Totem (12 page)

              The one thing that amazed me the most though, is the tall four foot wood piece that sat in the corner only feet away from the fire place. It stood alone in its space. Intricately carved figures dance up and down the pole like object.  It is a totem pole. I begin to pick out the animals that I can recognize. An eagle stood on top with outstretched wings. A stag is next with antlers that balance the eagle. Then the animals swirl around the pillar. I see a dolphin, wolf, bear, buffalo and some type of cat. My eyes gaze at it getting lost in the artistry.

              “Do you want to go see the boats?”

              My attention shoots back to Ty as he tugs on my hand. I look up into his face. He is smiling from ear to ear. It seems sharing his life with someone excites him. I smile back and nod my head. He pulls me down another flight of stairs to the ground level where two sets of doors lie. I look through the glass of the one leading to the front and see Ty’s familiar bronco in a covered parking spot. Before I can look more, he pulls me through the other door. Immediately the solid floor gives way to planks as we stand on a dock over the water.

              “We have a few canoes and a pontoon,” states Ty pointing to the storage area under his house, “My motor boat is docked on the north shore, but this is the boat I like the most.”

              I look in the water at the sleek cream colored boat sitting in front of me. It is what I consider to be a mini yacht. My eyes draw to the name on the front of the boat and I say it out loud.

              “Lilly.”

              “I named her after my mom,” states Ty. “Care to come aboard?”

              I nod my head. Ty steps on board first then helps me. Cream leather seats frame the open deck on the boat as a special chair sits apart from the rest with a steering wheel in front of it. Ty opens up a small door and walks into the hole. I follow completely amazed that at what seems like such a small boat outside could have such a huge cabin space. A small kitchen on the right with a table on the left then the whole room opens up to a giant bed with small stool like seats in front of it.

              “It’s not much as far as boats go, but I like it. It gets me from place to place while still offering some home comforts.”

              “I love it.”

              It is true. It is not as big as other boats, but it is bold yet cozy. You couldn’t help but feel secure in it. It’s exactly how I felt in Ty’s arms last night. Quickly I throw the thought out of my head. Ty places his hand on the small of my back. I look up at him and blush when I realize he has been watching me the whole time. I throw my attention back on the bed then blush even more.

              “Hello.”

              I hear Sarah’s voice call down from the steps on the main floor. I look in the direction of the door. Before I can move, Ty is already at the boat’s door waving at Sarah.

              “Oh there you are,” says Sarah. “Can you tell Kimber that her clothes are dry?”

              “Sure thing,” replies Ty.

              “Thank you.”

              Ty walks back over to me as he places his hand on the small of my back again. I feel my heart racing. Ty is so young compared to his sister. I wonder how that could be.

              “How old is your sister?”

              “Good question,” ponders Ty. “I think she is 48?”

              “Your parent’s had you late in life huh?”

              “Yea,” responds Ty hesitantly.

              I can tell the topic made him uncomfortable so I drop it. We stand on the boat for a while with the egg like cocoon structure encircling us causing us to get lost in the space together. I close my eyes feeling the slight motion of the water rocking the boat. I open them up feeling all too dizzy. It must be the concussion.

              “It’s a lovely boat,” I state, “but do you mind if we get off? I think the waves rocking mixed with my head trauma is making me dizzy.”

              Ty nods and then heads out. I step out and wait for Ty to close and latch the door. He hops off of the boat then helps me out. We walk up the stairs. My clothes are sitting on the kitchen counter neatly folded. I nod to Ty and thank Sarah as I head upstairs to change.

              Before changing, I make the bed. They are so hospitable to me that I did not want to seem like more of a burden than I already was. I look down at my all too revealing shirt from the night before neatly folded. It is way too inappropriate to wear during the day. I leave on Ty’s big shirt hoping it will be okay for me to wear it home. I slide off the boxers and hop into my jeans. I neatly fold and place Ty’s boxers on the corner of the bed after I am done changing. I take one look at myself in the mirror. The bruise is fresh but quickly darkening. I lightly touch the area as I remember the eyes of the attacker the night before. He looked unreal. The qualities that define people as human were absent from this man’s face. Slowly my mind begins to think up fantastical thoughts as it flushes over all the details. He had red eyes and long fangs. He was attacking a woman’s neck. Then he lunged at mine. Could he be a vampire? Quickly I dispel the thought from my mind. Vampires are not real. There is no way they could be. I shrug off the thought as I adjust the hair hanging down from my ponytail around my neck hopefully hiding the forming bruises.

              I notice my phone and wallet sitting on the dresser. I pick up my phone and my heart drops. It is filled with texts. Quickly I scroll through them. Most of them were Michelle wondering where I was. A few were from Andrew apologizing and wondering how I was doing. From the tones of the texts, the two of them had not seen each other yet. Otherwise, Michelle would seem even more worried than she was. I hear a knock on the door as I place my phone and wallet in my pockets.

              “Everything ok?” asks Ty

              I open the door and smile at him. His beautiful brown eyes meet mine and I feel myself melting under his gaze.

              “Yea,” I respond. “I hope you don’t mind if I borrow your t-shirt. My dress shirt seems silly to wear during the day.”

              “That is fine.” He has a bemused smile on his face. “Do you want a ride home?”

              “That would be great.”

              I take one more look around the room I crashed in before closing the door. Ty has already made his way down the stairs. I take a second to regain myself as I walk down the stairs. My muscles are sore and tight. It is something I did not notice earlier walking with Ty. I take each step slowly. Ty appears at the bottom of the steps swinging his keys around his finger.

              “Are you sure you’re ok?” He asks caustically.

              I nod not at all too happy with his tone. I feel like a child as I take the steps slowly. I get down to the bottom and am in the living room. I glance one more time at the elaborate wooden totem in the corner before facing the next set of steps. This time Ty helps me.

              “So which car are we taking this time?” I ask jokingly.

              “The mustang,” replies Ty casually.

              He opens the door and we walk out into the brilliant Saturday sun. I squint as my eyes become accustomed to the light. We walk down a few more steps and are on a paved front yard. There hiding behind the Bronco is a brand new black mustang. Excitement rises up in me at the chance to ride in it. He opens the door. The tan leather interior beckons me to sit. I wait for Ty to close the door, but he hovers. I look up into his eyes. They stare at me. There was something going on in that beautiful mind hidden behind the face of this gorgeous man, but I cannot put my finger on it. I look up waiting for him to speak.

              “What are you doing the rest of the day?”

              “Recovering from last night.” I reply.

              Ty laughs. I look at him and smile. He bends down almost sitting on his heels. His brilliant eyes are level with mine. Eagerly he searches my face sending my heart racing. My heart beat seems to be the response needed to push Ty forward.

              “Have a late lunch with me.”

              I feel my inner self jumping for joy at this unexpected date offer. It is not really a question he is asking but a statement. As if somehow he knows my answer is yes. It is as if my body gives him queues to what I want. I search his face trying to decide if this is real or not. He is right. It did not matter the question. The only answer I will ever give him is yes. I am putty in his hands. He can mold me however he wants. A tingle creeps along my spine as I think about Ty molding me. His hands touching me, shaping me makes my breath hitch and I briefly have to close my eyes.

              “Say yes.”

              I open my eyes to see Ty smiling. His face closer than it was before I closed them. I smell the scent of his cologne as his proximity brings it wafting to my nose. Does he know how much sexuality oozes from him?

              “Yes,” I whisper.

              I nod my head giving him two positive responses just in case he didn’t notice the first. A brilliant smile crosses Ty’s face. Satisfied with the answer, he stands up and closes the door leaving me swooning. I watch him walk around the car. Once in the car, he hands me a few packets of Tylenol.

              “Sarah wanted you to have these for later. She figured you would need them.”

              Gratefully, I take them. Ty turns the key and the engine revs to life. I smile at the sound. There is so much power coursing through the car and most of it did not seem to be coming from the engine.

              I take one deep breath
. I know Michelle will be there with a million questions. It is the first night I didn’t come back and hopefully the last. The rash of missed calls and unanswered texts from Michelle plagues my phone.

            
 
Can’t talk now be there in a few
,
were the only words I could text to Michelle while on the short drive from Ty’s back to the dorms. The ride is silent with the only words spoken by Ty.

              “See you in a few hours.” He says as I hop out of the car. I turn with a smile. The butterflies in my stomach begin to once again take flight. Ty drives off in his mustang leaving me standing on the front steps in what technically can be considered a walk-of-shame outfit. Thank goodness Sarah washed the jeans for me.

I begin to walk slowly up to the front door. Relief washes over me. I am home and I am safe. Not only that, but I got a date with the guy who makes my heart sing. I touch the side of my neck sending a dull pain through my head. It is not the perfect moment I had hoped it would be. I expected something with more romance and a lot less pain, but it is a date invitation none the less. I open the door to the stairs and walk up. Each metal ping of my feet hitting the steps reminds me of the pounding in my head and the soreness of my body. Soon enough, I am in front of my door turning the key. I hear the familiar click of the lock and before the door opens all the way, I hear the rustling from Michelle’s bed as she pops up to greet me. A warm smile fills her face as she takes in my appearance.

              My disheveled hair and baggy t-shirt that clearly isn’t mine brings more excitement to that 100 pound girl than it should. I take my eyes off of her to close the door and lock it. The blaring sound of MTV comes from the television on top of the wardrobe. I turn back around to see Michelle’s smile still plastered across her face.

              “Well? How was last night?”

              I pause and look at Michelle. I know what she is thinking. Immediately I burst her bubble putting a stop to her thoughts.

              “It’s not what you think.” I tell her as I move the hair from my neck revealing a deep bruise forming.

              Michelle’s face immediately fills with worry.

              “It’s also not what you think.” I say making my way over to my dresser peeling off the shirt. “On our way back to the car, I was attacked.”

              “What?! Where was Andrew?”

              “Andrew was too busy making out in every corner of the French Quarter with his guy pal as we walked back to the car,” I roll my eyes. “I walked ahead trying to hurry them, but obviously it was too far.”

              Michelle jumps off the bed to get a better look at my neck.

              “I’m going to kill Andrew,” states Michelle.

              “Yea, well…You know Ty from our class? I think he is on board with you.”

              Confusion crosses her face. She knew exactly how I felt about Ty as she gives a slight nod. I know I need to give more of an explanation as to what happened last night.

              “Well, he came to the rescue at just the right time. I don’t remember much, but from what I do, I was lucky he was there. I ended up waking up in this strange room with a view of boats and in this.” I take off my shirt and hold up the Crescent City Classic t-shirt.

              I continue explaining the events of last night to her. Michelle listens to the story intently until I am done. Concern etches across her face.

              “I should have walked with you to the car. I am sure Daniel would have understood,” Michelle says concerned.

              “No, I don’t think it would have made a difference. I know that it is safer to go in numbers but Andrew and his new guy should have been enough. Plus I went way too far ahead of them. I set myself up for an attacker.”

              I left out some parts to the story. After all, how could I explain the woman in trouble or the man with the glowing red eyes? There is probably a better way to go about it than I did. I think back slightly disappointed as the events of last night start coming back to me. I shouldn’t have handled the situation myself. I should have found help. Either way, I learned the hard way, but still, I couldn’t get over how creepy the man who attacked me was. He seemed… not real.

              “Yea, but I still should have been there for you and insisted on going with you myself,” replies Michelle. I look at her. “Andrew is so dead.”

              “Yea, I don’t know how to handle the situation with Andrew. He was careless, but in his defense, I am sure there usually are not creepers lurking in dark alleys. It was mostly dumb luck. From here on out, we will make sure to have each other’s backs. Got it?”

              I smile at Michelle. She smiles back. Standing in my bra, I turn and look at myself in the new mirror I bought a few days ago. For someone who got attacked, I was not in bad shape. My body is sore and there is a bruise on my neck, but that is it. My hair is up in a messy pony tail. I look down at my feet. The dirt from the night before is still caked to them. I need a shower bad. I give Michelle one more reassuring smile then head into the bathroom peeling off the rest of my clothes as I walk. The hair tie takes a little skill getting out. My hair falls to the right side as soon as the holder is out. Tangled mess of golden hair resembles a bird’s nest. I turn on the shower then grab the brush to try and to bring order to the mess before hopping in. Satisfied with the state of my hair, I hop into the shower. Warm water envelopes my body as I take a deep breath.

              I am in my sanctuary. The sound of water muffles out the world around me as warm liquid encases my body, forming a cocoon. I am in my fortress of solitude. Slowly I unwind. I let out a sigh. That was not the way I wanted to get a date from my crush. Sure we went out for lunch after class one time and he paid, but in no way did I consider that a date. Last night so helpless and crumpled was not the way I wanted Ty to see me ever. Sure he sees me all sweaty when we play volleyball in class, but that is my own choice. So many thoughts drift up through my head. Obviously, it worked otherwise Ty would not have asked me out on a date. I smirk. Out of all the thoughts to have about an attack, I am worried about how Ty perceives me. It is silly, but then again, he is all I think about in my spare time these days.

              I wash up quickly then step out of the shower. I dry off some and then wrap the towel around my body. It’s odd, but the shower made me more tired than I was a few minutes ago. Not just a little tired, I am extremely tired. I walk out of the bathroom feeling clean, but not refreshed. Immediately I hop up into my bed and curl up underneath the blanket not caring the only thing I have on is a towel.

              “Hey Michelle,” I say.

              “Yeah, Kimber.”

              “Would you mind waking me up in about an hour? I have a date to go on.”

              “A date?!” Michelle perks up.

              “Yeah,” I respond. “I have a thing with Ty that is actually a casual type of date.”

              “That’s awesome!”

              I murmur agreeably as my body sinks into the comforts of my familiar twin bed. I did not remember falling asleep, but I do remember dreaming of Ty.

I wake up to the sound of knocking
on the door. I dart up looking at the clock. Eish! It’s one-o-clock. I look over at Michelle who is passed out. She must have dozed off when I did. I hear the knock again. I jump out of bed arranging my towel and look out the peep hole. There, in all his russet glory, stands Ty.  I look down at my towel wrapped body. There is no time to quickly change without Ty walking away. I take a deep breath, puff out my chest and open the door. Ty looks incredible. He is wearing Khaki shorts and one of his many V neck tee shirts I love so much. The shirt is even my favorite color; blue. Ty looks at my outfit (or lack thereof) and smiles.

              “I wouldn’t mind you going out in that,” he smirks, “but are you sure that is what you want to wear?”

              I give him a look and gesture for him to come in. Michelle begins to stir from her slumber.

              “I accidently fell asleep,” I respond as I close the door. “Michelle was supposed to wake me up but she fell asleep, too.”

              “Hi, Ty,” greets Michelle’s sleepy voice.

              I turn and look at Ty. He is staring at my neck intently. Slowly he lifts his hand and lightly touches the side of my neck. His touch sends chills vibrating through my body causing my breath to hitch. I close my eyes savoring the feeling. Quickly I open them as I realize how naked I am under my towel. I step away from him to regain my composure.

              “That’s a nice bruise you have forming there,” states Ty. Concern etches in his face.              “I’m sure it would have been worse if you hadn’t come to my rescue.”

              Ty smiles and his hand rises higher framing my face. I bring my hand up pressing his hand against my face even more savoring his touch. I look into his eyes. He is so handsome. I can stay in this moment forever.

              “Don’t mind me,” Michelle responds from her bed.

              Both of us turn and look at her. I feel my face flush and turn red. She lets out a laugh. Quickly I breeze past Ty and open up my closet door.

              “So what did you have planned for lunch,” I ask.

              “A picnic,” responds Ty as he takes a seat at my desk.

That’s good to know. I quickly look at Ty’s casual dress and opt to do the same. I pull out my cut off blue jean shorts and a random tee shirt I got at Goodwill. Discretely, I reach into my lingerie drawer and grab some undergarments then walk into the bathroom locking the door behind me for the first time in a while. Quickly I throw on my clothes and look in the mirror. Just as I thought, my hair has become a tangled mess again and the sleepiness lingers in my eyes. I survey my neck. The bruise is getting darker. I grab the brush and pull it through my hair. As soon as I am satisfied, I pull my makeup case out from under the sink. I put on a little foundation, blush and eye makeup. It is probably going sweat off any way in the heat, but I wanted to start off looking somewhat presentable. I take one step back and look in the mirror. This is the best I can do with the time I have. Quickly I unlock the door and go back into my room.

Ty and Michelle are watching television intently. I am sure they talked about me when I was in the bathroom but their conversation has turned silent. I smile at Ty. I am growing more nervous as we get closer to leaving the comfort of my room. I slip on my brown flip flops, grab my purse and a light jacket. One last look in the mirror and I am ready to go. I nod at Ty and he rises from his chair.

“You two kids have fun.” Michelle jokes as we walk out the door.

I roll my eyes at her and close the door. We walk out of the dorms in silence side by side. Although Ty and I have talked and seen each other many times before, we still have that first awkward date moment walking to his car.

              “So where are we having a picnic?”

              “In City Park,” replies Ty.

              “What did you make?”

              Ty smiles at this.

              “I didn’t really have time to make anything. So I bought things.”

              “What did you buy?”

              “Well given your state and the late night,” began Ty, “I thought it best for greasy food so Popeye’s.”

              I smile at him. As soon as he mentions what he has, I crave it. It is the most prefect food at that time. He looks over at me hesitantly.

              “Popeye’s is perfect.”

              Ty shoots a crooked smile in my direction then revs the engine to life. The mustang sounds as sleek as it looks. He shifts the car into drive and takes off. I love riding in the passenger seat through New Orleans. There is always so much to observe. We speed down Robert E. Lee and past the Greek Church taking a left onto Wisner. I look out my window and onto the beginning of City Park. The golfers are out in full force this sunny Saturday afternoon. I watch the golf carts rumble down the sidewalk and the men tee up. We stop at a stop light and I look out Ty’s window to the bayou. On the other side of the bayou are a line of huge houses. Each one is distinctive yet just as luxurious as the next. Some have boat docks. Some of them even have little statues in their backyard.

              “Those houses are huge,” I comment as we begin to drive again.

“Yep, they are nice,” comments Ty, “but the streets in that neighborhood are horrible. I don’t dare take cars back there.”

              I smile at Ty as he takes a right. In front of us is the New Orleans Museum of Art. Huge pillars bring a resolute beauty to the whole building. We get closer and begin to circle the building. It is the first time I have been this close to it. On the sides are tall gates. To my amazement, even the gates themselves are works of art. Straight steel and circular silver lay dramatically on them forming one monumental art installation adding to the grandeur of this modern Romanesque building. We drive through City Park and eventually park. My heart begins to pound in anticipation of starting our date as the engine goes silent.