Paul Kohler - The Borrowed Souls, A Novel

“For what it’s worth, Cyndi, I never meant to hurt you. That Kama Sutra book really puts our bodies into perilous positions. But I have to say, that was the best sex I’ve ever had.”

I pulled the coin from Cyndi’s hand. Shocked and overwhelmed at what I just witnessed, I stepped away from her bedside.

“Are you serious?” I asked loudly. “Your injury came from having sex with Kevin?”

Cyndi’s unconscious soul did not reply.

As I paced next to her unresponsive body, I finally noticed the nurse attending to the tubes and wires connected to Cyndi’s body.

“I wouldn’t bother, nurse. This woman is a cheating whore, and I’m here to collect her soul,” I said, standing right next to her.

The nurse didn’t react to my voice. She just continued cleaning and adjusting Cyndi’s life support. Moments later, another person walked in and approached the bedside.

“Any status change?” he asked.

“No, Doctor. The patient remains unconscious.”

The doctor flipped open Cyndi’s medical chart and reviewed several pages, starting from the last page forward. “Next of kin?”

“Not that I’m aware of, Doctor. According to the sergeant on duty, her husband can’t be found.”

The doctor nodded as he jotted some notes in her chart.

“What’s the prognosis, Doctor? Do you think she’ll make it?” asked the nurse.

The doctor paused momentarily. I moved closer to be sure I heard every word.

“Unfortunately her fall was quite severe. Aside from the multiple fractures to both of her legs and her right arm, it’s the damage to her brain that will most likely take her life. But there’s no way of knowing at this point. She needs to fight.”

“How far was the fall?” asked the nurse.

The doctor flipped through the chart looking for the information, but it wasn’t present. “I’m not exactly sure, but from what I understand she lived on the twenty-fifth floor and her body was found at the base of the stairwell on the first floor.”

“My God, how could she even survive that kind of fall?”

“Perhaps her guardian angel was looking out for her. Unfortunately that angel can only do so much. The damage is just too severe,” the doctor said making his final notes. “Nurse, see if you can track down any other relatives that can be notified. It would be such a shame if she passed without any family present.”

“Will do, Doctor,” said the nurse before they both walked out of the room.

With the medical staff gone, I stood and stared at Cyndi’s lifeless body. This emotional roller coaster was killing me. I returned to the chair next to her bed, once again taking her hand in mine.

“Well, klutz. It looks like you really fucked things up this time,” I said caressing her skin. “I really should be several levels beyond pissed right now, but for some reason I only have pity for you. Pity for us.”

I wished the dreadful ordeal were over, but I knew it wouldn’t be until I finished what I had come here to do. I slipped the coin back into her hand, clenching my teeth at what I might experience next.

The elevator doors closed, and Cyndi pressed the button for 25.

“Listen, Kevin, I really do appreciate everything you’ve done for me. You’ve been a rock for me for so long, especially when I needed someone the most.”

“But—”

“I think that what we’ve had has been wonderful, but I think it needs to end.”

Before Kevin could reply, the elevator dinged and the doors parted, revealing the twenty-fifth floor corridor. Cyndi stepped out and led the way to her apartment door.

“Then why’d you invite me to your apartment?” Kevin asked.

“Because I wanted to talk to you about this in private. Sure, I could’ve just blown you off at the donation station, but I felt I owed you more than that,” Cyndi said. “Besides, I figured we could have lunch together one last time.”

“So you want to cut everything out, not just the sex?”

“Don’t you think it would be better that way? If we go on being friends, our own animalistic desires might take over.”

“You really are an animal sometimes,” Kevin joked.

Cyndi snickered. “Would you be serious, please?”

“I am. Cyndi, you are the most wonderful woman that I’ve ever been with.”

Cyndi blushed. “That’ll be enough of that, Mister. Do you want a sandwich?”

“Yeah, sure. What do you have?”

Cyndi opened the refrigerator door. “Well, we have turkey. We have roast beef, or we have peanut butter and jelly.”

“What kind of jelly?” Kevin asked, imitating a little boy’s face.

“It’s raspberry, you goof.”

“If that’s the case, then I’ll take the roast beef, please.”

As Cyndi made them both sandwiches, Kevin moved about the living room, looking at the various family pictures of Cyndi and Jack.

“Tell me, why are you really breaking things off with me?” he asked.

“It’s complicated.”

“Uncomplicate it.”

Cyndi slipped off her heels on the kitchen floor before carrying their lunch plates to the table.

“Thank you. This looks delicious.”

Cyndi nodded. “I’ve always imagined having a big family. I thought that family would consist of myself, Jack, and two or three kids. After we found out that we couldn’t have children, I tried my best to reenvision our future together. It was difficult. We’ve talked about other alternatives, but… Then I met you.”

Kevin glanced up at her sorrowful face, winked, and then took another bite of his sandwich.

“You see, you were a distraction.”

“Ouch.”

“A wonderful distraction.” Cyndi smiled. “But recently I’ve discovered that I still love Jack. I do, with all my heart. And I know he loves me. Regardless of the fruitless curveball that has been thrown at us, we’re gonna make it through this.”

Kevin finished his sandwich and placed his plate in the sink.

“And you’re sure?” he asked

“Yes, I’m sure. Despite Jack’s flaws, I truly believe he’s my soul mate,” Cyndi said, wiping tears from her eyes.

“Well, I’m thankful to have been your distraction, even if just for a little while. You are beautiful woman, and all I can say is, it was fun while it lasted.”

Cyndi’s appetite was lost, and she emptied her plate in the garbage.

“Thank you, Kevin. You have no idea how difficult this has been,” she said, her tears flowing rapidly.

“Hey, hey. Come here,” Kevin said pulling her into his arms. “It’ll be all right.”

Cyndi sobbed into Kevin’s shoulder, her body shaking in his arms.

Kevin stroked the back of her hair as her emotions flowed freely. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head.

Cyndi lifted her head and looked into his eyes.

“What do you say? One more romp for old times’ sake?” Kevin asked before kissing her gently on her lips.

Silently, Cyndi led Kevin into the bedroom.

“Oh, hell no,” I said, pulling the coin from her hand. “I’ve already witnessed that once, I’m not going to relive it again.”

I leaned back and thought about what I’d just witnessed. Part of me wanted to hug and kiss Cyndi for all the love that she had for me, while the other part wanted to sob like a baby at her betrayal. Right after punching Kevin in the face, obviously.

Wondering how exactly I could fast-forward past that unforgettable scene, I fumbled with the coin between my fingers.

“Why me, Wilson? Why was I selected to collect her soul?”

I sensed movement behind me, but when I stood and turned, there was nobody there. I walked to the door and pulled the curtain open. There were two nurses behind the station, but nobody else was around. Figuring I was imagining things, I returned to Cyndi’s bedside and slipped the coin into her hand.