Chapter Thirty

I woke up before the sun with my legs tangled in the sheets. I had been dreaming, but all I could remember was being somewhere with Renn and a strong sense of peace. I tried to chase down more of the dream, but it refused to be caught.

Knowing I’d never get back to sleep, I opened my laptop and worked on my proposal. The words came easily and, by the time my apartment was filled with sunlight, I was typing the last sentence. The peaceful feeling from my dream returned to me as I saved the file.

The rest of the next day was a repeat performance of the day before. I hung around the house, helping my grandmother change the bedding and polish her silver. Watched an old western with my dad. Texted Kyle and Lilly. And thought constantly about Renn.

Playing around with his disc was the closest I could come to touching him. But it was almost unreadable Soon, I wouldn’t be able to see anything at all.

Law #14 – Upon arrival in new Time, the TTMM must breathe deeply, inhaling particles of current airwaves.

Law # 16 – Do not make attempts at humor. You most likely will be misunderstood.

Law # 18 – Incorporate slang into your dialogue only when you fully comprehend the word’s meaning.

Law # 19 – The transportation of someone other than the subject of a mission is grounds for imprisonment.

It felt like I was reading a science fiction novel. After several hours, I doubted my own sanity.

Later in the afternoon, I knew I’d go crazy if I didn’t get outside. Kyle answered my text with a happy face emoji and showed up a half hour later to rescue me from my supposed prison walls.

After discussing our options, we decided to go to The Getty. There was currently an exhibit of modern photography Kyle had been interested in seeing for a while. I didn’t really care where I went, as long as I wasn’t cooped up in my apartment.

I held onto his arm as I walked to his truck. Once inside, I breathed easier. Most of The Getty Center was indoors, but still, we had to walk through the parking lot to the shuttle bus that took visitors up the hill to the main entrance.

Kyle held my hand the entire way.

It was ridiculous how fast my heart was pounding. My ears felt cloudy, making the voices around us muted. I was lightheaded and unsteady.

I smiled at him. Thankful he wasn’t pressing me for small talk.

Once we were inside the main hall, my body sagged with relief. Logically, I knew it was insane to feel like this, to even believe that a woman claiming to be from the future would try to kidnap me. But tell that to my nerves.

Kyle picked up a brochure from the information desk, and together we read the descriptions of today’s showings. Other than the photography, there was a Renaissance display and some sculptures. Usually, my favorite part of the Getty was the gardens, but that meant we’d be outside.

I scanned the lobby area.

“I got you.” Kyle put his arm around me, pulling me close.

I leaned my head against his shoulder. “I want my old life back.”

“No, you don’t. Not that shitty one with David. And maybe not one with Renn, either. How about a completely different one?”

He was right. I didn’t want those days with David, trying to fit myself into the curves of his life. But I didn’t want to live in fear, either. Maybe Kyle was right about Renn. Maybe it would be better if he never came back.

We walked, hand in hand, out the large glass doors toward the next building. The air was still. The sky a pale blue with not a cloud in sight.

“Hungry?” Kyle asked. “Let’s get something to eat and sit on the grass.”

Please stay indoors. Renn’s voice was right there in my head. I tensed up, pressing myself closer to Kyle.

“I told you. I’m here for you,” he said.

I knew Kyle was trying to prove how absurd this was. We’d get our food, sit outside, people watch, and it would all be fine.

I agreed to his plan, but I knew I’d stay close to him at all times.

We stood in the cafeteria line behind a mother with two small children. Her little boy wore a long, tan cape. The man in front of her wore a long, tan jacket. Neither resembled Renn’s coat. A flower tattoo wrapped around the wrist of the girl preparing the tacos. But of course, it didn’t move.

Kyle nudged my arm. “Jess?”

“Huh?” I said.

“Chicken tacos or a salad?”

“Tacos,” I said, not really caring.

He carried the tray while I held onto his arm as we found a spot in the shade. I spread out the sweatshirt I had tied around my waist and sat down, making sure my leg touched his.

“I have an idea for my film,” I said. “About time traveling.”

“Of course, it is. So, this fear of yours,” he raised his hand in the air, “will serve some purpose. And you have your uncle for the special effects.” Kyle took a bite of his taco, spilling cheese onto his lap.

“I was thinking more of a docudrama. About finding oneself. Breathing in our surroundings until we become one with the world. Missing someone we love, loving someone born in a different time.”

The tears welled up inside me. Kyle reached for my hand.

“Hey, doesn’t your grandmother always say, what’s meant to be is meant to be?”

A shadow fell across our feet.

“So, this is why you want to break it off?” The female voice was not one I expected to hear.

“Heather.” Kyle jumped to his feet. I jumped up with him, taking his hand. “What are you doing here?”

“The Renaissance exhibit? Remember, we had mentioned coming here?” She wore a knee length dress with a floral scarf, and comfortable walking shoes. Her hands toyed with the strap of her shoulder bag. Her eyes settled on our hands. I gripped Kyle’s so tightly, he couldn’t let go.

“We were…”

“Having lunch,” I finished for him. “This is not what it looks like. We’re just…”

“Friends,” Kyle finished for me this time.

“Right,” Heather said. “You know, Kyle, I thought you were a decent guy. I guess I was wrong.”

She flung her scarf over her shoulder with a huffing sound, turned, and walked away. Kyle shook free of me and hurried after her.

The air behind me shifted. I looked around, searching every face. Near the condiment bar stood a woman in leggings and a lacy black top talking to a man in a suit. The woman’s long, red ponytail swung back and forth like a pendulum as she talked. Yet her body wasn’t moving at all.

Time became uneven. I hurried to reach Kyle, holding onto his arm again.

“You’ve gotthisall wrong.” I couldn’t understand a word he said to Heather. The words came at me after his mouth had closed.

The next minute, his words drawled out, with long pauses. “Weeeee are juuuuuuust friends.”

A pain shot through my ears. I leaned closer to Kyle.

Heather was saying something, but the words were way too soft for me to hear. Tears rolled slowly down her cheek. So odd, how I could see the shape of each one.

Her voice rose higher and louder and then she turned away.

Kyle shrugged off my grip. “Heather, wait.”

I stumbled trying to catch up to him.

The earth ripped apart. I grabbed at the air as the ground rocked beneath me.

A hand grabbed mine. An icy coldness seeped into my bones. Images of yesterdays flashed past me. My mom dancing down the hallways. My father staring at a photo of my mom, clasping it to his chest, kissing her face. Me, running down the block after a butterfly.

The collage of my life spun faster and faster.

And then everything turned white.