Virtually True by Penenberg Adam L

Author:Penenberg, Adam L. [Penenberg, Adam L.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Wayzgoose Press
Published: 2012-07-06T15:00:00+00:00

* * *

True stirs at first light, watches the sun stagger over the city. He suffered dreams, memories that may have been or never were; possibilities, impossibilities, and improbabilities, painful remembrances of his life separate from Eden. The skewed double-happiness kanji twists, contorts before his eyes, inky lines consumed by fire. His kanji—his character—splits, then shatters, while Eden’s remains resplendent, nonpareil. He needs to talk with her. Only this can save him from TV memories supplanting prior reality. Wonders why he hungers and thirsts so these days, begs for ganja, pines for lost love.

Children scrounge outside Eden’s office. Meanwhile, across the street, reconstruction in progress. Another combo dance club-hotel-casino. True, inside now, sees Eden in the flesh, lazing on the downward spiraling stairs. A familiar pose, Eden sitting on steps, her chin hammocked in her hands, her elbows in turn propped up by her knees. When she was troubled or in need of time to herself, she would sit like this, let her hair hang over her eyes to shield her.

He struggles with what to say, rejecting each thought as it arises. A few false starts, a few sideways steps, then, “I’ve missed you, Eden.”

She doesn’t move. Silence unfurls uncomfortably.

“Eden? Is that you?”

From somewhere under the hair: “Go away, True. I don’t want to see you.”

Watching this, not living it as if it were happening. Two actors doing their jobs, reading their lines, collecting pay credits, yearning for fame, fortune, and hot and cold running favors.

She looks up, tears magnifying her eyes’ hazel color and size; deep circles are scooped underneath. “I can’t, True. I wouldn’t be able to go through it again. You understand, don’t you?”

He does understand, just wishes he could remember what it is. “I’m sorry, so sorry, Eden. I fell out of this world and into another. But I’m back.” He’s amazed at his blubberings, aware that at some point he’d had this very same conversation with her.

Eden rubs away diamond tears. “People here have bigger problems than you.”

And didn’t bring them on themselves. That’s what she would’ve said if she wanted to hurt him. He celebrates her compassion, but remembers an unstated thought is still a thought.

“I just want to talk.”

“Goodbye, True. Good, goodbye.”

She winds down the steps and True knows he’ll see her in his mind long after she’s vanished. He can’t bear to remain inside. Outside, he’s alone. Doesn’t know what life’s next step will be. Looks out over the dilapidation, the desperation.

Eden, through the revolving door and back, takes his arm. Says, “I have to think things through, then we’ll talk. But no promises.”

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.