Being Invisible Read online

  “Just make it a whole love-game weekend, where you play games, then come up with sexy prizes. Maybe it will inspire him to make one of the prizes an engagement ring.” Seeing Annie get into helping me is making me smile. There’s hope for her yet.

  We continue to discuss my relationship right up until I am in danger of being late getting back to work. I leave feeling much better than when I came in.

  After work, I decide to stop by to see Colin at his job.

  "Hi,hon. What brings you to this side of town?" Colin kisses me on the cheek and gives me a quick hug.

  "I finished work a little early, so I thought I would stop by and see you in action. How's work today?"

  "Good. Long, but good." He pulls the chair in front of his desk out for me and sits on the other side.

  Now that we have graduated, Colin works with Drew at a vaccine testing facility called NionCorp. While Drew is a Chemist, Colin works in the Marketing Department… because they don’t spend enough time together as it is.

  “How about you? Did you get to break any big leads?” Colin likes to tease me, since most of the research I do involves pet shows and local fairs.

  “Well, I almost did, but then I was scooped by The Dispatch.”

  “Oh yeah?” Colin grabs my hand loosely and rubs his thumb over my knuckles.

  “Yeah. I heard that Vapor is looking to meet his one true love.”

  Colin lets out a frustrated breath. “Why do you even pay attention to that?”

  “Because it’s everywhere. Where can I go where there isn’t something about The Vapor and all the broken hearts he is leaving behind?”

  “So what? It’s fiction. That’s not even me. Those women have no idea who I really am.”

  “I know that Colin. But sometimes, they really are where you are. Sometimes they get that part right, because they were near you when you saved someone. And I get jealous that they were close to you, and I don’t get to be. I read the paper, and I find out that you gave a scared child a stuffed bear. The witness said that the child was just sitting there, and suddenly sees the little dog on his lap. And I know it's true because it's exactly the kind of thing you would do. But I have to hear it from a ‘reliable source.’”

  “I know, Luce. I know you want to spend more time together. You think I don’t? But, if I wasn’t there saving that child from his stepfather, who knows what would have happened to him? I can’t just turn my back.”

  “I don’t want you to turn your back, Colin. But you can’t save everyone. You need to take time to be with people who love you.”

  “You mean you right? I need to make time to be with you.”

  “What is wrong with wanting to spend time with you, Colin? Do you have a problem with me missing you?"

  “No. Of course not. I miss you too. And I promise that we’re going to have some time alone. I just can’t do it right now.”

  “Are we still on for our game weekend?”

  Colin looks confused, and like every other time he seems to be on another page, it feels like he is slipping away a little bit. In his defense, he quickly recovers.

  “Game weekend. Yes. I am totally stoked. I got a new dictionary and everything. I can’t wait to show you all the new words I learned.”

  I want to tease him back and laugh with him like we used to. I want to tell him how much better I am than him, then kiss him when he pouts.

  I don’t though. The most I can give him is a small smile and a nod, because right now all I can think about is how he must not be planning to ask me to marry him, because if he was, he wouldn’t have forgotten we had plans in the first place.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The “Make It Special” Mix

  My mind has been on our upcoming weekend all day today. I have been doing research on a pet expo coming to our area, but my heart isn’t in it.

  Today is Thursday, and so far Colin has yet to cancel. In fact, he has even sent me a couple texts saying how he can’t wait to spend the weekend with me, and to tell me how much fun we are going to have. I even got a text this morning.

  “You know we’ll be there until Tuesday, therefore, naked rules apply on the drive home.”

  To top it all off, Colin told me last night that his Uncle Phil is letting us use his cabin to “make it special.”

  Special? Like marriage proposal special?

  I don’t want to get too excited, based on Colin’s track record, but he seems to be looking forward to the trip as much as I am. So I have allowed myself a little bit of hope that this weekend may work out well.

  I’m thinking about the snacks I plan to buy for the car trip when Ruth, another researcher in the department, flies into my cubicle. In typical Ruth fashion, she’s wearing four-inch heels, which brings her to about five foot three. She’s wearing a yellow shift dress with a white headband. Her bright colors fit her personality.

  “Lucy, hey! I am so glad you’re here. I have exciting news.”

  “Pasta bar in the cafeteria today?” I’m only kind of teasing. Ruth thinks the fact that we got a new hotdog stand on the corner of our block is exciting news, so most of the time I take her excitement with a grain of salt.

  “It’s pasta day in the cafeteria? That’s not my news, but that is awesome. You think they will have bowtie pasta again?”

  “They always have bowtie pasta, Ruth. So, what’s the big news?”

  “Right. My news. I think I might get to be on air!”

  “That’s amazing! How did that come about?”

  “I talked to Alex today. And he told me that if I can track down a big news story, he will air it. And…" she pauses for dramatic effect. "If I do well, it might mean more airtime for me! I could be ‘Ruth Paige, investigative reporter.’ Her voice changes to fit that of a reporter announcing her story.

  “I can’t wait to see it.” I am excited for her. She’s made for the camera. “So, what’s the big story you are going to scoop, Ruth Paige, Investigative Reporter?” She holds out her hand like she wants me to shake it.

  “You’re going to flip when you hear. I am going to interview The Vapor. Can you believe it?”

  Nope, not even a little bit.

  Now I feel bad. I want her to have her big moment, but she has zero chance of getting an interview with the Vapor. But of course I am not going to tell her that. I mean, how would I know?

  “I heard he doesn’t do interviews with anyone, like ever.” It’s believable, because it’s true. I’ve heard the talk.

  “Well, I know it’s not going to be easy. But this is a chance for my big break. Do you know how many people have that kind of chance? I can’t waste it. I‘m going to do whatever it takes. And I am going to put my heart into it 100%. I am going to find The Vapor, beg him for an interview, and find out what makes him tick.” She counts off with her fingers each step to getting her story.

  Damn it. Now I feel terrible. “Do you have any idea how you are going to find him? I hear it’s tricky with the whole ‘not being able to see him’ thing.”

  “That’s where my powers of research come in. The Vapor works with a couple of guys in the PD, right? So, I plan to start at the station. Once I find out where they need him, I will just show up there and every other place he goes until he realizes that it will be easier to just let me interview him, than to endure my perseverance.”

  “Sounds like you thought of everything.” I’m not sure where to go from here. I want to support her, but Colin will never agree to an interview. Not to mention he’s hard to pin down. Half the time I don’t know where he is, and we’re practically married in my mind.

  “I hope so. I’ve been planning for a moment like this for, like, my entire life. I mean, how often does a person get to say, “The Vapor? Yeah, I know him. Oh, he saved your cousin’s, girlfriend’s cat from a tree? Well, I know how he takes his eggs.”

  I have to laugh. “That’s what you’re going to ask him? You get the elusive superhero to agree to an interview, and your first question you’re
going to ask is going to be, ‘how do you take your eggs?’”

  “Not the first question. Just one of the questions. He’s our small town hero. People want to know about him. I’ll start him off easy with what he does for fun, we will work up to his favorite breakfast, and by the end he’ll feel so comfortable with me, I’ll have him telling me who he wants to have his invisible babies.”

  “Well, keep me posted on how it’s going.”

  “Of course. Maybe you can even help me come up with some questions.”

  “How about boxers or briefs?

  Ruth snaps her fingers and points to me, indicating that she likes my idea, then adds her own.

  “Lick or bite?”

  At my raised eyebrows, she laughs. “I was talking about popsicles… Get your mind out of the gutter.”

  “Right. Because everyone wants to know how he eats his summer treats.”

  “I give the people what they ask for, Lucy.”

  “On that note, I need to get back to researching animal psychics. We can’t leave the public uninformed before the expo. How else are they going to spot a fraud?” I roll myself in my chair to my desk to begin the task of getting to the down and dirty of doggie telepathy.

  “Pet psychics? I totally want to do that. I would go buy a dog, just to take to the expo so that I could have the psychic tell me what he's thinking.”

  "He will probably be thinking, 'who the hell buys a dog to find out what he's thinking?’"

  "Maybe he will be thinking, 'finally!' If all he wants is to be heard." Ruth pretends to be wounded by my words, and turns to leave.

  "Bye, Ruth!"

  "Bye… Don't forget to grab me for pasta later!"

  After Ruth leaves, I decide to take a quick break to give Colin a heads up about Ruth's plan to annoy him into submission. I head outside and sit at a bench so that I can get some privacy. Colin picks up after the second ring.

  "Hello, Miss Lucy. What can I do for you today?"

  "Hi Hon. I just wanted to prepare you. My friend from work, Ruth..."

  "Let me guess. She's trying to get the lowdown on Vapor." His voice sounds weary.

  "How did you know?"

  "According to Rob, she called the station this morning asking about what kind of assignments I take. Their 'no comment' seemed to fall on deaf ears since she is planning on visiting today just to see what the big stories are. What do you think? Should I be worried about this?"

  "I don't think so. She seemed pretty tenacious this morning, but she's like the nicest person in the world. I can't see her causing too much trouble."

  "Well, since you work with her, you can have the job of keeping her away."

  "Keep her away? How do you think I should go about doing that? Should I tie her to a chair? Poison her latte?"

  "I don't know Lucy. I don't have time to think about this. I just thought that since she's your friend you could deal with her."

  "You're the one who's invisible. If she asks questions, don't answer them. It's not like she can follow you."

  "I know, Luce." Colin's voice has lost some of its edge. "I just don't need one more thing."

  "Okay, I’ll see what I can do. And don't worry. After this weekend, you will be so relaxed you will be able to take on anything."

  "I'm counting on it babe. I am going to Scrabble you so bad...you won't know what to do with all my big, long words.” It's good to see a glimpse of playful Colin.

  "I love your big words. But don't even think about making words up. You know I can always tell when you are faking it."

  "Please. I don't need to fake it. I'm just that good."

  "So you're telling me hubly is a word?"

  "It is."

  "Even though it's nowhere in the dictionary?"

  "It's a new word. It just hasn't made it in yet."

  "You are so ahead of the times." I deadpan.

  "You have no idea."

  "Well, you go finish working, then pack and rest up for tomorrow, because I’m expecting multiple words from you."

  "Sounds like I have my work cut out for me."

  "You have no idea. See you tomorrow, hon. I love you."

  "I love you too, Luce. I work until noon then I’m picking you up right after, so be ready."

  "I already am."

  I have been, for a long time. I think to myself, suddenly feeling hopeful for what's to come.

  I hang up the phone and smile.

  Chapter Sixteen

  The Things We Don’t Say Mix

  “Is he a president?” Colin is tapping his fingers on the steering wheel in time with “I Will Wait” by Mumford and Sons.

  “Yes! He was a president,” I exclaim.

  We have been playing the game “guess a person” since we left Columbus. Unfortunately, most of that time has been me trying to get Colin to guess Abraham Lincoln.

  Is it Washington?

  “No.”

  “Adams?”

  “No.”

  “Jefferson?”

  “Is that how were we are going to do this? You naming every president in order?” I mock glare at him and throw a cheese puff his way. It bounces off his head and lands on his lap. He picks it up and eats it then winks at me. I shake my head before popping a cheese puff in my mouth.

  “Fine. Is he on money?”

  “Yes! Good question.”

  “Okay, There’s, Lincoln...”

  Before he has a chance to go through every coin I interrupt. “Yes! Lincoln. Finally!”

  “Well you threw me off when you said that he was someone you would date. Weirdly enough, my first thought wasn’t ‘president from the 1800’s.’I was thinking more along the lines of Ian Somerhalder or something.’”

  “You didn’t ask me if I would date him. You asked me if I would spend a night with him. I was picturing hanging out with him while he tells me about ending slavery. I didn’t know you meant spend the night with him. You should have asked me ‘would you want to have his babies?’ if you wanted to know that.

  “You want to have Ian Somerhalder’s babies?” Colin looks wounded, which only makes me laugh.

  “No.” I pause before adding, “Do you think he would be up for it?”

  Colin just shakes his head and turns the music up. The sounds of The Divine Fits ‘My love is real’ fill the car.

  I grab his hand and give it a quick squeeze. In return, he pulls my hand to his lips and kisses it, then places both our hands on his leg.

  We spend the rest of the trip singing along with my ‘Games We Play’ mix and enjoying the spring day. Every once in a while he rubs the back of my hand with his thumb, while I l occasionally lean over as far as my seatbelt lets me, and kiss his face. By the time we arrive at the cabin, I am already much more relaxed and happy.

  After pulling our bags out of the trunk and dropping them in our room, Colin immediately grabs my hand. “Come with me.”

  He pulls me outside, where a large deck overlooks a lake, which is mostly surrounded by woods. While I enjoy the view, Colin falls onto the wicker couch and pulls me down with him.

  “Before game night, I want to spend a little time reminding myself what your lips feel like.” He pulls my legs over his, and leans in for a kiss.

  Good. He misses me too.

  He kisses me deeply, holding nothing back. At the same time I sigh, he bites my lower lip, then kisses the area he just bit. He does the same to my top lip before moving to my ear, where he whispers in a low voice “I miss these lips.”

  I return his kiss then pull away briefly. “I miss these arms.” I say as I pull his around me, urging him to pull me close.

  He tightens his grip, then murmurs, “I miss this earlobe,” right before biting it.

  I laugh and kiss him again. “I miss your-” Before I have a chance to finish my sentence, a loud clap of thunder startles me.

  “What the hell was that?”

  Colin looks up at the sky at the same time as me, a confused look on his face. “The weather report sai
d clear skies.” Not five seconds after he says the words, we hear another clap of thunder, followed by a downpour.

  "Looks like the weather report was wrong.” Colin laughs, before grabbing my hand and running in the house.

  In the few seconds it takes to get to the door, we are soaked.

  “I guess my plans to take you on a walk along the lake are on hold.” Colin says while grabbing towels from a nearby linen closet.

  He throws a towel around my shoulders and pulls me to him. After attempting to dry me off he places a quick kiss on my forehead. He starts to dry himself, but stops and grins. Based on his smile, I can guess he’s up to something. As soon as I hear him mumble something about us being wet anyway, I know for sure he is.

  Before I have a chance to register what he’s doing, he picks me up, throws me over his shoulder and walks me into the sunroom. From my upside down view, I can see a filled hot tub. As soon as I realize his intentions, I make an attempt to say something along the lines of “wait, no, don’t,” before he throws me in clothes and all.

  Colin hits the switch to turn the jets on, then jumps in after me.

  Oh well...being dry is overrated anyway.

  An hour later, there is a fire in the fireplace, and we are eating pizza and playing Scrabble in our sweats.

  I am about seventeen points ahead when I remember my goal.

  “Care to make this interesting?” I ask, raising my eyebrows in anticipation.

  “Interesting how?” I can tell Colin’s curiosity is piqued.

  “How about every time someone gets a double or triple letter score she...”

  “Or he,” Colin interrupts.

  “Or he,” I agree with an eye roll, “gets to make the other person take off an article of clothing of his or her choosing.”

  “I like your thinking. And I sense some big words coming on.” Colin starts eyeing the board, looking at his letters as if he’s negotiating a major business transaction.

  I lean back in my chair, waiting for his move.

  “Wait...What about a double or triple word score? What do we get then?”

  “Huh...I don’t know. Extra pizza?” I look at him innocently.