Earth Blend (15 page)

“
Get dressed, Romeo. I have a cab
waiting. You're going to show me where my car is.” Marcus entered
and shoved clothes at Austin. “Hello, Juliet...” He paused, looking
at her attire. “I can't decide if I like the skimpy waitress outfit
better or this.”

Julie rolled her eyes and walked away from
the two men.

Marcus pushed Austin towards the bedroom.
“Now, meter's running and you're paying.”

Austin went to go change.

“
What's that smell? Did you cook
something?” Marcus asked.

“
Oh, no, just reheated some leftover
pizza.” Julie said

“
And you didn't save me
any?”

“
I'm... sorry.” Julie looked upset
with herself.

Marcus began laughing. “You are too easy. “
He walked over to her refrigerator and opened it. “You need to go
food shopping.”

Julie closed the door. “I know.”

Marcus leaned against the counter. “So am I
safe in assuming you improved his mood?”

“
Is it possible for you to have a
conversation that is not dripping with sexual
overtones?”

Marcus appeared to be giving her comment
some thought, then replied, “Nope, not a chance.”

It was then that Austin came out from the
bedroom in the clothes Marcus brought him. “I'm ready.”

“
Let's go then.” Marcus walked toward
the door.

Julie walked over to Austin. “What are your
plans after you find the car?”

“
I'll go to the Laundromat and see my
mom and go from there.”

Julie took note that he said mom instead of
step-mom, but did not bring it to his attention. “Calmly,
right?”

Austin smiled, “Calmly. You heading to
work?

“
Yes, the hospital then the
cafe.”

“
Maybe I'll stop by and see you at the
cafe.”

“
Okay, I'd like that.” She
smiled.

Austin gently placed his hands on her face
and pressed his lips on hers. The kiss was sweet and gentle and
left her wanting more.

The tender moment was broken as they both
felt Marcus' presence near them. He looked at both of them and
said, “Don't I get one, too?”

Julie was thankful that Austin grabbed
Marcus' arm and pulled him out the door before she could inflict
pain on him.

“
See you tonight.” Austin called as he
closed the door.

Julie got ready for work.

Earlier

When Eli left the building he was engrossed
in thought. He was puzzled by Austin's abrupt change in attitude
towards him. Movement near the trees on the side of the complex
distracted him from his thoughts. He wondered if that was the
Earthling from last night who he saw peeking into Julie's window.
He decided to investigate. As he reached the forest he heard a
rustle in the trees above. “Where are you? Show yourself.”

Eli heard a laugh inside his head. He
communicated in thought to whomever it was.

Eli: Answer me.

Percone: Hello, brother.

Percone was sitting perched on a nearby
branch.

Eli: What are you doing down this way? Was
that you last night peeking in Julie's window?

Percone: Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't. How
often do you spy on her? How does it feel to be second fiddle to
her boy toy?

Eli: Stay away from her.

The tree began to shake.

Percone: Oh, hold your temper. I was just
checking to see how they were doing after their near death
helicopter crash.

Eli: Like you would even care.

Percone: Well, I was just curious. The word
around the forest is that they couldn't find the body of that one
human.

Eli jump up into the tree and moved closer
to Percone, his body shaking with anger.

Eli: What do you know about that?

Percone stood and grinned at Eli. He did not
back away from him. “Oh what a tangled web we weave.” He spoke
aloud.

Just then another voice could be heard.
“Eli... are you here?”

Percone dropped down to the ground and
greeted the voice. “Hello, Gregg.”

“
Oh, Percone, hello. It's nice to see
you. I thought I saw Eli come this way. I wanted to talk to
him.”

“
He's right up there. I just came by
to say hi myself.”

Eli dropped down from the tree. “Hello,
Gregg.”

“
Everything okay?” He asked, looking
at both Earthlings.

“
Peachy.” Percone smiled. “But alas, I
must be going. You two have a great day.”

Eli watched Percone leave and sent a thought
out to him.

Eli: We are not finished.

Percone: We've only just begun.

“
I'm sorry if I interrupted
something.” Gregg said.

Eli sighed. “What is it I can do for
you?”

“
I was hoping you had a place
for me to stay. I know I only mentioned it yesterday but I really
need to be close to Julie and Austin right now. Is there anything
available? I'm not picky.”

“
To be honest, Gregg, I have not
had a chance to see. The only thing that is available immediately
is the landlady's apartment. Her relatives have cleaned out her
things but it is still furnished and the electricity is still
on.”

“
That sounds perfect. I promise
to be no trouble, I just need a place to rest my head.”

“
That's fine.” Eli said, and
began walking back to the parking lot. “I'll get you the key and
then I really have to get going.”

“
Of course, and again I really
appreciate it.” Gregg followed.

Eli walked back into the building and
retrieved the key to apartment 101 and opened the door for Gregg.
“Hopefully this will suffice.”

“
It's perfect, thank you again,
Eli.”

“
I'll be going, I'm sure I will
see you around.” Eli walked back out into the hallway. He noticed
Julie coming out of her apartment. His heart warmed when he saw her
smile when she looked at him.

“
Hey.” She said as she got
closer. “I would have thought you left for work a while
ago.”

“
I had every intention but kept
getting sidetracked.”

Gregg entered the hallway, locking the
apartment door. “Julie, good morning. Where's Austin?”

“
He's with Marcus. Um, what are
you doing here?” She looked at the key in his hand.

“
Eli was generous enough to let
me rent one the apartments here. This way I can be closer to you
and Austin
to help you both should I be needed.
”

“
Oh, okay.” She said, looking to
Eli, giving him a forced smile. “Well, I guess I'll see you later,
I have to get to work.”

“
Perhaps I could make dinner
tonight.” Gregg suggested.

“
I'll be working late at the
cafe, Austin said he would stop by, but check with him and see what
he wants to do.”

“
Alright then, have a good day.”
Gregg said.

Eli followed Julie out the front door. “I
hope this is okay. I guess I should have consulted you first.”

“
You mean about Uncle G? Why
would you have to consult me? This is your building, you can rent
to whomever you wish.”

“
You don't seem too thrilled
about the fact that he will be living so close.”

“
It's not that I am not
thrilled, I guess I am just cautious. I mean, it is a good thing,
don't get me wrong, but I do not want to become too dependent on
him because he is so close.”

“
Ah, now I get it. The ole 'I
can do things all by myself and do not need anyone's help'
thing.”

Julie laughed, “Yes, that 'ole thing'.”

Eli unlocked his car, “Well, would I be
infringing on your independence by offering you a ride to the
hospital? I have some errands to run after work so I am driving in
this morning.”

Eli watched as she looked up at the
sky.

“
It does not seem like rain, but
around here, I know that can change in a heartbeat. But since I
have a long day, yes, I will happily accept your invitation.” She
said and got into his car.

Eli was prepared to scrap plans to drive if
she had insisted on walking. Until he had a chance to question
Percone again, he did not want to take any chances. If what he said
was true, Julie could be in danger.

Gregg watched as Eli and Julie drove off.
He took out his cell phone and dialed. “Hey, it's me. Why don't you
come by now and I'll get you settled in?” He listened to the voice
on the other end before replying. “I understand your concerns, but
things are developing rapidly, I need to have things in place. She
needs to know.” Again he listened. “I'm not sure when, but it will
be soon, stop worrying. I'll see you shortly.” He disconnected the
line. He hoped the news he had for Julie would be one that would
bond them and not rip them apart.

Julie's work day at the hospital was fast
paced. She prided herself, however, on making sure she ate protein
bars in between healing the patients. “Having a job that pays has
its advantages.”

“
Since when do they pay
volunteers?” Neal asked, coming up behind her.

“
They don't. I got another
paying job.”

“
Where at?”

Julie debated about whether to tell
Neal where she was working. She was still mad at him
from the last time
they encountered each other.

“
You know, I'm not a bad guy. I
don't know why you don't like me.”

“
Neal, I do like you. I just
think maybe you are a bit presumptuous.”

“
All I know is Austin has not
gotten back to me and I can't help but wonder if you may be the
reason.”

Julie could not believe what she was
hearing. “Neal, I have no idea why he has not gotten back to you,
but, not to burst your bubble... you have not been the topic of
conversation.”

“
Austin and me... we're best
friends. At least we were until you came along.”

Julie sighed. She had changed many lives by
coming to Marion. “I'm sorry.” Was all she could say. “Austin said
he might stop by the cafe tonight while I am working. Why don't you
come by too and you guys can catch up?” She suggested.

“
Neal! I need you in room 560.”
Nurse Hacher called.

“
I'm on it.” Neal called
back

Julie watched him turn without another word
being said. She rolled her eyes. “I don't have time for this.” She
whispered as she checked the clock on the wall. She had enough time
to make it to her second job if she walked into town at a quick
pace. She didn't know how the day had gotten away from her.

On her way down, she passed by Eli's
office. He was locking his door.

“
You done for the day?” He
asked.

“
Job number one, yes. Now onto
job number two.”

“
I'm heading into town if you
need a ride.”

She smiled, “I am going to put my pride
aside and accept. I'm running a bit behind.”

“
Glad to see I can still be of
some use.”

“
I would never use you.” She
said softly.

“
I know you wouldn't.” He
smiled.

The two walked together to Eli's car.

On the way into town, Julie asked,“Have you
heard anything from Suron?”

“
Actually he did tell me he
would be reaching a decision soon. I don't want you worrying. He
will be fair and I will accept whatever punishment he decides upon.
I did what I did and broke the rules. I do not regret what I did. I
would do it again.”

“
I just feel badly about
everything. I still feel like I've made a mess of so many
lives.”

Eli pulled up to the curb of the cafe. “I'd
rather have you in my life, than not.”

Julie looked at him and her heart
skipped a bit faster. She knew she felt something for him but was
unsure what it was. Julie did not want to send him conflicting
messages, but she
refused to push him away.
“Me too.” Quickly exiting the car, she
moved swiftly into the cafe. She could not sort through her own
feelings at the moment. There was too much going on with Austin.
Her feelings for Austin were strong, almost overwhelming, and that
frightened her. Julie wanted Eli as a friend, that much she knew.
Eventually she would have to either make a decision or set some
ground rules before anyone got hurt. Shaking her head, she went to
get ready for work.

Crysa watched as Julie exited Eli's car and
entered the cafe. Her heart shook with rage as she saw the way Eli
watched her go into the building. As he drove off, she knew it was
time. “This ends tomorrow.” She took off back to the cave where she
was keeping Luke. She could not wait for Julie to be gone from
their lives.

12. The Power of Emotions

Julie got changed into her waitress uniform
and found Calli for her schedule. She would be working by herself
today and had a set number of tables that were her
responsibility.

“
Are you excited?” Karen asked
as she came up next to her.

“
I am, actually. Nervous but
excited.”

“
I trained you. You'll be
fine.”

The cafe got busy really quickly as the
five o'clock hour came. Julie truly enjoyed chatting with the
customers, many of whom were anxious to get to know the new
waitress in town.