Read Online Pulse of Heroes by A.Jacob Sweeny - Free Book Online

people had to snake back and forth
like at the bank. Looking at the line and noticing that Michelle
looked a bit pale all of a sudden, her mom suggested that she wait
for her at the coffee shop across from the theater entrance.
Michelle felt bad abandoning her mom to the nightmare line, but she
could feel that her body was pushing itself to the limit and needed
to rest before she fell flat-faced on the floor in front of
everyone. She thanked her mom for the twenty-dollar bill she handed
her, and made her way down to the Sweetnothings Café. Her body
collapsed into the small wire bistro-style chair that was far from
being comfortable, but it was better than the floor.
    Michelle sat waiting for her name to be
called when her drink was ready. She had ordered an eggnog latte,
but was already regretting it because she remembered that dairy was
not the best idea when one had upper respiratory ailments. But it
had smelled so good and scrumptious when she was walking down
towards the café; she had wanted one before she even knew what it
was. Her name was finally called. She also bought herself one of
those Madeline cookies, just because it was there next to the cash
register. She didn’t even like them and they were way overpriced,
but their mind games always worked on her. She was a sucker.
     
    An early matinee must have just ended,
because by the time Michelle sat back down at her table there was a
small crowd in front of the theater. Maybe she should have gone to
see a movie instead of having coffee, but she would never want to
go alone, and besides her mom could be done any second. Wishful
thinking Michelle thought, it would be a Christmas miracle if she
got through that line in less than an hour. Michelle was trying to
get a better look at the movie posters to see what was playing when
her eyes landed on a familiar face. Yes, it was him. Tall and
slender, impeccably dressed, grayish golden hair, deep-set eyes and
skin that although wrinkled by age, looked almost translucently
glowing. Xander. She was sure of it. What if her mom returned to
see her talking to him and asked where the two had met? No! That
meeting cannot, must not take place. Michelle almost jumped out of
her chair, but where would she go in such a public space. For a
moment she even thought about ducking under the table. Get a hold
of yourself, she thought to herself. He can’t see you from where
he’s standing.
    But just as she lowered her guard, Xander
started walking towards the café. Michelle looked behind her. No,
there were no restroom doors anywhere. She scanned the cafe,
desperately trying to figure out a way to blend in with some of the
other customers; she didn’t recognize anyone there. And it was too
late anyway. If she made a quick move now she was sure to draw
attention to herself. If only she had a book or a magazine to hide
behind. Xander was about to enter the ‘order’ line, and Michelle
was sitting to the left of the metal divider, the first table in
his line of sight. But he walked right past her and went on to
order his drink. Wow, she thought to herself, how lucky she was,
not even a nod of recognition. It was as if she wasn’t there at
all.
    Michelle exhaled in relief. The danger was
over. She reached for her drink only to see that her hands were
still shaking so hard that she almost tipped her cup over. She
immediately hid her hands inside her pockets, hoping that no one
else caught sight of her wiggly fingers. She then watched Xander
walk past, his back turned to her. He was carrying one of those
cardboard drink trays and it seemed to be full. Why did he need so
many drinks, Michelle wondered? Who cares, just as long as he goes
away, and quickly, before her mom gets back. Yet her curiosity got
the best of her and she continued to follow him with her eyes.
Xander turned right and disappeared into the central court. Maybe
he didn’t recognize her. Michelle considered that it had been
Halloween after all, and she had been wearing