Chapter 20: A Gale

Chapter 20
A Gale

I awoke to sunlight cascading through the patio door. I could see the sky covered by light grey clouds with those spots of sunlight beaming through. It was a day after a storm.

I found a blanket placed over me – one of the two from my bedroom. I heard clanging come from my kitchen. I sat upright when a bowl of cereal appeared in front of my face.

“Hungry?”

I opened my mouth to speak.

“Well, it doesn’t matter. You have to eat, or you won’t have any energy.”

I closed my mouth.

“Still. Didn’t realize you liked kid’s cereals for breakfast.”

I took a spoonful of Cocoa Puffs.

“And afterwards, you can have some of your vitamin gummi bears.”

I bit down into the metal spoon - hard.

After breakfast, I did my exercise routine and showered. When I came out of the bathroom, I found Grace using my computer.

“What’re you looking up?”

“News. That was a sudden storm last night. You must have been cold, huh?”

I scratched my head. I still wasn’t good at this, but I tried my best. “Thanks for the blanket.”

“I woke up to use the bathroom. I found you huddled on the couch, so I brought out the blanket for you.”

“Thanks.”

“No problem. Strange weather though.”

“Well actually-“

I explained what happened last night.

“I wonder what their past is?”

“We all have our secrets.”

“Well, should we get ready for class?”

“You’re going today? I thought you never went?”

“It’s time for a change. Anyways, we have to stay together. Jack is still out there.”

I had forgotten in my sleep.

“Thanks for reminding me.”

“No problem!” she beamed.

“Huh.” I snorted.

We packed lunch and left for class. Class passed how it usually passed. I took notes and answered questions. The only difference was that I knew the person snoring next to me.

Class ended. We walked out of the lecture hall.

“Let’s go to the park.”

I began to walk toward the campus park when she stopped me.

“No, no, no! The park near your apartment. Zephyr Park.”

I sighed, and we took the bus back toward my apartment.

On the ride there, I asked her. “Did you find any information at the library yesterday?”

“A little bit of information. I found an article by my parents about Greek mythology.”

“What was it about?”

“I saved myself a copy, but I haven’t gotten to reading it yet.”

“Ah.”

“Hey, what’s your favorite color?”

“Grey.”

“Grey’s a hue. It’s not a color.”

“What about you then?”

“Purple.”

“I would’ve thought black.”

“Well, you would’ve thought wrong.”

“You’re just a ray of sunshine aren’t you?”

“It’s what I do,” she smiled.

We arrived at Zephyr Park, the largest park in the city. It was about two square miles, had a small lake in it, littered with random fountains, and was famous for the wind tunnels caused by its massive arbor. But our first sight was of a little boy running a kite.

“Did you ever play with kites?” Grace asked.

“A long time ago.”

She laughed.

“What?” I asked.

“I never imagined you with toys. I thought you would’ve done arithmetic for fun.”

I bit down on my lip. She smiled. A crisp breeze blew toward us.

The little boy suddenly ran toward us.

“Look out!”

The kite dove at us. I grabbed Grace and held onto her. The kite swooped back toward the sky.

“I’m sorry about that!” the little boy shouted. “That’s never happened before.”

“Your kite seems to have a mind of its own,” Grace smiled.

“Yah, there was a sudden gust. I’m Christopher Gail Collins.” The little boy smiled as he stuck out his arm.

“I’m Grace.” She lifted a hand toward the boy.

“Hank.”

I didn’t shake his hand.

“You’re funny, Hank.”

“What? Where are your parents?”

“They’re at work.”

“You’re what – eight?”

“Nine actually.”

“You need a babysitter.”

“I can take care of myself.”

Something familiar about the boy.

“What’re you two doing here? A date?”

“How do you know so much for a nine year old?” Grace asked. She didn’t deny that we were on a date.

He shrugged.

“Well, we’re going to eat lunch. Do you want to join us?” Grace asked.

“I think you’re boyfriend is getting frustrated.”

“He tends to.”

“We’re not dating!” I shouted.

“That’s hurtful,” Grace falsely despaired.

“C’mon!” I gasped. “It’s not that… Argh!”

“See. You’re funny,” laughed the boy.

I glared at the boy.

“I’m good at reading people’s airs. You’re actually a nice guy, but you try to make yourself seem mean. And that’s why you’re funny.”

I sighed.

“I’ll join you guys for lunch!”

We sat down under a tree and began to eat. I ate half of my ham and cheese sandwich. Grace ate a PB and J, a chocolate bar, an apple, and a ham and cheese sandwich. In that order. Christopher ate the other half of my sandwich.

“I’m still kind of hungry,” Grace smiled. “Do you have anything left in your bag?”

I took out a bag of chips.

We shared them as we looked toward the sky. It was comfortable silence. Even with Christopher.

“The wind’s changing,” Christopher stated.

Suddenly, my phone began to ring.

I looked at it. It was blank.

Before I could even answer it, crows cried with such fearful timber and took to the skies. The crows cried once more, sharp and unfinished, and black feathers rained down. The call ended, and cries of glottal pitch filled the sky instead.

Text and Images © Jonathan Lee