Soulmates
22
Close Encounters
Jaime and Keira and Trayce
«WE NEED to meet her,» Jaime said when Keira came to visit him at home Sunday afternoon. The doctor had released him from the hospital, but told him to just stay home and not exercise for the day. David had suggested that he just invite Keira to visit instead of going out for their Sunday walk. Keira jumped at the opportunity.
“I can’t believe you got cut so badly,” Keira spoke aloud, kissing the bandage on his forehead. «What do you suggest?»
«We should go to the college and meet her after her class. It’s on Monday and Wednesday at 3:00. After the winter break, we might not know where she is.»
«I can’t go tomorrow,» Keira said. «I committed to helping with the elementary school winter concert. The kids are so cute! You could go, though.»
«No. We should go together. She really needs to see us both and understand we are real.»
«Okay, then. We’ll go after school Wednesday,» Keira said. «It really upset you.»
«Even with the evidence of hearing me cut off when I was unconscious and you comforting her and me contacting her last night, she still thinks we’re characters and it’s unhealthy to think we are really talking to her. That doctor really screwed things up for us.»
«Well, we can try to convince her when we’re present. She still might reject the notion that we’re anything more than voices in her head,» Keira said.
«There’s something else we need to be aware of,» Jaime said at last. «I was a target yesterday. Not of the shooter. The guy who wants to capture head talkers had come to the grocery store to find me. He even had people in the parking lot to grab me.»
«What?!» Keira said, alarmed. «Why didn’t you say something?»
«I figured this was best dealt with in person when we were at least partly shielded. It’s one of the reasons I shut down after I was knocked out.»
«Jaime, that’s terrible! We should call the police!»
«Keira, honey. Can you imagine how they’d respond to that? I heard a guy talking in my head who was planning to kidnap me? They’d think I was crazier than Trayce believes she is.»
«Oh, shit! We need to be really careful.»
«No kidding,» Jaime said. «It’s the same guy I’ve heard before. Only this time he said he had two pieces to the puzzle and he was sure he could get all three if he had one of them.»
«Is he a head talker?» Keira asked. She had curled up next to Jaime on the sofa and was kissing his face as they talked. They hadn’t turned to really kiss, but both knew it was coming.
«No. It’s all his internal monologue. He’s proud of his ability to recognize head talkers. I don’t think he has a good concept about them being able to hear him. He might believe we’re projecting our thoughts to each other instead of listening to each other.»
«We need to be able to hear him, Jaime. We’ll have to keep our awareness open enough that we can tell when a threat is nearby. If he already knows about the two of us, we don’t want him to know about Trayce.»
«Maybe she’s safer if we don’t try to visit her,» Jaime sighed.
«You know who would help? We happen to know a head talker who is a private detective. I bet Mr. Angus would keep an eye on things.»
«He’s so old. Can he really do anything?»
«I bet he can do anything when those two strippers are with him,» Keira laughed.
They kissed deeply and, in the process, opened themselves fully to others in the vicinity.
«No! Maybe you don’t have homework, but I do,» Trayce said, defiantly. «I’m writing a different story right now and I don’t want to be interrupted.»
«What’s this story about?» Keira asked.
«A woman who is really depressed but has to go out in public with her boyfriend and be sociable. I really want to write something meaningful about depression and its effects on a person.»
«Wow! Do you always write about people we’ve met?» Jaime asked.
«I used to write fan fiction, but my creative writing teacher challenged me to build a story around a character. I’ve done two and they were both pretty successful. One was about a little girl and her mommy who just lost their father/husband in the war. That was really part of my story, too. I lost my dad in an accident over a year ago. My teacher loved it! My last story was about an old man who fantasized about being a young detective who had two strippers as sidekicks. My teacher gave me an A, but said it was not appropriate for school.»
«We met Angus, Kate, and Thursday in the park near here,» Keira said. «The little girl and her mom were in a movie theater when we were first dating.»
«Well, of course you would have all the same experiences I write about. They’re all in my mind with you,» Trayce said.
«I think you are reading the characters from our minds,» Jaime said.
«That’s not possible. What day is it in your world?» Trayce asked.
«What do you mean?» Jaime asked.
«It’s Sunday here. How long ago was your incident with the shooter in the store? I wrote that down so I could add some thrilling events to the story.»
«It’s Sunday, Trayce. The whole thing happened yesterday,» Keira said.
«Oh.» She sounded disappointed. «Of course, we’re tied closely together at the moment so our experiences are in sync. But if I wrote it and said it happened last spring, then you’d agree that it happened last spring.»
«No. You can surely write a story about it and set it in any time or place you want,» Jaime said. «You could say it happened in Seattle, for example. Maybe there’s a better setting for it up there. It still wouldn’t change the historical fact that it happened yesterday in Portland.»
«There’s no sense arguing with myself over this,» Trayce declared. «Now let’s have a little kiss and let me get back to work.»
«Really, Trayce? You’re just going to eavesdrop on the two of us as we’re making out. We’ll try to put up some barriers so you aren’t dragged into it, but Jaime and I aren’t going to kiss just to entertain you,» Keira said.
«Fine. Just leave me alone while I work on my story.» Trayce abruptly closed her mind to them by reciting some ridiculous mantra they didn’t completely understand.
“You know, we haven’t chosen a play yet. We should spend the afternoon reading and memorizing our parts,” Keira said. They did have a little kiss, but closed themselves off from contact with Trayce. They spent the afternoon with Jaime’s laptop open, searching for a play they could easily memorize to slip into if someone was eavesdropping on them. They chose A Streetcar Named Desire.
Jaime and Emerson
At school, Jaime was in for another surprise from his rather surprising computer lab partner. First, while not dressed as provocatively as she’d been when she made her proposition the previous week, she was wearing a skirt that came to mid-thigh with over the knee socks and white tennis shoes. Her tailored blouse was tucked in to accent her bust and narrow waistline. And even to the casual observer, her black bra was apparent under the blouse.
“Wow! Emerson, you’re letting your Paris persona shine through,” Jaime typed on his TTS laptop. He handed her the Bluetooth earbud, which she put it in an ear already adorned with dangling earrings. She smiled then reached to touch his head.
“What happened? You’re injured!” she said.
“I had an encounter with a piece of broken glass,” he typed. “Just a couple of stitches and it will be fine. So, you do look great!”
“Thank you, Jaime. I’ve lived in a shell too long. I didn’t want anyone in our class thinking they could date good old Emerson for a good time. You know, the girls who dress… more attractively… get hit on a lot. I kind of closed up the look in middle school, except when I travel. You’re right, this is a modest edition of the Paris look. I’m glad you like it.”
“You know, I’ve always thought you were attractive, even when you were wearing baggy jeans and sweaters,” he typed. “This is a good look for you.”
“Zip, I know this is going to sound like it’s coming out of left field, but do you and Keira have um… like another girlfriend? I mean… I’m asking because… I’d be interested. You know? I was part of a ménage à trois when I was in Paris and I miss them terribly. Please don’t spread that around. I trust you with the information, but that’s just because I really trust you. Anyway, the other two are getting married and I’m the odd girl out. I’m sitting beside you each day in comp sci, and you’re really cool. I’ve seen you with Keira but I don’t have any classes with her, so I haven’t been able to talk to her. And… God! I’m making a hash of things. You must think I’m really desperate. But I can’t get the two of you off my mind. You’ve been so helpful on my project and Keira is so pretty and… I’ll shut up now,” Emerson said. She was flushed red.
“Emerson, you’re really a great partner in class. I like you a lot, and I know Keira likes you, too. I don’t think she’d go for adding another person in our group. Yeah. There’s another girl we met… online. But you might also have the wrong idea about us. Keira and I are dating, but we’re not really… like… having sex, you know?”
“Oh, shit! I mean, like, yeah. I thought you probably were because you seem so connected. That’s one of the reasons the two of you are so attractive. But that wouldn’t mean we couldn’t hang out, you know? I mean… well, if you’ve got someone else, that would kind of complicate things for both her and me, wouldn’t it? Please, just forget I brought it up. I was allowing fantasy to control my stupid mouth.”
“Emerson, I’m really flattered that you’d think of Keira and me like that. I know she’ll feel the same way. Don’t be embarrassed about it. We’re teens. Fortunately, most people don’t realize when I’ve stuck my foot in it because I do it quietly! Well, Keira knows. But we can, you know, hang out a little and we’ll still be working on our projects. You’ll still test my voice customization app, won’t you?”
“Of course I will! Um… Maybe it would be okay if Keira was around when we did the test. I’d like to get to know her better anyway.”
“Sure.”
Jaime and Keira
«She actually suggested that? Holy cow!»
«It was really hard not to imagine her, you know, stretched out naked on her bed. But the thing is, she’s definitely head deaf. I was reading her while she was talking and she was thinking about the great come she had while masturbating to our image Friday night. There wasn’t a trace of indication she was even remotely aware of our presence.»
«Still, it’s interesting that she picked up on us as potential partners. I wonder if there is some kind of aura that surrounds people who are, like, into or open to a multiple relationship. There must be something about us that attracted Trayce to us, too.»
«And I’m not about to give up on her.»
«We have to let her be her. If she just can’t deal with the reality of head talk, we can’t let her believe she’s going crazy. It’s hard enough when you accept it and have someone to share it with,» Keira said.
«That’s true. I… We care for her like we do for each other. How is that even possible? I love you with all my heart. And I love her with all my other heart.»
«I’ve been inside your heart, love. I think it’s big enough to love us both. Like I love you both. Isn’t that the craziest thing? We didn’t know her at all until she showed up while we were kissing!»
«Maybe it’s not possible to connect that way without falling in love. I was in love with you at least by the time we kissed. And even though she’s fighting any possibility other than that we’re characters she made up, she’s shown us a lot about herself. I mean, I wanted to see her face and she stood naked in front of a mirror for me!»
«Do you think she’s ever done that before?»
«She said she avoided mirrors. It wasn’t just her body she was showing me. She showed me how uncertain about life she was. What her dreams were. How the two of us fit so naturally into the picture with her.»
«When I was, like, holding her while you were in the hospital, I found out a lot. She lost her father in an auto accident with a drunk driver. Her mother was in and out of touch mentally almost ever since, but is better now that she’s seeing a counselor and is in AA. In some ways, I think the idea of having both you and me as lovers is a way of replacing her parents. But she’s so vulnerable! I just hate to think of her facing everything all alone.»
«Wednesday, we’ll convince her we’re real.»
«I hope so.»
Jaime and Keira and Trayce
«We should get to the college in plenty of time to grab a cup of coffee before her class gets out,» Jaime said.
«You want coffee?»
«I was just thinking about something to do while we’re waiting.»
«I was thinking we could find a nice spot and get warmed up. You know. Kiss a little?» Keira suggested.
«We just need to be careful not to disturb Trayce in class, but we can use the time we are kissing to survey the area for threats. I haven’t heard anything from that guy so far. I want to be ready if he’s going to throw a bag over my head and drag me off.»
«I love you, Jaime.»
Once at the college, they found a spot to stand about a hundred yards from the main entrance to the building where Trayce’s class was held. They sat on a bench holding hands and observing the students passing by. There weren’t too many of course, because classes were in session. A few were arriving early for their next class or heading to the library. Trayce’s class would be out at four.
«We’re going to freeze our butts,» Keira giggled.
«At least there’s no snow or wet on the bench.»
They shared a soft kiss, relishing the feel of each other’s lips and extending their range exponentially. They kept strong barriers up against being overheard.
«Can you tell if she’s there?» Keira asked.
«I feel a hint, but it feels a long distance away, or probably just inside that building and muted by all the brick and metal.»
«We should have gotten coffee,» Keira giggled. «It’s cold out here. No sign of the bad guy?»
«Nothing.»
They held hands and tried to just relax. Eventually, students started appearing, exiting the building. They clutched each other more tightly as they held their breath expectantly.
«There! That’s her. God, she’s beautiful!» Keira exploded.
«Wait. She’s talking to someone. Don’t interrupt her,» Jaime cautioned.
«Now. Kiss me.»
«Trayce, we’re here. See us kissing?» Jaime asked.
Trayce’s eyes snapped to Jaime and Keira. Her heartrate accelerated and she made a single step toward them.
«We won’t hurt you. We just want to meet you.»
No! No! It can’t be. I just saw two random people kissing and thought of them. They aren’t real. I have to get hold of myself, Trayce screamed in her mind.
«We’re real. We told you we’d visit. We’ll wave.»
Keira and Jaime each raised a hand and waved at Trayce, but that only seemed to aggravate her level of panic.
I thought them up in my head and I’m hearing things that make them seem real. I’m projecting them onto random people and imagining they’re real.
«We’re real.»
«Go away. I’m not crazy. I’m not! You’re characters. You aren’t real. I’m not going to meet you after class. You aren’t really here. Go away!»
Trayce picked up her pace and then started running toward the bus stop. The bus that had just arrived wasn’t the one that would take her home, but she joined the crowd who were boarding and slouched down in a seat holding her hands over her ears.
Jaime and Keira let her go and didn’t try to contact her as the bus pulled away.
«That didn’t go as planned,» Keira said sadly.
«That was our bus.»
«Another will be along after a while.»
«Let’s go have that cup of coffee and wait for a while. There’s no reason to hurry.»
«And if she went the wrong direction, she’ll need to get off the bus and get back to her line. We don’t want to look like we’re chasing her.»
«It didn’t go at all like I thought it would.»
«I’m sorry, Jaime. I’m sorry, Trayce. It all sounded so good. I guess we fooled ourselves, too.»
Jaime and Emerson
“Hey, you okay, Zip? You look a little down,” Emerson said when he got to the computer lab on Thursday.
“Fine,” Jaime signed. He connected his computer and handed Emerson the earbud. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to blow you off. You know how young love is. Ups and downs.”
“You and Keira? Oh, no!”
“Oh, Keira and I are fine. Our girlfriend kind of rejected us yesterday afternoon. It was the first time we were to meet IRL instead of virtually, you know? When she saw us, she just took off. I guess we weren’t what she was expecting.”
“Was she what you were expecting?” Emerson asked. Her head immediately rushed to the possibility that there was room for her, but she quashed the idea violently.
I’m not going to be a rebound. Especially on my rebound. God! What a disaster.
“She was all that. Except for running away from us. I think we’ll just cool it for a while and let our hearts heal. It’s almost Christmas, after all,” he typed.
“Yeah. Gotta be good!” Emerson laughed.
“Say, I didn’t mean to ignore what you are wearing. Just looking at you each day, I’m thinking Keira and I might need to move to France! You look great again today.”
Emerson was wearing a brown suede skirt that stopped at mid-thigh, thigh-high black socks and ankle boots, and a horizontally striped long-sleeve T-shirt. Her light brown hair, usually tied back in a ponytail or bun, hung in curls around her shoulders.
He noticed! she thought while blushing.
“Oh, um… thanks. I just figured that since I’ve exposed myself at school, so to speak, there’s no reason not to wear the things I really like. Unfortunately, some of them don’t meet school regs. Too bad. They’re really cute. It’s getting too cold to wear skirts, though. I’ve got some better fitting jeans than what I usually wear.”
“I’d love to see them sometime,” Jaime typed without thinking how it might sound. Emerson blushed again.
Oh, I’d like you to see them. Just before I took them off.
“Look what I did with my color picker. I took your advice. The prediction algorithm is still intact, but now when it predicts a dominant color, it displays three color schemes that it could be used in.”
“I knew it!” Jaime typed. “Seeing the dominant color by itself just wasn’t getting there. But seeing how it would look with other colors really makes it come alive. Nice job, Emerson.”
I’d wear clothes like this every day just to have him look at me like that. I need to make an effort to get to know Keira. They’re really nice people.
“I’d like you to test the improvements on the voice manipulation algorithm when you’re available. I know things are crazy as we head into the last two weeks of school, but I fed it different expression algorithms, too. I’d like to see what it does with a real voice.”
“Yeah. Sure. Maybe you and Keira and I can meet here in the lab after school next Monday or Tuesday.”
“I’ll have to check with Keira about timing. She wants to try it, too.”
“Okay.”
Jaime tried not to be down for the rest of the period, but then listening to Mr. Wilson read his notes in psychology class the next period almost put him to sleep.
Please feel free to send comments to the author at devon@devonlayne.com.
