The Heart of the World [FICTION]

“Jump.”

         

We leaped together, holding hands tightly as we hurtled toward the center of the earth. I let my mind go blank and closed my eyes The air rushed past my face and whistled as it pulled my hair up and away from my face. 

“This better work.” Hans called out over the wind.

“It will.” I replied, wondering if he could even hear me.

He gripped my hand tighter. My stomach lurched. I closed my eyes again. I didn’t open them until our feet connected with something solid yet spongy and Hans squeezed my hand reassuringly.

“Time to save the world.” He leaned in to whisper in my ear.

“I hope.” I whispered back, looking in wonder at the caverns leading off in all directions from where I stood. 

Colorless vegetation surrounded us, sprouting from the thin dust at our feet. Luminescent liquid dripped from the stalactites reaching down to touch the floor. By that glow, we could see dozens of empty tunnels leading further into the earth.

Hans released my hand and stepped into one of these tunnels. “Well, we better start looking for someone to take us to their leader.” His soft whisper echoed in the empty caverns as if he had shouted.

“Look no further.” A deep voice rumbled from somewhere above our heads.

We looked up to see a figure growing ever larger as it slowly descended from the ceiling of the nearest corridor. I stepped closer to Hans, taking his hand again and squeezing it as hard as I could. He squeezed back, whether to reassure me or seek comfort I don’t know. My eyes remained locked on the stranger, who reminded me of the standard depiction of extraterrestrial life with a slender body and large head dwarfed by large, round, dark eyes.

“It’s okay.” Hans whispered.

“Yes, my dear. It is okay.” The large humanoid showed round teeth like creamy pearls as he spoke. “Assuming, your reasons for visiting my home are peaceable.”

I cleared my throat. “Of course. In fact, we need your help.”

“My help?” His soft rumble vibrated the walls as he stepped closer, blinking almost opaque eyelids over dark orbs.

“Yes.” I paused, unsure how to read his reaction.

“How could I help you? You rule the surface?”

“No. No. I live on the surface, but my research group and I…”

He tilted his head and then shook it softly. “So you are not the ruler?”

“No. As I was trying to explain. We discovered data that suggests the earth’s core is unstable. We also found…”

“You found out that you don’t live alone.” He nodded. “So now you want us to save you?”

“We need you to help us save the planet, yes.”

He leaned back against a stalagmite and crossed his arms. Twelve slender fingers waved as he contemplated his next statement. I blinked and counted them again. I reached twelve three more times before he responded.

“Why do you think we can help?” He asked slowly.

“We found you because this area has less vibrations than the rest of the earth’s core…”

“That’s because we take good care of our home.” He declared proudly.

“And we fear the vibrations are what is tearing the earth apart.” I continued. “So if you can help us to care for the rest of the earth’s core as you do your home…”

“Teach you?” He looked surprised. “You mean, you don’t expect us to just fix what you broke?”

“Of course not.” I replied.

“Then we may be able to help you after all.” He stepped forward, extending one hand slowly. “I understand this is how your people affirm an agreement.

“Yes,” I held out my hand and he enveloped it in his.

Then he placed the other hand over it, encasing mine in clammy skin. I fought back the impulse to breath a sigh of relief when he released me to take Hans’ hand.

“I hope you are quick learners.” He motioned for us to follow him into one of the myriad of tunnels. “There is much to learn and much to do if we are to regulate the vibrations of the whole core of our world.”

“I hope so, too.” I called out after him as I step into the tunnel.

“Come along. Come along.” He called out over his shoulder, sending himself into controlled slide on the smooth rock under foot.

We imitated as best we could. When we reached the bottom of the natural ramp, the only way we could come to a stop without running over our host was to slam into each other and fall in a heap at his feet.

“Get up, children. Let’s get to work.” As we struggled to our feet, he began arranging items on a long counter of rock in the middle of the small cavern.

As he worked luminescent animals clustered overhead until he seemed to be surrounded by a spotlight of soft sunlight. 

“Do you see that?” Hans whispered in my ear.

I nodded.

“The animals know I work only for the good of all,” our host smiled at us. “So they help me in my work. Maybe someday you will be enlightened enough to affect animals in this way. Step forward and I shall teach you the first things you need to know.”

~~~I found this one waiting for more of my deep criticism, half written and longing for more… Do I want to continue this or truncate it here somehow? I think that is why I have never posted it. It really wants to be built into a novel…..~~~

Definitely a Rant About Something

I was working on a story, but I got it halfway there and it was looking promising and my brain fogged over. I didn’t want to present you with a half-finished piece because I know my readers want to know where the story ends. I will find that ending. It might take me while year though. Don’t worry I have other fiction pieces in the works to be shared with you.

But for now, I shall rant because sometimes even sunshine hobbits need to vent. Valentine’s Day rolls around every year and we all compare out valentines with each other. Who got more candy? Who got Valentine’s from more kids in the class? 

Why on earth do we think we only get to show love once a year? I have been trying to figure that out for my whole life. I think my toddlers have it right. They hug me all the time. Of course, their favorite time lately has been when I am cutting vegetables or trying to pull something out of the oven. At least they love me…and aren’t afraid to show it.

I remember fondly a Singles’ Awareness Day when a friend dropped by with a cookie and a single rose to let me know someone loves me. She doesn’t remember it, but I certainly do. I need to find more energy, so I can be that kind of friend. Everyone needs pleasant surprises in their life.

I would say more but love calls in the form of tiny snuggle machine…

Secretly Admired [FICTION]

The phone rings, interrupting my perusal of my mail. I drop the envelopes on the kitchen table and wrestle my phone from my purse.

“Hello?”

The voice on the other end offers me the best news possible. “This is Johnathan from the Golden Goblet. You are on the wait list for a table for Valentine’s Day. The impossible has happened, someone cancelled their reservation for two at seven. Would you like it?”

“Yes, of course.” I hold in a squeal of delight.

“Very good, ma’am.” His voice rises like he is questioning why a woman would be reserving her Valentine’s dining experience, but he diplomatically keeps the question to himself.

I take a deep breath and ignore the implied question. I don’t need a snooty waiter judging me for wanting the most romantic day of the year to actually be romantic.

“Thank you,” I say.

“You’re very welcome. We will see you and your guest next week.”

“See you then.” I hang up the phone and breath a sigh of relief.

My attention strays back to the mail spilling across the table. I quickly dispatch the junk mail and find myself with three pieces that require further attention. The first two are bills. I recognize those easily and set them aside. The third, a large card envelope intrigues me with pink hearts carefully penned around my address. I don’t recognize the carefully penned capital letters that spell out my name, so I rip open the top and ease the card loose.

“My beloved,” I read aloud, feeling my heart skip a few beats as I picture my boyfriend Rex penning those words. As I continue I realize this is neither his style nor his handwriting. “I have been admiring you from afar for so long that it feels like forever. I know you probably don’t feel the same, but how will I know if I never confess my feelings for you. Whether you share my feelings or not, I would like to treat you to dinner on Valentine’s Day.”

I lower the card to my heart, take a deep breath, and shake my head to clear the sudden fuzzing feeling that has overtaken me. “Seven at The Golden Goblet? I know it is your favorite.”

I gasp and read on. “Just tell them you are there to meet Prince Charming of Sherwood Forest. I don’t want the wrong Prince Charming to steal you from me.”

I put the card beside the bills and turn away. I start scrubbing the kitchen to clear my head. I mull it over for the five days that fall between receiving the letter and the big day. I decide to just meet up with Rex as I planned. Hopefully, that helps my secret admirer move on without breaking his heart.

Valentine’s Day arrives. I call Rex to see when he plans to pick me up. He doesn’t answer. After a few more tries, I send a text. I wonder what he has planned. Maybe he just plans to meet me at the restaurant, so he can get there early. I put my hand over my mouth as the import of what that could mean hits me. I push the thought aside and get ready.

When six o’clock comes and goes without hearing from him, a tinge of worry creeps in to dampen my spirits. I drive myself to the Golden Goblet and smile sweetly at the valet as he takes my key. Instead of heading right to the host to be seated, I linger behind a ficus tree, peering out from among its leaves to see who had the same idea for Valentine’s Day as myself.

As I peer through the greenery, I see Rex’s friend Thomas arrive. I make a soft noise in my throat. I never realized he was dating anyone. I assume that he is showing the host a picture of his date as the dapper man shakes his head. Thomas leans in to whisper something, prompting the other man to nod his head and hold out his hand. As he slips the host a bill, the host’s sour face becomes more genial. He smiles and says something that makes Thomas laugh and then leads him back into the dining room with two of the swanky, leather-bound menus under one arm.

As the clock hands spin closer and closer to seven, I hear my phone pinging to inform me that Rex has finally replied to one of my texts. I glance at the time before reading the message. Seven has come and gone five minutes ago. I frown and open the text.

“I’m not coming. I really wanted to hold out a little longer, but I just can’t have dinner with you tonight. Hope we can still be friends.”

“What?” My confused and horrified question turns the eyes of the other waiting parties to me.

One of the men, who had been arguing with his date in hushed tones a moment before perks up. He offers me a sympathetic look, but I can see the hunger in his eyes, a hunger for a reservation that he clearly didn’t think to make in advance. I frown at him and step up to the host. His eyes light up.

“Right this way, miss.” I recognize his voice from the phone, but I haven’t spoken yet.

“How do you know which table to take me to?”

“The young man showed me your photo. A very nice young man.” He smiles knowingly at me. “I don’t think the photo did you justice though.”

I flush at the compliment. Still confused, I follow him to the waiting table where all I see is a menu. Was Rex messing with me? I got here early. How early did he have to be for me to not see him?

“Sir, your lady has arrived.” The host informs him and he drops the menu to smile up at me.

I gasp. “Thomas. I thought Rex…”

“Oh. Are you meeting Rex?” His face falls.

“No. He couldn’t make it.” I bite my lip.

He looks up at me and clears his throat. At a loss for words, he picks up his water glass and takes a long drink. 

The host feels the change in the air and bows gracefully after pulling out my chair. “Your waiter will be over soon to help you.” His face clearly reflects a feeling that we may need more help than our waiter will be able to offer as he hurries away.

“So…um…you’re my secret admirer?”

His face flushes as he looks down at his hands. He nods his head and then looks up at me through his eyelashes to gage my reaction.

“But Rex is your best friend.”

“He knows. I kind of told him when he told me he was thinking about breaking up with you.” Realizing what he said, he holds up his hands as if hoping to somehow pull the words back from the air before they reach my ears.

“Don’t worry about it. At least you told me in person.”

He pales. “I don’t know what to say…”

“You better figure it out,” I say on impulse. “I have decided not to let him spoil my dinner. I’ve been wanting to come here for months.”

“You’ll stay?” A hopeful smile brings some color back to his face. 

“On one condition.”

“Oh.”

“We can talk about me. We can talk about you. But we are not going to talk about anyone else, and we certainly aren’t going to declare ourselves a couple. This is all very sudden…” I want to impose more rules or run away and cry, but the hopeful smile on his face and the aromas mingling in the air around me convince me to take my seat.

“Agreed. I am content to just be your friend…” He stops talking, but I swear I hear two words echoing in the air. “For now.”

~All love stories have to start somewhere. Hope this introduction made you feel the love. I also hope you have wonderful plans for this delightful Hallmark holiday, even if it just buying yourself heart-shaped box of yum on February 15th. Who hasn’t heard some version of, “If you don’t love yourself, how do you expect someone else to love you?"~

Cell Confrontation

It happens to me every time. I finally get a chance to do something fun and someone else’s innate rudeness ruins it. I thought this time would be different. Between work, the kids, and the world gone crazy. I haven’t seen a movie in a theater in four years. Today, I convinced my husband to take the kids to the park to play for a few hours and snuck off to the theater. When I told him I wanted to see the latest chick flick, he didn’t fight to join me.

The first half of the movie flows smoothly. The only noises around me are almost imperceptible chewing and the occasional rustle of a wrapper, but those are quickly stilled. I’m able to sink into the story and get invested in the heroine’s pursuit of real love despite her suitor’s cluelessness. An underlying storyline adds enough action that my husband would have enjoyed the movie far more than either of us could have guessed. I don’t take time to ponder whether or not I will let him know that because I am too interested in where the writers and directors will take my new friends before the lights go back on.

As the final showdown commences, a soft ring pulls me out of the story. I am no longer watching from a distance and wondering if the male lead will be brave enough to tell the woman he loves the secrets of his heart. My connection to the heroine slips away and I no longer care if she says ‘yes’. I am back in a darkened theater, surrounded by strangers. A soft glow shines from over my left shoulder as one of those strangers turns on their cellphone.

“Hello.” The soft whisper strikes a chord.

I half turn to peer at the speaker.

“Oh, Harry.” The soft whisper gives way to a familiar laugh.

Pulled out of the movie completely, I turn the rest of the way around. I find myself face to face with my boss. Seeing me looking at her, she waves me off.

“Some of us are watching the movie.” I whisper. “Could you take that outside?”

“Jess?” She leans in to peer into my face, covering the phone with her hand. “Just turn around and mind your own business.”

“I would, but…” I point at her cell phone.

She rolls her eyes and puts the phone back to her ear. “Sorry, a former employee thought now was the time to chat.” She laughed again.

I close my mouth over my next salvo. Another watcher leans in to ask her to put her phone away. A tall man with thinning hair adds his support. Soon an usher comes hurrying down the aisle to escort her out. We turn back to the movie, but now I have been completely ripped from the story. My perfect afternoon of solitude dashed into a million pieces. I can’t help but be distracted by one question: do I have a job to go to tomorrow?

~~I know I am not the only one who despises when someone starts talking on their cell phone during a movie. I have even seen it parodied in a few, but isn’t it so much worse when it is someone you know? And totally embarrassing when it is someone in your party of moviegoers? I have had this happen. It was usually the same person. I don’t go to movies with them anymore. Actually, I am surprised they still talk to me, since I am not nice when expressing my opinions on this subject, but they have not fired me as a friend.~~