My Short Stories

      I doubt if anyone will believe me but I have to tell it to somebody. It happened in my senior year of college. It was late November and I was taking this blow off Psych 101 class. It’s a freshman class and probably a waste of tuition but it’s not my money paying for it so why should I care? Our instructor was this leftover hippy who never gave us any real assignments or tests. Our whole grade was supposed to come from this journal we were to keep. He told us we should write down all of our dreams during the semester then turn it in at the last class. I thought it was kind of hokey and had been done a million times but it was an easy way to get an A. So began my tale of the four muses.

It was early morning on a Thursday and I had this weird dream of four women. Well, three were women, one was a little girl. Let me explain. In the dream I was walking with a little girl. She had very fair skin and blonde hair. She was very pretty and smiled at me as we walked. She looked up and said, “You can’t come back.”

     I stopped and tried to talk to her but she was gone. In the mist came a young woman. She had brown hair and was softly tanned. She wore a black dress and seemed very sad. Her eyes glistened from her tears. As I walked up to her she spoke. “You can’t come back.”

     I was mesmerized by her words. Why were her words the same as the little girls? I tried to reach out to her but she was gone. Just as quickly as she disappeared another woman came from the shadows. She was older, middle aged with dark hair and deep brown skin from too many afternoons in a tanning booth. She wore a revealing dress that only amplified her need for youth. She came close to me and appeared to want to kiss me. She leaned closer and spoke the same words. “You can’t come back.”

I whispered, “What does it mean?” Before I got an answer she was gone. My dream grew dark and the fourth muse appeared. She was a black woman with grey hair. Her withered skin showed her long years. She had deep dark eyes that I thought would burn to my soul. She was ragged and looked almost lost. She looked at me and pointed. I knew her words before she said them. “You can’t come back.”

     I frantically wrote my dream in the journal and took a shower. I had one class then was free for the rest of the weekend. I had several escapades planned for the next three days. Since coming to college I decided early on that I was going to have the time of my life and sample all the ladies before I graduated. To be honest I made the same pact with myself in high school and it worked out pretty nice. I burned through 142 girls in four years and my goal was to double that number in college. It was a little slow at first and then I realized I could book three or four in one weekend. Man this was great.

Sure, some of them got hurt but I never made any pretense what I was looking for. It was their own fault for not understanding the rules before we went out. Anyways, I was getting dressed when I got a knock on the door. It was Tommy Evans a guy I met my first year of school. He lived across from me. I yelled, “Door’s open” and in a flash he was standing at the bedroom door. He gave me a grin. “You got another big weekend planned?”

“Oh yea, I’ve got one every night starting tonight.”

“Well, I came over to tell you about Sarah James.”

I pulled on some loafers. “Who?”

“Sarah James, you dated her our sophomore year. You once told me she grew up right beside you.”

I drew a blank. You got to figure she kind of blurred in with the others. Then it came to me. “Yea, I do remember her. I met her right after we moved. She was only six at the time.”

Then it hit me. It was her, the little girl from the dream. It was Sarah when we first met. She was a cute little girl and had this really pretty blonde hair. I guess the mind does keep those old memories. I straightened my hair then looked back to Tommy. “So, what’s up with Sarah?”

Tommy gave me a serious look. “She killed herself last night. They found her this morning.

He paused for a moment. “I guess I should tell you everything. As the story goes she left a note and it has a bunch of stuff about you.”

“Me?”

“You. Her roommate found it and read it before the police arrived. She’s saying you’re the reason Sarah killed herself. She said Sarah was in love with you for years and when you slept with her a few years ago she thought you were going to marry her. Apparently she was pretty depressed for a while. I guess she decided she couldn’t live without you.”

“You got to be kiddin’ me?”

“No, it’s what she said. The girl slit her wrists just for you.”

     I was stunned. I barely knew this girl. Well, I kind of knew her. She did live next door to me for twelve years. But I only knew her in passing. She wasn’t even one of my conquests in high school. I did fix that omission in college though. Why would she even remotely think there was anything between us?

“One last thing before I forget. It’s kind of spooky.”

I turned and wondered if I wanted to hear more. “Yea, what?”

“She signed the note with her endearing love for you and wrote, ‘You can’t come back,’ or ‘You can’t come back to me now’, something crazy like that.”

Man, like I needed a guilt trip and her words haunting me in my dreams. I thought for a moment to tell Tommy of my dream then realized he would think I was out of my mind. “That is weird.”

“There’s supposed to be this thing for her tonight. You want to go?”

“You’re joking with me right? I’ve got Tammy Logan tonight. You know how long I’ve been trying to get her?”

     Tommy shrugged his shoulders. “Listen dude, you need to work on something else. I know Tammy’s become like this quest for you but she’s not going to give it up for anybody until she gets a wedding ring. Besides, the way I got it figured there’ll be all these grieving girls looking for consolation.”

Wait a second he’s got something here. “Tommy, you’re a genius. I’m kind of disappointed in myself I didn’t think of this first. I’ll call Tammy and break the date and meet you there. When and where is this thing?”

“Eight o’clock in front of Tanner Hall.”

“I’ll be there.”

     I met Tommy a little after eight. There were already at least a hundred hotties there. This was going to be too easy. I was in my own little world. We wandered for a while through the crowd. Most of them stood there bundled up in their jackets from the cold. Their breath hung in the air as they held those little candles. I moved through the group looking for my mark when I saw her. It was her, my second muse.

     I walked closer to be sure I was right. There was no doubt. Her soft skin and enchanting eyes were even more remarkable than in my dream. She had a small tear on her cheek. As she looked up to me I gently brushed the tear. I was captivated by her beauty. It was like something stirred inside me. Her lips parted slightly as she softly spoke. “Thank you.”

I tried to say something cool. I wanted to say something that I knew would sweep her off her feet. Instead, I was at a loss. “You’re welcome.”

     I nuzzled up beside her as she handed me her candle. She pulled me closer to try and keep warm. My heart raced I had never been in love before. Some of my ex-conquests told me that one day I would meet the girl of my dreams and she would break my heart. I now stood next to my girl of my dreams and I longed for her to stay close. I knew she would never break my heart. She was too pure.

About an hour or so later the group began to break apart. I begged her to have coffee with me. She finally relented. We sat in the all night diner well past midnight. Her name was Julia, Julia Hauser. She grew up in the city and was in her second year of college. Her dad was this big attorney and she went to private schools all her life. She knew who I was or she knew of my reputation. I was busted.

“So, if I promise to be a gentleman, will you go out with me?”

“You can’t come back.”

What did she say? It can’t be. “What did you say?”

She grinned. “If you act like a gentleman you can’t come back later and act like a jerk.”

The next two weeks were the happiest of my life. She was smart, beautiful, and could make my day with only a smile. The thought of sleeping with her seemed to vanish. I loved to just sit with her and talk. She would put her head on my chest and tell me about her day, her life, her future. I remember our first kiss was on our fifth date. It was special. She was special.

Just before Thanksgiving she asked me if I would like to spend the long weekend with her folks. It seemed like a good idea. My parents were at my sister’s for the holidays and I really didn’t want to make the long drive to her house. I also thought it would be a good way to get to know her parents. They were going to be my future in-laws.

When the elevator stopped on their penthouse floor I couldn’t keep a thought in my head. She squeezed my hand tightly as she rang the bell. I could sense her excitement.

“Julia,” her dad said with a smile, “it’s been too long.”

She hugged him tightly and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “It’s only been a few months.”

“Well, that’s too long for me.”

     He glanced to me and extended his hand. “So, you’re the young man who has her all worked up?”

I shook his hand when his wife approached. I began to speak as she came to his side. Her, my third muse. How? Why did she have to show up? Her revealing dress seemed all too inappropriate for Thanksgiving. She took a long drag on her cigarette then glared down to Julia. “Let’s not just stand here, come on in.”

     Her dislike for me became immediately clear. Her scornful looks over dinner were almost more than I could bear. Her dad tried to make polite conversation and asked me about my plans for the future.

Until I met Julia I really didn’t have any plans but since we met I began to give it a lot of thought. “I’d really like to go into business. That is to start my own business.”

“Doing what?” He asked.

“Sporting goods, mainly mountain bikes and other outdoor stuff. It’s something I think I could do well.”

She flicked her cigarette into her plate. “So, are you looking for a hand out to start this business?”

I began to speak. Julia and I had talked about this many times. I had already looked up the information for a small business loan on the internet. We had it planned pretty well. Before I could get the words out Julia threw her napkin on the table. “I can’t believe you just said that.”

Her mom got up from the table and strolled into the living room. Julia raced quickly behind her. “You’ve been rude all night.”

“He’s just using you. Can’t you see that? I’ve heard of his reputation. For goodness sake, after he’s done with you he’ll toss you to the curb.”

I thought about helping her when her dad looked up to me. “It’s Ok. They’ve had this same argument on the phone a couple of times now since you two started dating.”

“I’m sorry for causing so much trouble.”

     He shook his head. “It was bound to happen sooner or later. Julia is our only child and we’ve kind of over-protected her. I’m sure it will work out fine once she gets you out of her system.”

Wait a second? Did this guy just insult me? I thought for a moment then knew it was time to go. I stood and wiped my face. I made a polite smile. “I hope you have a happy holiday.”

Julia was still going at it with her mom. I put my hand out and she pulled me near. She looked back to her mom. “We’re leaving.”

Her mom rolled her eyes. “I’ll put money on it that he’ll cheat on you before Christmas.”

As we walked towards the elevator her mom said it as she slammed the door. I should have known she would say it, “You can’t come back.”

     We spent the rest of the weekend in a plush hotel downtown. She used her credit card. I felt like such a jerk not being able to pay for something as simple as a hotel room. I told her that night that I would work harder in school and take a part time job so that we could have nice things. It was that night when I asked her to marry me. She said yes. I felt at peace for the first time in my life.

The weeks before Christmas we took long walks and talked insatiably about our plans. Late one night she told me her mom called and wanted to know if she would come home for the weekend. Her mom was sorry and they could do some shopping together. I thought it was a stupid idea but I could see how much she wanted her parents’ approval of me. I held her close and kissed her. “Sure, that would be great.”

I drove her to the city. When I dropped her off at her parent’s building she gave me a kiss and said she would meet me downtown tonight in front of our plush hotel.

She cooed, “Maybe we could get a room?”

I hugged her tight and kissed her again before she got out of the car.

I was doing some shopping when my phone rang. I didn’t recognize the number but it looked familiar. When I said hello I remembered why it was so familiar. It was her parent’s number. Her mom was calling me. She spoke very politely and I wasn’t sure how to take it.

“I’ve decided to bury the hatchet. Julia is right; I need to let her grow up.”

This was great news. I guess the visit went well. “I’m glad to hear that.”

“There are some things I want to settle up though.”

“Like what?”

“I want us to sit down and plan out this wedding thing you two have been cooking up. She is my only daughter and I think I deserve to be a part of it.”

She was right. “Ok. The next time I’m in town we can get together.”

“No,” she replied firmly, “I have some things I need to take care of tonight.”

“Well, if it’s that important to you. You want me to come to your apartment?”

“No, meet me at the Excelsior, downtown. I have a room there already and want to get a spa later.”

The Excelsior, what are the odds she would stay at our hotel? “What time?”

“Seven. I’m in room 1424.”

     She hung up the phone before I could react. I didn’t like the idea of meeting this lady in her room but I figured if it was important to Julia, I could suffer through anything. I ate at this small diner, thinking of Julia. This was going to be a great Christmas gift from me to her.

It began to snow as I walked the last few blocks to the hotel. Parking in the city during the holidays is pretty much asking for it. The snow seemed to get thicker the more I walked. It was coming down hard by the time I made it to the hotel. I shook the snow off my coat as I went into the elevator to the 14th floor.

     I knocked a couple of times at the door with no answer. It was barely cracked opened when I heard her say come in. The room was dark and it grew darker when I closed the door behind me. She was there before I knew what to do, her lips making kisses across my body. I could feel her naked skin as she pulled at my clothes. Since Julia and I began dating I had forgotten how long it had been. Her skilled fingers seemed to know exactly what I wanted.

     I heard the words in my head but I couldn’t make them come out. I can’t do this. I can say the words. I can make her stop. I can make myself stop. The words never came out.

She reached across the night stand and lit a cigarette. I sat on the side of the bed and pulled on my shirt. Why couldn’t I say the words? I felt cheap, used. I looked over to her. She had this grimacing smile. “I told her you’d cheat on her before Christmas.”

I looked at her in disgust. “You planned this?”

“Don’t act so surprised. You wanted me the first time we met. Guys like you are the only thing that keeps me young.”

     I stood from the bed as she laughed out loud. I went into the bathroom and ran the water over my face. I stared into the mirror. I had to get out of this room. I had to find Julia. When I came from the bathroom she was dressed and slipping on her shoes. She gave me another grin. “Thanks for making my holidays. I get laid and get rid of you, all in one swoop.”

I raced out the room and to the elevator. As I got to the street the snow was still piling up. I dashed to the corner and could see Julia across the block. I had forgotten we were supposed to meet tonight at the hotel. I wanted so badly to talk to her before her mom had a chance so I bolted across the street. Then I looked up again and saw her. Her, the fourth muse. She was there on the corner. Her ragged clothes and shopping cart explained her worn look in my dream. She looked to me and pointed. Why was she pointing?

     I never saw the car when it hit me. The crowd gathered quickly. My body had no pain. I tried to get up but realized my body also had no response. I could taste the blood in my mouth as I looked across the street and saw Julia’s mom coming towards her. The crowd grew larger but the old black woman pushed to the front of the crowd. She leaned down to me and whispered. “You can’t come back.”

It's all in the karma.  RK