THE MISSING PIECE

CHAPTER 9- DISLIKE OF MUSHROOMS

GRACE

In the morning my body felt heavy. My body aches and was sore. I walked to the kitchen, for my surprise Kevin was sleeping in the couch and Nelson and Mister Miller were in the bunk beds. I tried to be the quietest, as humanly possible, and opened the door from the freezer. I took some green peas that were frozen and use the bag to applied pressure in my neck and then in my legs. “I feel a lot better.” Some minutes passed and I could feel my strength coming back to me. I walked back to the room and while passing I felt tingles in my right leg. I turn my sight down but I didn't saw nothing touching me. Entering the room I saw Belle laying on top of Sabrina's head, both still sleeping. I grabbed my phone and send a text message to Noah. Some went through and some didn't, so I need to keep trying sometimes four or five times until it passed. “What I’m doing here?” My days go in this RV, and they don’t even take me to meetings or other stuff. Why do they decide to bring me here? “They don’t know how to cook?” But that reason could be solve with a chef that would have been better than me in the kitchen. The dogs started barking. I turn and saw Sabrina waking up.

    -Good morning Belle, always a pleasure to wake up with cat hair on my mouth.

She sat in the bed and started to clean her tongue with her hands.

    -Good morning Sabrina.

    -Good morning Grace, did you slept well?

    -Yes, and you?

    -Are you sure? You kept moving at night. I thought you had a nightmare with all the movies we saw yesterday.

I tried to remember my dream, but nothing came to mind.

    -No, I don’t remember having one, or even a dream. Did I wake you up?

    -Just one time, but I went back to sleep really easy so don’t worry.

She quickly stood up.

    -Damn, Kevin is about to wake up, I need to get in the bathroom first.

She ran through the door like no tomorrow.

    -No! Not fair! Get your ass of the bathroom! You knew I was going to use it! Sabrina!

I heard the complains and also some knocks in the bathroom door. I lay down trying to remember if I had a dream. 

    -Your dumb friend is monopolizing the bathroom. Do something!

As he was speaking we heard the shower turn on.

    -Damn! Now she will stay there for more than half hour. Aren’t you going to do something?

    -Sorry Kevin, there's nothing I can do.

He sigh and jumped to the bed. He started to pet Belle. She purred and lay in her back.

    -You know? This is the first time I’m around animals, well pet animals.

    -Why? Didn’t you have a pet growing up?

    -No.

    -Not even a fish or a hamster?

    -Not even that.

    -Why? Was someone allergic in your family?

    -No, nothing like that, but our life style didn’t gave us time.

    -What else could you be possible doing when you are six or ten years old?

    -I trained, my family is from another place, and my dream was to become stronger and live in Aegean Moon. When I was chosen at my sixteen birthday my family was so proud of me, I was so proud of myself and that all my effort was worth it.

As he spoke, I notice that he may not be the carefree boy I thought. He looked determined while speaking. 

    -And your family? Do you see them often?

    -I think the last time I saw them was not that long ago, four years probably.

    -What? That is not long ago for you!

    -We live for many years and there haven't been wars or something, so it’s okay.

    -No boys allowed in the room!

Kevin stood up from the bed and glare at Sabrina. Sabrina closed the door and took the towel off. I turn my sight to the other side. “I swear they could walk naked everywhere.” That is true, Nelson, Kevin, even Sabrina don't think sometimes and appear naked through the RV. They don’t seem to care of their lack of clothes or the other’s lack of clothes. The only one that hasn't been naked often is Mister Miller. Flashes of his body started to appear through my mind.

    -Are you purring? or is it Belle?

I touched my chest and felt the vibration. I quickly grabbed Belle and hug her. 

    -It’s Belle.

I started to feel how my face turned red.

    -Okay. 

She then sat on the bed and her eyes turned clearer and null. I looked up to see what type of light does the RV use, to make that type of effects in the eyes of people.

    -Perfect!

I jumped at the sudden scream of Sabrina.

    -You are staying here, but can go to have some walks if you have company, but real company, not just dogs. I need to go. I will come back tomorrow morning. Kevin would also be out. But close enough, he will probably arrive at night. 

While saying that she exit the door grabbed Kevin and exit the RV.

    -Where are we going?

    -You are taking me to the airport, time for me to see Nate. 

    -You’re so clingy.

    -Shut up! I want to see you when you find yours. Bye Bye Grace! Have fun!

She winked at me and then disappeared in the back of the motorcycle that was drived by Kevin. I felt Belle in my leg.

    -Don’t look at me Belle, I also don’t have a clue of what is going on.

I came back to the RV and decided to have some eggs and bacon for breakfast. I put the plates in the table and turned to do some toast with butter. I took the butter out of the fridge and some orange juice. I jumped to the sight of Mister Miller without shirt, and eating my breakfast.

    -Are you not making some for you? If you do, can you make more, this is not enough.

    -I didn’t knew you and Nelson will be having breakfast here.

    -We are not.

I looked him in confusion. “He is not, but he is already eating my breakfast and asking for more.”

    -Just me.

My skin bristled. I didn’t know how to approach him. Our last encounter was still fresh in my mind.

-Is your bottom okay? I mean, it was a hard fall yesterday… and I’m sorry.

He didn’t look at me while talking. His sight never left the plate. I turned around to start making more eggs and bacon.

    -It’s a little sore, but nothing to worry. Your apology is accepted but I hope that incident never occurs again, or I will take all my stuff and leave. You have no right to touch me that way.

    -Yes I understand, no need to threaten me.

    -It’s not a threat, but a fact.

    -Like the one of you knowing what you are doing?

A flashback came to me of our first meeting and…

    -Or the one of you don’t liking me?

I was hoping he didn’t remember that part, again. I took the new portion of scrambled eggs and bacon and putted in the middle of the table.

    -A wise man changes his mind sometimes, but a fool never.

I said that to him and started to put some food in my plate.

    -Immanuel Kant.

I looked him surprised.

    -Yes, I think he was the one who said it, but I'm not so sure.

We continue eating, and I remember that I still had some pickled mushrooms in the fridge. I stood up and put them next to him.

    -Why did you do that?

    -Kevin and Sabrina love to add them in their eggs.

    -If they love it so much add them to yours.

He pushed the container to my side. I just glare at him. “He never says thanks for anything.”

    -Thanks Mister Miller, but I don’t like mushrooms.

    -Neither do I.

“So that's why he was so cranky.” But how should I know that if he never speaks to me. He finished eating and went back to his bunk bed. He lay on his back, and putted his legs in the couch. His V line marked more because the effort and the pose. I quickly grabbed all the dishes and opened the tap so the noise of the water flowing will neutralize my purrs. I don't know what's happening to me. I ended washing everything twice, because the purrs didn´t stop. I looked back and he was now sleeping in the bunk bed. Walking in my tiptoes, making the least possible noise, I passed in front of the bunk beds, without looking at him so my purrs wouldn't appear. And I made it to the door without waking him up. I opened the room.

    -Do you always wash everything twice or that was something of one time?

I turn to face him. He was already seated in the couch with a sarcastic smile in his face. “Did he heard the purrs?” Impossible, the water noise was covering them. I started to feel the vibrations and quickly entered the room and closed the door.

    -That was rude! Do you usually close door in people faces?

Then I heard him laugh followed by the sound of bathroom door closing. “He does that purpose!” It’s like he enjoys teasing me! I tried to stops the small purrs that were coming from me. Belle arrived and lay on my lap. This happens every time I look at someone without shirt. “It also happened in the morning with Sabrina!” And I didn't even look at her for long! Could it be that I have been too far away from my boyfriend or human touch that I’m getting like animal instincts in me? “Or maybe just turning insane.” And the second options looks more like it. I heard the shower turn on, and decided to see if I have new messages from Noah. “Nothing.” I miss him.

    -The bathroom is free now.

The sound of the knocks in the door wake me up. I took my things and open the room door.

    -Thanks for the heads up.

I looked around but he was no longer in sight. I entered the bathroom and decided to have just a quick bath. The water was cold. “That inconsiderate Miller!” He used all the hot water, how much time did he take in the shower. I exit the bathroom shivering and quickly walked to my room. There I put my clothes as fast as possible. The RV was cold because the AC so I decided to go outside and have some sun, to warm me up. While going down the steps, I skipped one and fell directly to the ground.

    -That was definitely not my fault.

He was there just sitting in the floor with his eyes closed. I decided to ignore him, and went to my dog’s pen and open the door. They were so happy that they licked me like crazy, and then Milo went running to Miller and licked his face. I hold my breath. “He doesn’t like dogs” Even worse, he can actually transform into a huge one and kill Milo. My adrenaline started to rush and I could feel heat. He then laughed and petted Milo in the head. “Milo is okay.” I relaxed and let a huge sigh out. I walked to them.

    -I thought you didn’t like dogs?

    -Well, a wise man changes his mind sometimes.

He looked at me and smiled. “He looks so handsome.”

    -But don´t get your hopes up, just sometimes. 

He stood up and shakes off the dirt from his pants. He kept walking until he entered the RV. Not a minute passed and he was out. He smiled at me again.

    -Are you going to keep looking at me or are you putting the leash in the dogs so we can go out for a walk.

    -I will put the leashes on!

I was trying to put them on really, but my eyes kept looking at him and with the dogs moving around, my tries were more than pathetic. He just stood there, his ice blue eyes turned almost white, I felt a jolt in my back. “Is he having another attack?”

    -Miller? Are you alright?

He quickly looked at me, his eyes were normal.

    -Is it that hard to put a leash on a dog?

I tried to find some type of sarcasm or derision in his face, but nothing. “I think he mean it.”

    -Have you never put a leash before?

    -No.

    -Want to try?

I extended my hand with Milo’s leash. He slowly walked to me and took it. He take it from the other side of the leash, without touching me.

    -This is Milo’s right?

    -Yes it is.

I put Max leash on and saw how Miller tried and fail, one time, two times, five times until the seven time was the winner.

    -This is harder than it looks.

    -When they are calm, it’s easier.

I was about to ask for Milo’s leash when he started walking with him. “Looks like he wants to walk him.” I and Max followed close. In the middle of the walk Max started to pull me closer to Milo, which leave me really close to Miller.

    -So do you have a family?

I turn and saw him looking at me.

    -Yes. You already know my dad, but there's also my mom my sister and my brother. You?

As the words left my mouth I regretted, I remember what happened to his mother.

    -No, just me.

    -What type of music do you like?

“Really, what type of music?” I was so desperate to change the topic I ended up asking a really dumb question.

    -Don’t care. Usually I don’t listen to music.

    -Really? Not even when you are driving or running.

    -Sometimes when I drive I do turn on the radio, but while running never.

    -Well I do like listening to music, alternative rock, pop, classic, country…

    -To sum up you listen all type of genres?

    -Yes, most of them.

We keep asking each other questions without importance, like favorite color, fruit, movie, artist, sport. He had more null choices than real answers, but it was fun and at least made the walk more comfortable.

    -Your stomach is growling.

I touched my belly and it was true. I looked for my phone to check the time.

    -I forgot my phone!

    -Don’t look at me, I didn’t bring mine either.

    -We need to go back, what time could it be?

He looked at the sky, and then looked at me.

    -Four and a half.

    -You have to be kidding! Four! How far are we from the RV?

    -Like a three or four hours walk.

    -That far! We walked that far!

My stomach was making more noise now. I started to blush.

    -Sorry, I’m just hungry.

    -There are some fruits near, let’s eat some. We walked and find a big lowbush of blueberries. I started to harvest some.

    -This is not going to be enough. Grab some and then follow me.

He tied Milo’s leash in a log and disappeared between the trees and bushes. I started to grab as many blueberries that I could carry, “He eats a lot so, the more the better.” I ended up with my whole jacket full of blueberries. I took my jacket and both leashes and tried to follow Miller. My dogs were pulling me most of the time. Some minutes passed and we entered a clear area with a river flowing. I saw Miller sticking a fish in a stick, and putting it near a fire.

    -Probably would not taste as good as the breakfast, but it is what it is.

I just smiled, he was soaking wet, probably tried his best to catch that fish. Walking to the fire I notice six more fishes.

    -Did you catch all of them in such short time?

    -Yes, seven fishes, you can have two I will eat five. That’s okay, right?

    -Yes, two fishes for me are enough.

I sat in a big rock that was near the fire. He then sat next to me and started eating blueberries. The face he made almost made me fall from the rock.

    -Don’t laugh, have you tried them? They are sour.

    -They are wild blueberries, they taste different.

When the fishes were ready he passed me one and shows me how to eat it.

    -This taste really good!

    -Do not exaggerate is just a fish, I would rather have your lasagna.

I blushed to the comment. “He likes my cooking.” But really this dish is delicious. I don't know if it’s the type of fish but I can’t get enough of it. At the end I ate three fishes and he ate four. Walking our way back I talked about my dogs and their personalities. He seem to start liking Milo, Max still has shy with him. “He is a mama's boy.” In no time we were in the RV.

-You should take a bath if you don't want to get sick. You were soaking wet when I arrived.

-Okay, but you were also without jacket, so ladies first. That way I will not waste all the hot water.

At the end of that sentence he took Max leash from my hand and started to walk to the dogs’ pen. “I never complain about that ”Probably just said it in the shower. “Was he spying?” I looked at him. No, he doesn't look like that type of guy. I tried to ignore that comment and took the offer for the first bath. I decided to take my time. “I didn't enjoy the morning bath, I deserve to enjoy this one.” But still I didn't take much time so he could also have some hot water. Exiting the bath I notice I forgot my clothes. So I tried to cover myself the best I could with the towel. “Open the door and run to the room as fast as possible.”  I was still not sure but it was my only option. I touched the door knob. “One, two, three!” I open the door and ran as fast as possible. I hit the wall hard, and fell to the floor.

    -Damn, I swear I opened the door.

    -And indeed you did.

My eyes landed on a shirtless Miller. His breathing was fast, the eight pack was getting hard and I could see tension in his shoulders making his size look even bigger. His eyes turned black? “The towel is off!” I quickly took the towel and wrapped myself in it. I heard the door closing. Turning my sight back I notice Miller entered the bathroom. I stood up and ran to the room. I saw myself in the mirror and I was redder than a tomato. “Great, how am I going to face him now?” It was late so I tried to push my shame away and put on a pajama and went to make dinner. I decided to make melted cheese sandwiches. The whole time I was making dinner he was in the shower, or at least I heard the water running. I put the plates in the microwave and went to the room to feed Belle. While feeding Belle I heard some steps.

    -I’m sorry I didn’t help you stand up.

    -Don't worry it was my fault for not looking while running. 

I looked at him and he smiled. I started to feel my cheeks blushing.

    -Grace I’m back! I’m starving!

I heard kevin shout through the RV. Then Miller got closer to the bed, and smells it?

    -Was Kevin in the bed with you?

    -Yes in the morning he lay down while petting Belle and I was sitting with my phone...

    -Hey guys! I added some mushrooms to the sandwiches!

    -I dislike mushrooms! So don’t even think of coming close to me!