“What do you mean?” Jonas asked.“She’s been shut away in that house for two years, one excuse after another, but I knew it was because of that bastard she used to live with. I’ve only recently been able to get her do this show. I’ve been pestering her for two years, and finally, she agreed to take the pictures, but swore she wouldn’t do anything more than courier them over to me when they were done. Now here she is in the flesh with you.”
“John the Jerk?” Jonas asked, trying to correlate the reclusive Cheyenne this man described to the woman who’d been nothing but friendly and talkative.
Mark laughed, “Yeah, John the Jerk, John the asshole. I, personally, would like to see him strung up by his balls, but that’s just my opinion.”It was all Jonas could do not to look surprised.
“Okay, what’d you say, Mark, that put that look on Jonas’ face?” Cheyenne asked as she walked back toward them, the blood gone and the scrap all but invisible. Apparently, he hadn’t succeeded in hiding his surprise at Mark's comment.“I just said that John the Jerk should be strung up by his balls. Nothing that anyone who knows him wouldn’t say. The way he left you for that piece of twenty-year-old ass.”
She turned to Jonas, “Sorry, Mark’s not known for watching his mouth. He says whatever enters that tiny brain of his and spits it out no matter how crude.”“Oh, come now, you can’t tell me college boy has never heard worse.”
Cheyenne regarded him as though she was trying to see into his soul. Finally, satisfied with whatever she saw there, she said, “Oh, I’m sure he’s heard worse and said worse.”
She smiled and looped her arm through Jonas’ saying, “Come on, let’s look and see how much space Mark has grudgingly given up for my photographs.”Jonas put his hand over hers and followed along wondering about this familiar, but strange world he’d landed in. Apparently men and women had grown more equal. Men were no longer careful what they said in front of a lady and women who were smart, no longer hid it. He was sure he’d never be able to act around a lady like Mark did. Was that expected of men? Would he stand out because he could never fit in? Would he embarrass Cheyenne because he would be different?
As though he’d spoken the words aloud, Cheyenne turned to him and said, “Although Mark is not a rarity, there are still many men who are careful what they say around women. Don’t be put off by him.”He looked at her surprised. Was she a mind reader? When he was alone with her, he had no problem believing he belonged here. But when they left the house and moved around in this new world, that feeling vanished and he became unsure. Unsure if he’d ever fit in, and unsure if he wanted to.
Funny how the interaction between Cheyenne and Mark undermined his confidence in staying in this time. He realized that this was the first time Cheyenne had actually had a conversation with anyone other than him since he’d arrived. Like all people, she was different around others; she became a person Mark could relate to. And a person Jonas still admired and could love, but he just didn’t understand most of what they were talking about; they used phrases he didn’t understand.He found he could easily fall in love with the beautiful, energetic Cheyenne Cole, but looking at Mark, he was beginning to wonder if he was suited to this world after all. Perhaps that wasn’t the cosmic plan, after all.
Chapter Sixteen
9 comments:
Ah, first doubts. So far, Jonas seems to have been adapting quite well but this meeting with Mark has certainly made him think of how out of time he really is. Is Jonas starting to think he should go back after all? Hmmm ... I think if he does, Cheyanne will follow him, maybe that's why she ends up dead?
Another thought just occurred to me, because Jonas' time is well before Cheyanne was born, maybe she can't exist in that timeline but Jonas can exist in hers because he went forward not backward.
I think I am confusing myself now.
It would appear Jonas is beginning to doubt himself. It must be terribly hard to try and fit in somewhere you know nothing about. Up to now, as you point out, he has been in familiar territory despite the time change. I still think he will find some purpose, some way to save the day for Cheyenne.
I really am loving this story and can't wait to see where it takes us!
I was wondering how long it would take before Jonas started to feel completely out of place. And, not surprisingly, it happened when he saw Cheyenne's interaction with another man. Even on a friendship level, the contrast is stark.
This does not bode well. Although it might be difficult for Jonas to fit in where he is, it doesn't compare to the problems Cheyenne would have. All romance aside, just...well no. Or maybe she could.
Beautiful shots! I adore that gallery! And the writing is becoming so bittersweet.
Poor Jonas! He really wasn't expecting that bit of conversation, was he? I'm really curious what this jerk did to deserve such animosity past leaving her for someone younger. Was he mean to her when they dated? Hmm...
I really can't see Jonas speaking the way Mark does, LOL.
Jarasing,
Well, Mark is definitely a stark contrast to poor Jonas. I'm think Jonas was more than taken back by his statement.
Hehehe, Okay, time travel is a hard enough concept. Can you exist before you exist is definitely a tough question. That would confuse anybody. :D
Gayl,
Thank you! Yes, finally meeting and reacting with someone other than Cheyenne is definitely a different experience. I'm sure it didn't help that Cheyenne left him alone.
S.B.
Thank you! Most couples have problems to start with, but these two have some very unusual ones to deal with.
You know, I thought about Cheyenne in the past, and because she's a photographer, I think she would make a great splash in opening the field for women. :D
Mao,
No, Mark thought he was a college boy, which leads me to believe that Mark did not go to college. Although it's not part of the story, John lived off of her and treated her like shit until he found something better.
Oh, heavens, Jonas would clean his own mouth out with soap first. I know he swore when he first landed, but he doesn't remember that, and he certainly wouldn't do it now. :D
Having some doubt was inevitable. And you handled it perfectly. It makes perfect sense that Cheyenne would be more careful around Jonas to make sure he wasn't too overwhelmed by the modern world, but slip into her more natural self around others. I only hope those doubts don't overtake him. That would not be a good thing!
Thank you very much, Saoz! :D
Yes, being around Cheyenne is one thing, but socially the world has changed a lot. I'm sure he got some of it from watching TV, which he has, but meeting someone like Mark for real would definitely set him back a bit, I'm afraid.
Poor Jonas! His mind must feel like it's going to explode with everything that's happened to him! I can't blame him for doubting that he would really be able to adapt to life now, seeing how different most men are! I really don't think he would do so bad but I can understand why he would think that way!
Mark is a fine example of some guys I've known. :/
He was definitely tossed in there to give Jonas something to think about. :D
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