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  Almost every article hanging within its depths related to practical work purposes. Reluctantly, I grabbed a pair of skinny jeans and a tunic style t-shirt. I threw on some mascara and headed to the door to pull on my black knee boots and my jacket. I shuffled out the door with the realization if I didn’t up my game, there would be no dates in my future. With a heavy sigh, I locked the door and started to walk the distance between our place and the bar. I didn’tt believe in drinking and biking. I had enough trouble staying on it sober.

  **********

  THREE

  When I arrived at the pub, there were only a handful of other people inside. Mostly, it was just a group of college hipsters in the corner. No doubt they were discussing what they thought to be the very best in unheard of pretentious music. Most likely that discussion would be followed by an in-depth study of the best Indian Pale Ale.

  Sometimes living in this neighborhood was taxing. Don’t get me wrong, I loved great music as much as the next person. Was it not enough just to enjoy it without being all pretentious about it? I walked to the bar top and pulled up a stool. Fanfreakingtastic, Marky was working tonight.

  He asked me out almost relentlessly. It had been several months since I’d run into him. Truth be told, I’d been meticulously avoiding him. I know beggars can’t be choosers, but there was just something about him that made nails on a chalkboard seem more preferable. I guess I hadn’t disguised the look of dismay on my face, because when I glanced at Kennan he was barely containing his laughter.

  “Hey stranger, it has been a long while since I saw you last. Are you just not coming around here these days?" Marky leaned in entirely to close as he finished.

  I suppose he wasn’t bad looking. He was just way too high on the cheese factor for me. Kennan knew how much I hated getting into awkward situations, so I knew he didn’t tell me about Marky working on purpose. He seemed to be getting an awful lot of enjoyment out of my discomfort. That jerk was so going to pay later for this.

  “No, I’ve just been missing you, I guess. Can I have a Malibu and Coke please? Lots of limes." I asked as politely and disengaged as I could.

  “Hey, did K.O. tell you?"

  I looked at him like I had no idea what he was talking about, which only seemed to encourage him.

  “I’m getting married. Tying on the old ball and chain!” Marky beamed.

  “Congratulations Marky, that is awesome. When’s the big day going to be?" I was genuinely curious how five months ago he was single and now he was going to get married, as in, "’til death do us part."

  “Oh, we are getting married this weekend. When you know, you just know, you know? I’ll be right back with your drink chickie." And with that he was off.

  God, that saying annoyed the crap out of me. What did that even mean? “When you know, you just know.” That was such garbage. I was pretty sure it was a lie people told themselves when they were rushing head long into a disaster of a marriage. Ugh, maybe I was just a skeptic. Or perhaps it was that I actually believed that I needed to know a person really well before I made a promise like until death do us part. I wouldn’t be getting married to anyone anytime soon, mind you.

  I looked up from tearing the closest coaster apart to find Kennan looking down at me. He had my drink in one hand and a cup of limes in the other. Have I mentioned his awesomeness? He eyed me steadily and then started in with the questions.

  “So what gives, Red? I thought you would be stoked about our boy Marky’s news. You don’t seem interested, so how about we discuss your day? Obviously we aren’t that busy so I have a plethora of time for you to regale me with your adventures in bicycling.”

  “I’m fine. I mean, I’m really happy for him and her whoever she may be. It’s just weird. I feel like everyone around me is going into the mid-twenties, getting married, having kids, buying a house with a white picket fence and I am nowhere even close to that. Do you think there is something wrong with me that I don’t even want that right now?" I sounded mopey, even to my own ears. It was just so frustrating when everyone looked at me like I was a freak for not wanting those things yet.

  “There is nothing wrong with you kid. You just want different things right now. You don’t see me jumping on the marriage bandwagon. Heck, I escaped my last apartment so I didn’t have to be surrounded by marital bliss. I think that it happens when it happens. Not that you just know, but that when it is the right time, you will know it."

  There was something in the way he looked at me that was unnerving. It had been happening with some frequency lately. Like always, it passed as quickly as it showed up, leaving me to feel as though I’d imagined it all. I probably was hallucinating. That seemed to be happening to me more and more lately.

  “Yeah, but you’re a dude. It’s cool for you to live your bachelor life until whenever you decide to get hitched. I don’t give a rat’s butt what people say about women’s lib, there is still a serious stigma out there. I don’t feel pathetic, but if people keep looking at me with that ‘Awe that poor girl’ look on their faces, I might start getting a complex. It’s no big thing. Don’t worry, I’m not about to rush out and buy all of the local Haagen Daz. I won’t force you to watch Pride and Prejudice or anything.”

  I snickered at the thought of trying to convince him to sit through the entire Colin Firth version of Pride and Prejudice, which was my favorite. I could just imagine him literally climbing the walls to escape the torture, full on rock climbing gear and all. Sometimes I got these mental pictures that were so clear it was hard to not laugh at them.

  “What’s so funny, Iz?”

  “I was just picturing the many way in which you would try to escape the room if I forced you to watch the movie with me. There would definitely be rock climbing gear and wall scaling involved.”

  “You’re one weird chick, you know that? So, what about the creeper from today? What happened?”

  “I totally almost forgot about that. It was so weird K.O. So, I go and pick up a package from one of normal firms, and have to hand delivered to the top floor of this building in the Loop. Let’s just say by the time the elevator reached the top, I was almost dead. But that isn’t the weird part. I took the package to this office right, and I’m supposed to wait until dude man signs everything so I can take it back. He’s a total whakadoo. One minute he is cold, bordering on flat out rude. The next he is the nicest guy in the world. It all switched after our hands brushed. He gives me a serious case of the heebie jeebies. No matter how hot he was. He even called Mike to request that I would be his personal step and fetch, saying he would pay double the service fee.”

  I noticed, as I finished, a barely contained rage flashing in Kennan’s eyes. It disappeared quickly, but there was no mistaking its presence. It was almost like before, when some emotion passed over him and was gone almost as if it had never existed. Just like that he was back to happy old Kennan, but there was something in his voice that didn’t quite match his expression.

  “So did he agree to let you be this dude’s paper slut? I mean, I don’t think it would be fair to take you off of all your other runs just for this dude’s convenience. But I don’t run a bike messaging service, so what do I know?”

  “Nah, Mike told him to shove it in a professional way. He said that I’d be the first notified to deliver if I were available, but if I wasn’t then someone else would come. I don’t know, maybe I’m crazy, but there was this weird connection with him. It was exciting, but at the same time super scary. I don’t really want to go back to his office if I can help it. But, I pedal my happy little tush wherever Mike sends me.”

  “That’s definitely weird. Let me know what happens next time you get to meet mister mysterious. I’m curious how he’ll treat you when he sees you again. Maybe he was just having a bad day losing thousands of someone else’s dollars.” Kennan paused for a moment and then out of nowhere almost shouted, “Hey, instead of veg’ing tomorrow, you wanna go to the Field?”

  This was one of
the many reasons why he was my favorite person, and dearest of dear friends. I loved the Field Museum more than any other place in the world. I forked over the money each year to be a member so that I could go any time I wanted. There was something amazing about being surrounded by so many years of history. My favorite exhibit, hands down, was the Pacific Northwest Native American exhibit. It was always really quiet back there. With the lights being motion sensor activated, it tended to be a bit creepy as well.

  I decided to call it a night. I looked across the bar to find Kennan buried deep in thought. Kennan was never a serious person, so I had no idea what could possibly have him rattled. Curiosity got the best of me, like always, and I forced myself to ask him what the deal is.

  “Hey, what’s on your mind Kennan? You look like someone just told you Santa isn’t real. Or perhaps, that you are not in fact the world’s best bartender.” I feined seriousness, pulling him out of his thoughts in the process.

  “What, ah nah, it’s nothing. I was just thinking about having to do inventory before I make it home tonight. Don’t wait up!” He shot me one of his electrically contagious smiles, covering the concern that had been there moments before.

  Still not convinced, I decided to make my exit. Hey, if the man did not want to cough up the information, who was I to pry? At any rate, I was ready for a snooze. I stood up and got my stuff together while Kennan made his way around the bar. He leaned over and kissed me on the top of my head, for the second time that night.

  “See you at home kid, be careful on the way. Remember: Mace first, ask questions later! Oh, and don’t wake me up before eleven tomorrow or I might just have to murder you." He smirked down at me with his giant arm still draped over my shoulder. He really did make me feel like a teacup version of a normal person.

  “Yeah, yeah. You never let me have any fun, Kennan. See you in the morning.” I winked at him as I stepped out from underneath his man-cage. As Iheaded for the door, I waved at Marky, sending my congratulations once more.Sadly, I made it home without having to mace anyone; such a boring night. I got to the top of the steps and unlocked the door, making my way inside. As the door shut behind me, I heard our answering machine click off. I checked my pocket out of curiousity and realized I’d once again left my phone at home. Shaking my head at how scatter-brained I was becoming, I headed toward the kitchen to check the message. I pressed the button and waited for the machine to get through its spiel. After what seemed an eternity, it finally allowed me to hear the message. That’s when Kennan’s voice came anxiously blaring from the machine.

  “Hey, Iz, it’s me, pick up if you’re home. You should be home by now, why aren’t you picking up. Where’s your cell? You didn’t answer there either. Seriously, if you don’t pick up the phone in the next five seconds I am coming home to make sure you weren’t murdered somewhere along the way. Seriously Izzy, five, four, three, two, I’m coming home. See you in a few, if you’re alive.”

  I was confused. Kennan never made sure I got home, nor did he normally sound so freaked out. I stood there dumbfounded as the front door burst open. I mean, I knew we only lived a couple of blocks down from the pub, but it should seriously have taken longer than that to get from point A, the pub, to point B, the house. I swirled around not knowing what to expect, only to have Kennan engulf me in a bear hug like he hadn’t just seen me twenty minutes ago. I pushed him away with a look of utter astonishment.

  “What the hell Kennan? Sure I took my sweet time walking home tonight, but that’s because the weather is amazing. Why are you so freaked out all of a sudden? Did someone call the bar with an anonymous tip about my invisible stalker? You’re seriously starting to freak me out here, guy!” I looked at him expecting a logical explanation for his bizarre behavior.

  “It’s a joke, Iz. I called you from my cell when I was a block behind you. Marky offered to close tonight and do inventory since we were so dead." He smirked at me.

  There was something off, though. I could’ve sworn the number on the caller I.D. was from the bar. Then there was the fact that Kennan didn’t have the same expression on his face that he did when he was pranking me. Like earlier tonight with Marky, he had that glint in his eye that said I totally got you. Now, he just looks frazzled. Too tired to deal with it, I decided to just give up and go to bed.

  “Whatever you say K.O. I’m safe and sound at home, and I am going to bed. I will see you in the morning for the Field. Unless you decide to be a total whakadoo tomorrow as well!”

  “Alright, see you then. Remember, you wake me before eleven and you do so at your own peril."

  **********

  I made it up to my room and stripped down to just my tunic and undies. I opened the door checking the hall before I dashed to the bathroom to wash my face. The last thing I needed was for Kennan to see me in my undies. I washed my face slowly getting the bar grime off and headed back to my room.

  After falling into my bed, I started thinking aboutthe insane amount of weird stuff that had transpired in just one day; the weirdo guy Xavier, Kennan’s reaction to my telling him, his freak out over my not answering the phone at home tonight. I felt like I was staring at one of those magic eye posters that were so popular in the 90's. For the life of me I could not see the hidden picture. Frustrated and confused, I eventually fell asleep.

  **********

  I’m dreaming I know I am, but somehow it doesn’t feel that way. “Iz, run as fast as you can!” I hear my mother yell in a panicked voice. “Iz, you have no idea what you are, please just run, hide before it is too late! You have to get away from him. I’m so sorry, baby. Please just run. You can’t let him take you."

  **********

  FOUR

  Cold sweat drenched my body as I awoke. The dreams were always the same, they all ended with my mother yelling at me. They’d started around the time Grams died, with her appearing and telling me to be careful. This one was the first one where she seemed panicked. I brushed it off like every time before. Breathing out slowly, I sat up and looked at the clock. It was only 7:30. Why in the world was I up this early on my day off? Even stranger, why did I smell bacon and cinnamon rolls? I got up and wrapped my fluffy robe around me before trudging down to the kitchen. Once there, I was met with something even more bizarre than all the events of the previous day combined.

  Kennan was up, freshly showered, and dressed already. Not only that, he was cooking breakfast on his day off. I was now convinced the universe had somehow gotten thrown off kilter. I walked in and stared at him, utterly speechless for the first time in years. To say Kennan was not a morning person would be like saying the Pope just liked Jesus a little bit. It usually took three very loud alarm clocks to wake him.

  He turned from the stove and raked his eyes down me, taking in my disheveled appearance. He smiled and said, “You want some breakfast?" That’s it. No hint as to why he was up at what he considered the butt crack of stupid.

  “What’s up with you Iz? Are you sleepwalking? I asked if you wanted breakfast." He looked at me expectantly.

  “Um, yeah, breakfast would be nice. What in the world are you doing up this early? I’m like one hundred and fifty percent positive you told me not to wake you up before eleven today."

  I made my way to the table and plopped down in front of my plate. There was already a glorious cup of coffee waiting on me. I was starting to feel as if I’d stepped into the Twilight Zone yesterday.

  “I woke up early. It isn’t like the world is coming to an end. I was starving and I thought I’d make enough for you, too. You know, so you wouldn’t eat everything I’d cooked for myself."

  He still had the playful glint in his eyes, but there was also something else lurking there. The same thing buried behind the façade that I’d caught glimpses of yesterday. There was a tension building but to what end I was not sure.

  I was entirely too tired to think about his weirdness. Instead, I started scarfing down my food. Did I mention that I might starve if it weren’t for Kenna
n? No, really. If he worked doubles or was gone for whatever reason, I forgot to eat. It happened all of the time. My mind tended to get so caught up with a million different things that I forgot to eat. I devoured everything on my plate and realized that in my haste to outperform any vacuum on the market, Kennan was staring at me.

  I blushed. Honest to God felt the blood rise in my face blush. I didn’t know what the deal was. I was never embarrassed in front of Kennan. He’d seen me look pretty rough in the past two years. Maybe it was just a side effect of all the other weirdness that had happened in the last twenty-four hours. Or perhaps it was the strange looks he’d been giving me lately.

  “So…..what time did you want to go to the museum today?” I asked, hoping to change the subject.

  “Well, it’s a gorgeous day, so I thought we would be tourists in our own town and do it up right.”

  “What do you have in mind, oh master planner of the day?"

  “Well, I figure we could go down to Millennium Park and walk around for a while, see if the weird face fountains are still spitting water on people. Then maybe we could head over to the museum campus. We might have time for the aquarium and the Field today.”

  “You have a deal, if we can go to the zoo instead of the aquarium. I want to see the penguins.” At least they wouldn’t be acting as weird as everyone else in my life. Well, I hoped not. If I got there and they are wearing tiny top hats and monocles, the jig was seriously up.

  “Sounds like a plan, man! I will get this mess cleaned up, unless you feel like licking the plates clean. I mean, I think I might see a couple of crumbs left on your plate.” I threw my wadded up paper towel at him as I headed out of the kitchen.

  **********

  FIVE

  I quickly showered and got dressed after checking the weather. Indian summer was usually warm, but there was the occasional chilly day that could sneak up out of nowhere. Today looked to be one of those days. I headed over to my pitiful clothing collection and decided to just throw on my jeans from the previous night, a t-shirt that said something about love, and my green granny sweater. At least that was what Kennan called it. I loved it, it was soft and had big buttons. It even had elbow patches. I decided to toss a little makeup on today since I planned on taking pictures. I know, vanity is unattractive, but so was my pale skin when it reflected a camera flash. After spending close to an hour getting ready, I got downstairs to find Kennan waiting on me.