A Brown-Eyed Girl

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

Something was ringing, the noise piercing the unworldly silence of the strange pier. Groggily, she rolled over, still only partially aware of her surroundings. She ignored the shrill sounds. He was there; had been there. Her father. She just had to bring him back. She tried to focus on the boulder field but could feel it fading. For a moment, his face had been so clear…..

 Ring! Beep! Ring!

The noise persisted bringing her fully back to consciousness.She shook her head in an attempt to clear it, but the strange…dream…was still paramount in her thoughts. Had it been real? More importantly, had he? Of course not. That was impossible. She sat up and scrubbed her hands across her face, trying to focus. She could remember everything – the loss of her senses, the flight across the rocks, and being found by her father.  It had all been so real

Beep! Ring! Beep! Frustrated, she searched her pockets for her cell phone and answered, “Hello?”

“What are you doing tonight?”

It was her best friend Maxine Hartz, direct and to the point as usual. They had known each other since high school, and Max (she detested the name Maxine and refused to answer to it) was one of the few people she considered close enough to trust. They had a lot in common, but Max was for more outgoing than she was. Therefore, she continually harassed her more introverted friend into doing things she wouldn’t have chosen to do on her own. As a result, she was on her guard as she replied, “Umm…not sure.”

Laughter bubbled out of the phone. “Good try. Translation: ‘Actually nothing, but I don’t know whether or not I need to lie yet.’”

“And I suppose you’ll tell me what I am doing tonight as well?” she returned sarcastically.

“Josie’s having a bonfire, and you’re coming if I have to drive you myself.”

She deliberated. Josie Seltsen was her other closest friend, more down to earth than Maxine but still with a capacity for new experiences. She had been welcomed into the group during their senior year of high school. Since it was Josie’s party, she was pretty sure she was obligated to go.

Her decision-making was taking far too long for Max. “Kelsey Carmichael! You are going and that’s final!”

“Yes, mother. Of course, mother. What time, mother?”

“Anytime after dark – seven or eight should work. That’s about when we’ll be lighting the fire. It’s a Friday, so you can’t use homework as an excuse. You’re not working tonight because otherwise you wouldn’t have answered your phone. You. Are. Coming. To. The. Bonfire. Do I make myself clear young lady?”

“Alright, alright. See ya’ there.”

“No ditching at that last minute. I’ll know and hunt you down.”

“Said I’d be there, didn’t I?”

“Yup – but only cause I made you!!” With that parting shot, her friend clicked off the phone.

The smug, self-satisfied statement made Kelsey smile despite herself.  “Bye to you too.”

She checked the time. It was five-thirty, meaning she had plenty of time since Josie only lived thirty minutes away. Kelsey sank back down on the quilt and tried to gather her thoughts. It felt as if they had been scattered to the four corners of the earth.

The whole experience on the dock and the following encounter with her father on the rocks had been so vivid, so intense. Despite its fantastical qualities, it had seemed so real at the time. She was even stiff and sore as if she had been engaged in strenuous activity. She could remember every sensory detail, and her dreams were usually hazy to her upon waking.