Post 20: Tea

She’d known something happened to Adrian after the second week. It was as if she’d just disappeared off the face of the Earth. She felt it in her soul, her daughter’s spirit was gone, vanished but not dead. That, however, never happened to anyone she knew. Well, except for once. Thinking back to nearly twenty three years ago, all those memories, her eyes clouded with tears.


---


“What is your concept of time?” the man spoke, words sounding sweet like honey, dripping from his lip as he questioned. “I always wondered what time the new human, Arinth world would follow.” He had come out of nowhere. She stood, just getting off work, in the dusk of the sunset. Her feet hadn’t hurt as much as they usually did. Her back wasn’t as sweaty although the heat was relentless. Long brown curls fell beautifully down her back when she released the ponytail. Some of the tendrils skimmed the curve of her bottom. Ignoring him, she’d stepped down, from the curb per instruction of the little white man on the walk screen next to the light. She’d gasped when he reached out and grabbed her, a zinging zapped her skin.


“Watch it!” He’d spoke calmly despite the nature of the words. A car, unaware of her on the corner, screeched its tires as it turned right; going much faster than the speed limit allowed.


“Ahhh, thank you. You saved my life.” She spoke softly, glancing down at the hand that still held her arm. She’d felt uncomfortable, at first, people didn’t touch her, almost ever. Slowly withdrawing her arm from his grasp, she looked at the light that was still green and then both ways twice before attempting to cross the street again. He stepped down, just beside her, and cleared his throat.


“No problem. I don’t come here often and I don’t mind saving a beautiful woman.” His voice was steady and calmed her despite the slight shaking she felt in her belly. She didn’t have to be afraid of this man but there was something primal about him that made her wary. It might’ve been the beauty he exuded, his beautiful blonde hair and model features. Men like him didn’t care about women like her and that’s just the way it was.


After reaching the corner of the next street she turned to look up at him before continuing silently down the block. So as not to seem like he stalked her from behind, the man stood just at her side slowing his pace to allow her to walk comfortable beside him. They’d walked just under another block before she finally looked up at him, a breath catching in her throat.


“Where are you from? You talk funny.” She set back her shoulders and smiled into his face. A pull towards him, she couldn’t describe, filled her body. It was most likely the reason she’d allowed him to walk beside her for any period of time or that she hadn’t crossed the street to be away from him. It was as if some magnetic force was trying to push them together but at the same time pull them apart. The closer it seemed to push her to him the more safe she felt. Shaking her head to clear the crazy thoughts. He lifted his arm, pointer finger up stretched, to the darkening sky above them. Her brow furrowed in confusion.


“You’re from up north?” She asked but he didn’t respond. He just looked down at her, his eyes were wide and his lips fell slightly apart. The mystery of him thrilled her and she was determined not to let it go. His eyes looked to burn with desire but that couldn’t be right. She knew he couldn’t desire her, he was so perfect and she was so normal compared to him. His long blonde hair fell to his shoulders and just below in the back, his eyes were deep set and distinct, dangerous, and filled with passion. His nose was strong and narrow. “Ummm…” she started “…my name is Annalise. If you’re from up north you must be new to town, not many from up north come down here. I just got off work but I don’t mind showing you around...” she trailed off as he continued to stare at her. His eyes widened slightly again, just a hint of gold glowed around his iris, and his head tilted towards her. He looked as if a revelation just hit him.


“I…I would love that. My name is Anders, Anders Culvert.” He reached out a hand to shake hers and almost hissed as the heat between them sizzled. Turning, he shook his head as the beautiful brown skinned woman walked beside him, her hips swaying naturally. She was his mate. He could feel it in his bones, he’d felt it when they touched, he could see it in her eyes. The fire had burned there in hers also, though she’d have no idea what it meant. He wasn’t a man of many words and neither was he a man of many emotions but this woman was his. He’d have her, love her, for eternity. The light warriors and their rules of segregation of the species be damned, he’d finally found his true purpose. He’d protect her until the day he died, with his heart. As the evening went by he’d marveled in her beauty, her personality and her love for the world around her. She’d become more outgoing and talkative as the night grew upon them but he didn’t mind, he could listen to her chatter forever. He chuckled as she stumbled over a stone, while walking in front of him, and cursed at the rock before kicking it aside with her foot. She’d glanced back at him shyly, tucking a strand behind her ear, as if he might judge her language. His silence was rewarded with a soft smile. Yes, he could love her forever.


“People must not talk very much where you come from.” She smiled back at him while clasping her hands together. She was, besides his slip of a little sister back home, the most adorable woman he’d ever seen.


“Why do you say that?” He came to a stop just before her, and fixed his features, though he wanted to smile widely like a school boy.


“I feel like I’ve been doing the talking all night!” she gasped as if it made perfect sense. She blushed up at him and then turned away. “We’ve been together for hours and you’ve said all of one sentence.”


“I’ve spoken more than that!” He laughed. “I do like to hear you talk, however. Your voice, its cadence, allures me.” He lowered his voice, drew her in with its depth, and smiled down at her. As crazy as it sounded, he felt he loved her already. Her cute button nose and her shinning brown eyes were heaven to him. Her smile faltered as she looked deep into his eyes. He knew she saw it there, behind the man aspect of his desire, something deep, dark and dangerous. She opened her mouth as to speak and he dropped his gaze to her lips. She immediately swayed towards him, taking in a ragged breath. The pull was almost too great, it almost overtook them both. But they were brought back to themselves by the blaring of a car horn down the street, jumping apart as if caught doing something wrong.


“Anders…We are here, at my place. I’m glad I got a chance to…” She’d stumbled over the words and her feet as she backed up the stairs. He caught her arm, as he did in the street with the car almost an eternity ago, to keep her from falling.


“I’m glad that I’ve met you, Annalise. Truly glad.” Honesty rang through the words and poured from his heart. He loved her name on his tongue, it was most beautiful, just like her. He turned and stepped down onto the street, he had no idea where he’d go from here and honestly he didn’t care. It had taken just a few long strides for him to reach the end of the block but they seemed like he’d walked miles away from her.


“Hey!” His heart leapt as her voice rang out behind him. He turned, almost too excitedly, and took a few steps back towards her stoop.


“Yes?” The word almost choked in his throat.


“Umm…I have…tea, yes! I have tea! Do you like tea? Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?” Her words rambled together as if she wasn’t entirely sure she agreed with what she was saying but he understood her. He had no idea what tea was but he’d take a cup of it any day just to spend more time with her. His true mission on earth be damned, this is where he was meant to be.


“Yes, Annalise, I’d love a cup of tea.” He stated before walking back towards her, and his future.


---


The memories were only just there on the surface because she knew something had happened to Adrian. She had to forget them. He was never coming back and it would do for her to remember that. She knew their daughter needed her though. It was the same pulse of energy she felt in her heart when Anders had left. She’d loved him so much and they’d spent so much time together, shared so much. Those weeks had been the best of her life. Then the one day he’d apologized, mentioned something about banishment, something about a mistake that he would never regret. He’d said he loved her and then was gone. She’d fight this time, no longer would she wallow in regret and pain and self-pity. She had to protect their daughter because where ever Anders Culvert was he couldn’t help her. She’d known he was different, something different and that their child was different the moment she was born. She’d held her in her arms and gasped as her honey eyes glowed emerald green flickering between the two colors as if trying to decide on which. Eventually they’d settled on a soft honey brown color but every time she grew angry they’d blaze green and beautiful, at least when she was a child they did.


He was otherworldly, she knew. He couldn't have been from earth, the things they’d done together couldn’t have been possible without some kind of unorthodox explanation. And maybe, just maybe he’d realized his daughter was more like him and needed his help and come back to see her. He’d been gone before she found out she was pregnant but maybe he could sense her somehow. Maybe he already had come down and had taken her with him. There were so many maybes and possibilities.


If he had taken her, he’d come for Annalise also. It was the only thing she could think of or dream of. Otherwise she might have to deal with the idea she might never see Adrian again. She’d given up on the idea that Anders would ever return. Yes, in the beginning of her motherhood she’d searched for him to the ends of the earth. No longer, her one and only love was never coming back and it was something she had to deal with. Maybe the reason you can’t find him Annalise, is because he’s not from Earth, she thought to herself. Entering her house, Annalise looked for her house phone, independent or not it was about time her and her daughter had a long talk.


The device in her hand rang and rang and there was no response. She knew they’d had a strange relationship since Adrian was young but she couldn’t afford to lose her. She’d have to keep trying. Maybe nothing happened to her, she could be sitting at home right now thinking about how I call her too much. Annalise let the words run through her mind although she knew they were wrong. They hadn’t talked for a while because Adrian had said she needed some space. She must admit, she hadn’t been the best mother that she could be when her daughter was young. She’d been depressed, never quite being able to get over the love of her life. It was like he’d put a spell on her and the longer they were apart the more she seemed to be distant but she’d tried her best and surely her daughter still loved her; she hoped. No, she wouldn’t let this go. Calling once more, Annalise waited until she heard her daughter’s voice, very business-like, on the answering machine.


“Hi, Adrian, it’s your mother.” She took a deep breath before continuing on. “I have a few things that I need to discuss with you. Things about your…father. I can almost feel it, things have changed for you and I think knowing what I need to tell you will help you understand.” She stumbled slightly as a tear fell down her cheek. “Listen, Adrian, I haven’t been the best mother but please. Things are about to change for you, if they haven’t already, and I’m ill prepared for what is going to happen. I don’t really know that much but I…I don’t know, I just need you and I hope…I hope you need me too. I’m sure we can figure this all out and get through it together. I love you, bye.” Hanging up, before she lost her nerve, Annalise dropped the phone to the counter before her.


Anders had explained the majority of things, not all of them. One he’d made clear was they’d most likely lose their minds, being so far apart, in due time. She thought he was being romantic but now that she’d thought about it, it seemed to be coming true. He’d said she was his mate, his one for eternity, they’d bonded, they’d done…things with her mind she’d never done with anyone else before. He was right. In him, she lost her mind and without him, she lost her mind. She needn’t think about it any further, though. Wherever he went, he could stay for all she cared. Beautiful alien god or not, he left her like any human man would and now she had a daughter to save. After all, it’s not every day that you dream that your child might be the key to the universe. It was time to pick up the slack and step up to the plate. She had a daughter to love and ask for forgiveness and then they had a world to save.





"The only way to be a writer is to write, write and write. The only way...is to write." -Jade Elyzabeth