Awakening (8 page)

I hadn’t spoken with Karen since the crepe restaurant and was looking forward to chatting with her. I had a lot of explaining to do because I certainly hadn’t been acting like my normal self and out of anyone who would notice it would be her. She was one of the first friends I had made in Whistler. She had always taken a bit of a protective role with me as if to shield me from all the male tourists and their motives. I never noticed the same things that she did when it came to guys, but I appreciated her efforts.

Matilda was softly snoring again as I went over to give her one last pat until my shift was over, and we could go on our usual midnight walk. I grabbed my coat and headed out the door to make it over to the Grizzly Pub all the while trying to get thoughts of Athen out of my head. Knowing the images that can sometimes infiltrate my mind, I realized I had better take advantage of daydreaming about Athen and not flush his smiling face out so quickly. I felt instantly better.

By the time I reached the pub, I was taking in the twinkle lights that were already displayed throughout the village and saw that our manager must have set up ours over the weekend. It was very welcoming and was like a home away from home. I always loved how charming the village became in the fall, and the beauty lasted far into spring for which I was grateful.

I entered through the side door and ran directly into Karen who immediately grabbed me and pulled me into the women’s lounge area where we all get ready for our shifts. This was not the reaction I was expecting from her. She seemed excited about something.

“
So, you have got to tell me EVERYTHING!” Karen almost squealed.

I was so taken aback by her reaction that I started spurting out everything that came to mind and probably sounded crazy in the process.

“
Well, Athen is positively, completely wonderful, possibly perfect. His sister is beyond fun and so is her fiancé. Athen has been the most thoughtful person that I have ever run into, apart from you of course.” I had to give her some kudos, but truthfully Athen was winning in all categories. Plus, it was only the first weekend.

“
He planned a wonderful Saturday with his family. Then on Sunday I did the spa with Arie, his sister. I have to be honest Karen, it has been only a few days, and yet I’m wholly comfortable with them. I truthfully can’t stop thinking about him. If I read a magazine, I drift off thinking about Athen, watching television makes me think about him and hearing music has me daydreaming. I feel like I have turned into the girl I always said I wouldn’t.”

“
Oh my God, Ana! You are so into him. I have never seen you like this. I have to admit I wasn’t too keen on this idea when you first told me you were going out at midnight to see him, but I guess maybe I was wrong… Have you guys?”

“
God, Karen.” I rolled my eyes.

“
Oh, well let’s hope that’s not the killer with the relationship since he sounds perfect in every other way.”

“
Wow, thanks for spoiling it you nerd.” I said smiling. I knew she was only kidding but was kind of hoping she didn’t jinx it. Then I thought back to him and knew there was no way. He was precisely perfect in every way. “Well, I hope that this isn’t a dream. I still can’t quite figure out what he sees in me, but I’m trying to let that part go.”

“
Yes, I know self-conscious Sally, but you really do need to trust us when we tell you that you are one fine chick.” Karen was cracking herself up as she punched her id into the computer and then punched in mine.

“
Come on now. Let’s see if we can get you back to reality.” She said pulling me into the dining room. “You’ve got section 3 tonight. It ought to keep your mind off of the mystical family.”

“
Very funny.” I mouthed to her.

The pub was still pretty slow since it was so early in the evening. The snow conditions weren’t at their best, but it was early in the season, and days like this did happen. I went over to the couple who had been seated and asked for their drink order, thankfully pretty simple – a Bailey’s coffee and a hard cider. I trudged off to the bar to relay the drink order when I had a flashback to Friday when I first saw Arie and Cyril. The overwhelming feelings washed over me with a warmth that I never wanted to lose. Never did I dream so much could happen over the weekend with complete strangers.

While I waited for Tim, the bartender, to make their drinks the pit of my stomach began to get an overly anxious feeling. I couldn’t figure out why. It was like the memory of these people almost made me ache because I wanted to be near them so badly. Now this I couldn’t relay to Karen because it sounded obsessive, and I certainly didn’t want that to come across. In fact, the more I thought about it, the more I began to worry whether or not I was possibly becoming a little obsessive with them.

“
Oh Lord.” I said aloud.

“
What, Ana?” Tim asked.

“
Nothing, sorry... I’m talking to myself.”

I grabbed the drinks and carted them over to the table and asked if they were ready to order their meals, which they weren’t so off I went to the next table that thankfully had filled up.

The pub continued to fill up, but regrettably I had to admit that every time the door opened I secretly hoped that Athen and everyone would trickle in, but that didn’t happen, which of course then led to me wondering if he got tired of me. I had no idea how self-conscious I became at the thought of losing him. Being around him makes me feel like I can do anything, but the moment he is not around I worry that I’m not enough. It doesn’t make sense that it is me that he would want to hang out with.

“
Miss?” Reality came knocking, “I think something is wrong with our order.”

I spun around and noticed they had nothing on the table. Shoot! I forgot to get their drink order. Strike one I thought to myself. Things were becoming painfully obvious that I was not on my game tonight.

“
I’m so sorry. I will bring that right to you and this round is on me.” I said hoping to make what amends I could. In that instant, I knew I had to pull myself out of la-la land. I had to get my act together regardless of what I wanted to daydream about.

I went up to the bar and thankfully their drinks were on the counter. I grabbed them quickly and marched them over to the table. They were a nice couple, dressed in sweaters and jeans. Her hair was dyed a perfect, pale shade of yellow, looking a little too polished for this pub. Nonetheless they very nice, and thankfully, forgiving. I’m sure they were from the states arriving for the upcoming Thanksgiving week. I apologized again as I dropped off the drinks. They seemed happy they got two free drinks for the evening.

A new table was seated, and I quickly darted over to make sure I didn’t make any more mistakes. On my approach, I got an unpleasant feeling. I couldn’t put my finger on it. My skin began to crawl and having had experienced all kinds of senses in the universe over the weekend, I was sure that this wasn’t a good one. I noticed that the guy sitting at the table had a strange look about him. I wasn’t sure exactly what struck me peculiar about him because on the surface he seemed pretty much like anyone else sitting in the pub. He wore a blue flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a grey t-shirt under. He sat relaxed in his chair, but as I approached, I saw his eyes look me up and down in a manner that definitely did not have good intent. I saw a menu laid out in the chair across from him. I hoped whomever he was with would show up soon to distract him.

“
Hi, I’m Ana and I’ll be your server tonight. Is there anything I can start you with?” I asked, trying to push all of my uneasy feelings aside.

“
Yah, give me a Jack and Pepsi.” He replied as his gaze lifted to meet mine, and a flood of uncertainty ran through me. His eyes were the coldest, darkest eyes I had ever encountered. There was no sense of light in them whatsoever. I tried my absolute best to hide my fear but worried he would see through it. I figured I had better spin around and get his order in.

“
Certainly.” I was pretty positive with all of the different types of characters that I had seen come in throughout the years that he didn’t fit the mold for any of them. Maybe, he was a sociopath. All I knew was that I wanted to steer clear of him on my way out tonight. Hopefully he would be long gone. Running into someone like that really brought to light the glorious feelings I got from Athen and his family only a few nights prior. Things really can change quickly. It reminded me to pay attention to instincts, especially with the missing hikers and all.

I went up to the bar and placed the guy’s order.

“
Hey, is everything ok, Ana?” Tim asked genuinely concerned.

“
I think so. Actually, it’s that guy at table six. He is a bit creepy. I’m sure it’s fine, but there is something off with him.”

“
Alright. I’ll let the other girls know too.”

“
Thanks.” That, I thought to myself, was one of the many reasons I enjoy working here. It was a very protective place to work. I felt very cared for, as much as workers can anyway.

I scurried from table to table as the evening picked up, and nothing too eventful happened at the table with the man, but the feeling did not go away. Every time I approached the table, the feeling actually got worse than the last time. His guest finally showed up, and it was a woman, who seemed pretty harmless, but it didn’t lessen my fears any. I made a mental note to check everywhere before I left for home. Maybe I would even call Athen to meet me. No, that would be overkill and would probably completely scare him off.

I went to the back to take a quick five-minute break when Karen came back.

“
Hey, what’s up with the guy at table 6?” She asked.

“
You noticed?”

“
Heck yah I noticed. He has been following you with his stare all night.”

Hearing her say that sent shivers up my spine. I thought I noticed that but talked myself out of it.

“
Well, the scary part is his eyes, Karen. It is like they are dead – entirely black. There is no light reflecting from them.”

“
Wow. I haven’t been close enough to see that, but I think we should walk home together for sure.”

“
Thanks, Karen. I appreciate it. I guess it’s back to the grind, huh?”

I went over to the kitchen and grabbed the couple of plates that had come up while I had been in the back and delivered them to their respective homes, all the while trying to sneak a peek at the creepy guy. To my disappointment, he was looking right back at me. At that very moment, a blast of icy cold air entered the room, which sent electricity right through me - exactly like Friday night. I began to get almost giddy with hope that it might possibly be Athen. I turned quickly to look at the front door, my body filling up with great disappointment as I saw he was nowhere to be found. Curse my imagination.

“
Hey.” I heard the most lyrical melody in the world enter my space and became exhilarated at the thought of Athen being somewhere around. I didn’t look in the right place. I didn’t imagine it. Thank God! I quickly scanned to see where his voice was coming from and saw him at the far end of the bar by the flatscreen. How he got there without me seeing I had no idea, but nothing with these people surprised me. He waved with his typical ease, which made me want to run over and jump in his arms, but I knew I had to compose myself. It was far too early in the relationship to do that. Plus, I was at work.

I knew I couldn’t hide my grin so I waved back at him and found myself jumping up a little bit, which caught the attention of Karen, of course. She rushed over and whispered to me.

“
Awesome. Did you call Athen? This is a much better idea. I was kind of worried about the two of us walking alone. I know I could kick butt and all, but Athen is pretty buff.”

“
Yes he is and no I didn’t. This was a surprise - a really good one. I haven’t filled him in on the creepy dude yet, but I will. Hopefully, he’ll stay till closing.”

I looked up at Athen, following his gaze to the man sitting at the table. Something bigger was going on. It looked like he already figured it out. I knew instantly that there was no way that he happened to come into the bar tonight. It also dawned on me that he had to be able to read my mind. This was no coincidence. Athen was searing the man with his eyes. How would he know to be wary or suspicious of that guy? One thing that was becoming certain was that the longer I was around Athen, the more unanswered questions become present. If I were to voice any of them aloud, I would sound like I needed to be committed. Athen turned his attention away from the man and looked back at me. His green eyes changed instantly back to kindness, which made my world melt. I saw his lips move and was so enamored with the shapes of his lips as he spoke, I wasn’t paying attention to what he was saying so I looked harder and mouthed back to him, “What?”

“
You are not crazy.” He mouthed back smiling at me, but then returning his gaze back to the man at the table.

I knew it. I knew something was going on. Some of the pieces to the puzzle were finally starting to take shape. My world was spinning. I needed to sit, but I had to keep going, not call any attention to myself. Whatever was taking place was larger than I was, and I reasoned that all I could do at this point was be open to the possibilities that may shape the rest of my life by possible chance. I was so thankful that Athen was beginning to let me in on this secret that seemed to involve me so deeply. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. He knew what I was thinking for sure, no question about it. I’m not crazy.