Page 55 of Soul Mates: Hercules Valentine and I
And then I do it. I take my real cellphone, the one Max and my parents normally call me on, and power it off. I freeze to feel the anxiety of cutting myself off from my mom and dad. I usually talk to both of them multiple times a week. But then I close my eyes and recall how today felt.
I’m doing it.
I drop the phone back into the drawer and then step out of my shoes, take off my coat, and flop down on the sofa to finish my sandwich. I’ve never felt so free.
Chapter Twenty-Two
When We Meet Again
Paisley Grove
Ahaze settles in the courtroom. My mom, outfitted in a black robe, sits on the judge’s seat. I can’t see myself, but I know I’m present, waving my hands, trying to run to her, doing whatever it takes to make her notice me. But Mom continues to be unbothered as she files her fingernails as if whoever’s on trial has been found guilty before the proceedings even begin.
Then the high school version of Hercules jabs his finger at me. “She lied and stole from us.”
My attention falls on Max, who sits slumped in a chair on the witness stand. As long as I’ve known my brother, which is all my life, he’s never taken that posture while seated or standing. It’s as if someone less refined has taken over his body.
“Do what you want to her. I can’t protect her anymore.” He sits up straight and glares at me as if I am nobody to him. “She betrayed us.”
My dad, who is now the judge, slams his gavel. “Paisley is guilty.”
I’m crying, pleading for him to change his ruling. I still can’t see myself, but I feel my agony deep in my heart.
“Please, Dad. Please…”
I gasp as my eyes open. Nothing stirs in my bedroom. Dusky light flows in through the part of the window that the curtains don’t cover. I sigh with relief. That wasn’t a dream—it was a nightmare.
I kick my covers off, spring out of bed, and run into the living room. I tug the credenza drawer open and recover my cellphone. With the device in hand, I contemplate turning it back on.
I close my eyes and whisper, “It was just a dream formed by my guilt and fear.”
I repeat those words again and then open my eyes and allow myself to experience the exact emotions I felt at VTI yesterday. It was still one of the best days of my life.
I put the cellphone back in the drawer and leave it.
Yesterday,the walk to the office felt dreadful. Today, my steps are light, and I’m itching to finish the work we started. I assigned each of my team members IT sectors of VTI hubs all around the world to collaborate with and talk through ironing out bugs end-users are experiencing due to Killer Firewall installs. Before I went home, the New York building was running software smoothly and efficiently. This morning, we’ll evaluate our efforts from yesterday.
“What are you smiling about?” someone says in my ear.
I jump, startled, and lean away from Lake, who’s walking beside me. I fan my fingers across my breastbone. “Oh my God, good morning.”
“Good morning. Again, why are you smiling?”
“Am I smiling?” I didn’t notice.
“Yes. You still are. And you look like the happiest person walking to work this morning.”
I laugh. If only she knew the totality of how I’ve spent my days since graduating from university, she would understand my joy.
She eyes me in a curious fashion. “Did you have a good night with the boyfriend?”
I snort. “I don’t have a boyfriend. I just like my job.”
“Oh…” Lake simpers at the sidewalk. “I think that’s great.” She looks up to observe my appearance. “And you look great today. Very West Coast.”
I stifle a panicked gasp as I look down at my faded and stressed blue jeans with green high tops. “Really?”
She chuckles. “Well, you’re from Seattle, so…”
