“Take it easy bro.”
Eddie squeezed his shoulder in support.
Nicholas took a deep breath and started again.
“The dreams started about two years ago. They didn’t happen often, in fact, the second one happened about six months after the first. But they’ve become more and more frequent in the past three months. Sometimes it was someone saying Sydney’s name, or Sydney struggling against some guys who had kidnapped her. Other times Sydney was begging for mercy as she was brought into a house, but she was blindfolded and gagged.” He looked at Eddie. “That it was Sydney in danger was always clear, but who the other people were...” Nicholas shook his head. “Last night there was more: the same stuff I had seen before got repeated but it was all put together, probably even in sequence. Sydney was taken, gagged and blindfolded, to a familiar cabin.” Nicholas stopped and looked Eddie dead in the eye. “The Dhalton cabin Eddie. There were three guys involved: two of them, I know them well. As for the third...”
He couldn’t continue. He felt so embarrassed, so anguished by the conclusion that he almost decided not to finish. But he figured it was just a dream anyway; Eddie might help him figure it out.
“Two of the guys left the cabin, leaving one with her and this last guy...it was me Eddie! They wanted me to rape her!”
Eddie followed up his declaration with silence, his expression a mixture of confusion, fear, and shock.
“I don’t know what else happened—I don’t know if I did it or they did or what—I don’t know what any of this means.”
After a few moments of silence, Eddie asked:
“So that’s why you’re so weird with her man?”
Nicholas nodded.
“Yeah. At first I was wondering if she was in danger, but then I started to feel like it was me putting her in danger. Then I figured it means I’ll hurt her; emotionally of course—you know how dreams go, exaggerating everything.” Nicholas attempted a laugh that sounded empty even to his own ears. “And then I was wondering if maybe it was one of my friends who might hurt her or something.”
“Yeah.”
Edward just stared at him.
Nicholas stared back at Edward.
“Can you give me a little more than that?”
“Hey, I agree with you man. I’m no dream interpreter, but that’s what it seems to point to.” He shook his head and whistled. “Still weird though, like some kind of x-file.”
“Tell me about it. And this dream last night...it felt so real. It freaked me out so bad bro. Look—I’m still shaking! I mean it can’t mean...I wouldn’t...” Nicholas took a breath and tried again. “You don’t think I’d...” he whispered the last part as if speaking it aloud would make it true: “I’d do something like that to her do you?”
“Nicholas, no.” Eddie’s dismissive expression was genuine enough to make him feel better. “Come now, you know yourself better than that. How would you even be able to do something like that? You’re too ‘fond’ of her, to say the least.”
“Yeah but I do want her man. Badly.” He let out a breath. “I really do have to leave her alone don’t I? I have to stay away from her.”
Eddie sighed.
“I appreciate your dilemma, but I don’t know how you’ll do it—you’re way too obsessed with her.”
“I’m not obsessed Eddie—I just happen to care for her. A lot.”
“Yeah, out of nowhere.”
“These dreams Eddie—they led me to her.”
“Now isn’t that ironic? I thought they were supposed to keep you away from her?”
Nicholas had no reply.
He thought it over, then found himself conceding Eddie’s point.
I’ve been wrong this whole time,
he thought,
maybe I’m the one who’ll keep her out of danger.
Yes, that had to be what the dream meant.
All these strange, jolting dreams he had of her, these dreams that were sometimes nightmares, he wondered sometimes if he was supposed to protect her.
Perhaps it was the reason he craved her, why his heart kept trumping his brain and defying all reason by wanting her. He was meant to meet her, help her in some way.
He thought about the party incident and it helped confirm his new theory.
He also thought about the other two people in his dream, and he figured they were the danger to her, even though he hadn’t seen them in years. He wondered about his two old friends then, where they were, what they were doing, how much of a real chance they had of popping up again in his life and causing trouble for him and Sydney. About the chances of them crossing paths again. He didn’t know how, but he figured it would be his fault if they did anything to her.
“Yeah, you’re right man. There’s no way I’m letting something like that happen. Maybe it all means I’m supposed to be with her. I can’t believe I let it slide the first time—it was so obvious. I’m supposed to be there to protect her—not protect her by not being there.”
And for the second time in as many days, Nicholas decided how to proceed with Sydney—this time, committing to being by her side.
Nicholas
cancelled his date with Amber, who was more than a little disappointed and demanded to know why. He told her he had forgotten he had promised his sister they would go out. A white lie; didn’t matter.
He called up Sydney.
***
Sydney watched her brother walk toward her, a strange expression on his face—partly amused, partly confused. He handed her the cordless phone.
Sydney’s heart leapt in her throat and sat there when she heard the voice on the other line.
All thoughts of breakfast disappeared.
“Nicholas? Wait—how did you get
this
number?”
“You know, sometimes our friends have the best intentions when they do the worst things. Well, maybe your friends, not mine,” he said.
Sydney silently cursed and thanked Maria.
“Look, I’m sorry to call you like this, catch you off guard...”
“No, it’s okay. I mean, you did catch me off guard, but...hey, hold a sec while I get out of here. My whole family’s all up in our conversation.”
She grinned at Adam who seemed to be scrutinizing her every word and facial expression, then left the kitchen to go to the family room.
“So, how have your holidays been so far?” Nicholas asked.
“Well, since it’s only the third day, not much has happened. My brother’s been asking about you.”
“What do you mean?” he asked, sounding surprised.
“I told him I met some whacko this last term.”
She grinned to herself, waiting for him to take the bait.
“Whacko, huh? Well, at least I was worth mentioning,” he said.
She could hear the smile in his voice.
“Any particular reason I’ve been honored with this call?” Sydney asked.
“Well, I was just wondering if you’d be interested in maybe going out to see a movie sometime? I mean I know you’re at least in the same state as me—not sure how far away but that’s no biggie. So how about it? Later this evening? If I’m not too whacko for you that is.”
Sydney smiled in surprise and pleasure.
“I wouldn’t mind at all...as long as you don’t walk off and leave me in the cinema all by myself.”
“Sydney I’m not leaving you like that again,” he said. “Listen, I know I have to stop fighting how I feel about you, so let’s see how this goes.”
She laughed at his phrasing.
“Okay then Nicholas—let’s see how this goes.”
Sydney put down the phone, smiling.
When she reentered the kitchen, she saw Adam grinning at her, dark eyes dancing on his handsome mahogany face.
“That was him wasn’t it?” he said.
“None of your big fat business!”
She stuck her tongue out at him and folded her arms. Then she grinned.
“Yeah,” she said, dropping her arms. “He wants to go out with me.”
“Really now? This from the guy who kept trying to keep his distance by approaching you, then dissing you.”
“Hey, I told you he only came up to me once—I approached him all the other times. Although I did catch him watching me sometimes...”
Adam was shaking his head, scribbling on a piece of paper in front of him, neglecting his bowl of cereal.
“Listen, you sure you want to do this? Go out with him?” he asked. “He sounds like a bit of a psycho to me.”
She smiled.
“He’s okay. A little weird, but aren’t we all?”
Adam shook his head again, clearly not content with her response.
“I don’t trust it sis. How do you know he...”
“He saved me once...”
It slipped out easily but she immediately realized her error. Adam’s eyes bore into her but she hoped she had regained her composure in time not to make him suspicious. Then after a few seconds of silence, he said:
“Saved you from what?”
Her heart sank.
“Oh nothing, nothing like what you’re thinking anyway.” She laughed. “From loneliness basically, it’s so embarrassing. Your sister’s a total nerd Adam.”
“Not news to me Syd.”
He was still watching her closely.
“Come on Adam, stop watching me like that—like I’m hiding something or something...”
“Are you?”
“Adam, I told you. Between him and Maria, I’ve gotten out a bit.”
“But you didn’t mention Maria saving you.”
“I mean like, socially. Romantically. Sheesh!”
“So he’s your boyfriend now?”
“Adam!”
Adam shrugged.
“I’m just looking out for you. Don’t forget—I’m the only one who knows what happened to you a few years ago. And I’m still ready to kill the bastard who did it.”
“Adam, you had no right to read my journal! And shut up before mom and dad hear you!” she said a little quieter.
“Why didn’t you ever tell them? Why didn’t you plan to tell me?” he asked, lowering his voice as well.
“Adam, I don’t want to talk about this right now, okay?”
Adam just looked at her, watching her until she couldn’t help but give in.
“Fine!” she said in frustration. “I just didn’t want...”
“Sydney?”
Her mother swept into the kitchen, turning on the coffee maker then heading straight for the refrigerator to pour a glass of orange juice.
“You guys fighting?” she asked, looking at each of them in turn.
“Good morning mom. We’re not fighting, just talking,” Sydney replied.
“Sydney has a date,” Adam said grinning, pushing a spoonful of cereal in his mouth, smiling despite the admonishing look Sydney sent his way.
“Sydney honey, is that true?” Her mother looked incredulous. “You’ve finally got a boyfriend?”
Sydney felt her shoulders sink a little.
“He’s not my boyfriend mom—it’s just a date.”
“Date?”
Sydney’s father entered the kitchen, going over to his wife and kissing her on the cheek.
“Sydney’s going on a date?”
He looked at her with one eyebrow raised, then got his favorite mug and rested it near the coffee machine while his wife started breakfast.
“Yup!” Adam said among the growing noise in the kitchen.
“Syd honey, do you think you’re ready for this?”
Her father turned back to her, a concerned look on his face.
“Dad, I’m twenty! You don’t think I should be dating by now?” she said quietly.
He stared at her for a few moments until her mom slapped him on the shoulder and gave him a meaningful look. Sydney was grateful for her mother’s intervention; she didn’t really want to know what her father thought.
“As long as it doesn’t interfere with your studies hon,” he said, turning back to his wife and whispering something in her
ear that made her face light up with a smile. He kissed her again, this time on the lips and headed to the family room, grabbing a newspaper from the counter top and taking it with him.
“It won’t dad,” Sydney replied, more to herself since he was already out of earshot.
She couldn’t shake the sadness that descended upon her at his words.
CHAPTER TEN
Adam watched her strangely as she nervously paced to and fro, waiting for Nicholas to pick her up.
“You lucky dog,” he said, grinning at her, but the grin was not reflected in his eyes.
“What?”
She grinned back although she didn’t know what he was talking about. She was in somewhat of a good mood, but also ready to bite off her nails.
“You actually got exactly what you wanted,” he said, this statement no less enigmatic than the first.
“What are you talking about Adam?”
“Don’t play stupid Sydney. I know who you’re going on this date with. You’ve been drooling over that Dhalton guy since you were what, fifteen? And now, you actually have him.” He shook his head, still smiling. “You always get what you want, don’t you?” His smile had remained but turned into something else.
“Adam...”
She couldn’t finish since she didn’t know what to say to him, how to refute him. How did he even figure it out? He knew “the whacko” and her date were one and the same, but she had deliberately kept his full name secret—for this very reason.
“You can’t hide from me Syd. You’re good at fooling other people but I know you. I knew you always liked that Dhalton boy and,” his voice lowered, “I know you don’t really want to be a lawyer.” His face was plastered with satisfaction and smugness. Then it morphed into something she couldn’t read.
“I hope he’s all you imagined,” he said. “The opposite of us.”
Sydney stopped pacing.
“Wait, what the hell’s that supposed to mean?”
“Why do you like him Syd? Isn’t it because he’s rich? Because he’s supposedly good-looking? Because he’s white?”
“Adam, that’s not fair...”
She was getting angry yet couldn’t offer any counter-evidence for his accusation. She knew it wasn’t Nick’s money she had fallen for, or his good looks.
“What’s not fair about it Sydney? What else is there to go on? You certainly couldn’t have fallen for his personality since well, you’d never met the guy until recently. And from what I hear, he’s not exactly the brightest of the bright, so you couldn’t have heard about and fallen for his great intelligence and intellect since, well...”
“That’s enough Adam.”
“Aw, is the truth bothering you Sydney?”
“Adam...” Sydney was shaking her head, still trying to think of something to throw him off, prove him wrong, shut him up, but she was too shocked by his sudden attack. She didn’t understand why he seemed so bitter all of a sudden—almost as if he were jealous of her, which she would consider incredibly ironic.
“Sydney, get over yourself. You’re no better than the rest of us. You’re just as shallow as any girl who has never met him, but fell for him, and the only reasons are his looks, and his money.” His lip curled, and he looked like he wanted to spit. “Fucking rich folks. They always get what they want. Well you know what? I don’t trust ‘em. Money turns them into monsters. They believe they can own anything and anyone, so you better be careful with this guy Sydney.”
So that was his problem
, she thought.
The money.
It wasn’t
her
he was jealous of after all; he was just misdirecting his envy.
“Well, if you had his money, do you think you’d be any different? Besides, it doesn’t happen to all of them; he doesn’t seem like a monster to me.”
“Yeah, not yet. You know, you should be happy you’re a bit shallow,” Adam said. “That means you’re normal after all. Yeah, I know what you’re seeking—just like about every person out there—we all want to feel lovable, desirable. And getting Nicholas, well, it would be the ultimate proof of your desirability. Am I wrong?”
Their tea kettle suddenly shrieked.
Before Sydney could respond, her mother drifted into the kitchen.
“Hello kiddies,” she said.
She poured herself a cup of tea, then turned to Sydney.
“So how are your studies going? Have you decided on a law school yet love?”
“Not yet.” Sydney averted her eyes. “I have it narrowed down to about five.”
“Well, with your grades you can surely get into any one you like!” She laughed. “So sweetheart, which are your top three? Yale? Princeton? Columbia?”
“Yeah, one of those for sure,” Sydney replied.
“I wonder why you didn’t choose one of those in the first place.”
“I already told you mom, I wanted a larger, more...open campus. And of course Maria and I planned on going to the same college, and she couldn’t get into any of the Ivy League schools.”
“Oh yeah. Right. Maria.”
Her mother turned away.
“What mom?”
“Oh, you know. Playful gal, that one. Has she figured out her plans for the future yet? I mean, does she know what career she wants to go into? Specifically?”
“Art mom. You know that.” Sydney sighed. “Excuse me, I have some reading to do before Nicholas gets here.”
“That’s my girl!”
“Wanna hear
my
plans mom?” she heard Adam say in a teasing voice as she left the kitchen.
***
Nicholas watched Sydney practically run out of her house.
“I didn’t know you lived so close to me,” he said as she entered the car. “Or that you could run so fast.”
As she was putting on her seatbelt, he noticed her family peeping through the curtains.
He chuckled at their obvious interest.
“You sure you don’t want me to introduce myself to them? They look pretty curious.”
Sydney sat quietly for a few moments.
Just as she looked like she was about to concede, she said:
“Yeah, but not right now—we’ll be late for the movie. Maybe when we get back.”
He shrugged.
“All right. Whatever you say.”
They drove for a few moments in silence before he decided what to say next.
“So,” he began, “how are you?”
She glanced at him, looking like she was on the verge of a laugh.
“I’m okay. You?”
“Better now.”
He smiled and she joined in. They rode the rest of the way in silence.
“Popcorn?” he asked as they entered the movie theater.
She shook her head.
“I’ll have some M&M’s though.”
She smiled at him again and he felt a wind of warmth pass over his heart.
They joined the line for the confectionary stand.
“I can’t believe I’m gonna watch some chick flick,” he said.
“Hey, it’s not strictly a chick flick, it’s a romantic comedy.”
“Yeah exactly—chick flick.”
“Okay, would you call
Pretty Woman
a chick flick?”
He looked at her.
“Fine. Bad example. How about
50 First Dates
?
There’s Something About Mary
?
Coming to America
? Don’t tell me you haven’t watched those...”
“Okay, you got me. But I don’t really think of those as romantic comedies. When do
you
get time to watch movies anyway? Seems like you’re always studying.”
“Actually, I never really used to watch them—I only started recently. Maria makes me—we usually have movie nights on Fridays. She helped me ‘catch up’ because yeah, I guess I was pretty out of it. I mean my parents took me to an animated film once in a while but...” She shrugged. “If you had asked me back then what my favorite movie was, I would have said
The Lion King
. Now it’s...
The Lion King
.”
He laughed.
“Are you serious?”
She nodded, grinning.
“I’m not sure I believe you—something tells me you’re more of the
Pretty Woman
type, but I’ll take your word for now.”
“Well, you’re wrong. I couldn’t get into the whole ‘good prostitute’ thing. So how about you?”
“Me, I don’t really have a favorite,” he said. Then he thought about it. “Well, maybe
The Godfather
. And
Scarface
.”
She wrinkled her nose.
“I haven’t watched any of those.”
He looked at her in mock horror.
“You’re kidding me—two of the greatest movies of all time? You can’t be serious.” He shook his head. “Maria has done you an injustice. I bet she made you watch all ‘romantic comedies.’”
Sydney chuckled.
“Yeah, we kind of stayed away from hardcore stuff.”
“Hardcore!” He laughed. “Okay, so Maria’s done a pretty good job in one area. But I...” he puffed up his chest and pointed to it, “...Nicholas Oliver Dhalton, will supplement your movie education in the...’hardcore’ stuff.”
She laughed.
“Okay,
Nicholas Oliver Dhalton
. It’s a deal.” Then she looked at him sternly. “But seriously, I don’t like blood and guts—keep that in mind. Don’t trick me.”
He grinned, then turned to the cashier as they reached the head of the line.
***
“You loved it. Absolutely loved it!” she accused him as they walked out of the movie.
“Well, I wouldn’t say I loved it. It wasn’t torture if that’s what you mean.”
“You were laughing your butt off! I even heard you holding your breath when you thought they were done for.”
“Okay, so it was entertaining. Good choice!”
“Yeah, I loved it too. I don’t know why you bought all that popcorn though. You made me eat it.”
“Hey, I didn’t pick it up and stuff it in your mouth.”
“But you bought this big old bag, and you know the smell of it...it’s irresistible.”
“At least I helped you with it! See how considerate I am?”
She smiled at him. As they walked toward the car, she said:
“I had a great time.”
“Me too,” he said. “Can’t wait to do it again.”
“So who picks the next one?”
“Who do you think?”
“No blood and guts Nicholas.”
He grinned.
As they pulled up to the Johnson home, Nicholas asked:
“So when should we go?”
She seemed to think about it for a few seconds.
“Next Saturday I guess,” she said.
He sighed dramatically.
“Must I wait so long?”
“Yes, you must. I’ll be visiting family members in between.”
“But that doesn’t take all day, every day.”
He turned down his mouth and gave her a puppy face. She laughed.
“Well then, what is your proposition?”
“Well, we can start part two of your movie education.”
Sydney looked like she was pondering the idea.
“That would require...me coming over to your house?”
He nodded. He could see doubt clouding her face.
“No, I don’t think I’m comfortable with that yet. Far too intimidating on far too many levels.”
He was disappointed but he understood; after all, how would Evelyn react when he brought over some other girl when she was clearly trying to set him up with another? Not to mention she was unlike Amber in some important ways. No, he better not expose her to potential hostility just yet.
“Okay, you win,” he said. “It’s just that I’m so bored. My family’s not quite the family it should be. I hardly know my other relatives so I doubt I’ll be visiting any. And Eddie will be busy...” He stopped, realizing he probably sounded like a pathetic whiner. He decided to turn it into a joke, and, sighing dramatically, said: “I guess I’ll just catch up on movies and TV all by my lonesome, eating all I can eat, feeling sorry for myself...”
She rolled her eyes at him.
“Okay, maybe we’ll do it at my place, but you’ll have to come in and meet everybody. Like now. Are you ready?”
“No problemo,” he said, hopping out of the car before she could finish.
“It’s ‘
problema
.’”
“Sure,” he said.
As they approached the doorway to Sydney’s home, Nicholas could hear shuffling around.
“They’re coming!” he heard a male voice say in what was probably supposed to be a quiet warning.
Sydney went in first, leaving him a little behind and out of sight, indicating for him to stay there.
“Darling! How was your date?” he heard a female voice say, and steps in their direction.
“It...and he, was great.”
Sydney smiled then turned to him and pulled him into view.
“Here he is.”
She looked proud yet incredibly uncomfortable, her eyes darting between her family, the ground, and him.
Nicholas watched the family come toward him, the patriarch emerging as the lead. He came forward and Sydney introduced them to each other, not looking at either of them. They shook hands.
“Nice to meet you sir,” Nicholas said looking at the brown-skinned, mustached man with small dark eyes shielded by glasses.
“You too son,” Albert responded, still looking unsure.
“Mom, Nicholas, Nicholas, my mom, Patricia.”
Sydney seemed a little more confident introducing him to her mom.
“A pleasure, madam,” he said, taking Patricia’s hand in both of his. She smiled at him while he studied her, looking for signs of Sydney. Patricia’s skin was lighter, an almost yellowish tone, and her eyes were light brown. Her long hair was wavy, but he could definitely see the facial similarity between the two women. “The one responsible for Sydney’s exquisite beauty,” he added. Patricia blushed, obviously delighted. “Although I see your father in you as well,” he added to Sydney.
Sydney smiled and a small smile reached Albert’s face, just what he was going for.
“And this,” Sydney waved her hand casually in the direction of a young male, “this is the family pet.”
“Tee hee Sydney,” the male said without mirth, “where do you get your jokes, Laffy Taffy? I’m Adam, Syd’s big brother.”
He shook Nicholas’s hand as Sydney rolled her eyes, shaking her head.
“Oh please Adam, will you stop telling people that? It’s only by what, two minutes?”
“You’re twins?”
Nicholas knew his eyebrows had raised in shock. He looked at Adam then at Sydney.
He knew they weren’t necessarily supposed to look alike since they were fraternal twins, but he saw practically no resemblance between them. In contrast to Sydney’s dark brown, tightly curled hair, Adam’s jet black hair looked almost straight—like the hair of some Indians he had seen. Adam’s skin was a deep mahogany, darker than Sydney’s, and he had large brown eyes surrounded by long, black eyelashes—eyes any girl would be jealous of. Adam was a pretty boy if he had ever seen one.