His Halloween Kisses (6 page)

As she marched to the small vehicle, tears ran down her cheeks while she mumbled insults to herself all the way. “Idiot, stupid idiot. You never see them, do you? Always duped by a cute guy.”

The drive home was long and painful and often blurred by tears. She felt immensely relieved her roommates were out as usual when she got home because she didn't know how to explain her red and puffy eyes.

At least she had her own room. She tucked inside the covers, fully clothed, and willed herself to sleep. No rest came, especially after her friends started arriving home. She supposed it would be easier to sleep in pajamas and with clean teeth. That meant chancing being seen by one of her roommates. Her eyes should look less red and puffy now. As quiet as possible, she made her way down the passage to the bathroom and gasped when she spotted Janet by the basin.

Janet spun around at the noise. “Hi. You need the toilet?”

“Nah. I'll wait.”

Janet continued washing her face and grabbed a towel to dry. She turned to her and stopped. “What happened to you?”

It would be Janet, who could smell a rat a mile away, who saw her tonight.

“Stressful day.”

“I can see that.”

“Did you enjoy your date with Ed?”

“Same as usual.” Janet grinned.

Why did she ask?

“Pat saw you at the mall. Not like you to go to a restaurant.”

“I met someone.”

“A guy?”

“Yes, a guy. A two-faced loser. Aren't they all?” She regretted her outburst straight away. Janet was practically engaged herself, and she opened her eyes in surprise. They expected Ed to pop the question any day now.

“Not Ewen, I hope?”

“I may be an idiot, but I've learned some things along the way.”

Janet gave her shoulder a squeeze. “I'm sorry. You'll find the right one someday.”

“Someday over the rainbow…” She sang out the Wizard of Oz song and continued to hum it while she got ready for bed. It did little to dull the disappointment that covered her being like a dark thunder cloud, seeping cold rain right into her heart. Being awake and doing things only heightened how much she'd hoped something would happen with the man she'd kissed on Halloween night. Even for the sake of telling her grandchildren one day how they'd met, if nothing else.

And she'd poured her whole history out on him.

****

Byron went outside during his lunch to get some fresh air—a relative term. The factory was in the industrial area, so he probably inhaled pollutants with every breath, but at least outside, away from the noise and the busyness and people, he could think.

Thinking made his head hurt. He'd done too much the last few months. When Kelly had told him she needed a few months away, his dreams had come tumbling down in seconds. He'd planned to work his way up in the company, become a manager and get a good salary, so they could buy their own property in Pretoria. A few years after that, they could have kids.

Yeah, simple.

Ali had changed his mind-set too. Somehow, kissing her had made him doubt Kelly. He'd been ready to fight for Kelly and him, to give her the space she needed and then go back and make it work.

Now he wasn't so sure.

How could a kiss tell him a woman was the right one for him? He couldn't rely on that. His logic told him Ali would be detrimental to him.

She liked her space. Ewen had hounded her; wanted every second with her. That's how Kelly had felt about him—that he came too close for comfort. He'd learned a good lesson from her forced separation, but he would always be someone who wanted to share every dream, every feeling with his mate. Could Ali handle it?

He walked around the car park, his legs restless and needing release. Pity he couldn't go for a long walk until they ached so much that he wouldn't think about anything else but the muscular pain.

As he strolled to the front gate and turned round to go back inside, he heard a strange squeaking, almost mewing sound, like from cat.

Behind some scrap wood and metal piled up against the perimeter fence, he perked his ears to zone in on the source of the sound. Within moments, he found a bundle of black and white fur of about four kittens tucked away under planks of wood.

“Oh! Found a home, have you? Not the best place. I'll have to take you to the SPCA.”

He smiled briefly. At least he had something to distract him and an excuse to leave work for a short while. He ran inside to find a box to take the cats in, stopped to explain to his boss, and completed his rescue mission. If only rescuing a pretty damsel in distress had been as simple on Halloween night.

****

That evening, Ali came in the door and ran to the couch to rest her weary feet. She'd taught five lessons in one day and couldn't be happier.

If it weren't for the horrible let-down of the night before, she would be at her happiest in ten years. Who would have thought she'd love teaching art, of all things? Not science, not history, but art. Watching what the kids under her instruction produced brought her even more joy than when she'd designed her own jewellery. Who would have thought?

Pat, her long-time school friend and now roommate, came through and stood staring in at her.

“Guess what?” She clapped her hands together.

“Someone dropped this off for you.” Pat ignored her and pointed down at a basket on the floor which Ali hadn't noticed yet. The basket wriggled and moved. Something black peeped from inside of it.

“What's that?”

“I think it's a cat.”

“I'm sorry?”

“A cat. You know, those furry pets that have whiskers, a tail, and go ‘meow.'”

“I know what a cat is.” She walked up to the basket and opened the lid. A tiny, furry, very black face stared at her and gave out a little squeak that could pass for a meow.

“It's a kitten, not a cat.”

Pat merely stared at her, a cookie poised in her hand but not going to her mouth.

She touched the cat's head tentatively, wondering if it would try to scratch her.

“You'd think it was still Halloween,” Pat said. “Black cat with an orange basket on a blanket filled with spider print.”

“Oh my goodness.” Ali stepped away. “How could he?”

“Who?”

“He thinks gifts are going to take away all the problems—thinks he can buy my understanding.”

Pat merely stared on. Obviously Janet hadn't told her about her bad date the night before.

“I don't even want a cat. How can someone give a pet without asking? A pet is a big thing. You have them for years.”

“It has beautiful eyes. They're blue.” Pat knelt next to the basket and picked up the little creature.

Her heart went out to the helpless thing, but really, she couldn't look after a pet. She worked all day and had busy nights now with school preparation. And besides, she could barely afford to feed herself. What was he thinking?

And what did he want from her?

“Most kittens have blue eyes, don't they?” Ali came up to her friend and peered into the lost little face.

“Mew.”

“She's hungry.” Pat handed it to her. “Feed her.” She had no choice but to take the furry, wriggling thing.

“Aren't you listening to me? I don't want it.”

Pat moved towards the door. “I don't think you have a choice. Black cats are bad luck.” She gave her a wink and walked out of the room.

“Wait! Pat…Pat! Did you see who brought it?”

Pat turned around from walking halfway down the passage. “He was really cute, Ali. And he said he's sorry. What more can I say?” Pat shrugged and slipped into her bedroom, shutting the door behind her.

The kitten stared up at her as if to say “I'm hungry.” She bent down and looked in the basket. Sure enough, he'd placed a baby blanket on the base with a Halloween print of spiders, creepy hands, and jack-o'-lanterns. Also in the basket sat kitten food in a sealed bag on top of two small orange bowls.

The absolute cheek to assume she'd accept a pet without questions.

Giving someone a big responsibility like this wasn't like giving a piece of jewellery or a bouquet of roses. This meant years of commitment. You asked before you gave someone a pet. What if she didn't like cats? What if she were allergic to them? And if one of her roommates were allergic? Didn't he think? He had absolutely no sense at all. One minute, he kissed her, the next minute he was engaged, and the next he disrupted her whole life.

“Ugh!” she screamed. The kitten sprang out her hands and scampered to a corner behind the couch. Oh great. Now she'd scared it.

She had to feed the creature, and then she'd phone the SPCA to find a new home for it. After searching for ages for a pair of scissors as her mind was all over the place, she cut open the bag and poured some kibble into one of the bowls. Maybe the sound would summon the cat out of its hiding place. Nothing. It remained curled up in the corner, its little heart causing its whole body to shake. She didn't mean to scare it so much.

Laying the blanket flat on the floor right next to the kitten, she put the food bowl on top of it and then quickly went to fill up the other bowl with water. When she got back, the wiry little ball of fluff had tucked in already, now oblivious to whatever had made it scared. Its tail zoned towards the ceiling while crunching sounds emanated from its small head.

If only she could keep it.

But no, she couldn't. And she should phone Byron first before the SPCA. He knew where the cat came from and should return it there.

She slumped back onto the couch, wondering what to say to him. Really, did she have to talk to him tonight? She'd so hoped she'd never ever see him again.

A pungent smell wafted up towards her nose. Oh no! She'd forgotten that kittens didn't know how to go outside to the toilet. Running around to the baby blanket, she found a steaming parcel on the floor by the couch. Great. Her roommates will love her now.

She picked up her cell phone and dialed his number. “Why didn't you give kitty litter with the basket? In fact, why didn't you check with me first before giving me a pet? What were you thinking?”

“Good day to you too.” Byron sounded unusually cheerful despite the status of their friendship.

“Good day.” Was she being rude? Hearing his voice, all the anger seeped out of her.

“She needed a home, and I wanted to show you I'm sorry.”

“Sorry for what?” She wanted to scream at him, but the kitten waddled up to her on shaky legs and put a tiny, sharp claw on her foot.

“I'm sorry, Ali. I didn't get to explain everything before you left. I want to make it up to you somehow.”

“I don't think…”

“Please let me explain. Can I come over tonight?”

“Over? Here?” Pat gave the impression he was worth taking seriously by the way she acted earlier. Janet and Brenda were both romantic diehards. They wouldn't understand and take his side. Or would they?

“I'll come now. I'm finishing off at work. I'll drive straight to you.”

She so wanted to hear what he had to say, and she wanted to give the kitten back, but, no…she couldn't. It wasn't right. He was engaged, and besides, they didn't act sensibly around each other. She'd have to keep the kitten and never see him again.

“No, Byron. I can't do this. We can't see each other. Ever.”

“Look after her then.” His voice sounded sad. “I found her at work behind some machinery with her siblings.”

“You did?” Poor thing. Must have been so frightened.

“She's pretty hungry and tired. I took the kittens to the SPCA for a check-up and some injections. The vet said she's very healthy, but they didn't have any more space for another kitten. It meant keep her or get her put down. As soon as I saw her, I thought of you because she's completely black. Besides, Halloween will always remind me of you.”

Tears pricked her eyes. “I have to go.” She put the phone down and let the sobs take over. Why, oh, why did the only guy she'd ever really liked have to be engaged to someone else? Yes, she'd cared for Ewen, thought she loved him, but kissing Ewen was like kissing a plank compared to Byron. Now she understood what people meant by the word “chemistry.” She'd never fully grasped the pull of attraction before. And it went deeper than that with Byron. He seemed kind, casual, fun.

The kitten meowed by her feet. She picked her up, gave her a quick cuddle, and then cleaned up her mess, tired of the smell permeating the room. Putting her in the basket to take with her, she drove quickly to the shop to buy a litter box and some crystals. While she drove, she tried to think of a name for the kitten. All she could think of was “Blackie”—such a stupid name.

When she arrived home, Brenda sat in the lounge eating a salad and watching TV. She looked up at Ali.

“What's that?”

“A kitten. Don't ask.”

“Aw. It's so cute.” She put her salad down and rushed to see. Soon Brenda, Janet, and Pat were all crowding around, stroking the kitten and fighting over who would hold it. Thankfully, in the end they gave her to Ali who sat down with the blanket on her lap so the cat could sleep. Her little purrs soon lulled the ball of fluff into a deep sleep punctuated with twitches and eye rolls. Ali would have to keep her. How could she ever let the SPCA put her down?

Problem was, every time she looked at her, she saw Byron and his warm brown gaze sinking into her. She was in serious trouble for falling in love with a guy she couldn't have.

Byron wished he could have flown back to Newcastle, but the town didn't possess a single commercial airport. Instead, he'd taken a long drive from Pretoria. Especially tedious because of the bombardment of troubled thoughts.

At least he'd done it. He'd broken off his engagement. At last. He should have ended the relationship months ago when he first started doubting them; when Kelly had asked for some space.

But no, he'd had to kiss Ali first, because the kisses they'd shared had shown him that what he felt for Kelly wasn't truly love. He'd cared for her, been passionate about the thought of being married to her, but was never captivated. The pining for Ali the last few days had surpassed the last few months without Kelly.

At first he'd thought Kelly played the classic “Cat and Mouse” game that couples play. Figured she'd played hard to get to make him want her more. He'd taken it as a challenge and made his own life apart from her. He'd given her plenty of space. Had he misinterpreted what she meant? Kelly had begged him to stay. She'd broken down in front of him, offering a hundred apologies.

He'd had to turn her away. Too late to apologise now.

Argh, he couldn't think about this any longer.

The engagement was over, and if it weren't for Ali refusing to see him, he couldn't be happier. Yes, he had an unstable job, but he couldn't go back to Pretoria now. Not with Kelly there.

He felt free. No one in the world could rob his happiness. The confusion of the last few months had ended. What a relief to have finally decided. Now to win Ali back. How, he wasn't sure. The gifts didn't do it. Gifts came naturally to him. He'd always spoilt his mom with flowers from the garden, his sister with chocolate bars—his way of communicating love. What was Ali's way?

Argh, what to do?

It became dark as he neared Newcastle, and he struggled to focus on the road. Maybe he should stop for the night, but where? Before he could think of a place, his car hit a huge pothole in the road, knocking it to the side and making it roll. He felt as if he'd entered another world, like a ball rattling around in a cage. Could this really be happening? Pain seared his arm and leg, and darkness encompassed him.

Moments later, he opened his eyes, surprised he was still alive. He tried to move his right arm and gasped at the agony of a simple movement. Using his left arm, he took hold of his cell phone and clicked it on.

Who could he phone? He scrolled through his contacts.

“Simon, it's Byron. I've been in an accident.”

“Where are you?”

“I'm not sure. Somewhere between Villiers and Newcastle.”

“Oh, that helps. Are you hurt?”

“My arm's sore but I'll survive. Just want to get out of here. I have a feeling I've gone down a hill.”

“Oh, it's dark. How will we find you?”

“Wait, I have a GPS. Let me give you the coordinates. Bye. I'll call back.” He clicked some buttons on his phone to copy and paste the coordinates to send to Simon.

The phone rang minutes later. “You're just outside Memel. I'm at work. I'll send my sister to get you after I phone the ambulance.”

“I don't think…”

“You helped her in her time of need.”

“I suppose.” He ended the call and closed his eyes, suddenly wishing he could allow the all-encompassing drowsiness to take over.

****

Ali felt glad Janet was home when Simon called. Janet had driven rally cars before. She knew how to wing it safely. And Ali had terrible night vision. With shaky hands, she climbed into the passenger seat of Janet's car, and they took off down the Memel Road, the GPS on her cell phone all ready to tell them where to find Byron.

They drove in anxious silence, every nerve in her body wired to respond.

“Here. It's here. Pull over.”

Janet obeyed and pulled right off the shoulder of the road onto the grass and brush. Ali scrambled out into the dark, her headlight torch on her forehead and another in her hand, ready to find a mangled car. She kept on swallowing hard lumps in her throat and struggled to breathe. What if Byron were dead now? He'd sounded fine according to Simon, but he hadn't answered any of her messages, and she'd sent about twenty since she got into the car.

Janet caught up to her fast and took her hand. “You're not going down that hill on your own in the dark.”

“Okay.”

The two ladies forged their way over rocks and through bushes, all the while calling out Byron's name. Minutes later, they heard ambulance sirens from the road above.

“Maybe we should have waited for them,” Janet said.

“No. I couldn't have.” Ali shone the hand torch rays outwards and spotted something shiny and blue. “There.” Letting go of Janet's hand, she sprinted towards the car which lay on its side.

“Byron.” She rushed to the car and shouted. “Are you okay?”

“Ali?” A muffled voice came from inside the car.

She clutched her throat and gasped deep breaths. “He's alive.”

“I'm going to get the ambulance team. I know the way back,” said Janet.

“You sure?”

“Yes.” Janet was also old hat at hiking and navigation. Thank goodness Ali had her as a roommate.

“Byron, the ambulance people are coming now. They will get you out. Are you okay?”

“I'll survive.” He could even make a joke at a moment like this. Oh, if only she could hug and hold him, touch him to make sure he hadn't disappeared off planet earth.

“I hit a pothole.” He laughed and then started coughing.

“Don't talk.”

“It's fine. Helps me stay awake.”

Why was he sleepy? Was he losing consciousness? Her heart raced, drying up her tongue and making it hard to talk, but she had to.

“Where were you coming from?”

“Pretoria.”

“You shouldn't travel at night.”

“I know. It took longer than planned. What I had to do.”

What did he have to do? It didn't matter. What mattered now was getting him to safety.

“They really need to fix this road.” She shouted now, trying to keep him going.

He mumbled something incoherent in reply.

“Everyone knows it's not a good road to travel at night. I wish you'd told me.” She didn't make sense. How could he have told her if she'd refused to talk to him? She had to keep talking though even if she just babbled nonsense.

“Blackie is so sweet. Blackie's the kitten you bought me. She's so good. She's already learned to go to the toilet outside. I've hardly needed the litter crystals.”

He kept silent.

“My roommates love her. We fight over who's going to have her on our laps at night when we're watching TV. She has the loudest purr, like a train, and she vibrates our whole laps.”

Ali had kept Blackie for two weeks already. Two of the happiest yet most painful weeks of her life because she loved the cat, but it reminded her too much of Byron.

The ambulance personnel and some police arrived from up the hill. She moved out of the way to let them get Byron out. What if he'd died? He hadn't said a word for several minutes. What would she do if he died? How would she find someone like him again?

Oh, how stupid she was being. She hardly knew him really. They'd only kissed five times and gone on a date. It's not like they'd been engaged or anything. Oh dear. She'd probably have to tell his family and fiancée about his accident. What would she say to them?

Rescue people arrived in droves. It took about fifteen minutes to open the door facing upwards and carefully lift him out the car onto a stretcher. Four of them heaved the stretcher up the hill, painful step by painful step. Ali followed behind. On the way, a rescue man in a thick jacket with reflective stripes gave her Byron's cell phone and wallet, which she took carefully up the hill to the road. At least going up the hill proved easier than coming down.

She reached the road and found her friend standing by the car. “I'm travelling in the ambulance with him,” she said to her. “May I get my handbag out?”

Janet nodded and touched her gently on the arm. “I'm sure he'll be okay.”

Ali only grunted. She couldn't think too far about the future. All she could do was hope and pray. She took her handbag and ran to the ambulance just before they closed their doors. Reluctantly, they let her in, and she sat down on a hard bench next to the stretcher Byron lay on. His eyes remained closed, he had a couple of bruises on his face and chest, and an oxygen mask and drip were attached to him.

“Will he be okay?” she eventually piped up after they'd been driving for a while.

One of the ambulance workers, a young woman with frizzy hair and dark skin, spoke to her. “Seems like he's fine, but they'll have to run tests.”

“May I hold his hand?”

“Of course.” The woman smiled.

She stroked his hand, relishing the contact as though it may be her last. How could she have let him go and not fought harder for them? Did it have to take a tragedy to open her stubborn eyes to the truth that she loved him? Yes, she struggled to trust him, but couldn't she have taken the time to hear his story—what he'd begged to tell her?

She lifted his hand to her mouth and kissed him softly.

He opened his eyes and smiled. “Ali.”

“You're awake.”

“Don't think dreaming is so painful.”

“Where's it sore?”

“My arm and leg. My head. Everything.”

“I'm sorry.”

“Don't be. Carry on with what you were doing.”

Her face heated as one of the ambulance men looked at them. He closed his eyes again, so she continued to stroke the top of his hand until they reached the hospital.

“You're going to have to go to reception and wait there,” the lady said to her. “Can't follow us to casualty. Your husband should be fine. Good luck.”

She nodded numbly, unable to respond to the “husband” comment, and made her way to the reception area. It took about half an hour to finally find a seat in the waiting room. She picked up his cell phone and tried to muster up the courage to contact his mother or sister. She didn't even know the fiancée's name, so decided not to do anything. They should all find out soon enough.

After waiting a long hour, she eventually sent a text message to his sister because she recognised the name Wendy and knew she couldn't keep them in the dark any longer, no matter how awkward the situation.

“Hi Wendy. Byron's been in an accident. He's in casualty. I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything. Could you tell his mother and fiancée for me? From, Ali.”

There. She'd done it.

Eventually, she couldn't take it anymore and went to the vending machine to get a packet of crisps and a can of soda. Her throat felt on fire, it was so dry, and she needed something to calm her and ease the shakes. Just as the coin clinked into the slot, a nurse came behind her.

“Mrs. Ellis.”

She looked around to see who the woman spoke to, but there weren't many other people around. Then she remembered Wendy's surname was Ellis.

“My name isn't Ellis. It's Micklejohn.”

“I'm looking for Byron Ellis's wife.”

“He's not married. Well, I don't think he is.” Heat throbbed on her cheeks. Maybe now he was married.

“Oh, I'm sorry. The ambulance lady said you were his wife.”

Whew! What a relief he hadn't married her.

“No, just a friend. Is he okay?”

“He's fine. He's asleep, so we don't want you to disturb him. But he'll be okay. He only suffered a broken leg and arm, plus some bruises and cuts. He's very lucky.”

Everything in the world turned the right way round. She had to find a seat. The woman grabbed her hand and led her to one. “Can I get you anything?”

Ali pointed clumsily at the vending machine. “My soda and chips, please.”

The woman brought her the fuel she needed to cope, and then her phone beeped with a message. Wendy.

Within moments, she'd assured Wendy that Byron was okay. Now to find her way home. No, how could she leave him alone here the whole night?

“Excuse me.” She called for the nurse who had headed down the long sterile corridor.

“Yes?”

“Please, may I stay with him overnight? I'm sure he'd want some company.”

“You can come back during visiting hours. Family only.”

“His family is out of town.”

The woman stared at her a moment, her eyebrow raised. “Okay, just this once I'll make an exception. I can see you love him very much.”

“Thank you.”

“Follow me.”

She followed the nurse down several passages and eventually came to the ward where he lay. He only had a drip and a cast on his leg and arm. She found a seat next to him and took his unharmed hand, interlinking with his manly fingers. His unruly dark curls contrasted against the harsh white pillow case, his breathing came out even, and his eyelashes looked so long and expressive. She felt a peaceful smile come onto her face.

The nurse said she loved him very much.

Maybe she did.

Her cell phone tone showed another message. From Wendy.

“By the way, Ali, Byron doesn't have a fiancée. So grateful you were there to look after him. Tell him we love him and will see him in a few hours. Love Wendy.”

Didn't have a fiancée? Had he lied to her to get rid of her? Made up a fiancée, so he didn't have to come up with a good excuse as to why he didn't want to date her? She still held his hand, his pulse fluttering against her wrist. Questions flooded her mind. Unanswered questions. Confusion. Pain. Yet love continued to streak through her every time she glanced at him. Whatever reason he'd had must have been valid. Was she crazy for forgiving him for lying to her? Was she being swept downhill fast like she had with Ewen? Though she'd never loved Ewen so much that it actually hurt.

Unable to hold her head up anymore, she rested it into her arm on the edge of Byron's bed while still holding his hand. Tears wet her cheeks and the bed, but she remained buried in the dark, little hole. He removed his hand, but she didn't look up. Then she felt gentle strokes on her hair. Unable to face him awake, she merely kept her head down and allowed him to touch her.

Oh Byron, why do I love you so much?

Before she knew it, she fell fast asleep.