Think of the Devil

Two

There was a knock at Jane's door that startled her awake.

In the mornings she was always slow to start, usually groggy and generally less sensitive to the thoughts around her. Her limbs were tense and aching, having slept in her chair all night, as she stretched. She stumbled up and to the front door, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes and yawning, trying to figure out who was here. It took until she turned the lock to realize it could only be Alberto.

"Buenos dias," he greeted, smiling and holding up an old lunchbox. She didn't have to read his mind to know he'd brought her favorite breakfast-- his homemade chilaquiles.

Jane grinned at him as she opened the door wider, allowing him to step in. "Good morning, señor," she replied, walking towards her coffee maker. "¿Cómo está usted?"

"Bien, gracias." He moved to her small kitchen table and began unpacking their breakfast. "I should ask how you're doing," he continued in English. "I haven't seen you much lately. Angélica has been asking about you."

She tensed up a bit as she replaced her coffee filter. She knew he'd noticed her mood lately, but she hadn't been expecting to have this conversation so early in the morning. Her mind scrambled a bit as she tried to recall what she'd planned on telling him, only to remember she'd never made it that far last night.

Once she got the pot brewing, she grabbed two plates and silverware and joined him at the table where he was already sitting. He started arranging their food onto the plates, but he remained silent. He expected her to answer. Not able to wait any longer, she tried her best. "I haven't been feeling well lately," she said. Which wasn't a total lie.

He glanced up at her. "I've noticed."

Jane noticed he'd really gone all out for her-- scrambled eggs with cheese, the soy version of chorizo to adhere to her vegetarian diet, fresh fried tortilla strips, homemade salsa from earlier in the week. He'd even brought rice but chided himself when he realized he'd forgotten the beans. She couldn't help but smile at him even as she struggled to tune into his thoughts. She didn't really want to be surprised by his questions.

Alberto couldn't quite decide which way he wanted to talk about her behavior lately. He pondered a bit as he mixed everything but the rice together. Jane didn't make a regular habit of intruding on his thoughts, but she couldn't help it today. She hated how worried she'd made him.

"I guess I just wish you felt like you could tell me," he sighed as he slid her plate over. (Doesn't she know she can trust me after all this time? What happened to you, my sweet girl?)

His words pierced her heart as they hung in the air. She couldn't do anything but nod, her lips pressing into a tight line to prevent herself from tearing up. The coffee pot beeped behind her, so she used it as an excuse to walk away. She could instantly feel his concern deepen as he watched her. Looking into his mind's eye, she knew he was noticing that she was in the same clothes from the day prior and that the bags were darker under her eyes. As she poured coffee into two mugs she couldn't help but wipe away a tear and hope he wouldn't notice. Of course, he did. (Please, mija. Tell me what's wrong so I can help you fix it.)

When she returned to the table and sat, sliding his mug over to him, she contemplated how to explain her recent behavior. She couldn't tell him everything, couldn't give away her secrets without giving away others'. But before she could withdraw her hand, Alberto reached out and grabbed it, squeezing it in his own calloused grip.

Every emotion he felt suddenly struck Jane like a bolt of lightning. With just a touch, her ability to invade others' minds was made twice, maybe even three times stronger. It had always been the most difficult aspect of her ability, as she had to avoid physical contact pretty much always. Usually, she at least wore long sleeves. This morning, she'd forgotten in her morning haze to let him in. Now in his grasp, she felt his nerves twisting his stomach into knots and how fast his mind was racing, wondering about everything that could be wrong with her.