“I see you like hanging out here, too.” Jenny catches me staring as her voice travels over towards my vicinity. “What’s your poison?”
Jenny’s not known for noticing others, so I’m a bit shocked she takes the time to notice me at all. “Uh, yeah. Just unwinding after work,” I say, raising my glass. “And it’s a Diet Coke.”
She slides over one bar stool and is now seated next to me. “I don’t blame you. Can you believe they don’t sell Mexia here?” Her head nods over the bartender. “I don’t usually indulge in something so strong,” she said, nodding towards her own drink, “But it’s been years since I’ve had some quality Mexican tequila. What’s a girl to do?”
I don’t really know what to say, so I just nod in agreement. Then it hits me. That’s right. I forgot her family owns a major brewing company in Mexico. No wonder she feels a bit slighted about the bar not carrying her family’s brand. “I don’t really drink it that often, but –”
I barely get the words out when she interrupts me. “This place really isn’t my scene. Hey! I have an idea. Do you want to go somewhere else?”
Is she serious? She ignored me all through high school, not to mention when she did manage to focus her attention onto me, it was only to ridicule me. “Gee, I’d love to catch up, but I only stopped by for a drink. I have to wake up early for work tomorrow.”
It’s just like old times. Jenny doesn’t care for opposition in any form. “Hey, bartender! Another round for my friend here!” She turns her attention back over to me as she finishes shouting her drink order. “Oh come on, Etta. We never really got a chance to get to know each other in school.” Jenny manages to stress almost every other word. If I spoke the way she did, people would think something was seriously wrong with me. But on her, it’s no doubt considered cute.
“No, I really shouldn’t,” I insist, all the while thinking something’s not right. Jenny wanting to spend time with me? This is like some weird alternate reality. She looks like the same Jenny I knew all those years ago, she still acts like the spoiled Jenny I knew back then, and she’s never shown any interest in getting to know me. So why now? This is my clue that something’s off.
“Look, I know I haven’t always been the nicest, but we’re adults now, right? I say we let bygones be bygones. Come on. After this drink, I’ll take you somewhere super fun.”
Against my better judgment, I consider it. In a way, it’s kind of refreshing to talk to someone who isn’t here to tell me about my past, future, or present. I can actually have a conversation with someone—albeit a strained one—that isn’t about kissing men from my past or how to keep my current relationship in check. I just have to remember not to bring up Alex. He is her high school sweetheart, after all.
“Well, I guess. But only for a little while. I can’t stay up too late or I’ll never make it to work on time.” Not that Audrey would ever notice what time I showed up for work—she’s always in court well before I even clock in—but at least this gives me an out if Jenny’s idea falls a little short of being fun.
“That’s my girl,” she says and clinks my glass with hers.
• • •
The next thing I know, I’m being roused by the sound of a car honking. It takes a moment for me to figure out where I am. Oh, crap. I passed out in a cab. There’s no mistaking that stale cabbie stench from the backseat of the car. What in the world did Jenny get me into? Better yet, what the hell did she give me to drink? Well, at least I’m in a cab on my way home.
I lay back in the seat and try to keep my eyes open. The last thing I need is to fall back asleep. The driver is liable to take the long way home in order to drive the fare up. And that’s when I notice the lights along the side of the road. Something about this route is familiar. Holy crap! I’m in Las Vegas! I press my hands against the window, praying that what I’m seeing isn’t real. I’ve never actually been to Sin City, but I’ve seen a lot of movies with Vegas as the secondary character.
“What the hell… ” I start to say.
“Oh good! I was beginning to wonder when you’d finally wake up.” I hear Jenny’s voice from the front of the cab. In my brief disorientation, I didn’t bother to notice who else was in the car besides me and the cabbie.
“Jenny? What the hell are we doing in Vegas?” I demand. “More importantly, why does my head feel like it’s been whacked by a jack hammer? What did you do to me?”
She turns around towards the back seat and faces me. “You know, if you weren’t, like, my best friend, I’d take offense to what I think you’re implying.”
“Your best… what? I’m your what?” In what world are we ever best friends?
Jenny sighs and ignores my sputtering. “Look, just calm down and I’ll explain everything once we get to the hotel. We’re almost there.”
“Where?”
“Oh, please let me make it a surprise. I just love surprises,” Jenny says, jumping up and down from her seat.
I know better than to argue with Jenny, especially in her hyped up condition, so I don’t bother demanding answers. At least for the time being. On the bright side, if she did drug and kidnap me, at least I know who to identify when I talk to the police.
As we continue to go down the Vegas Strip, Jenny doesn’t say another word as she turns back around to face the road ahead. Too bad I’m here under these circumstances. I’ve always wanted to visit and see what all the hype is about. Somehow, I don’t think I’ll be catching any of the shows tonight.
It doesn’t take long for the cabbie to pull into a massive driveway. I guess we’re at our final destination. I immediately recognize the building; there’s only one fountain that is more impressive in person than it is on film and that’s the Bellagio fountains. Well, if I am being held against my will, I could think of worst places to be held captive. Perhaps I’ll be given free reign on room service and pay-per-view.
My internal growing list of demands continue to grow as the cab driver stops right in front of the hotel. Jenny steps out of the cab and opens the back passenger door to let me out herself. I half expect her to have one of the door men to escort me to my prison cell in the guise of a posh suite.
“Come on,” Jenny says, leading me towards the lobby. “You don’t want to be late for your own wedding do you?”
Did she just say wedding? Is that why she’s all dressed up? “My what? How did we even get here?”
“I wasn’t going to get into that, but if you must know, we got here through your power of astral projection. You are capable of not only transcending space, but time. I simply tapped into your ability and poof! Here we are. We could have used the portal, but keeping you unconscious long enough to transport into this reality, plus taking a flight to Vegas would have been nearly impossible.”
“My what?” I back away from Jenny. I hate repeating myself, but it’s the only appropriate response in this kind of situation. I didn’t catch all that she was saying, as I’m fixated on the astral projection part. Cooper mentioned it when he showed up at Maggie’s house, but I dismissed it as misinformation.
“Ugh! Cooper was supposed to break it all down for you before I met up with you. See, you have the ability of psychokinesis, or telekinesis if you prefer to use that term, which enables you to manipulate matter through movement.” She pauses and looks at me. “Didn’t you know this already?”
“I… what… ” I stammer. I’m not used to being put on the spot. Who is this person anyway? I mean, she’s obviously Jenny, but at the same time, she’s not. And just like with everyone else, there’s no way I’m admitting to her that I have freak powers. I’ve kept it a secret for so long, Sometimes, I almost forget I even have them. But I’m not lying about this. As far as I know, I don’t have the ability to astral project. Cooper did mention something about it that night at my aunt’s house, but I figured he was mistaken.
She eyes me carefully. “I’m betting you know exactly what I’m talking about. I can see it written all over your face. Anyways, because
of your telekinesis you also have the gift of astral projection.”
Unfortunately, my powers of telekinesis is something I know all too well. I grew up with the ability and I’ve spent most of my life trying to control that part of me, but astral projection? As far as I’m concerned, this is new territory, but I put it aside for the moment. “What does that have to do with how we got here?”
She leans in close enough to whisper in my ear. “I have a gift too, Etta,” she says, pulling away. “I’m a medium. I have the ability to speak to those who have crossed over to the other side.” I look up just in time to see her wink. “It’s not as cool as moving stuff or being able to be at two places as once, but my power does have its perks.”
“Oh God, are we dead? Is this why I’m here? We’re in some twisted version of purgatory aren’t we?”
“Relax. I was just getting to that. I don’t just speak to the dead, Etta. I speak to their living soul.”
“I don’t get it.” Now Jenny is just talking in riddles.
“When you astral project, a part of you leaves your corporeal body. Since I’m able to communicate with spirits, I’m also able to speak with the part of you that leaves your physical form. Like I said before, I simply tapped into your power and voila! We’re in Vegas!”
“Holy crap, you’re serious aren’t you?”
Jenny smiles. “I know, right? I couldn’t believe it at first either, but the Dyson twins did some kind of study a couple years ago when we tried to come up with a way to use our powers more efficiently. Personally, I don’t really get it, but whatever. Linking our powers is kinda cool, huh?”
That’s why she led me out of the cab herself. I’m not in physical form! I was so awed by our sudden arrival in Vegas that it didn’t even occur to me that I wasn’t in my own body. “How do I even respond to this? Do you know how crazy this all sounds?”
“Um, yup. I do, but it’s true. Come on, don’t you want to see what you look like on your wedding day?”
“Why do you keep insisting that I’m getting married?” Am I marrying Alex today? As much as I love Alex, deep down inside I know that he’s not the one I’m supposed to end up with. That night at Alessandro’s confirmed that. And it’s only right now, at this moment that I realize this. But if Jenny is telling the truth and we are here to witness what’s supposed to be the best day of my life, I should feel some sort of excitement about marrying Alex. But the truth is, I just don’t.
“Because then this whole trip would be a complete waste of my time if you weren’t,” she says to me as she has me follow her down the hallway. “You can’t tell me you aren’t the least bit curious about seen yourself marry Cooper. Well, it’s not actually you, but the Etta that traveled to her right destiny years back. You, my friend, took a wrong turn somewhere along the way, and now here we are,” Jenny explained. “Interested in seeing what happens?”
I marry Cooper? Well, I guess that makes sense since he all but told me we were together in the future. I have to admit, seeing myself get married to him is too much to pass up. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t just a little bit curious. What the hell, I’m game. “Sure. But hey, how are we going to watch without being noticed?”
Chapter Seventeen
The Ex-Files
Present Reality
I marry Cooper. I’m still confused as to whether or not this is something that still happens or if this was something that was supposed to happen, but isn’t anymore because I didn’t go with Cooper when I was supposed to all those years ago. What scares me the most is that I’m hoping it’s the former.
I’m still stunned by what I just witnessed. Married. I get married! Well, I don’t know if I actually get hitched now in the present reality. I still don’t have a grasp on how this whole shift in the timeline works, but what if this is still part of the grand master plan? Maybe this, along with everything else, is still part of my destiny. Part of the grand design.
Although I only observed the ceremony from the sidelines, I could tell how happy I was to be marrying Cooper. The way he looked at that version of me, it was as if no one else was in the room but them alone. Even though it was me, it was like watching an entirely different person up there, taking their vows of love and honor.
What’s wrong with me? I don’t even know if I’m still destined to marry him and here I am contemplating our wedding. We’re not even the same people anymore, not in this reality anyway. Things changed and not for the better. I’m not going to get all worked up over Cooper when I don’t even know if it’s going to lead to anything. He’s professed his love to me, but can I rely on that alone?
But I know what I have to do. I think I’ve known for awhile now, but I can only ignore my gut feeling for so long before it starts to consume me. And Jenny’s little side trip, as much as it pains me to admit, only helps confirm this.
I’ve come to the realization that you can’t avoid the inevitable and you can’t ignore your instincts. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a fool. I’ve put off doing the right thing for months and if I want to take control of my life, this is a step in the right direction. Certain things aren’t worth pursuing if it serves as nothing more than an obligation.
While I know I’m doing the right thing, I head on over to Battle Grounds to meet Alex. My footsteps along the sidewalk sound like heavy bricks against the cement, their weight holding me back from doing what has to be done.
I can already see Alex waving at me and with each step I take towards the table, I become brave and meet my obstacle head on.
“I was beginning to think you were ignoring me.”
If there’s ever a time when going to my favorite coffee shop was appropriate, today is the day. Battle Grounds. A suitable name, given the pending topic at hand. There’s nothing in this world I crave more than stability and what I’m about to do will change all that.
“No. Nothing like that, at least not intentionally. I’ve had a lot of things to think about this last week and I guess I’m just not going about things the right way.”
“Etta, what in the hell are you talking about?”
“Us, Alex.” Just do it quick like a Band-Aid. “I don’t think I can see you anymore.”
“Is this about the cooking classes? I didn’t think you’d take offense.”
Has he always been this dense? Okay, that’s not fair to Alex. He’s probably just ignoring the obvious on purpose. “No, it’s not about that. I just can’t do this anymore.”
“Do what? I love you, Etta. What’s going on? I didn’t want to bring it up, but you’ve been a bit distant lately. I know I’ve had my hands full with class, but it’s like we’ve been apart for weeks, not just days.”
“No, it’s not that. You’ve always been there for me and you’re right. It’s me that’s been distant. This just isn’t working for me anymore.”
“What isn’t? Us?”
“The pretending, Alex. I wish I can say that I’m in love with you, too.” If I did, I wouldn’t be wishing for the wedding day I knew would or wouldn’t happen with Cooper. Even if things don’t turn out the way I planned with him, I can’t string Alex along, knowing how I now feel about Cooper. I know my feelings are premature. I hardly even know Cooper, but in my heart I know I’m doing the right thing right now regardless of what the future may hold. The one thing I am sure of is that Alex is not part of that future.
But I’ve always known. It was all just a childhood fantasy, thinking I could be with the captain of the football team. We spent a year together because I thought this was the guy that would make me happy. It wasn’t all a façade, though. I really did have fun with Alex and I love him in my own way. I guess just wasn’t being honest with myself.
Alex stays quite for a moment. I know what I just said was a low blow, but I can’t lie to him. I still care deeply for him, and he deserves the truth. I am just not in love him anymore—if I ever really was. Maybe my desperate attempt at a normal life, with the high school football star, was a step in the wrong
direction.
“Is it someone else?” he finally asks.
Yes. “Of course not. I just think… I don’t know what I think.” I don’t need to tell him the entire truth. That will just devastate him. Knowing I’m leaving him for someone I barely even know isn’t going to make the situation any better. That, and I can’t very well tell him about me marrying Cooper in another reality.
I’m not entirely convinced that I’m destined to fulfill the future the others insist I claim back, but breaking up with Alex is a step towards that future. Any future. Seeing myself get married to someone other than Alex made me realize that we just aren’t meant for each other. I wish there were a way for me to convey that to him. Maybe it would hurt a little bit less.
“I see. Well, I guess there’s nothing more to say, is there? I knew something was up these last couple of months. You don’t have me over anymore, you brush off any attempts to get close to you, and I don’t mean physically. If you don’t know what you want, I can’t make that decision for you.”
He leaves his coffee on the table, and without so much as a glance back at me, he walks out the door. Never have I felt more alone than I do at this moment. Did I just make a huge mistake? After a second, I think no. He doesn’t even fight for me. We were together a year and he doesn’t even try.
“His loss. But it’s a step in the right direction, I’d say.”
I spin around to towards the voice behind me. “Cooper! Were you listening to our conversation?” How embarrassing is that? That and I don’t even want to talk about our future nuptials. I can feel my face flush as I recall the wedding scene I just witnessed.
In return, I get a sly smile and a new table mate. Looks like he’s back to his normal self since that night outside my apartment. He looked like he’d lost his best friend, coming over and apologizing. Now, he seems to have reverted to his annoyingly charming ways.