Bella Notte (40 page)

Dominic held me
intimately close, and my cheek rested on his shoulder. The other
dancers cleared the way for us as we swept through and around them.
It was really like a scene from a fairytale movie and I knew that I
was deeply in love with my dance partner. The dancing lasted for
about an hour.

Dinner began at
seven thirty promptly- well at least we started to get everyone
seated by then. There were tables inside and outside, with my family
broken between the two. We had two smaller tables set up to
accommodate us amongst the larger groups. My parents sat outside with
Dominic's parents and some person I couldn't remember. My table held
Dominic, Grandpa, Grandma, Bettina, and I- Abner had sent his
apologies for having to miss my big event. Many people came up and
greeted us during the meal.

The meal was filled
with so many different things. At first they brought out trays of
appetizers which had all sorts of meats on top of a plethora of
items. Then a goblet of the finest filtered blood was placed in front
of every guest, the children received sparkling red cider- all of the
guests were vampires so nothing was left to be hidden, only the staff
were left in the dark. This was followed up by a staff member at each
table taking an order from each guest. I ordered a very rare filet
mignon. I didn't care what accompanied it on the plate as long as it
was still bleeding when it got to me. I, of course, could not say
this.

The guests ate the
snacks and drank their goblets until the food was brought out. I
wasn't sure how it was managed, but it all happened within forty-five
minutes. We each ate in a silent splendor. This would be the only
silence in the entire evening.

After the main
course was brought out, a light dessert of a toffee sorbet and coffee
was delivered to each person- minus the children, they all got hot
chocolate instead of coffee. Then dinner was finished. I was supposed
to make the announcement for the following entertainment.

“
Ladies and
Gentlemen. If I could have your attention.” I waited while they
stopped to look at me from where I stood on the bottom step of the
stairs. “There is entertainment for all ages tonight. If the
parents want to leave their children in the kids’ area in the
sun room, we have attendants to look after them as they play and
watch a world renowned puppet show. Then, they can choose whether
they would prefer a quiet atmosphere or a loud one. For the younger
adults and soon to be adults, there is a tent set up outside, to the
far right, that is our very own club for the evening. There will be
dancing and fun all around. For those who find yourself out of both
of these categories, there is a tent on the left side of the
backyard, closest to the house, that is designed to be a relaxing
atmosphere. There will be gentle music playing, chess games have been
set up, and areas for discussions. But, all are welcome in all areas.
Please enjoy this evening's entertainment. Thank you.” I smiled
at them all and went back to my table.

“
Well said,
young one.” Betty winked at me.

“
Thank you,
Betty.

“
Are you
enjoying your evening?” I wanted her to be having an awesome
time.

“
Actually,
this is one of the first changing balls that I've been to that I have
nothing to complain about. A little saddening. But I am enjoying
myself. I think I might go and watch this puppet show that you spoke
of.” She smiled at me.

“
I am glad
that you're having a nice time. Why not one of the other options?”
I always wondered about Betty, she was a puzzle that I wanted to
figure out.

“
I am not an
old stiff that needs to rest me weary bones. I am not young enough to
go gallivanting to a beat that I can't keep up to. Thus, I am left to
sit with the children.” She looked put out.

“
Oh, no. I
didn't think of that. What should I do?” I felt a panic at the
fact that I had clearly left out a group of people.

“
Oh, child,
you are so easy to get! If I really felt as put out as I claimed, I
would sit with the old fogies and not complain. I am interested in
this show.” She winked at me again.

I flushed. “I'm
sorry. I so want this evening to be perfect for everyone.” I
sighed.

“
Do not worry
about anyone other than yourself. These people mean nothing in the
end, only
your
happiness. I promise you that they will not be the creators of it.
Trust me, I have found my own happiness at their confusion.”
Her laughter was a rough sound that I instantly loved.

I smiled.

“
Well, I am
off before I have to knock some children out of the way to get a good
seat. And Emma, I will talk with you about what your future holds,
but I think it best left for another day … perhaps when you
come to visit me in England.” She rose from her chair and had a
look that said she might actually enjoy such a thing.

I laughed and I knew
I would be going to see her.

I do not
understand her
.
The confusion was evident in Dominic's thoughts.

You don't have
to; I think that's her point
.
I kissed his cheek and grabbed his hand.

He shook his head as
he stared after Betty.

“
Let's go
dance.” We left the room to be cleared by the staff.

Outside my father
had made the announcement and everyone was taking off in their
different directions.

Dominic and I made
our way to the tent with my crystals in it. I could feel the beat
pulsing through the ground, but could not hear a sound. When we got
inside the tent, there were people everywhere. I had staff moving
through all of the areas providing the guests with drinks and such.
In here, I wasn't sure how that was going to be accomplished.

I bounced my way out
onto to the lit floor. The colors flashed around me and I felt it all
weave its spell on me. I swayed to a song in a language I didn't
know, but heard the heart of the song.

Suddenly, every bass
beat was the heart beat of this story, struggling to get told. I
opened myself to feel every ounce of the song. I was lost to it.
Dominic danced with me, and kept tabs in my mind, but I didn't care.

Emma
.
His voice was hushed.

I feel it
.
I wanted to live it.

I think it is one
of your gifts
.
He was very matter of fact about it.

Tell me later
.
And I was lost again.

That was how my
evening was spent, feeling the flow of life around me through the
people I danced with, and the music that played.

At about four in the
morning, my guests began to leave and I thanked them all for coming
and shook each hand. I was so receptive to each of them, that the
contact between our hands opened everything that they had ever
thought up to me.

By the end of it I
knew everyone's secrets! I didn't know what to do. I didn't know who
to tell.

I will help you
figure it all out tomorrow. Now you sleep.
Dom's voice was firm as we closed the door on the last of the guests.

I nodded my head.
“Good night, my dear family,” I said to the line of my
family members.

I then went to bed
with my head full of information I could not process.

A few days later, I
was in control of my thoughts and my fangs. My parents had decided
that the next day I would be allowed to return to school.

Dominic and I sat
outside discussing how my new gift might affect some of the things
that I'd be involved with. He was concerned that it might flare up
while we were around a lot of humans and I could lose the control
that I had learned. His fear was logical, but it still annoyed me
that he had such little faith in me. I was trying to unlock his mind,
something I had not yet managed to do. I struggled to find the
balance within me that allowed me to be so open to everything else- I
was not doing so well.

Perhaps if you
went for a walk to clear your mind.
His thoughts always made so much sense.

I think that's a
great idea. You wanna come?
I was beginning to always enjoy his presence.

I need to call
Abner. He felt very embarrassed over not being able to attend your
party and I am worried that he is still fretting over it.
His
concern for his friend touched me deeply.

No prob, Bob.
I'll be in the woods by the mine if you need me.
I showed him a mental picture of where I would be.

“
You really
are getting the hang of all this.” I didn't know whether it was
a complement or an insult, I left it alone.

I waved as I walked
off. I don't think that I should say 'walked' as my walking speed had
easily become the rate a normal person jogs. The woods were green and
every shade of brown imaginable. I would never get tired of this as
my backyard. I could hear all the animals moving with life. The
sounds of small feet scurrying around made me smile, just as it has
my entire life.

When I was a little
girl, after the DeDominicos had left, I was completely alone and I
would wander away from my sunny backyard into these trees. They have
been a second home for me and a place of safety. Today, they held a
chance for me to try and understand myself a little better.

As I moved amongst
the trunks of the moss covered trees, a noise caught my attention. It
was the sound of something falling. Not just anything, but something
alive

My stomach clenched
as I moved quickly toward the noise. I found the baby bird by the
sound of its heart sputtering to a slow stop.

Before I could think
of anything to do, I slumped down on the leaves that covered the
forest's floor and scooped up the tiny creature. Something was wrong
with it inside, I could sense it. I felt so much sorrow for a life
that had been cut so short. I held the small bird to my chest as the
tears slid down my face.
Why
could something so new to the world be lost so quickly?
The tears flooded my vision and spilled down onto my hands.

Suddenly there was a
tiny movement within my closed hands. My heart fluttered.
How
can that be?

I opened my hands
and looked down inside- sure enough, there was a perfect baby bird
sitting in my hands. It was covered in my tears, but it squeaked
happily at me. Joy ran through my body at a rate that I had never
felt before and then I could feel everything the bird had ever felt-
including its death.

I didn't understand
what had happened with my miniature friend- ultimately it didn't
matter. I saw where the creature had fallen from so I hopped up into
the tree and placed it back in its nest.

“
Now, you stay
here. You wait for your mommy to come back. No more trying to fly
until you're ready.” I could sense that the mother bird was
watching me with angry eyes. I blew the baby a kiss and jumped down.

I watched as the
mother circled the tree and then landed to examine her child. After
being satisfied that I did not harm or damage it, she snuggled up to
her baby and produced the food for it.

A twig snapped
relatively close to me. I twirled around to see a large auburn wolf
staring at me with intense green eyes.
They
don't have green eyes
.
I knew immediately that this was Mike. I wanted to make contact with
him, but I wasn't sure if this was the best idea. I stepped closer to
him and he stepped back.

“
Fine, I'll
keep my distance,” I grumbled at him. I felt hurt, but there
was no need to share it with him.

He nodded his
scruffy head at me; then gestured toward the nest.

“
What? I don't
know how it happened. All I know is that I helped it.” I was
defensive.

His head turned to
the side as though he was confused.

“
Just because
you believe what they told you, it doesn't mean it's true. I'm no
different than before. I thought that you would be the one to fight
as hard as I did, but I was wrong.” Pain colored my words; I
turned my head to quickly wipe away the tear.