21
Optimal Clarity

“Anyone would like to check on Kayla?” Kevin hollered through the sushi rolls they got delivered.

The rich girl was passed out on the white sofa just in front of the table, hand just over her own stomach, head tilted off to the right.

“Why not?” Irene stood up and walked over. She took hold of Kayla’s right arm and shook.

“Ahh!” The girl in the red check sprung her arms forward and attempted to push Irene away. Then the hyperventilation began as Kayla looked puzzled at the table looking back at her.

Luna ran out from the table, showed her her left arm, and tugged on the red ribbon.

“It’s me, Kayla. It’s me.” The butler’s voice seemed to have calmed her down. “The one in your timeline.”

“In your—“ Irene stepped back as she shushed Kevin.

“I’d say we let him know.” Alex seemed to have garnered everyone’s attention. Kayla and Luna looked at him almost in puzzlement. “No point in hiding something—“

“So you’re hiding stuff from me?” Kevin looked at him.

“Not that type of hiding, just a curiosity. Kayla is.” Angel gave Luna a nod and quickly turned away.

“The cube thing?” Irene passively voiced at the table as she went into the hatch for the stairs.

“Kayla and her friend Luna came in on an experiment. To put it simply, they traveled through time.” Alex noticed Kevin’s facial expression. “I understand that what I’m saying sounded like fiction, but Kayla’s father used to be the CEO of Circle until he’s gone a few decades ago. But they had an experiment ongoing—“

Alex stopped himself.

“They’re, uh, visiting.” Angel backed her boyfriend up to the table.

“Is that what you got the job for? To look at—“

Irene shook her head at him. Alex tried to give a reply but his voice was cut off.

“I can take your word on the New York part. They might not like the two-hour train ride that is just far better but I can over—“

“You taking my word or not does not change the truth.” Alex drank from his cup as he forced the words out of his mouth. “They came from the other side of the country.”

Luna collected a few pieces into a tray and handed it to Kayla.

“They bought this house.” Angel looked at her boyfriend in silent surprise over the tone of voice he used.

“Fine.” Kevin drank from the cup of his own. “What’s that cube thing gotta do? Annihilate all criminals? It can’t—”

“I can’t tell anyone. I’m bound by a contract.”

“They offered you something to sign?” Irene’s disbelieving eyes connected with her friend Angel.

“They did. But I told Luna anyway.”

Irene chuckled, first to herself, then she turned to Kevin.

“You just couldn’t give a damn.”

Luna looked at the rich girl, who picked up her chopsticks.

“Admittedly we wanted to leave before, and we still do—“ Luna looked at the table. “Alex kinda swayed me into staying—“

The entire table looked back at them. Kayla stopped eating at once.

“No, no, no, no, no, no.” Irene shook her head. “You guys are great. Something about the West Coast you didn’t like? I know that Los Angeles had a bad rep but—“

“Next thing you’re gonna tell me they crashed a plane to get here.”

The whole room fell silent.

Kayla’s head fell back onto the couch. Irene’s palm went on her face. Angel looked at Alex but didn’t make a comment. Her hand beckoned him to come sit down again.

“You sparked my curiosity, I must admit.” Alex’s head peered through the table. “Care to share what you have witnessed?”

Kayla’s head darted towards Luna. The battered breathed a long sigh.

“Some years ago. I don’t know.” The entire table looked on as she stood up and left for her own room. 

There had been nudges amongst the table, but no one had the heart to stand up from their seats.

“Luna.” Kevin’s voice came from the end of the table. Irene looked at him. “Your, uh, fatty tuna. Don’t let it go to waste.”

The butler formed a smile.

“Sure.” She came over and took the entire plate with that singular piece away from him. “You sure you don’t mind?”

“It’s here. It’s yours.” He squeezed a smile so forced it made Irene queasy.

“I’ll finish it up, then.” Luna maintained eye contact as she was instructed to do so for everyone. The handbook called it courtesy. 

As the plate came father and farther from Kevin, his voice froze her.

“You’re not gonna sit here, and um—“ Irene darted her eyes at him. “There’s a chair and, well—“

“Funny thing.” Luna picked the piece off and chewed. She took the green tea from the table and offered herself a cup. “I wasn’t allowed to sit back home much. Maybe Kayla will allow it, but I can’t really, uh, do that. In front of anyone else.”

Irene switched to a softer glance when she checked on Luna.

“You’re allowed to here.” Kevin chuckled. “Just saying.”

“It’s a habit thing?” Luna had the cup back on the table as her hands worked to clear the table. “I still appreciate your offer. Thank you.”

“Good thing you appreciate—“

“Okay, okay.” Irene stood up and folded away some of the containers. “If we don’t pack this up, guess what happens.”

“The car is coming in about ten minutes to pick it up.” Angel looked outside the window.

“Did you know, Luna?” Irene stuffed the rest of the boxes into the giant sheet that Luna is holding shut.

“I think this is something you guys specialize in,” Luna giggled. “I’m just a visitor, after all.”

Kevin sat there, motionless, and lost himself in this nonsensical chatter before the auto pulled up and half the house left for it.