Fiction, Page 2

  Cody flipped the page impatiently. He wanted badly to know how Mark had become so real to her. How far had she gone before it didn’t matter that he was only a character in a story?

  The next few entries also complained of her parents not understanding. Each mentioned Mark at least once. Slowly, her parents faded out, until each entry revolved solely around Mark. Wondering what he might say or do in a situation; trying to figure out where he was; assuring herself that one day she’d find someone who loves her as much as Mark does.

  Each time Cody turned the page he found less and less to read, until he found the entry dated to just the day before. It contained but one, short paragraph.

  “Mark is gone. I can no longer feel him. I do not dream of him. He is simply gone.”

  The handwriting was shaky, and the page looked like it had been wet. The last period had been added with so much force that the page had been torn.

  Cody ran his fingers over his neck, trying to make sense of what he just read. Was it possible it was only the ramblings of a mad person? How had Mark become such a clutch? Could it have simply been a coincidence that he had been on her mind when the issues with her parents had come to a head?

  And why had her parents decide to indulge her delusions? Surely that would only drive Sophie deeper into whatever world she was living in?

  Cody shook his head. He shouldn’t even care. He was being paid to keep Sophie happy, and that’s what he’d do. None of this was any of his business.

  He heard footsteps in the hallway, and hurried to replace the book. He managed to be sitting casually on the bed when the knock came.

  “Come in!” He called, busying himself folding a rogue pair of socks.

  “Sophie pushed the door open and poked her head in, a small, shy smile on her face. “I uh... left something in here....” She crossed the room and pulled something out of the drawer. When she turned, Cody caught a glimpse of something black behind her back. “Also, my mom would like you to know it’s time for dinner.” She smiled awkwardly and edged out, evidently intent on stowing the book away somewhere safe.

  Cody shook his head, guilt clawing at his stomach. She obviously hadn’t wanted him to read her diary. He quickly suppressed the guilt with dread though. How was he supposed to act at dinner?

  He really didn’t know much about Sophie. Was he supposed to? He rubbed the back of his neck again, trying not to stress it. It would go well or it wouldn’t. Simple as that.

  He set off down the hallway, slipping his hands into his pockets.

  The dining room was, if anything, cleaner than the rest of the house. The large table sat almost directly in the center of the room, and the chairs sat tucked perfectly around it. The pleasant smell of spices drifted from the kitchen.

  Sophie was already there, and her face brightened considerably upon seeing him. “Good luck” She mouthed as her parents entered from the kitchen.

  Her father’s face was oddly cheery, and he winked at Cody as he went passed, sitting at the head of the table.

  Sophie’s mother on the other hand, was almost grimacing in her attempt to smile. She looked rather apprehensive as she set down bowls of some thick stew.

  Cody sat in the free chair, spreading his napkin on his lap. It was a little late for a first impression, but something told him that Mark was just that kind of person.

  “Would you like to say Grace, Sophie?” Helen asked, smiling gently. Sophie nodded, looking reluctant.

  Cody folded his hands and closed his eyes.

  “Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive our sins as we forgive our sinners, For thine is they kingdom, and the power, and glory, forever. Amen.”

  “Amen.” Everyone else echoed. Cody’s voice chimed in a little late, but no one seemed to notice or mind. Spoons scraping bowls was soon the only sound.

  Cody cleared his throat, and tried to break the awkward silence. “Great soup, Mrs. Stearn!” It resembled glue.

  “Thank you, Mark.” Helen responded, stuttering over the name before relapsing into silence. In short, it was the most tense meal Cody had ever eaten.

  “Well I’m stuffed!” Cody exclaimed. After what had seemed like decades of chewing, he had finally eaten enough to excuse himself. “I’d better get going to bed, it’s been a busy day.” He flashed a grin at Sophie before standing. He stifled a yawn with one hand before following the path back to his room.

  He decided to leave his tee shirt on, but exchanged his jeans for a pair of sweat pants he found in the drawer.

  He crossed the room to sink into the bed. Although it was comfortable, sleep still managed to evade him. He continued to play the day’s events over in his head. Had he been convincing enough? Had Sophie fallen for the ruse.... And for him?

  ***

  Cody sat up in bed. Someone was knocking on his door. He checked the time. A quarter after eleven at night.

  They knocked again, three short raps.

  “Come in?” Who one earth wanted to talk to him this late?

  The door opened and Sophie poked her head in. “Are you awake?” She whispered.

  “Yeah, I couldn’t sleep.” He rubbed one eye. Why was he telling her this? How could she coax information from him so easily?

  “Me neither....” She looked embarrassed. “I was wondering.... would you like some hot cocoa?” She smiled shyly. “I know it’s stupid because it’s like, ninety degrees outside, but-” “I’d love some.” Cody interrupted her little speech smiling.

  Sophie’s smile widened, relief evident in her features.

  Cody climbed out of bed, and allowed himself to be led out of his room. They went straight through the dining room this time, and into the kitchen.

  Two mugs sat waiting on the counter, already filled with hot water. Next to them was a tub of chocolate powder.

  Sophie pulled a spoon from a drawer with unnecessary flourish. “One spoon or two?” She flashed him a grin.

  Cody found himself caught off guard by her quick change of mood once again. Could she be bi-polar?

  “Uh, whatever you’re having is fine...”

  “The sugar rush special it is!” Sophie declared, deftly shoveling four huge spoonfuls of powder into each of the mugs. She stirred them up and handed one to him.

  Cody grasped the mug, thankful to have something to do with his hands. “Thank you.” He took a sip. It was painfully sweet, but somehow, not unpleasantly so.

  He watched as Sophie wrapped her fingers around her own mug, and drank with great relish. “Ah...” She sighed, grinning widely. “Nothing tastes better than diabetes!”

  Cody laughed. He couldn’t remember ever laughing this often before.

  Sophie took another sip, smiling, but not as much. She looked thoughtful. “Mark? Do you....like me?” She looked uncertain, yet somehow reliant on his response.

  Cody searched for an answer. Suddenly his role as Mark was confusing, difficult. What was he supposed to say here? He looked up into her eyes, where he suddenly realized that just beneath the surface lay a hidden fragility. She had known a million people more deeply than many knew even their best friends, and lost them all as quickly as the last page in a book, or the rolling credits on a movie.

  “Yes... I think I do...” He grasped both of her hands in his own, and without even really knowing what he was doing, pulled her closer to him until their bodies just touched.

  She looked up at him, confusion in her face.

  Cody pressed his lips against hers, cradling her lithe form against his own. He felt her muscles tense and then relax, in almost the same moment.

  Her eyes closed, and her lips parted to release the heady scent of her breath.

  It was Sophie who pulled away first, a hint of pink coloring her cheeks. She stared at him for an immeasurable amount of time.

  “I....I should go....” She finally whispered, bewilderment still in her features. She hurried from the room, her mug of hot chocolate unfinished on the co
unter.

  Chapter Four

  Helen stared across her bedroom at her husband.

  “We can’t keep doing this Greg, this just isn’t right....”

  “Didn’t you see how happy Sophie was? We can’t stop now!”

  “But it’s not real Greg! Don’t you get it? It’s no better than her fantasies!” She stood up.

  “But if Cody just leaves, I’m terrified she’ll be distraught.” Greg reached over to tuck a stray strand of hair behind Helen’s ear.

  She swatted his hand away angrily. “You’re terrified this might affect your business!” She spat the cruel words in her husband’s face, waiting for him to deny them.

  “And it would! Do you know what would happen if it got out that my daughter’s insane!?” He threw both hands in the air as though exasperated. “This house, this nice neighborhood, all gone!”

  Helen took a small step back, as the full force of his words hit her. “Greg, if you care about your daughter at all, you will drop this charade and let her get the help she needs.” She looked at him, silently begging the man she’d married to step up and help his daughter.

  Instead he continued to stare at her coldly. “She needs nothing but time. If the boy plays his part well, we may be able to allow her a tutor eventually.” He stated this as a simple fact.

  “Greg, as long as I’m here you will not hide our daughter away from the world.” She stated this just as simply, trying to end the argument. She was learning things about her husband she would’ve preferred not to know.

  Greg’s face hardened, and he stood stiffly, nodding. “Very well then.” He crossed the room deliberately, and opened the top drawer of his dresser. In moments, a pile of papers were sitting on Helen’s lap. “I think you’ll find that everything is in order.”

  Helen stared unseeing, at the the single word written at the top of the page in large official letters. The other, smaller letters made no difference, only making more complicated what was spelled out in simple English.

  “Divorce...” She whispered, finally finding her voice. A separation of partners, seven letters. Uttering the phrase aloud seemed to spell out the truth of it, and the room spun around her.

  It would be a fight, everything always was with Greg. They would get lawyers, and there would be months, maybe even years of court hearings. And for what? The end result would be the same no matter what. Her and Greg in separate houses, with Sophie likely caught somewhere in the middle, fought over like table scraps among dogs.

  It seemed almost a waste, that after twenty years of pouring everything she had into a relationship, only to have it wither and die.

  Had she not seen it coming? Had she not, only yesterday, noted the cold space that had snuck its way between the once passionate lovers? Greg certainly had, divorce papers were not drawn up in a day, or even a week.

  She cleared her throat, and looked up at her husband’s face. “Divorce?” She repeated, her voice falsely light, scoffing. “I must say, bravo. These documents look very official, but we both know you could never live without me.” She joked, smiling wryly.

  “I have never been more serious in my life.” Greg spoke clearly, with no hint of a smile touching his lips.

  There was a sudden scuffling at the door, and only when Helen turned to look, did she notice the pair of feet just noticeable beneath the door. And then, with a muffled sob, they were gone.

  Helen stood quickly, panic rising in her chest. “Sophie, wait!” She called out, forgetting for a moment that the door was closed. She ran over and wrenched the door open, only to catch a glimpse of her daughter running off.

  Greg cleared his throat, and waited for her to turn. “Sophie, on the other hand, I cannot live without.” He finally smiled, sending chills down Helen’s spine. “And I won’t. I own everyone in that courtroom Helen. You can’t win.”

  Chapter Five

  Cody paced back and forth, in what already felt like his room, thinking about the night before. How could he have let his role get away from him like that? Kissing Sophie had not been in his job description. He ran his hands through his already-messy hair.

  A loud ringing jolted him from his thoughts, making him jump. He picked up his jeans from the day before, shoving his hands into the pockets until he found his cell phone. The glowing screen flashed his agent’s number.

  He put the phone to his head. “Hello?”

  “Hey Cody, my man! I got something to tell you, and you ain’t gonna believe it! You sitting down?” The voice on the other end rattled.

  “Yeah Jason, whatever.” Cody shook his head, knowing all too well that his agent was easily excited. “Okay, so I’ve been watching this one production real close, on and off right? Well, they called me today

  and told me they need an extra!”

  “Yeah, so? Jason, I get extra parts all the time.”

  “No Cody, you don’t get it. This is a Broadway production!” Cody sat down on the edge of his bed. “You’re kidding.” “Would I lie to you?”

  “Of course not. It’s just...”

  “Exciting? Breathtaking? Unbelievable?”

  “A lot to take in.” Cody finished. “I don’t really have the money to get to Broadway right now. I’m gonna have to finish this job.” At least. He added to himself silently. Apartment prices were an all-high this summer.

  “Hey man, I get it. I told the director you were working on something and needed some time. He gave you a month.” Jason sounded rather pleased with himself at having thought ahead. He was usually so scatterbrained.

  Cody smiled to himself. “That’s great Jason. You’re a great agent.”

  “Hey, you know an agent is only as good as his client.” Jason was trying to sound modest, but there was a smile in his voice.

  An obnoxious beeping noise suddenly interjected itself into the conversation.

  “Hey man, that’s my call waiting. I’ll call you Tuesday with all the details!” He promised, before the line went dead.

  Cody laid his phone on the nightstand, chuckling softly to himself. Despite being a little goofy sometimes, Jason was a good agent when he wanted to be, and Cody was lucky to have him.

  Cody sighed, remembering the reason for the call. Just a week ago, he’d have been on the road to Broadway in minutes after the call. But now...It was certainly a fact that getting there would be tough with his current funds, but it was more than that. He’d never left a job unfinished before, and he wasn’t about to start now. Or at least that’s what he told himself.

  A soft creaking made Cody look up. His door was open, and Sophie stood in the doorway, eyes damp. “Sophie?” Cody blinked, startled by her tears. “What’s wrong?”

  Sophie just shook her head, fresh tears spilling from her eyes. She crossed the room in a few long strides, and threw herself into Cody’s arms, burying her face in his shoulder.

  Cody forced his muscles not to tense up. He had little experience with crying women, and was unsure of how to respond.

  Sophie’s slender form trembled with every sob, and Cody felt an unintentional wave of anger crash over him. Who had reduced the strong, independent girl he’d met the day before to this? He slowly wrapped his arms around her, steadying her.

  He could not have told how long they sat there, when the sobs ebbed away into hiccups, and then quiet breathing as Sophie drifted into an uneasy doze.

  Cody stood gently with Sophie still in his arms, careful not to wake her. He carried her all the way to her room, lying her down on her bed.

  In sleep she looked smaller, and Cody felt an overwhelming urge to protect her. He swept a stray lock of hair from her still-wet cheek. He startled himself with the gesture. What was he even doing?

  He slipped from the room silently, closing the door behind him. He didn’t know what to think. He didn’t know what to feel. And worst of all, he didn’t know how to separate his role as Mark from his actually feelings as Cody.

  He almost ran directly into Helen in the hallway.

&
nbsp; “Mrs. Stearn!” He gasped, composing himself. “Sophie came into my room. She was distraught. Do you know why?” He was careful to say this calmly, even as guilt flickered in the woman’s eyes.

  Helen swallowed. “Me and Greg...We didn’t....We were unable to....” Her eyes flashed. “It is none of your business. I came here to give you this. You’re services are no longer required.” She thrust a piece of paper into his hands and stalked back off down the hallway.

  Cody stared at the paper for a moment, before it slipped from his grasp and fluttered to the floor. He leaned back against the wall and slid down it until he was sitting on the floor, putting his head in his hands.

  On the floor beside him sat a check with an obscenely large number on it. More than enough to get him to

  Broadway-several times in fact.

  So why wasn’t he excited?

  Chapter Six

  Sophie was cold. She stretched, feeling for her blankets. Her eyes flew open. How had she gotten in her bed? She checked the clock. Three PM. She’d slept for almost five hours! In the middle of the day!

  And then she remembered why. Her eyes almost filled with tears again right there. But she held them back. How many times had she stood at that door, listening to the raised voices from within? She had never heard words so terrifying and hurtful exchanged.

  Divorce. The D word. Every kid’s nightmare. She was old enough to understand. There would be a custody battle with Sophie stuck picking sides. She’d read enough books to know that.

  She sighed, remembering all that came after that terrifying discovery. Part of her wished she could feel Mark’s arms wrapped around her again, warming her from somewhere inside. The other part wished she could curl up in some hole for the shame. She was usually so calm, sure, at least on the outside. But still, it had been nice.

  She swung her legs over the side of her bed, letting her toes sink into the luxurious carpeting. Her hair was a mess, she was sure. She combed her fingers through it a few times, taming the worst of it.

  Her arms and back felt stiff when she stood, but she forced them into a stretch anyway. She walked around her room, picking up this and that, delaying the suddenly frightening inevitability of seeking out Mark again. When she came across A Lady’s Favor, she laid it softly on her bed. Perhaps she’d read it later.