“Cordelia, do you trust me?” Evan asked, prompting with a trace of trepidation. With very little success, he attempted to hide his desperation.
Perceptibly, his genuine intent was to safeguard me. I just want to know from whom.
I heard myself answer, “Yes.” And, surprisingly enough, I meant it.
“Thank you.” Evan said with a sigh of relief. “I will keep my promise to you.” His vivid smile kept me rapt for a moment until I considered the craziness of his existence before me. His gaze seemed hypnotic, but I aimed at not being preoccupied and overwhelmed by his beauty and lure.
I was relieved when Evan turned away to speak with Nikolas. Evan stood a staggering six foot maybe one or two inches over with a slim yet rippling muscular frame which bulged beneath his buttoned down shirt and boot cut jeans. Nikolas surpassed him with another five inches or so looking mighty enough to conquer an ox, yet when they spoke, Nikolas treated Evan like his elder.
“You will secure the room.” Evan ordered lightly.
“I will.” Nikolas said, obediently with a low nod. “You are safe to go.”
“Plenty of wine awaits your return.” Evan promised.
“We will drink to Victor’s demise.” Nikolas snickered. “I will see you soon my friend.”
“My brother.” Evan said, correcting Nikolas affectionately, and shook his hand.
“Brothers.” Nikolas said, agreeing. They stood with their hands clasped in a vice grip for a few seconds, nodding once more, and acknowledging the profound agreement they were making. One vested his life in the other while the other accepted full responsibility for a life other than his own. It was an extraordinary example of trust and devotion, the makings of an ironclad friendship.
Then Nikolas looked over at Bethany, and the look could not be confused for anything other than true love. Bethany answered with a slight nod.
She was trying her best to appear strong, yet I have never seen such a heart wrenching look on Bethany’s face before. It was vulnerability. They embraced quickly, slipping in a kiss for good measure, and then Bethany glided over to the chaise lounge where Evan and I waited, within a blink of an eye. I could do nothing but stare at her and marvel at the magic I had just witnessed.
Bethany and I faced each other with Evan standing between us about a foot apart from each of us. He held his arms out, and gently placed one hand on either of our foreheads. I couldn't feel his hand, a downfall to being deceased. Then it came all at once, and happened so recklessly. I don’t know where the water came. I forced my eyes open, and realized I was submerged in a tsunami.
I wriggled my legs and arms automatically trying to swim. My body floated weightless in the vortex, spinning with the tidal currents. At first I thought I was alone in the water. But then I started to make out figures made out of water. An aquatic make up of Evan’s body still had its hand planted firmly against my forehead. I searched passed Evan’s figure, and saw that Bethany was also completely made up of water. I could barely make out her face. Evan’s hand on my forehead was like a suction cup, and I was unable to pull away. The splashing around me was excruciatingly loud, like the sound of an Olympic sized pool worth of water being sucked down a drain in a matter of seconds. I treaded, trembling violently in the water that seemed to originate from Evan’s body as I fought against the pull of a drain.
Five
Realization
Nikolas was left to be the sentinel. He secured the room as he watched Evan, Bethany, and I disappear from his view.
My body was dropping, and I felt weightless as a floating feather. Finally, I felt the floor beneath my feet again. It took me a few seconds to recover from the turbulence. All of my senses were still a bit hazy. The water had finally dissipated into a mist, and I felt nothing but temperate air. My body didn’t feel drenched at all.
Since I couldn't feel the suction of Evan's hand on my forehead anymore, I thought it was safe to open my eyes. And when I did, I wasn’t prepared for what I saw. First of all, I was bone dry. Secondly, I was alone. And lastly, I stood in the living room of Bethany and Nikolas’ mansion. We hadn’t gone anywhere.
The room was the same – the same old elegant moldings and coffered ceiling, but surprisingly different. The interior had drastically changed. The chipped and peeling bare walls were now covered in busy floral patterned wallpaper and a variety of highend paintings in gilt frames. It was definitely the same room but now jammed with bright clusters of nineteenth century furniture, miniature statues, and glass enclosed curio cabinets cluttered with trinket boxes and knickknacks.
Everything looked brand new but significantly old. The tufted velvet sofas, all in rich hues of ivory, gold and burgundies, all magnificently crafted in mahogany frames, sat in the center of the room guarded by soaring potted palms and an audience of various sized potted ferns. It felt like I was trapped in one of Nickel City’s preserved historical homes. I almost expected a sea of gawking tourists to flock in and start peering at the antiques, braving the ghosts.
The sun was trying to peak through the heavy velvet drapes that hung over intricate lace curtains. The room was littered with several small tables, covered in runners bordered with some kind of fringe and beads. Although the oil lamps were lit, the room was still a bit dim. I had the sudden urge to fling the drapes wide open.
“What the hell is going on?” I whispered to myself, still observing the changes in the room. “I thought I was going home.”
I stared at the center wall of the large room where the marble fireplace stood. The once dusty, cracked, and bare mantle was now refurbished and decorated with colorful figurines. It was an ostentatious clutter of wealth.
I felt a jolt as if an electric current had gone through my body when someone nudged my shoulder. I spun around and my eyes fell on Bethany.
She smiled, dressed in what looked like one of the Victorian dresses from the costume shop she worked in. Bethany looked refined, sophisticated, and severely out of date.
She wore a dress made of bright emerald satin that was long enough to shield her feet. The bodice of her dress appeared too tight against her ribs, and I wondered how she could even breathe. The dress looked like it was from the turn of the nineteenth century. The entire hem of the skirt and the hem of the cuffs of her sleeves were lavishly trimmed with frilly lace and woven ribbons. She reminded me of a beautiful life sized Victorian collectable doll that should be kept dust free on a shelf, strictly for display.
As usual, Bethany’s hair was swept up in a loose bun, but now the bun was secured by a stunning jeweled comb. Along with her clothing, something in her face had changed. She looked mature and more like a woman and barely like the friend, the teenager I had known before I died.
Suddenly, Evan walked up to Bethany and me. He had a look of adoration on his face. He had also changed from the buttondown shirt and jeans he wore before the waterworks. It had only been a couple seconds since the water disappeared, yet they were dressed in different clothes.
Evan looked the way he had looked in my dream –gorgeous in a formal suit that seemed as dated as Bethany’s gown. He wore an impeccably tailored pair of trousers, a dark single breasted jacket over a silver gray vest, a crisp white dress shirt, and an ascot held by a tear drop shaped sapphire pin. I was about to ask them what the deal was with the costumes when Evan reached for my hand and waited patiently for me to take it. My entire soul quivered with apprehension. Here was this guy who I had only known as I dreamt now standing before me in the flesh.
Evan's liquid blue eyes practically leapt out at me. “I don't bite,” he said, in the most soothing voice, still waiting for my hand.
I had no control over my shaky hand as I took his. His skin was warm and smooth. Evan led me to the sofa facing the windows and sat beside me.
Then he took both of my hands in his. The firm yet feathery texture of his skin transmitted ripples through my core when he wrapped his hands around mine. With
every
touch, I seemed to become more alive. The gentle stroke of his hands induced a windfall of emotions washing over me. I couldn't decipher all the sensations traveling through my skin, into my bones, finally settling somewhere in my soul.
“You are alive again,” Evan said, beaming.
I rubbed my arms and I could feel my goose bumped arms as a chill crept through me. I could suck in the air through my nose again. My hair felt silky as the strands wove between my fingers. My heart raced and my tear ducts betrayed my commands. All I could do was nod as the sobs rolled in the back of my throat. The sensations were so overwhelming that I had to pull my hands out of his. Evan looked down at his hands with a frown as if they had done something to offend me. I pulled the skirt to my mini dress as far over my thighs as I could, and fought not to look in his direction.
From the corner of my eye I saw his hand moving toward me. With caution, Evan affectionately swept my cheek with the back of his hand.
Instantaneously, my eyes closed and I let his smooth fingertips linger against my skin for a moment. I don't know why I allowed him this pleasure or myself. I opened my eyes and awkwardly looked into his. My pulse quickened which I prayed went unnoticed. A smile crept across his inviting lips as he gazed back at me.
“Oh for goodness sake Evan, here.” Bethany said, smiling as she thrust an ivory lace handkerchief at him. I hadn’t noticed until that moment that he had tears in his eyes. Bethany handed me her handkerchief, instead.
“I’ll use one of my own,” he said, never taking his eyes off me as he pulled out a monogrammed handkerchief and dabbed his eyes. I wasn’t sure why he was crying. He suddenly seemed embarrassed by it. I read the fancy letters – ‘EC’, and wondered what the ‘C’ stood for.
I looked over at Bethany who had taken a seat across from Evan and me. Without a sound escaping my lips, I screamed out to her through my eyes, “Please tell me what is happening to me,” I said, while the tears continued to rain down my face.
“Cordelia,” Evan said, softly. “I don't expect your memory to take very long to return, but as promised, I will explain what has happened.” The sound of my full first name sounded foreign to me. I’m so used to being called Delia that I forgot how pretty my name really was. But it never sounded more beautiful coming from any other pair of lips. My one true hope was that those lips could somehow make me understand what was taking place around me.
“I will do my best to describe the life you lived here, and who you are. I believe it will help you to remember.” Evan spoke slowly, softly, and very matteroffact. I listened as if my life depended on his every word.
“Today is October 24th, and the year is 1891. We are in my home in Nickel City.” Evan said, and then paused as if he was waiting for this inconceivable information to sink in.
“1891?
” I asked. My throat became very dry and my stomach soured.
“Yes,” Evan confirmed.
“You want me to believe that it’s
1891
.” I said, chuckling. The information wasn’t sinking in. In fact I felt like
I
was sinking into a bottomless abyss where the lights were quickly being snuffed out. These people were loons. I looked over at Bethany, and she nodded a ‘yes’ to me.
“Sure.” I said nodding. “Of course it is.” Then I rose from the couch and practically ran over to the large windows. I flung back the curtain and my stomach dropped to my sandaled feet. I looked through the window as if I was in search of the diminishing light, but it had really been snuffed out.
Beyond the porch which was now stark white as if it’d been freshly painted, were flourishing rose bushes in full bloom. A chill crept up my back as I took in the lush front garden and the view beyond the entrance gates.
There were horse and buggies parked all along the sidewalk instead of cars. Horse drawn carriages rolled up and down the dirt road that used to be a tarred street. There had always been a couple of old fashioned stage coaches parked on the main street, strictly for rides offered to the tourists who wanted to enjoy a genuine “Old West” experience, in town. But neither of those carriages had looked as authentic and as novel as the ones I observed going by.
I spied a couple exiting the mansion across the way and they were dressed in the same dated style as Evan and Bethany were. There was a group of gossiping girls who looked to be around my age strolling passed the large mansion. They appeared to be deep in conversation, gossip no doubt.
Someone must have said something amusing because they all tittered discreetly – a lace or ivory gloved hand over a modest mouth. I observed them and listened to them giggle in that hushed way.
They each wore long dresses similar to Bethany’s, very ladylike and flouncy with a flood of fabric at their feet and huge bumps of draped fabric on their butts. I forgot what those ridiculous things are called. Oh yeah, bustles. Their thick heeled shoes were covered in the dirt and dust from the street which swirled around the hem of their dresses like little tumble weeds. I couldn’t help but wonder why anyone would dress so elegantly to be covered in dirt after a walk into town.
As I watched them go by, I swear each dress got fancier with more ribbons, bows, and lace than the last. They were competing. Every accessory matched the fabric patterns of their dresses. They each wore a frilly bonnet that covered an infallible bun on the top of their head, but that wasn’t enough; a fancy parasol was also needed as a shield from the punishable rays of the Nevada sun. Shade was a priority in this stifling climate. I watched the chatty group of girls until they were no longer in sight.
I must be delusional, I thought. All that water must have clogged my brain. I tried blinking a few times but everything had changed, and in a bad way, and the view made me nauseous. This was beyond strange, and too crazy to believe.
“Is this some kind of joke?” I said, spinning around to face the two culprits.
“The dream which you told my sister about wasn’t a dream at all. It’s a memory of your life here … with me” Evan explained.