S19 - Out of the Loop
I probably should have stayed home from work today. Ryan even said so, considering everything that happened last night/early this morning. But no, I was a trooper and went to InfoTech anyway.
An excerpt from my day...
Me: Good morning. This is InfoTech. Molly speaking. How may I help you today?
Customer: Uh, hi, I was wondering what your return policy is.
Me: Our standard policy is that customers can return unopened merchandise with the original receipt for 60 days after the date of purchase.
Customer: Okay, does that apply to movies?
Me: Both DVDs and Blu-Ray discs, yes sir.
Customer: Where do I return it?
Me: All returns should be made at our Customer Service desk in the store.
Customer: So I'll just bring the disc and the receipt down there?
Me: Yes, sir. Today we're open until 9 o'clock.
Customer: Great, thank you.
Me: You're welcome. Have a nice day.
The sad part is, we get phone calls like this all the time. The same information is on the receipt, on our website, and at the Customer Service desk. People don't read when it's convenient.
I was a little distracted for most of the day. My boss noticed and asked if there was anything I wanted to talk about. Yes, I'm spacing out because I'm thinking about this strange thing that's happening to me. No thank you.
The last hour of work, I was thinking about what would happen tonight. Ryan and I were going to the Super Seven's headquarters to tell them about 8th Wonder. I thought maybe we could wait a day but Ryan said it's best to tell them ASAP.
An excerpt from my day...
Me: Good morning. This is InfoTech. Molly speaking. How may I help you today?
Customer: Uh, hi, I was wondering what your return policy is.
Me: Our standard policy is that customers can return unopened merchandise with the original receipt for 60 days after the date of purchase.
Customer: Okay, does that apply to movies?
Me: Both DVDs and Blu-Ray discs, yes sir.
Customer: Where do I return it?
Me: All returns should be made at our Customer Service desk in the store.
Customer: So I'll just bring the disc and the receipt down there?
Me: Yes, sir. Today we're open until 9 o'clock.
Customer: Great, thank you.
Me: You're welcome. Have a nice day.
The sad part is, we get phone calls like this all the time. The same information is on the receipt, on our website, and at the Customer Service desk. People don't read when it's convenient.
I was a little distracted for most of the day. My boss noticed and asked if there was anything I wanted to talk about. Yes, I'm spacing out because I'm thinking about this strange thing that's happening to me. No thank you.
The last hour of work, I was thinking about what would happen tonight. Ryan and I were going to the Super Seven's headquarters to tell them about 8th Wonder. I thought maybe we could wait a day but Ryan said it's best to tell them ASAP.
236
Someone to save him
to fall down into his abyss
to be so low with him
and yet be the one to lift him
to carry him up, out
Be the one he needs
Find the one you are
to fall down into his abyss
to be so low with him
and yet be the one to lift him
to carry him up, out
Be the one he needs
Find the one you are
S18 - Residual Energy
Someone knocked on the door and Ryan stood up to answer it. "Good to see you, Ryan." The voice sounded a little hoarse but gentle too. I walked out into the living room area. An elderly man took cautious steps into the apartment. I noticed Ryan gently held the man's arm and guided him toward the couch.
Ryan spoke to the man. "This is my friend I was telling you about. Molly." Ryan looked at me. "Molly, this is Link."
I held out my hand. The man hesitated and then grasped my hand and shook it. "Nice to meet you," I said.
He lifted his eyes to mine and I noticed a translucent cloud over his eyes. Blind. But he smiled at me and said, "Nice to meet you too."
"Is it Mr. Link or..."
He waved his hand in the air. "No, no, just Link." He felt for the couch behind him and sat down. Ryan sat next to him.
I sat down in the chair and looked at him. There was something about him, something..."You look familiar," I said. "I don't think we've met before but..." I tilted my head, trying to think. I tried to picture him outside of Ryan's apartment.
"You've lived in Primacity for a while then."
I nodded and then said, "Yes, sir. All my life." Where had I seen him before?
Ryan looked between us. He gave me a look, maybe surprised that I knew this man.
The older man smiled at me. "I didn't always go by Link."
I closed my eyes and tried to picture him somewhere else, tried to place him. "You weren't always blind."
"No. Not in my younger days."
I imagined what he looked like as a younger man walking around the city, and for some reason I kept putting him in red and white clothing. A red and white uniform. "You used to be a superhero." Deep red sleeves and matching pants. White chest and torso. A stretched out and slanted S over his chest in that deep red. I opened my eyes. "You remind of Psionic. He's the one."
The man nodded. "Very good. That was me alright."
Ryan stared at me, his mouth open. "You remember him? That was 15 years ago."
I shrugged. "So I know the superheroes of the city."
"You were a child when I retired. Good memory," Link said.
"I remember seeing you on the news."
Ryan laughed and patted Link on the shoulder. "Looks like I don't have to give you much of an introduction." Ryan looked at me. "Psionic retired officially but he stills helps superheroes sometimes in a different capacity. That's why he goes by Link now."
I nodded.
Then Link spoke. "One of my abilities, I can detect different kinds of psychic energies. Ryan told me you have some sort of connection to 8th Wonder. As far as I can tell, 8th Wonder is something new. I haven't detected anything like that before so if there's something related here, I'm very interested in it."
I looked at Ryan and he smiled and nodded. Guess I was doing the explaining. "Okay. This is a little complicated, so bear with me. I'm not aware when it happens, but apparently 8th Wonder sort of possesses my body to do superhero work. It's happened several nights over the past few months. Most recently, last night when Ryan witnessed it."
Link whistled. "First I've heard of 8th Wonder needing a host." He rubbed his hand over his wispy gray hair. "But that answers the question about 8th Wonder having a physical form. It needs somebody."
"If you can detect 8th Wonder's energy, could you detect it on me?"
"Theoretically, yes." Link waved me to him. I stood in front of him.
He reached forward and held my hands. How did he know where they were if he couldn't see? He closed his eyes and leaned his head back a little. After a moment he said, "Yes, it's the same. It's touched you."
I involuntarily shivered and he chuckled. "It's nothing to be afraid of, Molly. I have no reason to think 8th Wonder is dangerous." Link took a deep breath. "I'd like to see if 8th Wonder has made a connection with you mentally. Psychically. Mind if I peek into your mind?"
I looked at Ryan and he nodded. It's safe. I looked back at Link. "Will it hurt?"
"No, but good for you for asking." He smiled up at me. "Most people don't consider what it's like to have someone else in their head."
"Go ahead then. Do I have to do anything?"
Link nodded. "Close your eyes and stay calm." He closed his eyes again.
"Okay." I gripped his hands a little tighter and closed my eyes.
Link was right--it didn't hurt, but I could definitely feel him enter my mind. A weightless, sort of floating overcame my body. I thought I was going to fall down but despite the feeling in my head, my legs felt steady and stiff. I felt Link's mind shifting in my own mind, something moving that wasn't part of me.
Suddenly, all of that stopped and I felt like air was rushing past my ears. I took a startled breath and Link pulled my hands forward at the exact moment I thought I would fall backward. "You're okay," he said in a gentle voice. "Take a deep breath. Everything's fine."
I took several deep breaths and opened my eyes. Link let go of my hands and I sat back down. "That was something."
Link nodded and chuckled. "You did well."
Ryan came out of the kitchen with two glasses of water. He handed one to me and put the other carefully into Link's hand. "Here's some water for you, Link," he said and sat back on the couch.
(When did Ryan get up to go to the kitchen?)
"So?" Ryan looked at both of us.
Link took a sip of water and then said, "There's definitely a psychic connection." He looked over at me. Was he only partially blind? How did he know exactly where to look to meet my eyes? "That's good," Link continued, "because it's two-way. If 8th Wonder can use it to take over your body, you can use it to communicate with her."
"Her? 8th Wonder is female?" I asked Link.
"Well, if it's pure energy, it doesn't have a gender. I like thinking of it as a she." He smiled.
"How do I use it?" Did I want to use it?
"Link can teach you how to access the connection," Ryan answered. "That's the kind of work he does now. Help superheroes when there's psychic stuff involved."
Link nodded. "That's right. I look forward to working with you, Molly." He put the glass on the coffee table. How did he know where the coffee table was in relation to where he was sitting? I didn't want to be rude and ask him questions about his blindness, but it was strange how aware he was of things in Ryan's apartment. "We've done enough for today, though." Link stood up. "You can call me when you're ready and we'll see what we can do." Link held out his hand to Ryan. "It was nice seeing you again." Ryan stood up and shook Link's hand. Link turned toward me and I stood up to shake his hand too. "Molly, it was nice meeting you."
"You too," I said.
He held my hand still and said, "This is exciting, what's going on."
I smiled. "I hope so."
He clasped his other hand over mine. "It is. Don't be frightened. I'll see you soon."
Ryan guided Link back to the door and Link left.
Ryan spoke to the man. "This is my friend I was telling you about. Molly." Ryan looked at me. "Molly, this is Link."
I held out my hand. The man hesitated and then grasped my hand and shook it. "Nice to meet you," I said.
He lifted his eyes to mine and I noticed a translucent cloud over his eyes. Blind. But he smiled at me and said, "Nice to meet you too."
"Is it Mr. Link or..."
He waved his hand in the air. "No, no, just Link." He felt for the couch behind him and sat down. Ryan sat next to him.
I sat down in the chair and looked at him. There was something about him, something..."You look familiar," I said. "I don't think we've met before but..." I tilted my head, trying to think. I tried to picture him outside of Ryan's apartment.
"You've lived in Primacity for a while then."
I nodded and then said, "Yes, sir. All my life." Where had I seen him before?
Ryan looked between us. He gave me a look, maybe surprised that I knew this man.
The older man smiled at me. "I didn't always go by Link."
I closed my eyes and tried to picture him somewhere else, tried to place him. "You weren't always blind."
"No. Not in my younger days."
I imagined what he looked like as a younger man walking around the city, and for some reason I kept putting him in red and white clothing. A red and white uniform. "You used to be a superhero." Deep red sleeves and matching pants. White chest and torso. A stretched out and slanted S over his chest in that deep red. I opened my eyes. "You remind of Psionic. He's the one."
The man nodded. "Very good. That was me alright."
Ryan stared at me, his mouth open. "You remember him? That was 15 years ago."
I shrugged. "So I know the superheroes of the city."
"You were a child when I retired. Good memory," Link said.
"I remember seeing you on the news."
Ryan laughed and patted Link on the shoulder. "Looks like I don't have to give you much of an introduction." Ryan looked at me. "Psionic retired officially but he stills helps superheroes sometimes in a different capacity. That's why he goes by Link now."
I nodded.
Then Link spoke. "One of my abilities, I can detect different kinds of psychic energies. Ryan told me you have some sort of connection to 8th Wonder. As far as I can tell, 8th Wonder is something new. I haven't detected anything like that before so if there's something related here, I'm very interested in it."
I looked at Ryan and he smiled and nodded. Guess I was doing the explaining. "Okay. This is a little complicated, so bear with me. I'm not aware when it happens, but apparently 8th Wonder sort of possesses my body to do superhero work. It's happened several nights over the past few months. Most recently, last night when Ryan witnessed it."
Link whistled. "First I've heard of 8th Wonder needing a host." He rubbed his hand over his wispy gray hair. "But that answers the question about 8th Wonder having a physical form. It needs somebody."
"If you can detect 8th Wonder's energy, could you detect it on me?"
"Theoretically, yes." Link waved me to him. I stood in front of him.
He reached forward and held my hands. How did he know where they were if he couldn't see? He closed his eyes and leaned his head back a little. After a moment he said, "Yes, it's the same. It's touched you."
I involuntarily shivered and he chuckled. "It's nothing to be afraid of, Molly. I have no reason to think 8th Wonder is dangerous." Link took a deep breath. "I'd like to see if 8th Wonder has made a connection with you mentally. Psychically. Mind if I peek into your mind?"
I looked at Ryan and he nodded. It's safe. I looked back at Link. "Will it hurt?"
"No, but good for you for asking." He smiled up at me. "Most people don't consider what it's like to have someone else in their head."
"Go ahead then. Do I have to do anything?"
Link nodded. "Close your eyes and stay calm." He closed his eyes again.
"Okay." I gripped his hands a little tighter and closed my eyes.
Link was right--it didn't hurt, but I could definitely feel him enter my mind. A weightless, sort of floating overcame my body. I thought I was going to fall down but despite the feeling in my head, my legs felt steady and stiff. I felt Link's mind shifting in my own mind, something moving that wasn't part of me.
Suddenly, all of that stopped and I felt like air was rushing past my ears. I took a startled breath and Link pulled my hands forward at the exact moment I thought I would fall backward. "You're okay," he said in a gentle voice. "Take a deep breath. Everything's fine."
I took several deep breaths and opened my eyes. Link let go of my hands and I sat back down. "That was something."
Link nodded and chuckled. "You did well."
Ryan came out of the kitchen with two glasses of water. He handed one to me and put the other carefully into Link's hand. "Here's some water for you, Link," he said and sat back on the couch.
(When did Ryan get up to go to the kitchen?)
"So?" Ryan looked at both of us.
Link took a sip of water and then said, "There's definitely a psychic connection." He looked over at me. Was he only partially blind? How did he know exactly where to look to meet my eyes? "That's good," Link continued, "because it's two-way. If 8th Wonder can use it to take over your body, you can use it to communicate with her."
"Her? 8th Wonder is female?" I asked Link.
"Well, if it's pure energy, it doesn't have a gender. I like thinking of it as a she." He smiled.
"How do I use it?" Did I want to use it?
"Link can teach you how to access the connection," Ryan answered. "That's the kind of work he does now. Help superheroes when there's psychic stuff involved."
Link nodded. "That's right. I look forward to working with you, Molly." He put the glass on the coffee table. How did he know where the coffee table was in relation to where he was sitting? I didn't want to be rude and ask him questions about his blindness, but it was strange how aware he was of things in Ryan's apartment. "We've done enough for today, though." Link stood up. "You can call me when you're ready and we'll see what we can do." Link held out his hand to Ryan. "It was nice seeing you again." Ryan stood up and shook Link's hand. Link turned toward me and I stood up to shake his hand too. "Molly, it was nice meeting you."
"You too," I said.
He held my hand still and said, "This is exciting, what's going on."
I smiled. "I hope so."
He clasped his other hand over mine. "It is. Don't be frightened. I'll see you soon."
Ryan guided Link back to the door and Link left.
S17 - Missing Link
I woke up on my couch, covered with the blanket I had out for Ryan. I blinked my eyes and sat up. The blanket slipped down and I realized I wasn't wearing anything. "Great," I muttered to myself. It must have happened again. "Ryan?" I said a little louder, "Ryan, are you here?"
I stood up and wrapped the blanket around my body. Checked the window. It was locked. I turned around, running my hand through my hair and saw a piece of paper floating over the coffee table. I walked over and plucked the paper out of the air. It said "Please come over after you're dressed." Ryan. I didn't know he could make things float like that when he wasn't in the room. Pretty cool.
I went into my bedroom and pulled on sweatpants and a t-shirt. I looked over at the alarm clock. Almost 5 a.m. I wondered how long I was asleep. I brushed my teeth and tried to tame my hair but it was frizzy. All over the place.
I picked up my keys and cell phone and walked out into the hallway. No one else was around. I spun on my heel and knocked on Ryan's door.
He opened it and smiled. "Hey, come in."
I waved his note at him. "Neat trick."
Ryan nodded. "I thought so."
I followed him into the kitchen. He went straight to the coffee maker. "I already made a pot. Want any?"
"No thanks." I never ate or drank anything right after I woke up from...whatever these types of nights are called. Episodes, that's the word Ryan used before. "I was wondering what happened. You should know, right?"
Ryan grabbed his mug and the container of sugar and sat down across from me. "Oh yeah. You're not going to believe it."
"Try me."
"Have you heard of 8th Wonder?"
"Yes..."
He nodded and took a sip from his mug. "You're it."
"What?"
He shrugged. "I wouldn't believe it if I didn't see it myself. I stayed up after you went to sleep. Stake out, that was the idea. A few hours later, you came out of your room. In your pajamas, whatever you wore to sleep. You went straight to the window. Unlocked and opened it. I called your name. Went over and tried to talk to you but you didn't respond. It was like you were sleepwalking. You don't remember any of this?"
"No." I shook my head. "I mean, I thought I heard you call my name, but I thought it was a dream. I don't remember anything else. What did I do next?"
"I tried getting your attention. Tried to wake you up, but you didn't respond to anything. You just sidestepped around me and went out on the fire escape."
"Did I hurt you?"
"No."
"Good."
"But I had no idea what you were doing. It didn't look like you were going to jump, so I stood right inside the window and watched. Then there was a glowing in the sky. It came straight for you and hit you. Went through you. I don't know, but your whole body started glowing. You rose into the air and away from the building, brighter and brighter. Burning. That energy, whatever it is, burns through your clothes. That's why you wake up naked. Your whole body turns into pure energy."
While Ryan was talking I held my arm across my lap, my hand palm up. I traced with my finger the vein that runs from my wrist toward my elbow. Everything burning, but there wasn't a mark on me. I didn't feel any pain at all. I know I've had a dozen dreams like this, dreams where I'm burning but not hurt. I knew what Ryan was saying was true.
"Molly?" He put his hand on my knee and I started.
"Sorry." I looked up at him. "I was floating in the air. Did I fly somewhere?"
"Yeah. I saw you moving farther up into the air. That's when I realized it--you--were 8th Wonder. I've never seen it up close, but once you moved away, I recognized it. You. Sorry. I changed into my suit and flew after you."
That's what he had in the duffle bag. I might have guessed.
"You went west," he continued, "toward King's Lake.There was a lighting storm during the night. I don't remember hearing about it in the forecast, but it started a small forest fire out by the lake. 8th Wonder contained the fire and put it out. Then you ducked low over the trees for a fly-over. Checked for any people who were near the flames, but there wasn't anyone out at that time of night.
"I followed you back here. The process went in reverse. You hovered for a moment above the fire escape and the burning stopped. Then that light around you dimmed and you stepped down onto the fire escape. You walked back into the apartment and lied on the floor. I came in right after you and you were already asleep. That's when I moved you to the couch, left the note, and came over here."
I nodded after he finished talking. "I know what you're saying is true, but you're right I don't believe it. People don't even know what 8th Wonder is. And now, hey, newsflash. It's me. Of all people, why me?" This wasn't the worst explanation for what was happening to me, but even so I wasn't sure it was good.
Ryan held my hand between his hands and lowered his head to look me in the eye. "Hey, I know this is a lot. I have a friend who can help with this and I asked him to come over."
"What, now?"
"Yeah, at least for you to meet him." Ryan smiled. "I think you'll like him, actually."
I stood up and wrapped the blanket around my body. Checked the window. It was locked. I turned around, running my hand through my hair and saw a piece of paper floating over the coffee table. I walked over and plucked the paper out of the air. It said "Please come over after you're dressed." Ryan. I didn't know he could make things float like that when he wasn't in the room. Pretty cool.
I went into my bedroom and pulled on sweatpants and a t-shirt. I looked over at the alarm clock. Almost 5 a.m. I wondered how long I was asleep. I brushed my teeth and tried to tame my hair but it was frizzy. All over the place.
I picked up my keys and cell phone and walked out into the hallway. No one else was around. I spun on my heel and knocked on Ryan's door.
He opened it and smiled. "Hey, come in."
I waved his note at him. "Neat trick."
Ryan nodded. "I thought so."
I followed him into the kitchen. He went straight to the coffee maker. "I already made a pot. Want any?"
"No thanks." I never ate or drank anything right after I woke up from...whatever these types of nights are called. Episodes, that's the word Ryan used before. "I was wondering what happened. You should know, right?"
Ryan grabbed his mug and the container of sugar and sat down across from me. "Oh yeah. You're not going to believe it."
"Try me."
"Have you heard of 8th Wonder?"
"Yes..."
He nodded and took a sip from his mug. "You're it."
"What?"
He shrugged. "I wouldn't believe it if I didn't see it myself. I stayed up after you went to sleep. Stake out, that was the idea. A few hours later, you came out of your room. In your pajamas, whatever you wore to sleep. You went straight to the window. Unlocked and opened it. I called your name. Went over and tried to talk to you but you didn't respond. It was like you were sleepwalking. You don't remember any of this?"
"No." I shook my head. "I mean, I thought I heard you call my name, but I thought it was a dream. I don't remember anything else. What did I do next?"
"I tried getting your attention. Tried to wake you up, but you didn't respond to anything. You just sidestepped around me and went out on the fire escape."
"Did I hurt you?"
"No."
"Good."
"But I had no idea what you were doing. It didn't look like you were going to jump, so I stood right inside the window and watched. Then there was a glowing in the sky. It came straight for you and hit you. Went through you. I don't know, but your whole body started glowing. You rose into the air and away from the building, brighter and brighter. Burning. That energy, whatever it is, burns through your clothes. That's why you wake up naked. Your whole body turns into pure energy."
While Ryan was talking I held my arm across my lap, my hand palm up. I traced with my finger the vein that runs from my wrist toward my elbow. Everything burning, but there wasn't a mark on me. I didn't feel any pain at all. I know I've had a dozen dreams like this, dreams where I'm burning but not hurt. I knew what Ryan was saying was true.
"Molly?" He put his hand on my knee and I started.
"Sorry." I looked up at him. "I was floating in the air. Did I fly somewhere?"
"Yeah. I saw you moving farther up into the air. That's when I realized it--you--were 8th Wonder. I've never seen it up close, but once you moved away, I recognized it. You. Sorry. I changed into my suit and flew after you."
That's what he had in the duffle bag. I might have guessed.
"You went west," he continued, "toward King's Lake.There was a lighting storm during the night. I don't remember hearing about it in the forecast, but it started a small forest fire out by the lake. 8th Wonder contained the fire and put it out. Then you ducked low over the trees for a fly-over. Checked for any people who were near the flames, but there wasn't anyone out at that time of night.
"I followed you back here. The process went in reverse. You hovered for a moment above the fire escape and the burning stopped. Then that light around you dimmed and you stepped down onto the fire escape. You walked back into the apartment and lied on the floor. I came in right after you and you were already asleep. That's when I moved you to the couch, left the note, and came over here."
I nodded after he finished talking. "I know what you're saying is true, but you're right I don't believe it. People don't even know what 8th Wonder is. And now, hey, newsflash. It's me. Of all people, why me?" This wasn't the worst explanation for what was happening to me, but even so I wasn't sure it was good.
Ryan held my hand between his hands and lowered his head to look me in the eye. "Hey, I know this is a lot. I have a friend who can help with this and I asked him to come over."
"What, now?"
"Yeah, at least for you to meet him." Ryan smiled. "I think you'll like him, actually."
S16 - Jeopardy
Ryan knocked on the door during a commercial break of Jeopardy. Funny thing about that game show. Technically there's an exclamation point in the title, but who's gonna write it that way?
Lately I've been keeping score for myself when I watch Jeopardy. It sounds lame, I know, but I always wonder how well I'd do if I got penalized for incorrect answers. I usually don't pay attention to how many answers I get right vs how many I get wrong. So I started keeping score on paper while I watch. Ryan saw the notebook open on the coffee table. He didn't say anything, but I might as well be wearing a t shirt that says "Bored Nerd."
"Did you eat dinner?" I asked him.
"Yeah, I did, thanks."
I nodded. "Want something to drink then?"
"A glass of water would be great."
I went to the kitchen and poured him a glass of water. "You can put your stuff wherever," I called out to him. He had a duffle bag and his coat over his arm when he walked in.
I took the glass of water out to him and he said thanks. He put his stuff on the floor, next to the chair with the spare sheets, pillow, and blanket I took out of the closet for him. I didn't know exactly what time he was coming over, so I was going to make up the couch after I figured out if I ended with a positive or negative Jeopardy score.
We watched the rest of Double Jeopardy and Final Jeopardy. I ignored the notebook even though I did really well in the first round. As the credits rolled, I turned toward him and asked "So what's the plan for tonight?"
"Pretty simple." He shrugged. "You do your normal routine and I try not to get in your way. I stay here overnight and if anything unusual happens...well, I guess I go with the flow." He thought for a moment. "You never know beforehand when it's going to happen, do you? Like a feeling or anything like that?"
I shook my head. "Sorry, no."
He waved his hand. "It's okay. I was just wondering."
We spent the next few hours watching TV and flipping channels when we got bored. I felt tired and told Ryan I was going to go to sleep. I stood up and pointed down the hall. "Bathroom's on the right. Feel free to use it." I smiled at him.
"Thanks."
"Good night."
"Sleep well."
I brushed my teeth and changed into my pajamas. I fell asleep after a few minutes. I don't know how much time passed but at some point later on I heard Ryan call my name. I couldn't answer him, though, and it felt like a dream anyway.
Lately I've been keeping score for myself when I watch Jeopardy. It sounds lame, I know, but I always wonder how well I'd do if I got penalized for incorrect answers. I usually don't pay attention to how many answers I get right vs how many I get wrong. So I started keeping score on paper while I watch. Ryan saw the notebook open on the coffee table. He didn't say anything, but I might as well be wearing a t shirt that says "Bored Nerd."
"Did you eat dinner?" I asked him.
"Yeah, I did, thanks."
I nodded. "Want something to drink then?"
"A glass of water would be great."
I went to the kitchen and poured him a glass of water. "You can put your stuff wherever," I called out to him. He had a duffle bag and his coat over his arm when he walked in.
I took the glass of water out to him and he said thanks. He put his stuff on the floor, next to the chair with the spare sheets, pillow, and blanket I took out of the closet for him. I didn't know exactly what time he was coming over, so I was going to make up the couch after I figured out if I ended with a positive or negative Jeopardy score.
We watched the rest of Double Jeopardy and Final Jeopardy. I ignored the notebook even though I did really well in the first round. As the credits rolled, I turned toward him and asked "So what's the plan for tonight?"
"Pretty simple." He shrugged. "You do your normal routine and I try not to get in your way. I stay here overnight and if anything unusual happens...well, I guess I go with the flow." He thought for a moment. "You never know beforehand when it's going to happen, do you? Like a feeling or anything like that?"
I shook my head. "Sorry, no."
He waved his hand. "It's okay. I was just wondering."
We spent the next few hours watching TV and flipping channels when we got bored. I felt tired and told Ryan I was going to go to sleep. I stood up and pointed down the hall. "Bathroom's on the right. Feel free to use it." I smiled at him.
"Thanks."
"Good night."
"Sleep well."
I brushed my teeth and changed into my pajamas. I fell asleep after a few minutes. I don't know how much time passed but at some point later on I heard Ryan call my name. I couldn't answer him, though, and it felt like a dream anyway.
Reading List
I made a new page on this blog to keep track of books I'm reading. Original idea is from Matthew Elmslie.
Not much to list right now because most of the reading I do is for college courses. I'm not including that on the list unless I have to read a book in its entirety (and that's rare). The good news is, the list should pick up in June when I have more time to read whatever I want. Yay for being a college senior.
Not much to list right now because most of the reading I do is for college courses. I'm not including that on the list unless I have to read a book in its entirety (and that's rare). The good news is, the list should pick up in June when I have more time to read whatever I want. Yay for being a college senior.
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