Chapter 28 - Amy

Chapter 28 – Amy

The whole world stopped when Thia opened those double doors. Is that too corny? Fight me. Because I knew it was Thia before I even caught a glimpse of her figure. Of her satin gloves, or her porcelain skin. I knew it was her because the thud of that ancient, metal push bar—tarnished by the acrid sweat of a million nervous, awkward, clammy high schooler hands—suddenly became the first bell of dawn. Because the squeak of rusty hinges became the fanfare of angels—became that alarm you forgot you didn't need—the one you could turn off, relieved, before melting back into heavenly slumber. I can’t explain it. I know it’s not possible. But I knew it was Thia, because that’s what Thia did to everything and to everyone around her. She made the mundane divine. So who's to say she didn't make the world stop, too.

Then I saw her face.

Now I'm a believer.

Sorry. Couldn't help myself. Low hanging fruit. A girl’s gotta cover for the mashed pasghetti brain somehow.

And look. It’s not like I could recall any of what happened next anyways.

Everything just blurred into a smear of words and laughs and whispers. And when the brush stroke reached its end—when Thia said ‘continue’ with the sweetest voice I’d ever heard—when I finally emerged from the hazy dream—Thia’s hand was in mine, waiting for the next colour. Her hip was against mine, waiting for the first move. Her eyes were locked to mine, waiting for the signal to start.

And in the absence of music—in the absence of words—in the absence of sound—in the absence of everything except each other—we danced. We danced like we were painting whole worlds with nothing but our steps and our breaths as the guide. We danced like there was nothing in those worlds more important than the two of us being together.

Petals, black and white, fell gently onto blades of grass. So delicate. So precise. The slightest breeze would take them off their balanced perch. But nature watched with bated breath. A sigh. A careful nudge. A whispered promise: ‘if you follow me, you’ll never have to fear.’

The winds of change.

We tumbled from our cautious throne, but she was there to catch me when I fell. Advisor to divinity, her touch alone turned artless words to poetry, and poetry to gold. We worked as one. As one we fell. Into each other. Intertwined. Aligned with cosmic purpose, and with eyes for no one else.

Beauty sprang from every step. Our errors turned to flourish, virtuous and right. The virtuoso wasted not a single drop of effort underneath the speckled lights. And dangled from the strings, her puppet flowed in graceful dance. It need not think; it had no time.

Spontaneous!

Change in direction. The artist’s inflection could turn on a dime. Subtle suggestion with minüte correction. A courteous invite to be something more. She took me here. I pulled her there. My clumsy steps turned serpentine. We slithered, twisted. Linked, collided. Pulled apart, and reunited. Through the hall of gods we glided.

In a trance, the heralds watched in awe.

Strength became a certainty. Pressure building rapidly. Understanding burgeoning. Pace increasing: Rhapsody! Climbing to the peak of the Mountain of Creation and looking down the edge at the storm before the calm.

Twirling together, as light as a feather, we jumped from the summit and flew through the sky. I spun in her arms as she fell into mine, and together we witnessed the birth of Divine.

Then finally when all was said and done. When beauty ran its course like all things do. We stood with all our limbs entwined as one. And held our other half in love’s embrace.

I looked into Thia’s eyes. Just as she looked into mine.

And there was nothing else in the world.

There was only us.

Nothing else.

Only us.

My face was red. I know. I could feel it. But Thia looked as calm as ever.

My breath came out in gasps. I know. I could hear it. But Thia’s breaths—her perfect little breaths, three seconds in, three seconds out—were as evenly measured as always.

I timed it one day, you know? Of course I did. Who wouldn’t? It was three seconds to the dot. Her breaths never varied. Not when she was sleeping. Not when she was awake. My perfect Thia.

My eyes were unfocused and watering. I know. I could barely see. But Thia held me in her pitch black gaze, unwavering. Drawing me in and never letting me climb free from the abyss. Not that I ever wanted to. I would stay forever if I could. But then she blinked. Like she always did, every ten seconds. To the dot, of course. Except when she was surprised. Then she would blink off cue and restart the timer. My silly Thia.

My tongue was in a knot. I know. I was speechless. But I knew that when I spoke, Thia would respond. She would wait one second after I was done. To the dot, of course. Except when she was thinking. Then she would wait an extra third, two-third, or full second before responding, depending on how caught off guard she was. My cute Thia.

My Thia... so meticulous it's beyond human. But that's what I love about her.

I love how she stops breathing when she's thinking about something.

I love how she treats everyone with fairness, even when so few people give her a chance.

I love how deeply and profoundly she experiences everything in life, even though she says she has no feelings.

I love the curiosity, and patience, and compassion, and love, and justice, and forgiveness that fill her very being.

I love everything about her.

But instead of saying any of that, I just simply say:

“I love you, Thia.”

And exactly one second later:

“It accepts the premise. Continue”

“Squee.”

And exactly one second later, she’ll say, as usual:

“Amy’s soul is properly housed.”

And I won’t know what to say next. But I know that she understands everything that I’m thinking, and more. So even when I can’t find the words. Even when I stumble. Even when I don’t quite understand myself... I know that Thia understands. Because she says so. And I know that she means it. Because that’s how Thia is.

My perfect, cute, silly, wonderful, honest Thia.

The most precious girl across every universe, in every dimension, throughout all of space and time.

The love of my life. Someone who was wholly, wholly, wholly, completely, and utterly irreplaceable.

The person who I would do anything for, and give everything to, for all of eternity.

And now, with heart sweet and filled with love, I get to spend the rest of the evening with my head on her shoulder, hand in her hand, squeeing from the depths of my soul.