Creatura by Nely Cab
“Mom, please… They’re normal people.” Well, kind of normal, except for that whole being deities thing and their special powers. I wondered if David had extrasensory hearing, or if Nyx was a psychic. I’d have to be careful what I said and thought until I found out.
“C’mon, Isis. You can’t tell me the car alone didn’t impress you? I know how much a Maserati costs…” Claire raised her brows and waited for me to answer.
“They don’t have any of the things you listed.” I walked to the kitchen; Claire followed. I opened the refrigerator out of habit, even though I wasn’t hungry. “Why are you home so early, anyway?”
“Because I took the afternoon off.”
“You took the afternoon off for no apparent reason?” I peered at her from behind the refrigerator door. “That’s not like you.”
“Well…” she said as she crept back to the kitchen doorway. “I have an appointment this evening.”
“An appointment? Where?”
“At a restaurant.”
“What type of appointment do you have at a restaurant?”
“Well, I guess it’s more of a social gathering—for two.” She bit her thumbnail just like me when I got nervous.
“Mom, are you trying to tell me you have a… a date?” My voice squeaked.
“Yes,” she said, and she ran up the stairs, laughing like a kid.
“Don’t run away from me! Who is this date? I want details, Claire Martin!” I screamed, running after her.
Claire never dated. She always found excuses for not wanting to accept an invitation: too short, too tall, too this, too that…
I ran up the stairs and found her giggling on her bed.
“What’s wrong with you? Why are you acting all… adolescent-like?” Her mood was contagious, and I found myself giggling along with her.
“It’s embarrassing! I can’t believe I’m going on a date and talking to my daughter about it. I’m old, for Pete’s sake!” Claire buried her face into a pillow.
“You’re not old. Thirty is the new twenty, Mom.” I tried to pry the pillow from her hands. “Who’s your date?”
She mumbled something into the pillow that sounded like “Gopher Annuals”.
“I don’t understand what you’re saying. Take that pillow off your face and tell meeeee!”
Claire sat up. “I hate the whiney voice, Isis. You know I hate it.” She paused for a second and closed her eyes. “Okay, I’m ready to spill my guts.”
I threw the pillow to the other side of the room before she had a chance to hide her head in it again.
“It’s Christopher.”
“What? Judge Daniels? Really?”
Judge Daniels was a bachelor known for not dating women in town because of his position—at least, that’s what my mother had told me when I tried to push her to ask him out. She didn’t want to risk her job.
“Did he ask you out, or did you ask him?”
“He asked me, of course. You know I would never do something like that.” My mom jumped off the bed and opened her closet.
“What am I supposed to wear? How should I wear my hair?” She turned and rummaged about, looking for something. “Where is it?” From her dresser, she raised a magazine bookmarked with sticky notes for me to see.
“Cosmo, Mom? Really? You’ve never read Cosmo in your life.”
“I needed some ‘Tips for Dating in this Day and Age,’” she said, holding the magazine cover up and pointing to the title of the article.
“Just how long have you been planning this, young lady?” I said, imitating her.
“Well, he asked me on Monday, but I didn’t give him an answer until Wednesday. We’re keeping it very hush, hush at the office.”
She smacked her forehead with the rolled up magazine and groaned. “Ugh… What the heck am I supposed to talk to him about that doesn’t concern work?”
I took the magazine from her and skimmed through the article. “It says here you’re supposed to get to know him out of the work environment. That’s common sense. Why are you even reading this?” I flung the magazine on the floor. “Look, you can’t be this nervous about a date. It’s the most normal thing.”
Claire picked up the magazine and threw it at me. “Says a seventeen year-old that picked up the new guy at the library!” She laughed.
“I did not pick him up,” I said, putting my hands on my waist. “And we’re talking about you, not about me.”
“So what should I wear?” Claire asked, hopping up and down like a kid.
I walked over to her closet and laid out several outfits for her to choose from. She wasn’t too crazy about the sexy tops I chose. Then we prepped her hair and makeup. By the time I was done with her, my mom looked incredible.
***
The doorbell rang.
“I got it!” I yelled, running down the stairs. I swung the door open and welcomed Judge Daniels into our house. The Judge, as everyone called him, was a tall, handsome forty-something year old man, with a strong build and a cowboy hat and boots—a typical southern Texan.
The Judge’s eyes widened when he saw the transformation Claire had gone through. I was proud of my work and excited for my mother.
“Have a good time, kids,” I teased as they walked out.
I shut the door and turned on the TV. It was past dinnertime and Claire had left me some money for pizza. I fished my phone out of my pocket just as Andy called.
“I assumed you went home sick, so I asked the nurse and she told me you fainted. Why haven’t you answered your phone? I’ve been worried about you all day.”
“I didn’t faint. I was just dizzy. I’m sorry I didn’t answer my phone, I didn’t know the ringer was off.”
“My dad wants to talk to you. Hang on.” She transferred the phone to Dr. Jameson.
“Isis, are you feeling okay?”
“Fine, Doctor. I felt a little dizzy this morning, but I’m okay now.”
“Listen, I want you to hold off on the medication for these next couple of days and see how you feel without it, okay? The dizziness might be a side-effect, and I don’t want it to affect you in that way—especially not at school.”
“Okay, Doctor,” I said.
“Call me if you experience insomnia or more dizziness. Here’s Andrea again. Take care.”
“Isis?” Andy was back on the phone.
“Yeah, I’m here.”
“So you’re okay?”
“Fantabulous,” I assured her, looking at the pizzeria’s magnet on the side of the fridge.
“Okay. That’s all I wanted to know. I’ll text you later. We’re about to eat dinner.”
“Later.”
I turned my phone’s ringer on and dialed the number to the pizza place. Before I hit the last key, another incoming call interrupted me. I didn’t recognize the number, but I decided to answer anyway.
“Are you alone?” A male voice was on the other end.
“Who is this?” I ran to the front door to make sure it was locked and peeked out the window.
“You’ve forgotten me already?”
“David? How did you get my phone number?”
“While you were busy spouting obscenities in the car this morning, I dialed my own number from your phone.”
“I apologized for that already.”
“Right. I was wondering if I can I ask a favor of you?”
“Is it illegal?”
“I’m being serious.”
“What is it?”
“Don’t tell my mother what method I used to sedate you if she asks.”
“I’m assuming you just had that chat she mentioned earlier?”
“Yes. It didn’t go over well.”
“Why did she get so upset?”
“I told her things that she disliked.”
“Sorry to hear that.”
“No worries. Well, I won’t keep you any longer, and thank you for the favor.”
I opened my mouth to tell him not to go, but then
“No problem,” I said. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“Goodnight, my lovely, and please lock your front door.”
“What?” I asked, but the only response I got was a click, and then the line went dead.
As I turned the lock on the door, I wondered if David had been watching me. How else could he have known that I was alone? I peeked through the window blinds, half expecting to see him on the front porch. He wasn’t there.
After closing the curtains and making sure that all the doors were locked, I finally got around to ordering my dinner.
I decided not to wait up for Claire, fearing the insomnia would set in again, but I did stay up a bit late. There was no reason to be afraid of dreaming now. And I was happy I wouldn’t have to take the pills.
Before I closed my eyes, I thought of David. I noticed my journal lying on my desk, beside my laptop. I reread the previous entries and decided to write a new one.
***
March 4, 9:59 P.M.
Reality is not as it seems. You are real—skin, bone, tissue, and blood. In but one brief day I’ve succumbed to your wit and charm only because of the virtues you were born with. I won’t fall deeper into this fascination because it would be taunting an ill fate.
Tonight, I won’t dream of you because I know what’s right. Good night, dream boy. May you give me pleasant dreams.
***
The sun’s rays snuck in through the blinds the next morning. I had slept well without the pills. I guess all that anxiety, fear, nervousness and excitement of the previous day had worn me out. I didn’t even remember dreaming.
I took a quick shower, but put my pajamas back on after. I checked the time on my cell phone and found it was very early.
I crept into Claire’s room; she was still fast asleep. No sense in waking her. I closed the door and fetched my laptop from my room. Then I made my way to the kitchen and whipped up some pancakes—my favorite.
I sat down at the kitchen table with my laptop and my food. I wondered if Andy was awake already. She was an early bird, so I decided to text her.
I googled Maserati and the Ebony Estate while I waited for Andy’s text. Andy responded an hour later, asking if I wanted to hang out in the afternoon. I had nothing planned, so I took her up on it.
Claire walked straight to the coffeemaker as I replied to Andy’s text. “Morning. How’d you sleep?” she asked in a hoarse voice.
“Great,” I said. I pushed out one of the chairs from under the table with my foot.
“Have a seat, my dear Claire. Let’s talk about men.”
“Stop it.” She giggled. “I had a nice time.”
“Really? Did he kiss you?” I leaned closer to her side of the table, puckered my lips, and made kissing noises.
“Stop teasing me, or I won’t tell you anything.” Claire was always moody before her coffee.
“So are you going out again?” I asked.
“Maybe. Mind changing the subject? It’s too early for interrogations.”
“Fine.” I sighed.
Claire sipped her coffee while I read the news on several Internet sites. My mind started wandering as I scrolled through the articles.
I felt an itch to find out more about the Chios family. I thought about calling David, but remembered Nyx’s discussion with me. I didn’t want to be the reason for another fight between Nyx and her son, much less have her dislike me. I didn’t want Nyx to have any reason to doubt me—I wasn’t usually a liar, but I had a feeling I’d be doing an awful lot of it from now on.
I whispered infatuation several times as I thought about what Nyx had said regarding David. I tried to hide my smile from Claire. It was all probably in Nyx’s head. I mean, what could he see in me? He was a god. I was just a girl. I shook the idea out of my head. It was silly of me to even think it could be possible for David to be infatuated with me. David was intelligent enough to know that it was a dead-end street.
Later that morning, Claire headed off to get a manicure and pedicure in the neighboring city of Brownsville. She had asked me to come along because she was also going to buy some new outfits for work and wanted my help. I teased her about wanting to look good for The Judge. I really did want to go with her, but I had plans with Andy.
“Help a mother out!” Claire said, waving two fingers in the air. I laughed at her silliness.
“Sorry, Mom. Plans have been made.”
***
Around noon, Andy called to ask if it was okay if we hung out at my house instead of hers. We grabbed a few slices of leftover pizza and went back to my room.
“I gotta tell you something,” I said, trying not to grin.
“Uh oh,” Andy said. “This must be good.”
“I met a guy.” I couldn’t subdue the smile on my face. “But I don’t like him or anything. He’s just… um… I don’t know.”
“When did this happen?”
“Yesterday.”
“Where? You were home sick, weren’t you?”
I hadn’t thought that part through before I opened my big mouth. I hated lying to my best friend, but I couldn’t tell her the truth.
“At the city library. I went there after I came home from school.”
“What were you doing at the library if you were feeling dizzy? We don’t even have any projects due.”
Nothing got past Andy. How was I going to get myself out of this one?
“The dizziness had passed already. I was fine. I wanted to check out a book, you know, to have something to do for the rest of the day.”
“So who’s this guy?”
“He’s new in town; a senior at our school. His family bought the Ebony Estate.”
“What?”
“Calm down. He’s very down to earth.”
“Is he cute?”
“He’s… uh… handsome,” I said, nodding slowly with one brow raised.
“Ooo, someone has a crush.” Andy pointed at me.
“I do not.”
“Then why bring up the subject of the new, gorgeous, rich guy in town? Hmm?”
“He doesn’t have any friends. I thought he could hang out with us until he made some.”
“We’re doing social work now? I didn’t get the memo.”
“It’s called being hospitable.”
“Whatever.” Andy raised her hands. “He’d just better not be a total douche.”
“Be nice, Andy. He’s not like the guys around here.” That was an understatement.
“Fine.”
Andy left later in the afternoon, before my mom got home. I kept myself entertained by listening to music on my iPod. After about an hour, I slid a DVD into my computer and nestled myself into bed. Half way through the movie, I heard the front door slam. I paused the video and jumped out of bed.
“What’d you get?” I asked, helping Claire with some of the bags.
“Just a few things: blouses, skirts… office clothes.”
“Can I see?” I didn’t wait for her to answer. I started pulling clothes out from the bags and displaying them on the bed.
“What is this? Mom, Grandma Eva has more stylish clothes than this. I’m never letting you go shopping on your own again.” I lifted an ugly plaid shirt with two fingers. “All of this has got to go back.”
“You want me to return it? I got good deals on this stuff. It suits me just fine.”
“Well, to each their own,” I said, wrinkling my nose. “By the way, long polyester skirts went out of style a few decades ago. Didn’t Cosmo teach you anything?”
“I’ll return the skirt, but I’m keeping the rest of the stuff.”
“Whatever. I’m not the one dating my boss.”
Claire gave me a rude stare. “Fine. I’ll return it all, but you’re coming with me this time.”
We gathered all the clothes, drove to the mall, and spent the rest of the day shopping
At home, after our outing, we watched TV for about an hour. Claire fell asleep on the sofa, as usual. I woke her so that she would find her way to her bed. Then I settled in my own bed with my journal, but couldn’t think of anything to write.
I wondered why David hadn’t called. He had been pretty clear that he wouldn’t let me out of his sight. Maybe the argument with his mother had made him change his mind about spending time with me. Whatever. I would see him on Monday at school.
I decided I should stop thinking about him before it became a habit. I put my thoughts to rest and fell sleep.
***
The sound of my phone ringing woke me. I reached for it and answered in a voice that resembled Elmer Fudd’s.
“Hello?”
“Good morning, my lovely.” David’s voice made me smile.
“Morning,” I said, still struggling to open my eyes.
“Would you like to have breakfast with me?”
“Sure. What time?” I lay back down and pulled the covers over my head.
“Now. I’m on your front porch.”
The doorbell rang, and I heard Claire walking down the stairs to answer.
“I’m not ready.” I stumbled out of bed and into the bathroom to wash my face. My hair was in knots and there were pillow lines on my cheek.
“I can wait,” David said and hung up.
“Isis, David is here to see you.” Claire called from downstairs.
“Be right down!” I rushed into the closet and threw on some jeans and a shirt. I stuck the toothbrush in my mouth and pulled my hair back in a ponytail. I flung the toothbrush onto my nightstand and tried to stretch out the pillow creases from my face using both hands.
When I got downstairs, David was sitting on the sofa with a glass of water in his hand. Claire sipped her coffee beside him.
“Hi,” I said, trying to hide the creases on my cheek with my hand.
“Good morning,” David said. “Did I wake you?”
“No… no… nope. I was already awake.”
“I think there’s something wrong with your shirt, honey.” Claire held a fist over her mouth to hide a smile.
I looked down to inspect it. I had put my shirt on inside out and backwards. The tag was sticking out from the front of my neck. David didn’t smile, but I could see laughter dancing in his eyes. My face turned bright red.
“I’ll be right back.” I raced up the stairs and dove into the shower. I slicked my hair back in a ponytail and applied makeup as fast as I could. I hoped Claire wasn’t interrogating David for the whole time I was getting ready. I sprayed on a bit of perfume and stared at the girl in the mirror. “Not too shabby,” I told her.