Che-Michelle Tales

* This post was in my drafts. I may have already published this if not enjoy! Also if you want more of this story. Leave a comment. I will keep publishing parts of this story. *

Janelle tapped her coffee mug, waiting for her interview with the young anthropologist that was being lauded for unearthing new pottery and clay tablets from 2500 BCE, Greece. She was disenchanted about the subject, but her boss was thrilled about the discovery. Janelle thought back to the conversation she had with her boss.
“Janelle, I have the perfect assignment for you.”, Mrs. Farrell said, typing on her keyboard, not making eye contact. Janelle found her lack of eye contact annoying but feigned a corporate smile, just enough to appear interested behind the computer monitor. Janelle didn’t want to show her discontent since her last three articles were not published in print or website.
“OK, what’s the topic?” attempting to hide her skepticism by increasing her pitch. Janelle assessed her boss’s office, which was cluttered and smelled of canned tuna and coffee. Two scents that would repel most people caused Janelle to become a mouth breather for just a few moments while in the office.
“Well, as you know …” as Mrs. Farrell paused mid-sentence. Janelle mentally rolled her eyes at the sound of her boss’s nasally voice. Still, she focused on the next statement, “Johns Hopkins University has a new anthropologist, who made some stunning discoveries in Greece.”
A forced smile came across Janelle’s face as she shook her head, yes. “God, can she hurry up!” she thought as she glanced at her cell phone positioned on her lap. No new messages. Janelle let out a sigh at the wrong moment. Mrs. Farrell noticed Janelle’s body language, her face tighten, and her voice tensed.
“Some of the artifacts predates most known pieces to man. This discovery may rewrite some of the current history textbooks.” Farrell’s facial expression turned cold. Janelle wondered if she was trying to intimidate her through her stoic face.
Janelle’s face went blank. She thought to herself, who cares about some old clay pots. Janelle wanted good stories with more investigative reporting. An article that could get her a job at the Washington Post. Farrell, seeing the blank expression on Janelle’s face. Quickly snapped Janelle back to reality, “Janelle, you’re doing this story. You need more pieces under your name. Your last few stores weren’t good.” She paused and made deliberate eye contact with Janelle. “Those stories were downright terrible.”
Janelle snapped to attention. As Mrs. Farrell finished her statement, she shook her head and rubbed her temples as if a headache was forming “look, this is a simple story, and it’s a piece of cake.” Farrell said as her frustration flowed from every word. Janelle was speechless. she didn’t feel like an argument and decided to again apply the fake work smile “Thank you,” as she quickly tried to leave the office. As Janelle stepped one foot out the door, she heard Farrell clear her throat. Janelle turned around to see her holding a piece of paper with all the information she needed holding it up for her to take the lead. “I also emailed it to you, in case that paper disappears.” Mrs. Farrell stated frankly, “Janelle, don’t screw this up. The article is due by Friday. We want to run it next week in society and culture.” Janelle grinned, saying “OK.” through her teeth. As she walked out of the office, reading the info.
Janelle was grateful for the work; she still had bills to pay and food to eat. She would have preferred to interview politicians and follow more hard-hitting stories. Janelle started daydreaming about winning a Pultizer for uncovering a scandal like Ronan Farrow.

Janelle snapped herself back to reality, looking at her phone. “He’s Late.” She mumbled to herself about sitting in the Tea Shop sipping the warm apple chai latte. Janelle began to lament herself a job is a job, and she needed to make sure she kept a study source of income. Janelle rolled her eyes, thinking about why they couldn’t do this interview. Over skype, they could have knocked this out early this morning, but the anthropologist wanted to meet in person. After the interview, Janelle plotted that she would try to talk to the ousted Police Commissioner about the corruption allegations that forced his resignation. She took another sip of her drink when the subtle scent of sandalwood and pine wafted through the café. The warm scent seemed familiar, but her mind couldn’t connect why. It brought memories of a man she never saw with a woman that looked like her.
The flashes became more intense, as brief scenes of beautiful wood sculptures, picnics under a warm sun, figs, and olives with sweet bread flashed in her mind. Janelle shook her head, trying to break the link to the images floating in her head. Why now was she daydreaming, as if the thought didn’t belong and she noticed the tall man walk into the café, his aura was different, a mix of confidence, knowledge but at the same time aloof. His skin appeared creamy like a maple latte, and his eye shimmered brown with gold flakes. Brown freckles decorated his cheeks, with his auburn-red hair. The gentleman reminded her of Blake Griffin’s, but with a different vibe missing a bit of confidence. Janelle assumed it was probably just her fantasizing. The tall man and walked over to her table, smiled, and extended his hand for a handshake, “Hello, I am Mr. Adam Hammerstein, you must be Ms. Janelle Moore.” Janelle stood up and shook his hand, smiling.
“Yes, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Hammerstein.” I have tried to research you, but I seem to only find your name as an anthropologist on the JHU website,” Janelle shot a smug smile at Adam.
“Well, I have two papers and three newspaper articles, so maybe your not a good researcher,” Adam shot back to Janelle. Janelle played it cool “No social media, no personal records of you before working at Johns Hopkins? You have to say it’s a bit strange ?” Janelle raised one eyebrow to Adams. Janelle did find his lack of social media presence odd but knew a few people avoided social media for personal reasons. Adam smiled and chuckled at Janelle’s facial expressions and straight-forward approach.
“Ahhh yes, I just finished my Ph.D.” Adam boosted but then paused, trying to gauge Janelle’s facial expression. She wasn’t impressed. Adam hesitated, his voice quivered, “And this is my first major discovery pertaining to Grecian History, so it will be the source of at least 3 papers.” Adam’s voice sounded typical, but, at the same time, like he was holding back his natural voice more authoritative tone from escaping his lips.
“Well, let’s get started, Mr. Hammer,” She said, putting her phone face down on the table. Janelle had secretly pressed record on her phone and hidden camera.
“It’s Hammerstein. Where should I begin?” Adam asked looking quizzical, but enthusiastic about sharing his past.
“I’ll throw out some soft questions?” Janelle raised her eyebrow, thinking that “Adam was such a noob.” “Or we can get to the point and cut this interview short,” Janelle leaned forwarded to encourage Adam to keep the interview brief.

“Well, what if I told you that the Greek Gods are Real?” Adam leaned forward, whispering to Janelle. Janelle tilted her head to the side and blinked not once but twice in disbelief. She sighed and thought to herself, “where did this crazy man come from” pondering if this was her life or was she dreaming. Janelle shook her head No, “OK, I think this interview is done.” Janelle picked up her phone; her face betrayed her thoughts. Janelle’s eyes became squinty, and her lips downturned to a frown, thinking, “This man is crazy believing Greek Gods are real.”
“No, I am serious, I have evidence that they are real, and all the myths that they have told are true, to an extent,” Adam said, hoping to persuade Janelle to stay and hear him out. He reached out his hand to stop her from packing her bag.
“You know what, you’re crazy.” She said, picking up her massive oversized bag from the floor, avoiding his hand.
“No, I have proof that Hephaestus had a secret son by Aphrodite, and all the hijinks of each of the GODS, its all real!” Adam said, his eyes still shimmered, but his deep voice cracked and sounded agitated that he couldn’t convince Janelle that they existed.
Janelle sucked her teeth, shaking her head no. Janelle thought to herself, “This is not my life.” Janelle let out a chuckle to keep from making a scene. “That sounds like a world-class cheap-ass book on Amazon. You know, one of the $.99 books people quickly write and sell that full of errors cause no one proofreads the drivel. Then it disappears into obscurity.” Janelle flashed her hands as starburst to reveal a sarcastic smile. Janelle double checked to make sure she had her cell phone. Adam was having none of this and reached out again to stop her. “Wait, I have proof,” He said, reaching in his pocket. Janelle put one hand up and shook her head no again; with a defeated sigh, she said, “Look, I don’t know how you were able to convince my boss that you deserved an interview, but you need to see a psychologist or psychist whatever you need help.” Janelle said, making a beeline for the door. When Adam spoke, “Ο ευλογημένος Kronos μου επιτρέπει τη δυνατότητα να σταματήσω τον χρόνο και να διορθώσω το σφάλμα μου.” ( Blessed Kronos allow me the ability to stop time and correct my error.) Janelle never heard the foreign tongue, but a booming snap caused a sudden mist to fall over the café.
Janelle turned to see Adam standing up, but something else caught her eye. No one was moving. At a table and the two people ordering food, the server stopped at a table and looked as if they were suspended. The steam from the espresso machines seemed frozen, shimmering a soft white cloud as if the water vapors are crystallizing. She looks outside and even notices that leaves that were actively drifting from trees are frozen, paused even. Janelle again shook her head, thinking, what kind of weed did her roommate give her last night. She thought she was safe. Adam, now standing in front of her, “Can I explain?” Adam’s voice came off deeper, almost baritone, and he appeared taller than before, but before he could usher Janelle back to the table. Janelle let out a blood-curdling scream, followed by swinging her bag at his head. The heavy tote bag connected, hitting Adam in the jaw. The hit shocked Adam as he stumbled backward before catching his footing. Janelle ran out of the café and sprinted up the street. As Janelle ran, she noticed the world was suspended in time. “What the fuck?” she said, breathless, gasping for air. Janelle focused on getting to her car and getting the hell out away from Adam.
“Maybe I am dreaming, and this is just a fantasy.” Janelle was still panting from her sprint. She tried to calm down before pulling off.

Adam started mumbling to himself in the café, “You really outdone yourself, Adamiones.” He shook his head. “OK, I need to catch her.” He got up to run out of the Tea Shop when he realized he could just teleport to her car. He repeated the time freezing spell and snapped his fingers as people started to move again. Adam walked out of the café, and he looked around to ensure no one is watching him. Adam closed his eyes to see where exactly Janelle was. He envisioned Janelle at her car, fumbling with her keys to get in her car. Adam looked around, amused at humans and their cell phones keeping them so preoccupied. He concentrated on sitting in the car beside Janelle as he vaporized outside the Tea Shop. No one around him noticed he disappeared, except for a baby in the stroller that gurgled, watching Adam dematerialized into thin air.
Janelle was in her car, hands shaking, when she noticed, cars around her are moving again. “Come on, Janelle, Come on, get this car moving.” Dropping her keys on the floor. Just then, the smell of sandalwood and Bourbon wafts her nose, and she knew Adam is sitting in the passenger seat. Before she could let out another scream, Adam blew a cloud of white dust in her face, though she tried to reset, it warm and inviting, like it lulling her to sleep. Janelle fell forward over her steering wheel, asleep. The next time he will listen to his father, Adam let out a sigh. Adam looked around, luckily no cameras or anyone around. Adam exited the car and maneuvers Janelle to the back. Carefully, not hurting or feeling her up. Once she secured in the back seat, Adam began digging through her large tote bag, looking for something with an address on it.
“Why do you have so many cards?”Adam was enamored at the different reward and membership cards Janelle pocketed. Adam looked back at Janelle sleeping, commenting with a smirk, “You really like a sweet frog, I see; they do have good frozen yogurt.”
Adam finally found Janelle’s license, “OK, you live 5 minutes away, perfect.” Adam started the car when he noticed three-foot peddles. “Shit! he exclaimed. “You got a Manual! Really a Manual. COME ON.”
Adam mumbled under his breath, “Hera be damned!” He paused, thinking, “I hope she didn’t hear that.”
“OK, this isn’t too bad until the car jerks and roll backward. “I should have just teleported us to her place. Adam thought as the car jerk forward, trying to determine if he should go to second or first gear. Adam slammed on the brake, causing the car behind him to honk its horn and swerve. A loud “Muthafucka learn to drive Bitch comes from another car. “Great Zeus!!!” He calls out in frustration. Adam took a loud sigh and continued driving. After 20 minutes of back and forth, Adam finally pulled up to a comfortable brownstone in Reservoir Hill. Adam leans his head back and lets out a loud sigh. Frustrated and annoyed with driving, he tries to remember why he just didn’t teleport them to her place. Adam noticed a car parked in front of the house and thought maybe Janelle had a partner or roommate. Adam stepped out of the vehicle, surveying the neighborhood; it was quiet for midday. He tried to move Janelle out of the car without drawing attention. Adam lifted Janelle out of the car, trying not to hit her head. She felt light in his arms. Well, he thought to himself, “he is a GOD. All mortals felt light to Gods.” Adam maneuvered, trying to grab her tote bag without dropping Janelle. Adam, he proceeds up the steps to the brownstone. He started was fiddling with Janelle’s keyring, trying to determine which key opened her door. Adam heard a click than a loud whoosh as the door flew open. Adam noticed a lanky, 5’9, quirky person standing before him. “WHO ARE YOU?” They screamed, “Why are you carrying Janelle?” Adam pushed past Janelle’s strange roommate to place her gingerly on the couch.
“Excuse me. Who are you? What happened to Janelle?” the roommate asked, dialing 911 from their phone.
“I am Dr. Adam Hammerstein, she was supposed to interview me today. She passed out during the interview.” Adam said, his back turned to face Janelle’s Roommate.
“She passed out, and you ain’t take her to the hospital?” Did you…” as their voice trailed off, picking up a bat beside the front door and hitting Adam on the side of his head with full force. The bat broke against Adam’s head. Adam took a deep breath. He could sense the roommate was shocked at the broken bat. Adam felt his annoyance building up in his stomach and reminded himself, “They are just Humans.”
“Du…” Adam stopped himself from cussing, breathing in through his nose to defuse his anger. Adam reminded himself that Janelle’s roommate was trying to protect her from Adam, a stranger. “Look, I brought her here cause she’s fine. Janelle just passed out. It’s not a doctor-type situation.” Adam said, rubbing the side of his head; though it didn’t hurt, it was still annoying.
“You not knocked out?” as the roommate dropped the broken wooden bat. Their eyes bulged out from the shock of Adam still standing. The roommate let out a high pitch scratchy scream. Adam muttered the same incantation and snapped his fingers. The same light mist filled the room, freezing time.
“What just happened?” as Janelle’s roommate freaked out, they repeated themselves, screaming this time, “WHAT JUST HAPPENED!”
“I froze time, and can you not call the cops.” Adam paused, letting out a frustrated sigh, “Look, this very easily explained—,” Adam realized he never got the protective roommate’s name. Remember that he would know to appear in his god-like form as a side effect of using his powers.
“Your… Your…. Taller? What the Fuck” the roommate started hyperventilating from Adam’s sudden height change.
“What’s your name?” Adam asked, keeping his voice calm and steady, staring at Janelle’s roommate, wondering to himself when did humans become so animated.
“Del.,” said in shock.
“Del, I did not hurt your friend. We were doing an interview. I told her some information and …” as Adam pointing over to a still sleeping Janelle,” and She passed out.”
“Or did you drug her ?” Del asked, raising an eyebrow looking at him skeptically. Del pressed his lips and squinted his eyes at Adam.
“I DID NOT DRUG HER!” Adam’s voice boomed as if a hammer was hitting an anvil.
Del pointed to a sleeping Janelle “ The White dust on her face says different?” Adam looked to see the sleep dust was still on her face. Realizing it would appear to anyone else, he drugged an innocent woman. The optics were horrendous. “OK, OK, you don’t have to get theatrical!” Del said, rolling their eyes, walking over and looking at Janelle.
“You really did freeze time.” Said Del looking at his watch; it was still 10:24 am.
“Yeah. Can” Adam paused “I have a piece of paper?” Still rubbing the spot on the side of his head, amazed at the force Del used trying to knock him out.
Del walked over to the kitchen, grabbing one of the notepads, Janelle kept around the house for quick notes. “Here.” Del tossed Adam the pad. Adam fumbled the notepad as it flew to his chest. Adam eyed Del. Adam sensed Del’s energy was odd, a mix of protective and mischievous, almost like Hermes. Adam shrugged off the feeling of another descendant being around as he pulled out a beautiful carved wooden pen with etchings of forest and flints of gold. Del noticed the pen as Adam quickly wrote the ink gleamed gold. Adam placed a Rubix looking cube on top of the note on the coffee table.
Del, eyeing the pen, “That’s beautiful. Where did you get that from?” Adam noticed Del was fascinated by the elegant pen, slipping it back into his shirt pocket.
“Oh, I made it,” Adam said nonchalantly. Folding up the note and pulling a small etched cube puzzle out of his pants pocket, he placed the items on the table. Adam mumbled an incantation and snapped his fingers. The mist evaporated, and time resumed as nothing happened.
“You may want to have 2 painkillers or wine ready for when she wakes up. She will be very dazed and will have a bad headache.” Adam said, walking to the front door.
“Did you drug her?” Del asked with a deep protective tone.
“No…. not quite … look, it’s complicated, but she safe. I can explain everything in better terms one day.” Adam rubbed his temple in frustration, began to shrink back to his original height, still taller than most.
Del pursed lips and extravagated, “Mmmm Hmmm Whatever. You better hope she wakes up and Is OK cause if not?”
“If not what?” Adam again appearing to grow taller and voice booming, even shaking the room a bit. Janelle started moving around but went back to sleep.
“Don’t think that trick will work twice.” Del dropped his voice an octave, picking up the splintered bat. “I’m not for you raising your voice. I will find a way to fuck you up!” Pointing the splintered bat at Adam.
Adam showed his palms face up, hoping to persuade Del he had no issues. “I am leaving. Remember Janelle will need some Advil, red Wine, Gatorade, or maybe some orange juice. Tell her I will be in contact.” Adam left the house. Del started closing the door, noticing Janelle’s car keys on the porch. Del scrunched up his face, realizing Adam drove Janelle’s car to the house. Del’s brain began doing mental gymnastics, wondering where did Adam disappear too? If he drove Janelle’s car? Del looked around to see if Adam was hanging around but didn’t see any sign of the odd man.
“Weird,” Del said aloud.

Later that evening, Janelle woke up to several notes, a bottle of Advil, a ½ bottle of Rioja, and ½ drunken bottle of water on the coffee table. Her head not quite throbbing, just a sensation of oversleeping. Janelle read the first note from Del.

“Hey, you meet the craziest people! But you seem OK, that professor Adam is a trip and crazy. Anyway, he said you may have a slight headache and either leave Advil or a bottle of wine. I don’t know. But I am off to work we can chat about this later. -Del”
Janelle sat up, reaching for the Advil bottle, popping two pills in her hand. Once she got the drugs and guzzled the water, wondering if it was her bottle of water or Del’s bottle of water. When she noticed the second note from Adam.
“I am sorry about today. It was never my intention to freak you out. I hope we can reschedule the interview for a later time. I left you a little personal assistant. His name is Cubit. He will activate once you touch him. Again I am sorry about today, and I hope we can finish the interview and allow me to make it up to you.
Adam
443-999-6666″
“Hmmph,” Janelle shrugged, picking up the cube puzzle. Janelle was captivated at the etchings noticing two small black dots that looked like a face. The cube began to get hot under her hand, she dropped the cube on the coffee table. The cube spun around in every direction. When Janelle saw a little cube man standing on the table.
Janelle tired, of yelling, just sighed. Looking at the bottom of the note, noticing a small line at the bottom of the paper. I left you, little assistant, Cubit should be able to help you out.”
“What are you ?” asked Janelle staring at the little wooden cube man.
Cubit began to mimic running but tripped over his blocky feet. Then he twirled around quickly to appear in a seated position, simulating typing but had no fingers to click on the keyboard.
“OK, so you can dance and run? Janelle said, looking confused at the cube.
The cube shook his square head, then skimmed down the table leg and ran under the sofa. Janelle looked under the couch to see the cube pulling a missing earring she lost months ago.
“Ohhh,” she said, exasperated, “You can find my lost shit!” Cubit didn’t like how the conversation was moving along, tried to mean mug, Janelle.
“Umm, more like a personal assistant?” Janelle responded quizzically. The cube man shook his square head. Maneuvering back up to the sofa, the cube sat on Janelle’s shoulder. Janelle didn’t seem to mind. It was a cute, wooden thing.

“This is my life?” Janelle said, holding her heads in her hands, sighing. She had a man who thought he was a Greek god and might very well be a descendent of a Greek God. Now there was a weird little Cube -man or Cubit sitting on her shoulder. Within 12 hours, Janelle felt her life flip upside down. She looked at the number, wondering how this could be the big break she desired. Janelle sighed pensively. “I have a lot of questions. I think Adam has a lot of answers.” Cubit shook his square head as if he heard her thoughts. He crawled down her arm to the coffee table. He did a little jump flip, hitting a rotation.

“Oh, you’re a Gymnast, I see.” Laughed Janelle.

Janelle began checking her messages and saw a voicemail from her boss Farrell. “Janelle, How was the interview? Contact me with details. Also, your other piece about the Slim696 charges and the court case would be better on TMZ or The Shade Room, not The Eagle.”

Janelle thought to herself, “What does she know,” she had already sent the article to the shade room and The jasmine brand. “Jokes on you, Tuna Breath.”, she mumbled, deleting the message. Janelle listened to the next message from her Ex-Jamal asking about his PS4? She deleted that message, no need to acknowledge this question. The rest of the voicemails were just bill collectors and telemarketers. Janelle busied herself around the house, cleaning up and writing down the questions she would ask Adam.

Around 6 pm, Del came in the house, drenched with the smell of weed, beer, and desperation. As Del entered their home, he was startled by a little cube man dancing to Nicki Manji’s “Anaconda” video. Del screamed, “What the Hell ?” As he went to swat at the Cubit, Cubit transformed into a coaster and slide into Janelle’s forehead at the speed of a frisbee, startling her awake.