The Grasp of Nighttide (5 page)

“Get the door, Derek!” Anna’s voice roared. “I’ve got to change,” a male voice followed. “Just step aside. I’ll get it.” Anna opened the door. A dark blue jacquard-weave dress flowed down from her shoulders and managed to touch the floor. Her hair came down straight and Alice realized why Anna seemed to be in such a hurry−her carefully painted face spoke for itself. The bright red lips curved slightly. Alice could compete with that color if it was few hours ago. Her pocket burned as Anna continued to smile.

“Hey, Alice,” she said, looking as surprised as ever. 

“This was at my door.” Alice stated. “Maybe some kid put it there.”

All of a sudden, a head bobbed in and out of view. Most likely the guy whose voice she had heard. 

“Oh thank God! I was wondering where it was. Actually it is a gift for him.” Anna pulled the person into view beside her at the door. Anna had flashed his picture enough for Alice to recognize the guy−Derek. ‘
Oh! Look at my Derry’ ‘Isn’t Derek the cutest?’ ‘My boyfriend is the most handsome.’

“Hello there.” His voice trembled. 

Derek was indeed handsome. Brown hair spiked up, green eyes, about six feet tall. In an instant, Alice realized why he seemed so terrified. He was wearing a green shirt with leaf prints which was cut from below the sleeve at the right to the waist at the left, in a sharp diagonal, and also pink shorts with ‘Sponge Bob’ written all over them. 

Alice burst out laughing. If she had an award to give, she would give him the ‘funniest attire’ trophy. The sudden transition made her stomach ache and she looked down, trying to stop laughing. And then she wished she didn’t have a glimpse of the large knit slippers with faux fur pompoms.

“You wanted me to look bad,” he tugged his shirt and turned towards Anna. “Shit!” 

Anna chuckled as well. 

“Shit.” 

“Well, that’s okay,” Alice quickly said, laughing no more than she already had. “I just came over to deliver this. I didn’t intend to… startle you,” she said, handing Anna the package. 

“Thanks so much, dear. Come in,” Anna said. 

“No I can’t. Actually…”

“No excuses, come on in,” she insisted, reaching out for Alice’s arm. “Let me take your jacket.” 

Alice couldn’t refuse. 

Derek disappeared instantly to change. Alice sat on the sofa while Anna went into the kitchen. Her house was simple and elegant, not how Alice expected it to be. It didn’t resemble the image of a show-off. It would have if the drapes were silk, if the flooring was marble and if the pretty ceramic vase near the coat rack resembled expensive Chinese porcelain. No doubt the set up was beautiful and perfect, but nothing eye-catching. This place was the complete opposite, more like Bell.

But where was Bell?

“Bell is staying over at a friend’s. She will be back tomorrow.” As though she had read Alice’s thoughts, Anna answered her unasked question from the kitchen.

Alice lost her train of thought when she heard the padding of footsteps down the carpeted stairs. She turned around to see Derek half jogging. He now had on a new pair of jeans and a fitted, purple muscle shirt that complemented his buffed physique quite well. 

“Hi, I’m Derek Lawson.” Derek introduced himself, holding out his hand.

“Alice,” Alice stood and took it.

“Alice…” he waited for her to continue but she didn’t. “Alice in Wonderland?”

“Actually, my name is Alicia Reed,” Alice was taken aback by his mention of Alice in Wonderland. “But I prefer to be called Alice.”

His hand was sweaty and he instantly took it away. 

“I’m sorry,” he rubbed his palm against his jeans. He looked around nervously and grabbed a napkin for Alice. 

“About your outfit earlier—don’t worry about it. Happy Birthday,” Alice said, trying to calm him down. 

Derek’s nervousness seemed to subside. “Thanks.” 

Anna strode out of the kitchen and took the crook of Derek’s arm. “Another five minutes. The cake should cool down a bit.” 

They took a seat on the longer sofa, right-angled to Alice. Derek put his arm around Anna’s shoulder. And there Alice was with two strangers, one of whom she’d just met for the first time. At least Anna had told her that it was not a typical birthday party, so it was unlikely more strangers would turn up. 

Derek started the conversation. “So, where you from, Alice?” 

“Texas.” 

“Texas?” he looked impressed. “Where in Texas?” 

Alice thought for a moment whether Derek knew about Texas. If he did, her lie would give way but she had to take the chance. “Sabine.” 

“I’ve come here for the week, for my sweetheart,” he gave Anna a short squeeze. “How do you like this place? Is it different from Sabine?” 

Alice flushed with relief of not have been interrogated further. “Not really.” 

“Good for you,” he said. “I’m more of a big city guy. Though I’d stayed here during high school, I’m having a hard time adjusting again.” 

Alice nodded, pretending she could relate. 
What would you say in my place?
 

Alice realized that Anna was bored. Bored or jealous? Bored with a hint of jealousy? Alice did not need her memory to know what she felt. 
Perhaps they wanted to spend time alone, 
she thought. 
Wonder if I missed my boyfriend’s birthday.
 

After all the mind-boggling things that had gone on, that was the last thing she wanted to think about today. Alice needed a break, but it felt odd to just get up without a reason. She eyed the glass of water in her hand for a moment before spilling it on her shirt. 

Alice’s hand instinctively reached for the napkin while Derek stared at her in suspicion. The look was enough to make her feel guilty, as though she had committed a crime. 

“It’ll be okay,” Alice stood up, inspecting her dress. 

“You should freshen up.” Anna
 
pointed to one of the two rooms upstairs, instantly cheering up. “That’s my room, feel free to use it. I’ll have the cake out by the time you get back.” 

Alice had thought about going to the kitchen, but upstairs seemed to be a better option. When Alice was more than half way up the flight of stairs, she turned back and saw Anna giving Derek the gift, the red shiny box. Alice wondered what was in it. Whatever it was, it was of negligible weight. He un-wrapped it carefully and looked inside without taking anything out. They both laughed in secret and hugged, leaving Alice still guessing. Maybe it was featherweight Mickey Mouse shorts. Alice laughed out loud and shushed herself instantly. If so, maybe he would wear them after she left, maybe he would already be in them if they were alone. No imagining that. 

***** 

Alice pulled down her jeans and sat on the edge of the bathtub to look at her thighs. This was what she had retained from her past life, what she had on her skin. A reminder. 

On one it read: I [heart] Lance.

On the other: He [heart] me.

She had a boyfriend named Lance. A tear dropped right on the heart and smoothly off her thigh. She must’ve carved the words once as a symbol of her love for Lance and the permanent scars it left could only prove that it wasn’t imaginary. 

She wiped her tears and concealed the carvings
 
again. Back in Anna’s bedroom she realized she was so absent-minded to not have looked at it before walking past to the bathroom
. That’s my room .
Yeah, right. Anna wanted Alice to have a look at 
her
 room. 
Show-off! 
There was an enormous full-size mirror fixed to the center of the wall with five floating semi-circular shelves on the left of it. More than a dozen types of lotions and perfumes happily filled them. The long table, which started at the end of the mirror and extended until it bumped the left corner, had many kinds of delicate jewelry boxes on it. A glass case displayed bracelets and watches-including the white one. On the other side of it was a door, left ajar. Alice did not pass on the opportunity to look inside. Her walk-in closet! Alice gasped, looking at the many shoes, purses, and dresses, organized according to color.

Except for the rolled-up clothing on the king size bed−Derek’s funny clothes from earlier− everything was perfect; lush drapes, pillows and carpet. This room defined Anna. 

The phone on the nightstand started to ring. 

 One ring, two rings, three rings…
 

“Icing on my hands people,” Anna’s voice filled the house, masking the sound of the next ring. “Please will someone get that?” 

I had better get it
, Alice thought, lifting the receiver. 

“Hello.” 

Alice opened her mouth to speak but stopped when she heard Derek’s voice on the phone from downstairs, "Hey Carl!” 

“Having fun? This is the first time we haven’t celebrated your birthday together in years, man. You better have fun. Your mobile isn’t reachable.” 

“It happens here sometimes.” 

“Is she there with you?” 

“Yes.” 

“I’m so happy for you. How is Anna?” 

“She’s perfect. She baked a cake for me.” 

A laugh came from the other side and Derek laughed too. 

“It’s a long time since you’ve sounded this happy. Stay there.” 

“Sure thing.” 

“And one last thing, an instant birthday rap for my rap brother.” 

A moment of silence followed. 

“
Birthday wishes to my dearest brother, whose happiness now is like none other. If you need something, just gimme a call. Go and enjoy man, that’s all
.”
 

Carl then disconnected and Derek’s laugh was clearly audible. When he replaced the phone too, Alice slowly put the receiver back in its place. 

Alice got back to the hall in time to see Anna struggling with lighting the candles. She had arranged the candles in a random way and had lighted the outer ones first. The cake wasn’t perfect, but ‘happy birthday’ in cursive white strokes was neat. Alice quietly counted the candles, all twenty two of them, while Derek helped finish the task before the cake was totally topped in wax. 

“Time to cut the cake,” Anna declared. “Happy birthday love. Now make a wish” 

“This day is so wonderful thanks to the sweetie that made it all happen,” He held out a piece to Anna so she could take a bite after he blew out the candles. Anna paused to hand over the cellphone on the table to Alice. Alice clicked a picture and another as Derek ate from Anna’s hand. An expensive phone; hers was nothing in comparison. 

Alice got distracted from the device as a piece of cake neared her nose. She didn’t know how to react. 

“Come on already,” Anna nudged, and Alice took a bite. 

After cake, there was pizza. Alice ate greedily. The whole day, she’d survived on caffeine and an apple. Meanwhile, Anna relayed information about her relationship with Derek. They were high school sweethearts: same classes, same interests. And they grew closer, fell in love. Anna wasn’t as bad as Alice had originally thought; in fact, she was pretty nice. Alice decided not to be rude to her anymore. Derek didn’t speak, as he was busy eating; only nodding when Anna looked at him. 

Alice glanced at the clock, and then jumped from her seat. Eight-thirty! She had never been out this late. Actually, she had never been out after dark. 

“Well, I have to go,” Alice said as casually as possible. “Thanks for having me over, I had a nice time.” 

“It’s really dark,” Anna said, retrieving Alice’s jacket. “Drive Alice home, Derek.” 

“No, it’s really okay,” she protested, taking a few more steps to the front door. 

“It’s not,” Anna persisted. “I would do it, but my car…” 

“No problem,” Derek offered. “I’ll be back after dropping her.” 

“Sure.” Anna blushed. Derek didn’t notice as he was already getting his keys. 

“Thanks for joining us, Alice,” Anna said, still not able to control her blush. 

Before Alice could say a word, the garage door lifted to reveal a low lying metallic object coming out in a smooth yet swift motion. Alice swore that the air stood still when the car paraded out from the garage. Its majestic appearance stunned Alice as her eyes came in full contact with the silver Lamborghini. She couldn’t help but gaze at every single inch of the car as it came towards her.

The Lamborghini’s engine so extremely quiet that Alice did not realize that it had actually stopped right in front of her. Upon closer inspection, Alice was further introduced to its beauty. It turned out that the car was not entirely silver. At the side of the car were light purple and black airbrushed strokes which crept along it in an artistic design. The car was designed in a sophisticated manner that it bypassed even the standards of every other Lamborghini. It was not a machine but a masterpiece, a vehicle fit for a Godly figure.

When the passenger door slid up, Alice was more awestruck.  The interior of the car was posh, with super comfy seats and artistically designed dashboard. The car was too beautiful to be described.