Walking back home from work, with dinner ready for his wife, Harold remembered looking in his son's online gradebook and seeing a homework assignment "past due." His grade in that math class was brought down to a C because of this homework assignment that he did not do. This mildly angered him, so he unconsciously walked faster.
However, once he got closer to the driveway of his home, he got over his anger. Instead, now he was happy to see his family.
A happy Harry walking toward the front door of his home walked past his parked car and saw a book in there that intrigued him. It intrigued him because he did not remember ever having this book, let alone placing in the driver's seat of the car. He opened the car door, looked inside, and found that the book was gone.
'How weird this is' he thought 'I must be imagining things, but I swear the title of that book said something about doors'
"Whatever," he said out loud and headed back toward the front door of his precious home.
The only two things Harold Elmer loved in this world more than the clickity-clackity sound of his keys as he opened the door to his home – where the heart is, and in his case, the heart was with his family – were the graceful voices of his beautiful young son and his loving wife greeting him after a "long" day of work.
Harry didn't exactly feel as though his work days were long. If he could explain it in words: he could work day in and day out without getting tired, bored, or even complaining; and if it weren't for his constant and compelling desire to be in the presence of his family, he would do just that.
"Welcome home daddy! I missed you."
He loved his son with all his heart, but the very thought of spoiling Little Lucas angered him. He did not want a brat for a son.
"I missed you too. But don't try to shirk out of this one boy. Don't you remember what we talked about last night?"
"When I got out of bed to ask you for a glass of water? I was just thirsty!"
"Don't play dumb with me. You're old enough to know exactly what I'm talking about."
Except maybe he wasn't. The fact of the matter was–
"Hey dad, hasn't this already happened before?"
Harold's expression darkened. Eyes wide, jaw dropped, shaking down to the core. A heartbeat so fast and strong you could sense it being emitted from him. You could hear it saying "tum-tum... tum-tum... tum-tum" vibrating each time it beats.
"Daddy you forgot to close the doors! The house and the car!"
"Huh... uh... the-"
"I'll get them for you daddy!"
"the doors?"
What is going on. What is this feeling he has, like this isn't the first time he's been through this... Or like this isn't what he thinks it is...
He is unbelievably captured in fear. He couldn't shake the ominous feeling screaming at him that something terrible would happen not too long from now.
Maybe he's just imagining things. Right, that must be it. calm down Harry, calm down.
"Now, what was I thinking about?"
"What, daddy?"
Right. He was thinking about the bad grade Little Lucas got in math. It infuriated him every time he thought about it. He did not want a brat for a son. A lazy brat was even worse. And considering how the bad grade was from an assignment Lucas didn't turn in, Harold had to scold his son, to make sure he does not become a lazy brat.
But, now is not the time for that. He's gonna go give this to Everleigh.
"Nothing boy, go to your room, we'll talk in a little while."
Little Lucas walked to his room with a bitter look on his face and without saying anything.
Harold made his way upstairs to find Everleigh waking up from a nap. He didn't wake her up, but she woke up right as he came in.
It's almost like they're psychically connected. She really was his soulmate.
"Damn, every single day you get me!"
"What do you mean I get you?! Weirdo!"
"This will never get old for me." Harold thought out loud.
Everleigh was pretending not to know what Harold meant, but she knew exactly what he meant. Maybe it was because she felt the same way, or maybe it was because now she was a part of him. Either way, Harold was sure she knew. She was just trying to get it out of him. Maybe she loved hearing it, or maybe she liked making him feel embarrassed. Either way, he'll comply with her. He always has and always will.
"Those emerald eyes of yours looking directly into my soul and that cheerful smile brightening my day. I know that I've experienced it maybe millions of times, ever since I met you, but every single time I see it, it doesn't cease to amaze me."
"Go on... I want to hear more."
"You must be truly special, because every time I see you it's almost like I'm imprisoned by your presence. A prisoner inside your gaze. A slave to your smile."
Her facial expression hardened. Her lips, tightened together, turned into a crescent moon, with the edges pointing downward. Her eyes had this sharp, intense look in them, and her eyebrows lowered and came inward a bit as if she was mad. That was when Harry thought something might be wrong. Before he could think any longer, she uttered words that shook Harold to the bone with terror.
"Oh harry..." She said
"You need to get over me."
"What? Everleigh what do you mean get over you?"
Harold blinked once and when he opened his eyes she was smiling. Her lips were still a crescent moon, but now the edges were pointing upwards. She no longer had that sharp, frightening look in her eyes.
"You need to get over me so you can get on this side of the bed, silly."
"Uh... Um- Oh, That's what you meant. Okay then."
What in the world is going on. Harold's heart right now was pounding so hard he thought it could pop out of his chest at any moment.
'I guess I'll just leave the conversation with Luke for tomorrow'
He was way too exhausted for scolding. He had no clue what he was going through right now. Why his family is acting so weird, why he has an ominous feeling, why he has such intense deja vu. He had to lie down and breathe. This was all in his head. It's nothing but silliness. I'm just imagining things.
'I'm just imagining things', he told himself, as he slowly fell asleep.