock at seeing Jayden. In real life.”
It was Mr. Nanjee’s turn to take a step back. He finally understood why the two were locked in a stare-down. The young man in front of him was the other fellow from Jayden’s dream world. Connor. Except he was in the ‘now,’ actually in the ‘real’ world.
The smashed car raised more attention from passersby and a small group began to form on the sidewalk.
“Hey, I’ve seen you before,” Patty said to Connor. “Over there.”
“Where?”
“Over there. Under the moon.”
Simultaneously, alarm transformed the faces of Jayden and Connor.
Before either could speak, an orderly from the rehab centre appeared and asked if anyone needed medical attention.
“Yes!” hollered Jayden’s mom. “I do!” Her twitching had increased to the point where she was nearing a convulsive state. The orderly recognized her immediately. “Ms. Watson – please, allow me to bring you back to your room.” Without a backward glance or a ‘good-bye,’ Patty clutched his arm and tottered away.
Connor remained motionless, trying to come to terms with her comment. “What did she mean by that? ‘Under the moon.’”
Jayden shrugged. “I’m not sure, but it can’t be the dream world.”
Connor didn’t look convinced.
“Well, she is on a lot of medication,” Jayden explained.
“What happens now?” Connor asked as he leaned against the side of his damaged car.
Jayden gulped apprehensively. “I don’t know what to do or what to think.” Her eyes kept darting from Connor to her father, and to her departing mother.
“I think I know what needs to happen next,” Mr. Nanjee stated, gesturing at the damaged vehicle.
“Your car needs repair, Connor, and there is only one place that can put everything together. Everything.”
“Everything?” Fear and relief tweaked the contours of Jayden’s face. “What do you mean?”
“Wait a minute,” Connor interrupted. “How do you know my name?”
Mr. Nanjee cocked one eyebrow and glanced at Jayden. Ignoring Connor’s question, he pulled out his cell, scanned the phone log and then pressed ‘call.’ The phone rang twice and a pleasant voice answered, “You’ve reached Maximum Drive, where we’re always happy to help a valued customer. How may I assist you?”
“Hello, this is Wasiem Nanjee calling for Joe Mortimer.”
“One moment, sir, and I will direct your call.”
While Jayden’s dad made arrangements for a tow truck, Connor reached out and touched Jayden’s arm. “I hoped this would happen one day – us meeting in the real world. I just didn’t think I’d be in so much shock I’d drive into a tree.” He grinned. “You must think I’m a moron.”
“Well, I wouldn’t exactly say moron.”
“Jeez,” Connor cautioned, “Before you say anything else, remember the ‘think first, speak second’ lesson?”
“Hey, you set yourself up for an insult.” Jayden replied. “I hate passing up a freebie.”
“What brings you here?” Connor asked, releasing her arm and pointing to her jersey. “Playing ball with the ‘crazies?’”
“How about you think first and speak second,” Jayden retorted.
“Huh?”
“That was my mom holding on to me a few minutes ago. I’m here because she’s a patient at this so-called ‘crazy’ place.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Connor’s gaze was awkward. “I really am sorry – that was dumb of me. Um, is she okay?”
“Heck, I don’t know.” Jayden was still reeling from the sight of her sickly mom. “I guess she’s going to be.” She put a hand to her forehead in consternation. The combination of her mom and Connor’s appearance made the afternoon’s events surreal.
“So what brings you here?” Jayden asked in return.
“My little sister, Georgia; she’s here in the hospital.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Jayden said softly. “I remember you mentioned she was in a coma. I think we were on a beach, after we jumped off a cliff, and after the spiders came out.”
“Gee, you make the dream world sound bad when you say it like that.” Connor grimaced. “And Richard – Dick,” Connor added. “He’s in the hospital here too.”
Jayden shook her head in amazement. “Wow. We’re all coming together at the same crossing point.” She glanced at her dad as he continued his phone conversation. “Do you know why my dad’s getting your car towed to Maximum Drive?”
Connor shook his head. “No idea.”
“Because that’s where we’ll find our very own Ginger-Genius, Max. Otherwise known as Maximum. It’s his father’s dealership.”
Connor rubbed his upper arms. “You just gave me goosebumps.”
Jayden removed her cell phone from her undersized backpack. “I’ll send him a text.”
“Wait – you have Max’s phone number? How? Why?”
“My dad bought me a Jeep there last week.”
“Sweet. And where is it now?” Connor asked.
“Well, it’s in the shop being repaired.”
“Being repaired,” Connor repeated. “So you smashed your car too?”
“That’s not funny,” Jayden replied.
Connor waved his hand in a flippant ‘whatever’ motion. “Yeah, yeah, sure. So you met Max there?”
Jayden narrowed her eyes. “You’re quite a bit cockier in the ‘now’ than you are in the dream world.”
Connor straightened his posture, mirroring her gaze. He was a good six inches taller than Jayden and showed no sign of apologizing for the gesture. “You were saying something about meeting Max...”
Jayden cleared her throat, switching from aggressive to a more passive tone. “After I met Max in the daytime world, I wasn’t sure if you were real or just a dream-character. Max and I talked about doing an Internet search for young comatose girls who’d recently been admitted to the hospital, but I don’t think he discovered anything. We thought uncovering that kind of information might lead us to you.”
“And now here we are.”
They were interrupted by Jayden’s dad waving his phone in the air.
“Good news and bad news,” he declared. “The good news is the tow truck will be here within half an hour. Bad news is they can’t work on your car until Monday.”
Connor ran one hand through his dark, wavy hair. “There’s not much I can do about that, I guess. But thank you, sir, for arranging the tow.” He reached out to shake hands. “By the way, I’m Connor Fitzpatrick – but I think you’ve already figured out who I am.”
“Wasiem Nanjee.”
They regarded each other for a moment, each sizing-up the other, as Jayden’s dad continued gripping his hand. When it reached the uncomfortable time-frame zone, Connor steadfastly refused to let go. Ten seconds later, Mr. Nanjee finally released his grip, nodding curtly. Jayden gave her dad a quizzical glance, then looked at Connor with an ‘I-don’t-know-what-that-was-about’ stare. Shrugging at Jayden, Connor reached into the car and removed a water bottle, then opened the trunk and pulled out his hockey stick and equipment bag.
The three leaned against the car and waited in silence for the tow truck. Within the promised timeframe, it arrived and hooked up Connor’s car.
“We’ll follow in my car,” Mr. Nanjee said.
On the way to the dealership, Jayden texted Max with news of Connor.
He’s REAL and in the back seat of my dad’s car, she texted. We’re on our way to your dad’s dealership. Meet us there!
He responded within minutes. Got no ride but I’ll figure out how to get there. See u soon.
While Jayden was absorbed in her phone, Mr. Nanjee pushed his aviator sunglasses down the bridge of his nose and peered above the rim. He studied Connor in the rear view mirror and began his version of a personality drill.
“School?” he asked.
“College,” Connor replied.
“Grades?”
“Good.”
Jayden pretended to focus on her phone while her dad questioned Connor. She knew nothing about his real-world life and she was filled with curiosity.
Mr. Nanjee continued to eyeball Connor.
“Job?”
“Part-time.”
“Girlfriend?”
Jayden interjected. “Dad!”
Mr. Nanjee turned his attention back to the road. But only for a moment.
“Status?”
“Dad! This isn’t a social media grill – enough with the third-degree inquisition!”
Jayden turned and smirked at Connor. “You’re the first, you know.”
“First what?” asked Connor.
“First guy to ride in the back seat of my dad’s car.”
She wagged a finger at her dad. “And he’ll be the last one, Dad, if you keep up your interrogation.”
Mr. Nanjee pursed his lips and straightened his shoulders. “Just looking out for you, my sweet Jayden.”
“Sweet?” muttered Connor under his breath. “I don’t think so.”
Mr. Nanjee cocked his head to one side. “What’s that?”
Connor thought quickly. “Sweet, um... ride. Nice leather interior.”
Jayden shot him a withering glance and Connor returned it with a wink. Mr. Nanjee observed both reactions and strummed his fingers on the steering wheel. He wasn’t sure if he should be thrilled or concerned.
They pulled into the dealership lot and parked beside the ‘Service’ entrance.
“Thanks for the ride, Mr. Nanjee.”
“Certainly,” he responded, getting out of the car. “I’m coming in too, to check on the status of Jayden’s Jeep.” They walked in together and Mr. Nanjee pointed to the Customer Lounge. “We’ll meet you there,” he said to Connor, “and you can let us know if you need a ride home.”
Connor nodded and walked into the Service department. His car had been delivered and a technician in navy coveralls was examining the damages. He could see the hood was dented in an upward ‘V’ from the force of hitting the tree, and the front bumper was cracked in several places. Connor hustled to the technician’s side and listened intently as he outlined a list of repairs: new hood, new front bumper, new radiator mounts, possible new radiator, and paint job. “We’ll also need to confirm there was no damage to the frame.”
Connor’s shoulders slumped in despair. “I think I just struck out – no ride, no independence and no money,” he complained to the technician. “Great.”
With hands in the pockets of his gray hoodie, Connor walked through the service department. He was opening the door leading into the dealership sales area when he spotted Jayden and her dad. They were still in the ‘Service’ area, standing beside a bright orange Jeep and Connor immediately changed direction. Mr. Nanjee was deep in conversation with a young man wearing a white dress shirt and ironed, black pants.
Connor sidled up to Jayden. “What’s your status?” he enquired. She turned her nose up in a haughty manner, ignoring the double entendre.
The young man in the white shirt appeared perplexed overhearing the question, but gave Connor a full-out fake smile, drawing himself up to his full six feet two inches. “I’m Joe Mortimer but everyone calls me Junior.” He stretched out his arm for a hand shake. The two young men were the same height and they eyeballed each other speculatively.
“As I was saying,” Junior continued, turning to Mr. Nanjee, “The main repairs are complete so we’ll have her primed then painted on Monday. That means she should be good-to-go by Wednesday. Thursday at the latest.”
“Wow, Jayden, this sure is a nice ride,” Connor said with admiration, stroking the side panel.
“Yes, it is,” interrupted Junior. “And I’ve added something to make it even more fitting for you, Jayden.” He opened the Jeep and pointed to the gear shifter handle beside the driver’s seat. He had replaced the black knob depicting the 5-speed standard transmission pattern, with a multi-faceted, sparkly glass and mirror type of handgrip. “It’s jewellery for your Jeep,” he explained with a sheepish grin.
Before Jayden could react, Connor erupted into loud guffaws of laughter. “Hey, man,” he said to Junior. “Does she look like the kind of gal who likes jewellery?”
A red blush began around Junior’s collar and spread upward until his face was suffused with red splotches. He cleared his throat and said, “I meant no harm, Jayden.”
An awkward, tension-filled silence descended and Mr. Nanjee regarded Junior and Connor. They were both vying for Jayden’s attention.
“I think it’s perfect jewellery for my Jeep,” Jayden stated, smiling sweetly at Junior. “What woman doesn’t like customized glitter?”
Mr. Nanjee suppressed a grin while Connor scowled.
“Jayden!”
They turned and saw Max walking alongside his bicycle, panting heavily as he strode toward them. Removing his helmet, he gave a thumbs-up signal to Jayden. “Thanks for waiting!”
“Max!” Junior gave him a piercing ‘get-out-of-here’ look but Max ignored him. Instead, Max smiled in wonderment at Connor.
“Will you please excuse my little brother,” Junior declared in frustration. “I don’t think he realizes we’re conducting business here. Do you, Max?”
“Sorry, bro,” Max responded. Holding his hand over his heart, he added, “It’ll never happen again. I promise.”
Junior rolled his eyes.
“I’ll meet you guys outside when you’re finished,” Max said, nodding at Connor and Jayden. “Okay?”
“I’ll come with you now,” Connor said. “I’m finished here.” Nodding curtly at Junior, Connor followed Max to the parking area. They sauntered over to Mr. Nanjee’s Dodge SRT Challenger and Max hitched his bike into the kick-stand position. He was grinning with delight.
“I knew you were real, I just knew it!”
“Yeah, we’re all real,” Connor replied. “So what does it mean – us meeting in the ‘now,’ in the real world. Have you figured it out?”
Max scratched his head. “No, I haven’t figured it out. M-M-Maybe we just need confirmation we’re not going crazy in Dick’s bizarre dream world. Or maybe it’s a reminder that even though we think we’re going to die in the dream world, no matter what, we’re still alive here in the ‘now.’
“Well, what about my sister, Georgia? And Richard? Are they dead or alive?”
Max paused, his analytical mind processing the two-world factors. “I can’t say,” he finally answered. “I don’t know how they can be in both places at the same time, but Richard has proven it’s possible.”
“Hold on,” Connor interrupted. “Here comes Jayden.”
When Jayden and her dad got to the car, Max thrust his hand forward. “I’m Max.”
Mr. Nanjee nodded. “Yes, I figured out who you were – one of the three adventurers.” He pointed to the car and said to all of them, “Hop in. I don’t know about you guys but I’m starving.”
“Um... my bike,” interjected Max.
Mr. Nanjee unlocked the trunk. “Throw it in with Connor’s hockey equipment and Jayden’s ball gear.”
The lid wouldn’t close so Mr. Nanjee rummaged through the box of emergency supplies stored in the trunk’s deep well. “Aha!” he announced, holding up a bungee cord. With the trunk fastened down, the four left the dealership.
“We have burgers and salads at home if that’s okay with you?” Mr. Nanjee glanced in the back seat. “I have a feeling the three of you need to talk.”
Jayden squirmed in her seat. No one ever, ever came to her dad’s place while she was there.
“I just have to text my mom,” said Max, pulling out his cell phone.
“And I can drive both of you home after dinner,” Mr. Nanjee added.
Connor also texted his mom to let her know he was out for dinner. He knew she wouldn’t be home until nine and his dad was working the afternoon shift. He didn’t mention anything about the car accident, preferring instead to tell them face to face.
Connor and Max sat around the large patio table while Mr. Nanjee, wearing a bright red body apron, busied himself cleaning the grills of the barbeque. Jayden was inside the house, pulling potato salad and a Caesar salad from the fridge and spooning them into amber and green ceramic bowls.
The early evening sun was warm in the flower-filled back yard. Well maintained blooming bushes and groups of tall grasses surrounded the brick-lined terrace. “Nice place you have here,” Connor pointed out. “Thanks for having us.”
Mr. Nanjee halted his movements and stared at Connor. “Be aware of one thing,” he cautioned. “You are here because I will do anything and everything in my power when it comes to taking care of my daughter.” He pointed from Connor to Max. “And I trust you will do the same.”
Dinner was a sombre affair, with Jayden’s dad doing most of the talking. When they finished, Max and Connor stood to clear the dishes.
“No, no,” said Mr. Nanjee. “You three need to talk. I’ll clean up and you figure out your next course of action.” It took several trips but Mr. Nanjee removed all the dinner dishes and then stationed himself in the kitchen.
“What are we supposed to do now?” Jayden asked. “Max, you must have some ideas.”
“Well, I do have an idea,” he said slowly. “I’m not sure if it’ll work but we could try.”
“Yeah, anything,” responded Jayden. “What is it?”
“Well, I was thinking we could cross over with a few items of necessity. Or potential necessity.”
Connor frowned. “Necessity?”
“Yeah, necessity,” repeated Max. “Supplies. Like a whistle, or night vision goggles, and chalk or ribbons to mark our path... things like that.”
“I see what you mean,” Connor replied. “But do you think we can ‘cross over’ with these things?”
“It’s worth a shot,” said Jayden. “And maybe bring some rope too!”
Connor was still dubious. “How do we sneak these things into the dream world and get past the guy in the light?”
“Maybe we just hold on to them when we go to bed,” Max suggested.
“Maybe,” replied Connor.
“Maybe yes,” reiterated Jayden. “What have we got to lose?”
Max reached out his hands, one to Connor and the other to Jayden. “Are we agreed, then? We’ll try it tonight?” They clasped hands.
“Agreed.”