Omniscient Leaps (22 page)

“I kind of like this music. It’s very different from what I know, but I think I can catch on.” He gave me a wink and stood up.

Being in my world seemed to make him bold and uninhibited. I quite enjoyed this side of Luke. We danced several fast songs and I was impressed by his ability to easily adapt to such vastly different surroundings than he was used to. He actually looked more natural dancing than any of the other males present.

Jer gave me a wave at one point and I relaxed. It was obvious that Reyna had filled him in on the situation and I was grateful. I hadn’t concealed information from anyone because up until Luke confirmed our status to them, I didn’t dare hope for anything more than friendship. I didn’t want to lose Luke, even if it meant we couldn’t be together.

“Okay boys and girls,” the dance instructor from gym announced. “It’s that time of the night where we are going to take a break and put into action some of those dance moves I taught you. It is the theme of the night after all, and I know a bunch of girls that would be highly disappointed if they didn’t get the chance to use their dresses properly.” A few boys moaned and her face immediately reflected with exasperation. “And if that doesn’t convince you, well, the news station is here to do a story and so is the local paper, so get your butts onto the dance floor. Thank you.” She did a curtsy and removed herself from the stage.

Luke grabbed my hands as the music began and I could feel my lips parting into a deep smile. I had the most experienced dance partner on the floor and that was just the beginning of my delight. We seemed to glide past the other couples with ease. While some of the girls were berating their partners, others were tripping over their own feet. It was quite a production, a disastrous one at that. Luke didn’t seem to hide what he thought of my clumsy classmates. I could hear him chuckling almost non-stop through the entire first dance.

By the time the last song played, the dance floor was nearly empty. The students who had cleared the floor had formed a circle around the rest of us who were still dancing. I felt like Donna Reed in
It’s a Wonderful Life
. Even if a swim would have helped to wash away the sweat I’d worked up in my cumbersome dress, I was thankful there wasn’t a swimming pool underneath our cafeteria floor.

“That’s a wrap, kids,” our instructor sighed into the microphone. “Thanks to you couples who stuck it out to the end. Oh, and if I could please speak to the gentleman that is accompanying Ms. Benson.” She looked at Luke and winked. “I now return you to the normal racket you call music.”

“She probably wants some private lessons,” I said, jabbing Luke in the side. He didn’t seem the least bit nervous as we headed across the floor to meet my loony instructor.

“Well Ms. Benson,” she began. “You’ve got yourself quite a catch there.” She shifted her eyes to Luke. “I don’t suppose you teach classes on the side?”

“No ma’am. I grew up in a house full of ballroom dancers, but it’s not my specialty.” Luke was humble about everything. I was certain, if he had the resources to do so, he could open a gallery and sell his artwork to thousands.

“Well, it should be,” she giggled. An older woman falling for Luke was a little much for me to stomach and he was too polite to end their conversation. I decided to do it for him.

Since I couldn’t exactly just grab Luke away and trot off, I tried to ease us away with a reasonable excuse. “He really worked up an appetite,” I interrupted. “We both did. I think we are going to head over to the snack table and pick something up if you don’t mind.”

Luke tipped his head to her and we moved away from her swiftly. The food table had different arrangements of fruit, small sandwiches, vegetable trays and deserts. Most of the healthy stuff was untouched which was good because I didn’t think Luke’s stomach could handle any of the sweet stuff. I filled a plate with a variety of food while Luke snatched up two bottles of water.

When we were finally seated, I wiped a small bead of sweat from my brow and took a deep breath. “That was amazing, Luke. You’re going to be the talk of the school for weeks I’m sure. The talk of the town too if they managed to snap any pictures of you. I still can’t believe you are here.”

“Me either,” he smiled. “I just appeared here and I couldn’t think of any other reason why except to dance with you. It’s a gift I won’t soon forget.” He took a bite of a strawberry and I could see that he was savoring it.

“Don’t eat too much… your stomach’s not used to this stuff,” I warned. “I wouldn’t want to have to take you home early.”

“I’m just grazing,” he replied. “I haven’t eaten any regular food in over a century. It’s marvelous.”

“So do you think you will have to up and go soon? I expect one of your other leapers will need you.” The melancholy in my voice was impossible to hide.

“It goes in spurts and the last two days were crazy. I think we will be fine tonight,” he grabbed my arm and helped me to my feet. “It’s a slow dance and I want to revel in the experience.”

“Me too,” I whispered.

We danced well into the night. Luke seemed to enjoy himself whether we participated in fast clubbing songs or slow couple dances. He hadn’t had this much stimulation in who knows how long, yet he took it all in stride. I hated to admit that I dreaded the night coming to an end. I would have to say goodbye.

“That was the last song, you lovebirds,” Jenna announced. “Are you coming with us or going with Luke? Or are you both coming with us?”

“I think I’ll head home with Luke. Please tell Jer I really appreciate how great he was about all of this.”

I knew Luke didn’t have a car, but a long walk would help us to unwind and allow us to spend some time alone. I really wasn’t ready to call it a night.

“Are you kidding? He got to dance with Hailey and me. How much luckier could the boy have been?” Reyna just had to add her two cents to our conversation.

I gave all of my friends a quick hug as I watched them exit the building. “You sure you don’t mind walking? It’s kind of chilly outside,” Luke helped me down the steps of the school and I nodded.

“It’s not too far, I promise. I just wanted a few minutes with you to myself or maybe I just wanted to be sure this was actually happening. Everything inside seemed so magical and dreamlike.”

He took my hand as we headed down the sidewalk together. The early spring air felt refreshing as it blew through my hair. The streets heading back to my house were deserted. The only observable activity we encountered was in front of the local homeless shelter. People were waiting in line for something and at this late hour I wondered what it was.

“Those people must have been turned away,” Luke whispered. “They must have run out of room. Do you have a high level of poverty here?”

I paused while I decided if I wanted to admit the truth. “I’m ashamed to say it, but I’ve never really looked into it. I have no idea. I do know that most of the criminals they arrest here are from out of town, so a lot of those people could just be passing through.”

“You’ve never volunteered to help at one?” Luke’s inquiry was sincere and not at all judgmental, yet I still couldn’t help but feel guilty.

“Luke, I didn’t think about much else besides school until I became a leaper. My mom stopped going to church when I was young, because of my dad, and I just never heard the calling. Mom’s so busy working and it just never occurred to me to volunteer.”

He nodded his head silently. “Did you volunteer when you were younger?”

“My parents were always very involved in the community. They helped out at local shelters and assisted older people who couldn’t leave their houses. It took me a little bit, but after I started leaping, I decided to carry on their traditions. I honestly felt like I owed the people something after the way they took me in when my parents died. It turned out to be a blessing. I really enjoyed making a difference in people’s lives.”

“The effects of leaping are contagious,” I laughed.

“It’s more than that.” He squeezed my hand and kissed my forehead. “When you feel like you are part of something bigger, you don’t feel so alone anymore.”

“I bet they really noticed a void once you left,” I added. “You’re such a good person, Luke. They must have searched for you for years.”

“I tried to tie up loose ends. I left a few notes and said a few goodbyes. I didn’t want them to think something tragic had happened to me. People would have drawn the wrong conclusions if I had just disappeared one day.”

“I can only imagine the number of lives you’ve touched indirectly while you’ve been a shepherd. How often do you get new leapers?” The question made my stomach churn because I wasn’t sure I wanted to know how much time I had with him.

Luke hesitated. He could obviously sense my apprehension. “I get my leapers staggered so that I only get a new leaper every six months to a year.”

“If you get a new one every six months does that mean you lose one?” My voice was barely a whisper this time and I noticed I had stopped moving.

“Yes,” Luke replied softly. I hadn’t asked the question because the answer scared me, and now I was sorry that I had. “Kara, we don’t have to pursue a relationship if it’s going to be too much for you to endure. I just enjoy spending time with you and that’s not going to change.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck in desperation and planted my lips on his. There was no way I was taking steps backwards after I had gotten Luke to admit how he felt. His body, which had been stiff upon my unexpected reaction, slowly softened as our kiss deepened. It was a kiss overflowing with emotion and it could have gone on forever if only Luke would have allowed it.

“Oh Kara, you don’t even know what you do to me,” he whispered as he nestled his face in my hair. “Leaving you is going to be insufferable.”

“You don’t know if it will happen,” I choked. “I’m not going to believe it until it actually happens. I’ve now experienced things I never knew were possible and I have to believe we will find a way to make this work. The alternative is just not acceptable to me.”

Luke began twinkling and I knew he had to go. I grabbed his hand and we ran. We were only a few blocks from my house and I wanted him to get me home in one piece so I could deal with my emotions in the comfort of my solitary bedroom. We were both panting when we reached the front steps, but that didn’t stop me from seizing the opportunity to get one more kiss from him. I wasn’t the only one thinking such things because his lips were on mine before I had the chance to react.

“Good night, my sweet Luke,” I said, linking my hands with his one last time.

“Good night, beautiful,” he replied. He blew me a kiss as he faded into the light.

I opened the front door, trying to decide if I wanted to collapse on my bed in ecstasy or wallow in the sorrow that was most likely in my future. Instead, I was confronted by a curious mother lurking in the corner as I shut the door.

“That wasn’t the boy you left here with and he definitely appeared to be more than a friend. Are you going to tell me about it or do I have to go ask your friends?” Her delight for me was evident in the smile she was sporting.

“That was Luke, Mom. He surprised me and my date seemed okay with it.” I plopped down on the couch in a daze.

“He’s not married or anything, right? You said he was unavailable, but I can’t believe that means he’s involved with someone else. I think I know you better than that.” She raised an eyebrow.

“No Mom, nothing like
that
. Let’s just say he’s not from around here,” I began. “And he has a gift similar to mine.”

“I thought it was odd that there wasn’t a car, but I’m not going to ask any further questions because I’m not sure I’m ready for the answers. It’s just good to see you happy honey.” She yawned as she tilted her head towards the clock. “I have a double shift tomorrow so I’m going to head off to bed.”

“Me too,” I said, getting to my feet. It had been a long day, the best day of my life, but long.

Mom helped unzip my dress and I pattered my sore feet into my room. I decided that for tonight I was going to remain optimistic and bask in the memories that had been created. Nothing was forever, I knew that from Mom’s heartbreak, but I deserved the opportunity to enjoy the gift I had been blessed with.

When I woke up the next morning Mom had already left for work. She made sure to leave a section of the newspaper lying open with a note attached. It was the article written about our dance, obviously written in advance, and the huge photo accompanying it was of Luke and me. As I stared at the photo I felt breathless all over again. The night had felt like a dream, but the images staring back at me confirmed otherwise. To have a keepsake of our night together to save forever was more than I ever could have asked for.

After the crazy week I had endured, I figured I deserved a little veg time on the couch. Just as I sprawled out with a good book, the doorbell rang. Unfortunately the disruption was only the beginning of a long string of visitors. Everyone in town had something to say about the clip they saw of me on the news or the picture they had seen in the paper. Most of them even brought me their copy. I had more pictures of Luke and me together than I ever imagined. I was drained and ready for a nap by the time the lights dimmed in the sky.

The next week at school followed a similar, and most onerous, pattern. I felt like an ungracious popular girl. The questions and comments were all the same, and after I had met my threshold for tolerating the attention, I did my best to avoid or blow off any further inquiries. I prayed that a new story would break so I could fade back into the background.

By Friday of the following week, my frustration had peaked. I hadn’t seen Luke since the day of the dance and his face was the only thing getting me through the day. I felt relieved when a flash of light consumed me during my study hall class. I didn’t care where I was going or what task I would need to perform, I was just glad to escape the monotony of high school for a few hours.

“Rough week?” a soothing voice asked from behind.

I turned around expecting to see Luke, and instead, was greeted by a dark haired male with dark eyes and a mesmerizing smile. My mind blanked as I stared around the familiar setting of the church. No one had ever greeted me here besides Luke.