Chapter 4: Kirk

The meeting with the dean was overall unexciting. Kirk was not only bored out of his mind, but couldn’t focus. He had never had trouble focusing before, but his dream was ruining things. After the meeting ended and the tour ended it was just about 1 o clock. He got into the Rolls-Royce and drove off toward his home, Acrefield Road. He arrived at about 2 in the afternoon. The sun was out and it was a nice day. He parked the car and stepped inside. He knew that his father had an important phone call so when Kensi came to talk to him he shushed her and handed him his jacket, which she hung up in the hall closet. He immediately went up to his room and closed the door. If he was going to return to normal he was going to have to sort this out. He grabbed a notepad from his desk and sat down on his bed. He closed his eyes and drew everything from the dream. Frame by frame he created it perfectly. He looked at the pictures in sequence and played it back in his mind. He saw the golden room and the torchlight. ‘Was I born in a cult? Was my mother a cult member?’ He thought to himself. He lingered on a picture of his mother. She really was beautiful. She was a kind of beautiful that would be hard to forget, but that aspect of her was one that Kirk couldn’t express in his drawings.

                He was still going through the photos when he heard shouting coming from across the hall. He recognized his father’s voice, but the other one was a little less familiar. ‘Elise? She’s early.’ He remembered back to all the times his father had yelled for various reasons. Every time Kirk would sit in his room and try to stay uninvolved. This was something that he regretted on many occasions. He waited for the shouting to die down then got up off his bed. He was at his door when he heard a soft knock. “Kirk. Open up.” His father said. His voice was wavering in anger. He tried to appear calm. Kirk opened the door and his father walked in sat down at Kirk’s desk. He looked down and ran his hands through his hair. Kirk shook his head.

                “Dad. You told me. You TOLD me you were going to try and repair this broken relationship you have with Elise.” Kirk had spent the last two weeks preparing his father for Elise’s arrival. He knew that she wasn’t going to be exactly what their father wanted.  “I wasted my time helping you. And you yelled at her within 20 minutes of getting here.” Kirk somehow remained calm. He had never really gotten mad at anything. He was very angry with his father right now. His father looked up. His face was red.

                “I tried! That girl….She…Doesn’t do anything I say!” His father was trying to stay quiet, but his voice had a hard time cooperating. “She dyed her hair! She pierced her ears! She said she’s getting a tattoo! I cannot handle this girl!” Kirk was furious.

                “She is your daughter! If you disagree with her you talk to her! You don’t yell at her!”  Kirk was too frustrated with his father to remain calm this time. His father walked over to Kirk.

                “You’ve got to go talk to her. Just this once. I’ve got to go cool off. You’ve always had a way with talking to her sister.” His father pleaded with him. Kirk was disappointed in his father.

                “Fine. She’s coming to dinner. You’re not going to give her anymore grief about her hair or her piercings. If you can agree to do that, I’ll talk to her.”

                “Anything! Please, son!” Kirk shook his head.

                “Fine. I’ll talk to her. You coward.” He walked out of his room and left his father there. He walked across the hall to his sister’s room. He took a deep breath and knocked softly a few times. “Elise. It’s Kirk. Open up.”

Chapter 3: Elise

“What has he done…” She muttered quietly to herself. Her father had turned her light pink room, filled with dolls, a small tea table, and a vanity mirror with play makeup into a pure white guest room. Her dolls, table, and vanity mirror were gone. All that was left was a pure white dresser against the wall, next to a white desk and chair, a small bedside table, and tall bookshelf with three books that read, “Proper Money Management”, “The History of Liverpool Banking”, and “Theoi: An Extensive History of Greek Myths”.

“Miss Black?” A soft voice called out from behind the white door. “Your tea?” It asked in a quiet voice.

“Oh yes.” Elise remembered the tea she had requested. With a slight reluctance she opened the door and took the tray from the maid. “Thank you.” The ends of her lips curled into a small smile as the maid back up and disappeared down the hall.

Elise set the tray on the top of the dresser and began unpacking. She placed her clothes in the dresser drawers and her art supplies on the desk. Her camera, with multiple lenses, her sketchbook, graphite pencil, and acrylic paints and brushes sat neatly next to each other. They were the only things that gave life to the room.

It had been 10 years since she was last in this room. Elise turned and admired the purity of it all, her eyes falling on areas where her things used to be. As she walked slowly towards the window she saw a bright yellow canary. “Curious.” She whispered with a small smile gracing her lips. The tiny bird fluttered around, landing on her windowsill where she noticed a small nest in the corner. Nestled in the corner were three of the canary’s offspring. Elise smiled at the small birds, her pink lips closing in a tight smile.

“Elise.” The voice from the train whispered again. Elise’s smiled disappeared in a flash. She whipped around to see no one there. At least I look like a complete basket case in private. She thought to herself.

“Color.” The voice whispered.

“What?” Elise asked the voice, and quickly realized that there was no one there. “What am I saying? I’m alone in a room. God I am going crazy.” She sighed and walked over to the desk. Her sketchbook lay open to a new page with the paints and brushes set out neatly beside it. “What the-“ Her eyebrows knit together as she looked around the room, finding no one…again.

“Miss Black?” The maid’s soft voice called out again, causing Elise to jump. She whipped around and waited for another call. “Miss Black?” She heard someone moving around behind the door.

“I’m a little busy at the moment.” She stood, staring at the door, not entirely sure what she was going to do. Jump out of the window? Maybe.

“Elise?” A deep voice timidly called out. Elise’s eyes widened and jaw dropped. No, it couldn’t have been. He was busy. From her memories ‘busy’ meant, “I won’t see either of you until supper at the earliest, or supper the next day at the latest.”

Carefully, Elise walked to the door and opened it. “Father?” She said in a timid voice, her green eyes looking up curiously at the man before her. He stood at an average 5’11” with brown hair speckled with gray. A full beard, neatly trimmed, and small circular glasses made him look like a professor.

“Elise.” The man struggled to get the one name out. His forehead creased as he looked intently at Elise. “Y-You’ve grown.” He stuttered and cleared his throat, standing up straight with both hands behind his back.

“Yes, well 10 years does that to a six year old.” Her lips formed a tight line as she opened the door wider, allowing her father to step inside of the guest room.

“I-uh.” Her father coughed again, trying to find the words. “Have you settled in?”

“I’ve unpacked.” Elise left the door open and took a couple steps toward her father. He moved toward the window and noticed the canary.

“I’ll have that removed.” He motioned toward the nest and it’s inhabitants.

“No, that’s all right.” Elise looked at the sleeping canaries. “They aren’t doing any harm.”

“Yes but they are an eyesore.”

“No they aren’t. They’re beautiful.” Elise felt her anger rising. All the memories of her father came rushing back. The refusal to enroll her in painting classes, destroying the pressed flowers album she had created because she brought ‘bugs’ into the house, preventing her from re-painting her soft pink room to a soft purple.

“I-“ Her father was about to protest but thought better of it. “How was your commute?” He changed the subject as he stepped away from the window.

“Long.” Elise answered curtly.

“Why did you bring so many…” He couldn’t find the right word as he made his way to the desk with her art supplies on it.

“Art supplies?”

“Yes.”

“I wanted to do some painting, sketching, and photography while I was here.” Talking about her art calmed her down. “I would have brought my guitar but I didn’t want to carry it. It’s not everyday I visit Liverpool.”

“When will you have time for this…art?” He asked nervously, trying not to offend her.

“What do you mean?”

“We have a full schedule for the holidays. Very busy.” He looked at Elise with a serious face. “You won’t have time for these things.”

“Won’t I?” Her eyes narrowed and her body tensed. She wanted to scream at her father. She knew this would be difficult.

“No you won’t”.

“And who’s going to stop me?” She asked with conviction.

“Wha-“ He struggled to stay calm. “Elise, this is the time to spend with family.” He said sternly.

“Family?” She laughed. “What family?” She yelled. “You and Kirk? I haven’t spoken to either of you in 10 years and one of the first things you say to me is that I won’t have time to express myself!”

“That is not what I said.” She could see her father tense up.

“Isn’t it?” Elise stood her ground. “You want to say something to me? Say it!”

“I-“ He struggled to get his words out. This was not the same man she knew 10 years ago. He was holding back.

“Look! I dyed my hair!” She showed him the darker brown highlights in her hair. “I colored it last week!” She saw his eyes widen. “Look! I pierced my ears.” She pulled back her hair. “Three times!” She grinned at her father’s stifled reactions. “And I’ve got a tattoo appointment in February!” That was it, her father snapped.

“You are not getting a tattoo!” He screamed back at her. This was the man she knew 10 years ago. She knew he was holding back. She knew it was all an act. “You are also to take out those earrings and dye your hair back!”

“And who’s going to stop me?” Elise yelled back. “You can’t keep me caged up any more ‘father’!” She used that term very lightly. She wasn’t comfortable calling him that anymore.

“I will stop you because I am your father!” His hands clenched into fists at his sides. “You will go without supper tonight!” He raised a hand and pointed a finger, trying to find more words.

“Does it look like I’m bothered?” She kept a straight face as her father grunted and stormed out of the room. Walking over she yelled, “Thanks for the wonderful welcome dad!” and slammed the door.

Chapter 2: Kirk

Kirk didn’t sleep much last night. He was nervous and excited for his sister’s arrival. On top of that he had strange dreams. A rather lewd one about Mrs. James, his literature tutor that he woke up in the middle of; and one that was recurring. He dreamt of his birth. It was increasingly strange because rarely does a child remember its birth. In this dream he would always remember the feeling of being smacked to start his lungs. His eyes would open and he would examine his surroundings. The bright fluorescent lighting of the hospital room. The chattering of the doctors and nurses. He would be wrapped in a blanket and would anticipate seeing his mother’s face for the first time. Suddenly everything would go grey. Like static from a TV. This time was different. On this night it was different. He was in a golden room. Instead of fluorescent light, he is squinting his eyes in dim torchlight. He was wrapped in a blanket and handed to a beautiful woman. Kirk looked back into her face. It was familiar. She had a face that was hard to forget. He wasn’t smacked so that his lungs would start. It was calm and quiet. It was…perfect. His mother opened her mouth and spoke. “Stay on your guard.” He voice was even, but lilting. Like many voices talking at once. Her mouth closed and Kirk’s eyes shot open.

                He analyzed everything about the dream. Needless to say he was confused. He sat up in his bed. It was still dark out by the sun was just peeking out over the horizon. He got out of bed and began his morning routine. He put on his regular attire of a button-up collared shirt, khaki pants, and a light blue argyle sweater vest. He had a meeting with a student leader at a nearby university. He couldn’t stand to have his mind preoccupied. Kirk wanted more than anything to go to school in the states, but his father had a different plan. Kirk rarely disobeyed his father. Attending this school was his father’s plan. He had met the dean during a yearlong trip to America. They became very close friends. Dean Pinker had told Kirk’s father that he was guaranteed a spot at the school. Kirk’s father told Kirk that he was going to go there and Kirk agreed to it. The only rebellion Kirk has is his shoes. A pair of Liverpool FC sneakers. Kirk wore them with everything. He laced them up and headed downstairs for breakfast. Kensi, the maid, must have slept in so breakfast was up to him. He made a pot of tea and poured a large bowl of cheerios and plopped down in a chair in the den. He opened up the closest book and started reading. It was one of his father’s. It was about the history of parliament and the pros and cons of the system. Kirk read until he finished his cereal then put the book back and stood up. He washed out his bowl and went out to the garage. He got into the silver Rolls-Royce and pulled out the driveway. He started toward the college, but couldn’t keep his mind off of his dream. 

Chapter 1: Elise

Elise rolled her small suitcase out of her grandparents’ front door. Turning she kissed them on the cheek and smiled. The cab behind her honked and her grandparents hurried her out of the door.

            “Be safe.” He grandfather reminded her for the 20^th time.

            “And have fun.” Her grandmother hugged her and whispered, “Patch things up while you’re there.” She let go and smiled.

            Elise smiled and climbed into the cab. She rolled down the window and looked at her grandparents one more time. “I’ll try.” She said softly. She turned to the cabbie, “Train station.”

            When she reached the station she boarded the earliest train to Liverpool, England. After rolling her bag to an empty booth she stuffed it on the compartment overhead and sat down with her iPod, sketchbook and pencil, and the Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan. Figuring she was going to Liverpool she started playing her 185 songs by The Beatles. She looked out of the window as the world rushed by.

            “Elise.” She heard a whisper and turned to see a little boy sleeping on his father’s lap across of her. She looked back to the window hesitantly and sighed. “Elise.” The voice whispered again, causing Elise to whip her head around again. The boy woke up and gave her a look. She smiled awkwardly and looked away.

            Don’t worry Elise, you are just hearing things. She thought to herself, trying to shake away the feeling that she was being watched. She took out her pencil and tried to sketch the world whizzing by outside. About halfway through young woman with jet black hair, slicked into a bun, and fair skin with dark expressive eyes passed her and stopped in front of her. Her dark black dress fell to her knees in a graceful curtain. “That’s quite beautiful.” She said in a soft voice.

            ‘Thank you.” Elise muttered quietly and looked up at the woman whose bright red lips curled into a smile. “It’s nothing special. Just a bunch of lines.” She shrugged. The woman motioned toward the empty seat across of her. Elise nodded and the woman sat.

            “I think it’s more than a bunch of lines.” She placed her clutch on the table and looked at Elise’s drawing with admiration. “It’s very expressive. The shading is superb.” She spoke as if she were an art curator.

            “Thank you.” Elise looked down at her drawing. She was ‘okay’ in her opinion, others though differently. Her grandparents had hung many of her paintings in their home. Elise didn’t believe that she was that great at art but she loved doing it. “I guess its interesting.” She muttered.

            “What is?” The woman’s voice was as smooth as silk.

            “That it can move so quickly out there. Like the blink of an eye.” She looked out the window at the moving world. “But someone can capture it and save it forever.” She looked down at her drawing with a small smile.

            “It is very interesting.” The woman smiled. “You have a very bright future Elise.” She said with a smile as she took her clutch and stood. She turned and walked down the hall.

            “Thanks…” Elise was still looking at her drawing when she realized she hadn’t told the woman her name. “Wait,” She looked up to see the tail of the woman’s dress flowing down the hall. “Wait!” She said a little louder, looking down the walkway to see that she was not there. She had disappeared. “What the-“ she muttered as she sat up again and looked down at her drawing. There was a lipstick mark, the same bright red color that was on the woman’s lips. She had kissed the corner of Elise’s drawing and wrote, “Big things are coming your way!”

            Elise blinked a couple of times and closed her sketchbook. She pushed it to the other side of the table and looked around. Everyone acted as if nothing happened. She opened her sketchbook again and the lipstick mark was gone. The drawing was just as it had been before the lipstick mark. Nothing had changed. Elise knit her eyebrows together and took her pencil out and signed the corner of her drawing. Was she going insane?

            It wasn’t long until she reached the Liverpool station. After gathering her things she stepped off the train, and in no time she called a cab. The driver stuffed her bag into the trunk as Elise climbed in. “Acrefield Road.”

            The cabbie drove up to Acrefield Road as Elise requested to be dropped off before her house. She handed the cabbie the right amount of pounds and stepped out of the cab, retrieving her bag from the trunk with reluctance. She turned up the road and sighed. She walked toward her house.

            Elise walked up the small driveway and stared at her father’s house. The white paint looked dull, then again white was a safe and respectable color. It represented purity and virginity. Elise’s eyes fell to the garden, in perfect shape. Not a leave or branch out of place. She could tell this was the same house, even though she hadn’t been to it in 10 years. Breathing a heavy sigh she walked up to the front door and rang the bell.

            “Mr. Black’s residence, can I help you?” A petite woman answered the door wearing a black dress and an apron. No doubt a maid.

            “May I see Mr. Black?” She asked politely.

            “Mr. Black is very busy right now. He won’t be able to come to the door.” The maid slightly pursed her lips and Elise knew she was lying. She had learned to read people’s ‘ticks’ when she played poker with her grandfather.

            “How about Kirk Black?” She asked in a sweet voice, accompanied by a sweet smile.

            “He is busy as well. I’m very sorry, but if there is nothing more I can do for you then-“

            “And what if I were Elise Black?” She asked whiled she adjusted her black cotton gloves, looking up to see the maid’s dumbfounded face.

            “Ah, I am very sorry Miss Black. I did not know-“ She stumbled over her words.

            “Quite all right.” She smiled, knowing she had made the maid look like a complete and utter fool. “May I come in? It’s awfully cold out.” She smiled. Her light brown hair falling just below her shoulders is slight waves.

            “Yes, of course.” The maid stepped aside quickly as Elise stepped in, the door closing behind her. No turning back now. “I will go inform Mr. Black of your arrival.” She started to hurry off.

            “That won’t be necessary.” Elise stopped her. “Will I be staying in my old room?” She asked pulling off her gloves and scarf.

            “Yes ma’am.” The maid nodded nervously.

            “Then I shall retire there. I’ve just been on a train for 6 hours, I need to freshen up before I present myself in front of Mr. Black.” She hung her scarf on the rack on the wall and unbuttoned her black trench coat revealing her black skinny jeans, long sleeve gray cardigan and white blouse underneath. “Do you mind bringing up a spot of tea?” She asked sweetly as she picked up her bag.

            “Not at all.” The maid hurried off the kitchen. Elise smirked and carried her bag up to her room.

            Opening the door very quietly it revealed the same bed with white linens and plenty of pillows. There was one pillow in the center with her name stitched on it. She sighed and placed her bag in the closet. Looking around and the pristine white room she realized what her father had done. He had turned it into a guest room.