Candle Lake

 

Tablo reader up chevron

Chapter 1

It is pitch black and I don’t know where I am.  I blink a few times to check my eyes.  My breathing becomes shallow.  The air is thick and hard to breathe.  Slowly white spots of light begin to appear.  I can’t even see my hands in front of my face. After a few deep breaths they begin to take shape.  I turn them over mesmerized as the light changes slightly leaving swirls I find calming. I put my hands down in my lap and look around. The spots are gone and I can see a road.   I’m sitting in the backseat of a car that I don’t remember getting into. There are two people in the front seat. 

A black fog swirls, taking shape and envelopes me as though it is swallowing me.  There is a loud static noise and I quickly put my hands to my ears to block it out.  Tightly, I close my eyes.

When it is quiet I open my eyes to find I am in a field. A field is full of pink flowers that smell so sweet. A gentle warm breeze that is warming to the soul, I smile.  I brush my hair away from my face with the back of my hand. My mom is in the middle of the field picking flowers. I walk toward her, watching her. She looks so serene and at peace. I smile, reminiscing the times I sat on my mom’s lap as she shared some of her childhood memories.

I stand beside her, my hand on her arm but she doesn’t acknowledge me.  I long for her to look at me.

Finally she looks up, right past me. I follow her gaze to see that the field is beginning to ripple in the distance, moving slowly towards us. A white, cloudy substance appears in the sky. It looks too thick to be a cloud, almost as thick as a cotton ball.  I look to my mom for answers but she looks scared.  I reach out wanting to comfort her. I see her lips move but I cannot hear her. My skin starts to prickle leaving goose bumps all over my body. I sense danger.  Reluctantly, I turn around to see that the ripple and the cotton ball cloud are now moving quickly and are quite close.  I see now that it is not a cloud but a ghostly boat floating just above the ground. With amazing speed a black fog emerges from the boat and comes towards me.  Instinctively I jump back.

The black fog forms a face.  It shouts, “Sipwatao!”  My hair blows back from the force of its breath.

I hear my mom scream, “Noooooo”, shocking me.   My mind starts to race and I feel dizzy. I scream as the mouth of the cloud opens up and swallows me.  I hear it repeating “Sipwatao”.  It’s pitch black and there is no air for me to breath.

Comment Log in or Join Tablo to comment on this chapter...

Chapter 2

I jump out of bed soaked in sweat. My stomach lurches and I make it to the bathroom just in time. My hair is so matted that I can’t even put my hands in it to pull it out of my face. 

I wish my mom was down the hall.  Sadly, she isn’t.  I have never felt so alone in all my life.  I have never really been alone in all my life.  My childhood home was the meeting place of everyone we knew. It still is.  The only difference now is that I had to move out to go to University in the city.

Waking up from a dream like the one tonight and being so far from home is the hardest.  Whenever I had a bad dream as a child I would always go snuggle in my parents’ bed.  I was always welcomed with open arms. 

One thing I do have from home is my mom’s blanket.  I make myself a tea to calm my nerves and snuggle with it on the couch.  The comforting scents of home warm me.  I need to get some sleep.  Tomorrow is my first day of University.  I let myself relax.  It sounds like it’s raining.  I start to drift away into sleep and I think I hear a soft, gentle whisper.  “Nipow.” 

I dream I am in my parents’ bed.  I’m in the middle and they’re both facing me with their arms around me.  No other place I would rather be then in the warm and safe embrace of my parents. 

Comment Log in or Join Tablo to comment on this chapter...

Chapter 3

Surprisingly, I wake up feeling refreshed.  The vision of my mom in the field with the fog charging at us is imprinted in my mind.  I have never had a dream so disturbing that it caused me to throw up.  I wonder if I should tell my parents.  I know it would only worry my mom beyond belief. 

I get up off the couch and have a shower.  The hot water running over my body is refreshing.  The water helps get rid of the tangles in my hair.  The downfall of long hair, it tangles easily.  I take my time lathering up my body.  My skin is left feeling silky from the soap.  I let the water come down on me, lifting my face into the spray. I could stand here for hours, if it wasn’t my first day of school. 

I turn off the water and step out of the shower.  As I dry myself off I realize I probably should have shaved my legs.  Oh well, the chances of me getting a date for tonight are slim to none.  My favourite pair of jeans that accentuate my round little bottom are on my dresser along with the rest of the outfit I picked for today.  I look in the mirror, turning from side to side, and I can’t help but wonder, why am I single?  I am so darn cute. 

My coffee is ready and waiting for me.  I inhale deeply and think, thank you mom for the coffee pot with a timer!  I eat my breakfast slowly, savouring every bite, drinking my coffee along with it.  This should keep me full until lunch.  I throw an apple into my purse because my dad always told me, “an apple a day”.   

Today is the first day of the rest of my life.  I want to remember every detail, not just for my own memories but also so I can tell my mom all about it.  Mom loves twenty questions so I have to be ready with answers! 

My phone rings and I jump almost falling off my chair.  My vivid dream has me on edge and I hope my nerves settle quickly.  I reach for my phone.

“Hello?”  I have call display but I’ve been told people do not like it when you pick up and just start talking to them or saying their name without first saying hello.

“Hey beautiful,” Amy says, my best friend since before kindergarten.  “Do you want me and Dean to come pick you up?  Or do you want to meet up somewhere?”  Her and Dean have been inseparable since we were in grade ten.  Dean treats me like the little sister he never had.  I like our special bond and I’m thankful that Amy supports it too.  “I could use a good cup of coffee.  We can meet at Trina’s Cafe.  Besides, there might be some good eye candy there.” She whispers, giggling.

“That sounds like a great idea.  I would love a latte this morning.  I’ll walk over to Trina’s and meet you guys there.”

“Awesome!  We’ll see you in about 15.”

“You bet, see you soon.”

I hang up my phone and put it in my purse.  I go to the washroom to pin up my hair.  I don’t really like make up but I put a little on anyway and stick my lip gloss into my pocket for later because that stuff never stays on my lips for very long.  Happy with my polished appearance, I turn off the washroom light and walk out.  With my school bag and my purse in hand, I leave filled with anticipation of my first day.

The air outside is crisp.  True Canadian fall weather.  I love it.  The leaves are all colors of brown, red, yellow and orange.  The ones on the ground are crunchy.  I go out of my way to step on the crunchy leaves.  I hop between leaves that are far apart.  I love the sound and the feel of stepping on crunchy leaves.  I always have.  I pull out my phone to take pictures of the leaves and one of my feet hopping from one pile to the next.

It is a quiet morning.  As I am jumping from one crunchy pile of leaves to the next, I manage to bump into the only other person on this side of the road.  I look up slowly and can feel the heat rushing to my face as I begin to blush.

“Oh.  Sorry about that.”  I try to sound as normal as I can.

“I used to do that too when I was little.  And my mom would yell at me to watch where I was going; often pulling me out of someone else’s way.”  He sounds annoyed and I think he must have had a deprived childhood to not have been allowed the joy of stepping on crunchy leaves.  When I take a closer look at him I realize that I’ve caused him to spill his coffee on himself.  No wonder he is annoyed.

“Oh.  I am so sorry.” I say shocked.  “Please, I’m on my way to Trina’s Cafe right now; come with me and let me buy you another coffee.”

“Are you going to buy me a new suit too?”  He asks raising an eyebrow.

“Oh, um, no?  I’m only going to the café, not to a suit store,” I try to tease him but can sense he isn’t ready for it.  “But, I would be happy to pay for the dry cleaning.”  Buying a replacement coffee is one thing, but did he seriously just ask if I would buy him a new suit?  I cock my head to the side slightly as I look at him closely, trying to gauge if he’s joking or not.  I think he’s trying to hide a little smile.

“My name is Nathan,” he extends his hand to me, “and I would be happy to take you up on the offer of another coffee.  But no, I was not serious about a new suit.  And no, you do not need to pay for my dry cleaning, but thank you for offering.”  He’s definitely smiling.

Ok, so maybe he isn’t a complete jerk.  I shake his hand.  “My name is Tanishia.  I really am sorry for bumping into you.  I should watch where I’m going,” I say with a shy smile.

Nathan smiles at me and starts hopping from one bunch of crunchy leaves to the next.  He’s a few feet in front of me when he turns around and winks at me. 

“You coming or what?  I don’t mean to rush you or anything, but I was going in the opposite direction because I need to get to work.”  He jerks his head as if to hurry me along.  I smile and jog to catch up.  When I catch up to him he asks, “I think when you bumped into me, you gave me your desire to step on all of the leaves!  It might look a little funny if I’m doing this on my own and you’re simply walking behind me,” he chuckles, “or jogging to keep up.”

I laugh and we both start jumping from leaf to leaf.  My competitive spirit kicks in and I try to step on them before him.  We are laughing, hopping along, and bumping each other out of the way all the way to Trina’s Cafe.  When we get there we’re laughing so hard that my stomach hurts.  We stop just outside to catch our breath.  Slowly we walk over to the door which he opens and waves his hand to usher me in.  “Shall we?”

“We shall.” I say and step inside.  Nathan steps in behind me.  The smell of espresso is strong.  I love the smell of good espresso.  There is a small line up at the counter. 

The lady ordering has no idea what she wants.  “There are too many choices.  I want to try everything!”  I over hear her giggly, high pitched voice.  The girl behind the counter simply smiles and the guy beside her shakes his head. 

Nathan bends down and whispers in my ear, “I hope you know what you want or I might have to leave you at the counter.”

I giggle.  “Are you kidding me?  This time of year, there’s only one thing to have.  A pumpkin spice latte.”

“Are you serious?” he asks me as if I come from another planet.  “That sure is a lot of sugar first thing in the morning.”

“Yes I know that mom,” I say in a teasing voice.  I smile and raise an eyebrow as if to challenge him, “and what will you have?”

“An Americano.  With one sugar.  I’m almost sweet enough so I just need a little.”  He smiles at me as if proud to have met my challenge. 

I like this guy.  Slightly arrogant, likes to have fun, knows what he wants and still gentleman enough to open the door for a lady.  With my luck this guy will be off limits for some reason.  I can’t imagine that he would be single.

“So, Nathan, where were you rushing off to this morning?”

He is almost a foot taller than me I realize as he looks down at me.  “I was off to work.”  He says looking down at his shirt and grabbing his suit jacket.  “Good thing I had it open when you bumped into me.  I won’t have time to go change and it’s my first day.” 

“Oh.”  I don’t know what to say.  I would be so mad if someone bumped my coffee into me on my first day of work.  “I feel horrible.”

“It really isn’t that big of a deal Tanishia.  I’ll just close my jacket and nobody will know.  It isn’t wet anymore and my coffee was already cold.”  Without even thinking I reach out to touch his shirt, to check if it really is dry already.  Quickly, I put my hands in my jeans pockets before I get to feel, hoping he hasn’t noticed.

“Can I help you?” the lady at the counter asks in her cheery bright voice and I jump slightly.

“I’ll have an Americano with one sugar and the lady will have a pumpkin spice latte please.”  Nathan answers her.

As I’m fumbling around in my purse for my wallet, he puts his hand on my wrist.  I stop moving and look at him.  “What?”

“I can’t actually let you pay.” He chuckles.

“What are you talking about?  I owe you.” 

“It just isn’t right to let you pay.”  He shrugs.

“But, I owe you.” I hesitate “Nathan, it’s the least I could do.”  I point at his dirty shirt. “Please, let me buy you a coffee.  Besides, you already agreed.”

From the corner of my eye I see the girl hand him change.  “Maybe next time?” 

“Thank you.” He turns to the girl at the counter. 

“You’re welcome.” She says with her perky morning voice as she points to the other end of the counter where we’ll pick up our coffee. I shake my head in disbelief.  I didn’t even see him pay.

He puts his hand in the small of my back and ushers me to the other side to pick up our coffees.  When we get over there, they are already waiting for us.  We pick them up and walk towards the door.

“Do you want to sit on the patio?”

“I would love to sit with you and enjoy a cup of coffee, Tanishia, but I really do need to get to work.  I can’t be late on my first day.”  He gives me a pouty look.

“Oh right.  I just remembered, I’m supposed to be meeting my friends here any minute now anyways!”

“So, why not give me your number and we can plan to have a coffee together instead of bumping into each other by fluke?” He chuckles.  He has a sexy chuckle. 

“Um, ya.  For sure.”  I grab a pen and paper from my purse and write my number down.  When he takes it, his hand slowly brushes mine.  “Thanks for the coffee.  But the next one’s on me.”  I say sternly as I smile up at him.

He holds my hand with the paper and brings it up to his lips.  He kisses my hand gently, looking into my eyes.  “If you are stealthy enough, I promise to let you pay next time.”  He puts my hand down and I struggle to catch my breath.  My heart is beating fast and I don’t want him to know.  I try to remain calm and cool.  “Have a good day Tanishia.  I’ll talk with you soon.”  He turns around and I watch him walk away. 

“Tanishia.” I hear Amy yell from the other side of the patio.  “You couldn’t wait for us before buying your coffee?”  She sounds a bit grumpier than usual.

“Um, no, sorry.  I had to buy someone a coffee because I spilled theirs, and so I bought one for me too.”  She looks at me as though I’m lying.  “Well, actually, in the end, he bought me a coffee because he said it would be wrong to let me pay.  So, basically, I spilled some guy’s coffee all over him and he bought me a coffee.”  I giggle realizing how stupid I must sound.

Amy’s face brightens up, “Tell me everything,” she gushes.

Dean shakes his head.  “You want the usual babe?”

“Yes please” she looks at him with her dove eyes.  He kisses her before walking away and Amy and I find a seat.  They are a pair of soul mates just like my parents.  Even when they’re fighting there is so much love!

“Soooo ...”  Amy has no patience.  I smile shyly.  “Don’t think for one minute that you are not going to tell me everything!” Amy laughs, almost hysterically.  “Start with what he looks like.  Was he good eye candy?  I told you there might be nice eye candy!  How old is he and how exactly did you meet him?  Oh, and what’s his name?  Are you going to see him again?”  She can’t seem to talk fast enough; it’s making my head spin!

“Amy, calm down.  I can’t tell you anything if you don’t stop talking!”

“Right.  Well. Come on.  Talk.” She leans forward with her hands in her lap, staring at me intently.

I look over and see that Dean will be in line for a while.  “Well,” I have a sip of my coffee.  I am such a tease, making my best friend wait, hanging on to the edge of her seat, almost quite literally.  “His name is Nathan.  He’s quite a bit taller than me; I’d say about a foot taller.  He has short, light brown hair, neatly styled.  Green eyes.   Strong jaw line and defined cheekbones.  He’s well dressed, and had I not have spilled his coffee on him, looked very professional.”  I take a long sip of my coffee, savouring it; it and the picture of Nathan in my mind. 

“Ok, that’s enough.”  Amy giggles, pulling me out of my little day dream.  “Get on with the story missy!”

“Oh, right.  What else did you want to know?”  I tease.  “Oh right.  How did we meet?  Well, he was on his way to work when I was on my way here.  I was jumping in the leaves not watching where I was going and I bumped into him.  I literally bumped into him spilling his coffee on his shirt.  He seemed annoyed, rightfully so, and so, I offered to buy him another coffee and cover his dry cleaning costs.  He said yes to the coffee.  No to the dry cleaning offer and asked me to buy him a new suit.”

“What?”  Amy yells almost jumping out of her seat.

I laugh. “He was kidding of course.”  Amy is so dramatic.

“He had better been kidding.  That is ludicrous.”  She shakes her head.

“Then we walked here together.  Well, more like we jumped here together, in the leaves.  And somehow he managed to pay for our coffees and get my phone number.  Then he left.”  I smile.  What a great first meeting.  I wonder what the first date would be like if there ever is one.   

“I can see you’re in to him.  But I’m disappointed that’s all you got.”  Amy looks up to see what progress Dean has made in retrieving their coffees. 

“Well, he did kiss my hand when he took my number from me.  He has this air about him.  I can say I am,” I pause, thinking for the right word, “intrigued by him.”

“Intrigued?”  Amy questions me as only a best friend can.

“Yes intrigued.  You know, interested and curious about him.”  I swear this is the best coffee I have ever had, even if it was the worst it would still be the best.

“And wait.  Did you say he kissed your hand when he took your number?  And then he left?  Are you kidding me?”  She really did not believe me.

“What?”  Dean interrupts as he sits at the table.  “Who does that anymore?”  He scrunches up his face.  “Here’s your coffee beautiful, just the way you like it.”

“Thanks handsome.” Amy leans over to give him a kiss.  I don’t bother to look away.  I’m used to seeing them kiss that it no longer makes me feel awkward.  It would upset me more if I didn’t see them kiss.

“I think he’s playing ya girl.  Be careful.  That’s all I got to say.”  Dean says before drinking his coffee. 

And that’s it.  We don’t say anymore about Nathan.  We drink our coffees talking about our morning classes and where we were going to meet up for lunch.  This is the beginning of new traditions; morning coffees here at Trina’s being the most important. 

When we get to the University, I exchange cheek kisses with Amy and Dean and go my own way. 

----------------------

My first day goes smoothly.  I had no issues finding any of my classes like I was afraid I would.  The day was filled with a lot of introductions and I can only hope I remember half of the people I met today. 

I walk home, grateful to live close to campus.  It’s a nice walk in the fall.  I’m not sure how nice the walk will be once winter hits and it’s minus thirty degrees Celsius, but for now I’ll enjoy the peacefulness of it.

Tonight I’ll be going over to Amy and Dean’s for dinner.  We plan on celebrating a successful first day.  I’m anxious to hear about their classes, professors and new peers.

I told them I would bring dessert.  All I have is a box of brownie mix.  It’ll have to do because I need to leave in thirty minutes.  I mix it up and put it into the oven.  It should only take twenty minutes to bake. 

Bored and waiting I sit in my rocking chair and look at a magazine my mom left behind.  Not really looking at the magazine, I start daydreaming about Nathan.  I wonder who he is, where he works, what he does.  I never really dated in high school.  I am not sure if I know how to date.  Are there special rules that apply to dating?

My timer dings and I can smell the sweet, sugar smell of fresh brownies.  They smell so yummy, I take a deep breath.  I put them on the cooling rack and go to look for the carry bag for the pan.  I’m so glad my mom gave me the basics, and some essential extras.  I find the bag and pack up my dessert.  I double check that the oven is off and go turn down my lamp in my living room.  I grab my purse, keys and brownies and head out the door. 

It’s already starting to get dark.  There is a cold wind blowing in.  I pull my collar up to help keep me warm.  I am tempted to detour to stop in at Trina’s Cafe to get a coffee just to warm up.  But I decide against it and keep towards my destination instead.  I hope Amy has coffee on.  Something about fresh coffee just warms me all over.  Coffee is not just about the coffee, it’s often times more about the atmosphere and the company.  Amy and I used to invite people over to my house for a French cafe.  We loved it.  Plus it had the added benefit of studying.

I get to their building and push the door intercom for their apartment.  I like to hold the button in to drag out the sound. 

“Who is it?”  Dean sounds so serious.

“Are you expecting anyone else?”  I ask in a playful voice.

“No, but I can’t control who pushes my button lady.  Hurry up and get inside.”  Sometimes it’s nice that he is protective over me.  Dean truly is the brother I never had.

“Ok, wait.  Let me check to make sure there is no one around.  Ok.  The coast is clear.  Hurry up.  Buzz me in.”  I laugh to myself.

“You are so silly sometimes.”  Dean laughs.

The door buzzes loudly.  I pull it open and once inside I pull the door shut behind me.  They live on the second floor in a quaint four floor building.  I go for the stairs because I can walk them faster than the waiting for the old elevator.  I knock on their door and hear footsteps coming.  There’s a pause, probably Dean looking through the peep hole.  I smile.  As if I’m on camera.  Dean opens the door with a smile on his face.

“Come in pretty lady.” He says in a southern accent, spreading his arm out in a fanning motion to show me the way in.  I giggle as I walk past him.  He closes the door behind me and locks it.  “May I take your coat?”  Dean, a drama major in high school, loves to play with different accents.

“Why, yes please.  Thank you kind sir.”  I put the brownies down on the table by the door.  It smells so good in their apartment my tummy gives an approving little growl.  I hate it when my tummy growls in approval, it’s so embarrassing.

“Is the lady hungry?”  He raises an eyebrow at me trying not to laugh.

“Obviously she is hungrier than she realized.”

“Is there any dessert left in that there package lady?”  Amy joins in with a cowboy accent.

“I never even thought to eat any on my way over.  I was just too chilly.”

Dean hangs up my coat and Amy takes dessert.  I follow her to the kitchen.  “What’s for supper?  It really does smell yummy.”

“Dean made his specialty.”  Amy winks at Dean.

“And what is that exactly?”

“Everything I make is special,” Dean winks back at Amy.  “But for tonight I made lasagne and my grandmother’s famous caesar salad.”

I moan.  "Sounds great.  Smells great.  When can we eat?”

“Sheesh girl.  Are you really that hungry?  You know it isn’t very ladylike to be so pushy.”  Dean laughs as Amy slaps his shoulder.  “And you might want to work on your lady skills before your new beau calls you up for a date.”

“Well, I am with close friends.  Besides, he hasn’t called yet.  And furthermore, he isn’t worth my time if he can’t accept me for who I am.”  I shrug.  Dean looks a little sympathetic and maybe a little shocked because I sound a bit harsh.

“Here,” Amy hands me a hot tea.  “To warm you up and help you relax.”

Amy and Dean both kiss my cheeks before Amy leads me to sit at the table.  Amy likes to profile people, which is weird because I’m the one taking a psych major.  But I guess that would be a good skill for a teacher as well.  She runs through all of her profiles.  Her professors sound a lot more interesting than any of mine.  That will be good for her.  My only excitement was in the morning.

“Shit!” Dean yells.

I turn to face the kitchen.

“You ok baby?”  Amy jumps up and goes to Dean’s rescue.

“Ya.  Sorry.  I’m fine.  I just spilled some of the salad on the floor.”  Dean laughs.  “I suppose I didn’t need to yell!  Sorry for startling you.”

Amy shakes her head.  “Here, let me help.”

“Do you need me to do anything?”

“Just have a seat.  We have this under control.”  Amy smiles.  “Besides, there really isn’t enough room for three people to work in this kitchen.” 

Amy brings out some red wine and Dean brings out the cutlery.  Amy goes back into the kitchen and comes back out with a big bowl of salad and a basket of crusty bread.  Dean goes back in for the lasagne. 

“It smells so good Dean.  I can hardly wait to eat.”

“Then don’t wait silly.”  Amy giggles, “Dig in.”

I don’t need to be told twice.  Dean’s lasagne does not disappoint.  “This is seriously delicious Dean.  Oh my goodness.”  I moan with delight.  Dean and Amy just smile at me with full mouths.  Next I try the salad and it is the best I have ever had and my mom makes a mean caesar.  “Wow.  What is your grandma’s secret?” I ask.

“Ha.”  Dean throws his head back.  “If I told ya, I’d have to shoot ya,” he points his finger at me as if he is going to shoot me.  “Grandma’s Caesar salad was not only famous for its great taste but for its secret ingredients.”

Amy stops eating with her fork almost to her mouth.  “Am I sure I even want to be eating this?”  Her eyebrows raised in alarm.

“Pffft.  I wouldn’t poison us.  It’s all edible.”  Dean scowls at her slightly.  Amy smiles and puts the food in her mouth. 

“Mmmmm.”  She moans.

We eat our supper with little small talk between bites.  When we finish I help clear the table. 

“You ladies want to watch a movie with dessert and a decaf latte?”  Dean holds up their favourite high action movie.  “We’ll give you a ride home Tanishia so you aren’t walking home alone in the dark.”

“Sure, why not.” I answer.  I had assumed they would give me a ride.  Maybe next time I should ask first!

Dean says, in a very sexy voice, “Come to Daddy.”

Amy giggles and blushes.  She goes to sit with him on the couch.

I sit in the recliner with a big fluffy pillow.

We have seen this movie a thousand times, so my imagination wanders.  Well, maybe that is exaggerated.  I start to think of Nathan.  I would really like for him to call. 

Dean pauses the movie half way through to make us lattes and I dish up our brownies.  When the movie is over, they give me a ride home.  It’s about eleven o’clock and my apartment building seems very dark.  I lean over the seat to give Amy and Dean hugs before getting out of the car.  They wait until I am in the building and the door has closed behind me before they leave.  I am really thankful to have such caring friends.

My building is a modern high rise.  Much different than the one that Amy and Dean live in.  It also has more suites per floor, about ten.  I get to my apartment, go in, close the door and lock it, even the chain.

Comment Log in or Join Tablo to comment on this chapter...
~

You might like Rachel Rennie's other books...