“To Mars? Are you sure?”
“Yes! Yes, I’m sure.”
“How do you know?”
Oliver’s gaze moved to the floor beneath his feet. “Just do,” he said shiftily.
My stomach knotted slightly. “Oliver?” He didn’t look up. He had an air of guilt about him. “Oliver?” I said a bit louder trying to grab his attention. He looked up, but didn’t meet my gaze. “What is going on?
“I don’t want to talk about it, okay?”
I was becoming concerned. “No, not okay.” It came out harsher than I had meant it to. “I just met you today. You’ve come to my home late at night talking about robots being sent to Mars and some sort of distraction. I barely know you and now you’re not telling me what’s going on! So no, it’s not okay. You asked for my help today while we were getting coffee. I agreed, but you can’t only tell me bits and pieces. Some how I feel as if I’m part of this, so you’ve got to tell me what you know, and all of it, or I’m going to ask you to leave.”
Oliver starred at me; a shocked and hurt expression on his face. I hadn’t planned on letting lose on him, but I was frustrated.
Neither of us talked for quite a while. Oliver appeared to be mulling things over and I didn’t want to interrupt him. I was immensely curious, but prompting him before he was ready wouldn’t encourage Oliver to tell me what he knew.
I eventually got up, taking the now empty tea cup with me. The TV was still talking quietly at us in the background, but I didn’t really care anymore. Once in the kitchen, I left the cup in the sink. Elbows on the counter and chin in hands, I waited for Oliver.
My eyes were starting to droop by the time he spoke up. “I have a plan.”
__________________________
When I walked out of my room the next morning, Oliver was spread out across the couch wide awake. We had finally stopped talking in the early morning hours; I hadn’t had the heart to send him home.
I yawned. “Morning.”
“Morning. Ready for today?”
“All things considered. Do you want breakfast?” I asked opening the refrigerator.
Oliver scooted up into a seated position leaning forward slightly. “I don’t think I could eat anything. I’m too nervous.”
“Same here,” I agreed, promptly shutting the refrigerator door. I yawned again. “Well, I’m going to hop in the shower. Help yourself to what ever is in the kitchen.”
“Probably won’t, but thanks,” Oliver said, a small smile on his face.
“No problem.” Heading toward the bathroom I took a detour to my room to gather up an outfit for today. I didn’t like the idea of walking through my apartment in nothing but my towel.
I let the hot water rain down on me, imagining that it would wash away the craziness that had been the last twenty-four hours. After shampooing and washing I turned off the water and just stood still, my towel wrapped around me like a blanket. What was I doing? Why was I helping out Oliver whom I had only known for a day? These and many more questions began swirling around my brain. Taking a couple of deep breaths I calmed myself down.
You know why you’re doing this, I reminded myself. They’ve got to be stopped…right? No, I couldn’t second guess this now, I was too far in. I would have to go on. If nothing else for Oliver’s sake. He was so tormented by all of this, I hated seeing anyone hurt. I quickly got dressed, brushed out my damp hair and threw on a little make-up; I wanted to feel confident.
Oliver was in the kitchen drinking some coffee when I came out of the bathroom. “You’ve got good coffee.”
“Thanks. I don’t drink it much at home, mostly tea. Feel free to take a shower if you want. I can get you a fresh towel,” I offered on my way to the couch where I folded the blanket Oliver had used the night before.
“Okay, thanks. That would be great.”
Ten minutes later he exited the bathroom in the same clothes he’d gone in with, but with freshly washed hair.
“Do you want to stop by your apartment on the way? You could get a change of clothes,” I suggested.
He looked down at what he was wearing. “No, it’s fine. I’ll just go like this. The shower helped.” He glanced out the window, sighed, then looked directly at me. “Ready?”
“I guess.” And with that we put on our shoes and coats.
Closing the door behind us I made sure to lock it. We walked in silence down to the ground floor. As we stepped out into the street, I realized the enormity of what we were doing. Oliver could get in a lot of trouble. And now, since I had met him, trouble might find me as well.
Even so, we started down the street, heading for the police station.
On tip toes for the next entry.
I’m glad you enjoyed it:)
On tip toes for the next entry.
I’m glad you enjoyed it:)