Days of Darkness

Chapter 63

Because music will send him its way all by itself," Tom replied. "I can't sell a dream, it must be desired. MIT is reality, and a damn good one." I guess he had a point. Would it be any better if everyone pushed him into music? Maybe not, but I could feel his love of music and I'd only known him a short while.

"MIT doesn't end my music," Caleb agreed, "it just slows it down for other work." He looked at me like I was the one who needed to be convinced.

"I like you on stage," I said without thinking. The thought of him buried in books wasn't nearly as enchanting as seeing his confidence bloom under the spotlights. Caleb gave me a mysterious smile, then his face flushed, and he looked down at his hands.

"I think you have your first groupee, Caleb," Wendy said with humor. I gave her a glare that only made her smile more.

"More than one," I corrected, "there were other women checking him out on the dance floor."

"The stage makes everyone a stud," Tom said proudly, "especially the talented ones." The conversation moved on to less controversial topics. Caleb was interested in Tom's law enforcement career. I could almost smell the testosterone as Tom explained his most exciting arrests and Caleb asked for clarification on the number of bullets fired and punches thrown. It turned out that Tom only pulled his pistol out once, and the suspect hit the ground shaking before the safety was even disengaged. He did have a few tussles with some drunks which seemed to feed Caleb's masculine story needs. Wendy and I shared some eye rolls during it all.

Caleb excused himself to the bathroom before the drive home. The lemonade was taking its toll.

"It is so good to see you again," Tom said, once Caleb was out of sight. "You've grown into such a beautiful woman. It's so hard to connect you with the baby I once knew."

"I'm just glad you're not a myth," Wendy said. "All these years I thought you were nothing but a dream. Thought I might have to put him in a home one of these days." She added, tilting her head toward Tom.

"Why haven't you bonded with Caleb?" Tom asked. "It's obvious he likes you, and if I'm not mistaken, you don't hate him."

"He's going to MIT," I reasoned. "I'm not. It wouldn't work even if I were willing to force him to like me." Tom's eyes narrowed.

"What do you mean by force?"

"The bond does something to people," I replied. "Normally, I hide it away, or I'd have my own groupees. I don't need robots as friends." Tom laughed, and Wendy covered her mouth to stifle her own.

"What's so funny?"

"I liked you before you bonded with me," Wendy said. "I don't like you anymore or less because of it. I did enjoy what you showed me, and maybe that gave you a few more points, but if you were a b***h, the bond wouldn't make me like you." That wasn't what I expected to hear.

"You're a sweet girl with a lovely skill," Tom added, "I can see why Caleb likes you, and I know why I do. The thing you do is just a bonus, not some glue that links me to you."

"How would you know?" I asked, suddenly fearful that even they didn't understand what I was doing to them.

"We're going to Columbus," Tom answered.

"Yech," Wendy interjected a comment on the destination again.

"If we were so tied to you, why would we continue with our lives? Why did I leave you so long ago when your Mom and Dad would have welcomed the help?" Tom asked. He leaned forward with fatherly eyes.

"I...I don't know," I replied.

"You show us wonderful things," Wendy added. "There's no script or force involved."

"But you quit being a cop," I said, trying to figure things out.

"I wanted to play music," Tom said nodding. "You showed me why I wasn't truly happy. You didn't supply a plan. That was already in my head. For once, I could think without all the negative crap that usually fills my mind."

"I don't know," I admitted. "I don't trust what I can do. It even fools me sometimes, screwing up my normal thoughts."

"Are you sure your normal thoughts aren't the ones screwed up?" Wendy asked. I remembered our conversation about the future. I also remembered the power of my bond with Wendy, and then Tom. Things were clearer, but I didn't trust them. As soon as the bond dropped, I let the thoughts fade away like dreams.

"Ready to go?" Caleb asked. He had snuck up behind me and made me jump. Wendy smiled in such a way that I understood he hadn't overheard anything discussed. I nodded and rose. There were hugs and handshakes as we said our goodbyes.

"Let him like you," Wendy whispered as she gave me a hug. I could feel how much she meant it. She didn't understand my fear about what the bond could do to a relationship. Turn it from real to phony in a heartbeat.

"You've got my email," Tom said to Caleb. "I expect you to keep me updated on what's happening in your life. Next time our paths cross, I expect to jam again." Caleb agreed, pleased that Tom wanted to continue the partnership. I could see him thinking about being in the spotlight again.

"I'm so glad to have met you," Tom said with gusto. I tried to shake his hand but received a bear hug instead. It was hard not to smile when he wrapped me so lovingly.

Caleb waited patiently for Tom to let go, then surprised me by holding out his hand. I surprised myself by taking it. It was more comfortable than before.

.13 - Caleb

Teegan's hand was in mine. I meant it more as a friendly gesture and now it was all I could think of. Her skin was so soft, and the way she wrapped her fingers lightly around my palm sent shivers that were hard to suppress. There was a warmth that seemed to increase as it climbed my wrists and spread to my arm. I became self-conscious about my arm's movements, not wanting to drag her along and not wanting to be a limp noodle.

"You looked so confident up there like it's where you belong," Teegan said. She pulled me closer and our shoulders glanced against each other. I looked into her smile. She was so calm even though we were so close. "I have no idea how you can do something like that. There were so many people here." She lifted both our hands up, broadly pointing around the area.

"Music gives me confidence," I said. It was the truth. I liked how she let our hands swing together, unworried about how they moved. "As soon as I started playing, it no longer mattered how many people were here."

"I'm glad I came," Teegan continued. She squeezed my hand to emphasize her words. "Next time you should invite others, let everyone see how good you are." The compliment was nice. Inviting others seemed drastic. I didn't want to share Teegan, at least not until I got to know her better.

"Did you and Wendy have fun shopping?" I asked, more to keep the conversation going than any real interest.

"We did more talking than shopping," Teegan said. "She's fun to talk with. Doesn't talk down to you if you know what I mean." I nodded, not fully understanding. I didn't have a lot of adult friends beyond teachers. I guess Tom treated me like an equal, mostly because of a shared love of music.

"You sure seemed to bond with her quickly," I said. Teegan went stiff for some reason and looked away. "She must have liked you as well," I added, wondering what I said. Teegan's eyes found mine again, and she smiled.

"We got along pretty well," Teegan agreed.

"Tom liked you too," I continued. "You make a good first impression. I usually have to give a second or third before people get used to me."

"Bull," Teegan snickered. "Don't sell yourself short. You were brilliant at the tuxedo place, and it was our first impression. You just need to put yourself out there, get on stage more often." I had to chuckle, and Teegan gave me a look.

"Confession," I said, making it sound more like a question.

"What?"

"I was waiting at the dentist's office the day before," I said shrugging my shoulders, "I read an article about tuxes in the waiting room." Teegan began to laugh. "I was bored. Had no idea it would come in handy." She pulled me even closer as her laughter began to shake her arm. It was such a joy to make her smile.

"Well, you fooled us all," Teegan said. I had to drop her hand to open the door. She surprised me by reaching out for it once we had exited the club. "Gene thinks you're a superhero who's been hiding in a mild-mannered disguise."

"He's a lot nicer than I thought he would be," I admitted.

"He's kind of over the top," Teegan said, "but you won't find anyone more loyal." The wide sidewalk allowed us to be farther apart, our hands swinging as one. It almost felt as if Teegan was making them dance. "Gene's looking forward to the study group. He's worried about losing his basketball scholarship to grades."

"I don't know if I'm a good teacher," I said, worried that Gene expected too much. I felt Teegan's hand strengthen and squeeze mine.

"Don't go all noodly," Teegan said. Her eyes were smiling at me. "You'll do just fine. He has nowhere to go but up." I chuckled. She was right. I might not get him to make an 'A', but moving to a 'B' wasn't insurmountable. "You flip-flop a lot," she added.