“Mom, we’re ready,” Irene responded as she and Max moved to where Seville sat. Irene was dressed in a black ballet leotard with an ivory chiffon skirt tied around her small waist. She wore a cardigan that matched the color of her skirt and black, patent leather shoes. Irene also carried a gym bag over her shoulder.
“All right then, let’s go,” Seville said as she stood up and walked into the kitchen to get her jacket and purse – with Max and Irene following after her. “Max, be sure you bring your school books with you so that we can do your homework while we wait for Irene.” He nodded and then smiled at Seville as he grabbed his bag, and the three rushed to the car.
When they arrived at the ballet studio, Irene jumped out of the back seat of the car. She waved to her mom and Max as she opened the door to the dance studio, waited until they both waved back, and then walked inside. During the past few months while Irene was at ballet practice, Seville and Max would wait for her in the car and work on his schoolwork. Today as practice ended, Irene bounded out the door and hopped into the back seat of her mom’s car. “So, how’d it go?” Seville inquired.
Irene’s face was flushed, her eyes bright as she responded excitedly, “It was great! We practiced for our recital that’s coming up. Our costumes are so pretty. They are all white with big, netted skirts.”
“When’s your performance?” Max asked. “Do I get to come?”
“No!” Irene said quickly. “Not this time.”
He looked at her puzzled, “Why not? I’ve never seen you dance in practice or at any of your performances.”
She looked at him shyly. “You can’t come to my performances until I’m good enough, and I’m not yet.”
Max laughed at her insecurity and responded smiling, “Come on Irene, you can’t be that bad.”
Irene thought for a moment and then said confidently, “How ‘bout we make a deal Max? If I ever end up as the lead in a ballet, then you can come. If I don’t, then you can’t! What do you think – deal?”
Seeing that she wasn’t about to budge on the terms of the deal, he said, “Okay, have it your way. I promise never to watch you perform until you are the star ballerina! But when you are the star, I get to come, and you can’t say no. Deal?”
Seville sat silently through the unusual conversation and tried to stifle her laughter when she saw them look each other squarely in the eye. Each of them seemed to be seriously considering who they thought would win in the end. She then heard them say in unison, each with a grin on their face, “Deal!” They shook hands on the bargain, and it was then that Seville couldn’t suppress her amusement any longer and burst out laughing.
Chapter 3
“Please don’t leave me, Mommy,” Irene pleaded with tears streaming down her face as she sat on the camelback sofa in the family room by Seville. “I promise I’ll be good. I’ll try to do better in school. I know I’m not the best dancer, but I promise I’ll practice harder. Just please, please don’t leave me!”
Irene sobbed as she stared down into her mother’s exhausted, tired eyes. Seville lay on the couch, a pillow under her head, a cashmere blanket on top of her, her hand lovingly placed on Irene’s cheek, her thumb wiping away the tears as they fell. Duncan stood solemnly behind Irene, his hand reassuringly on her shoulder. Blake, with his arm around Max’s shoulders, stood several feet behind Duncan. Both he and Max looked grief-stricken and depressed. Duncan stood there silently, watching as the heartbreaking scene unfolded. His beautiful wife was dying and now was saying goodbye to the people she cared most about in life. Seville had been diagnosed with a highly advanced case of pancreatic cancer. She had put up a valiant and courageous fight; but after her initial surgery, followed by several months of agonizing treatment, her frail body eventually succumbed to the inevitable. Now as she lay dying at her home, she knew this would be the last time that she would ever see her loved ones.
Her heart breaking, Seville responded to Irene’s tearful plea. “Irene, this has nothing to do with you being good or not. You have always been a priceless treasure. I have never been as excited as I was the day you were born. It seems like it was only yesterday.” She paused, her breathing labored. “I want you to know that I feel very lucky to be your mom. I am so proud of you, Irene. Promise me that you’ll never change. I love you just the way you are, even if you aren’t the world’s most amazing ballerina just yet,” she joked trying to cheer up her distraught daughter. Her tone of voice became serious once again, “You’ll be the best one day – I already think you are. Know that whenever you perform, I will be watching you from heaven, and it will bring tears to my eyes to see my daughter dance like an angel because that’s exactly what you are, Irene – an angel.”
“I promise, Mommy,” Irene responded earnestly, tears still streaming down her face. “I’ll look up so you know when I dance that it was for you. Even though you can’t be there, I know you’ll be with me.”
Seville smiled at her adoring daughter, whose words brought tears to her eyes, and they started to fall down her sallow cheeks. Struggling for breath, Seville looked over at Max who was standing silently next to his Uncle Blake. She gestured for Max to come to her and said softly as he walked to the couch and took her weak, outstretched hand, “I love you, Max. I’m glad that we got to spend so much time together this past year. I want you to know you are like the son I never had.” She took another breath as she tried to ease her increasing pain. “You are so special to me, Max, and also to Irene. Please take care of her for me. She is going to need you so much, especially after I’m gone.” He nodded looking intently at Seville. “Know that I’ll always be with you – both of you – and that I’ll be watching out for you – even from heaven.”
Still holding one of Irene and Max’s hands, Seville glanced over at Blake. Blake returned Seville’s gaze, then cleared his throat as his voice clogged with emotion. “You know that we all love you, Seville.”
She smiled sweetly at him. “Thank you for always being so good to me, Blake. I didn’t realize at the beginning when you were Duncan’s best friend that you would end up being mine as well. I love you so much, and I’ll miss you.”
Seville took another strained breath as her pain became unbearable. Finally, she glanced at her husband who still stood silently behind Irene and smiled at him, despite her breaking heart. No longer able to hide her emotion, Seville looked intently into his silver eyes and said, still crying, “I love you, Duncan.”
“I know, Seville. I love you too. I’ve loved you from the moment I first laid eyes on you.” She smiled at him in response. Then her eyes became distant and vague, her breathing shallow. Slowly she shut her eyes as she still held Irene and Max’s hands and finally was free from the pain she had felt for so long. She had made the world a more beautiful place simply by being in it.
***
Irene sat alone on the window seat in her family room and watched the vast group of people. Scores of family and friends had stopped by the Duncan home for Seville’s wake to pay their respects. Irene had on a black, velvet dress, black tights, and black patent leather, Mary Jane shoes. Her Aunt Phyllis had picked out her outfit and combed her hair for her as well. Phyllis pulled up the sides of Irene’s long wavy hair, securing it in place with a black, grosgrain ribbon. Feeling numb, Irene watched as her father, Phyllis, and Blake feverishly circulated among the countless number of grownups. It seemed to Irene as if they had been talking to strangers all day. Just then, Irene saw Max gaze at her from across the room where he was standing by his Uncle Blake. He walked over to the window seat, sat down next her, and said nothing. They both continued to watch the adults in silence. Finally, still looking at the group of people rather than at Irene, Max said, “I’m sorry, Irene. I loved your mom too.” He paused – thinking for a moment – not exactly sure what he should say. “I really do know how you feel,” he continued tentatively. “I lost both my mom and my dad.” He d
rew an audible breath trying to steady himself as he recalled his parents’ fatal accident. “I didn’t even get to say goodbye.”
Irene turned to look at Max, and he felt her eyes studying him. He turned his head to look at her and found her face devastated. Just then, he watched as tears started to form in her eyes. “She left me, Max.” Her tears started to fall. Silently, he continued to stare into her despairing face which expressed feelings of intense anguish. “I know she couldn’t help it, but she left me, Max. My mom left me all alone. After this is over, my dad will have to go back to work, and my aunt will go back home. I miss her already.”
“You’re not alone, Irene,” Max responded putting his arm comfortingly around her small shoulders. “I promised your mom when she died that I would be there for you. You were there for me when I needed you, Irene – now I’m going to be here for you.” She began to weep uncontrollably and turned into his chest, her tiny hands tightly clenching the lapels of his crisp, black jacket. He kept one arm around her and moved the other, holding her head gently against him as she sobbed, trying to console her as best he could. “You’re my best friend, Irene. I’ll always be there for you, no matter what.”
Chapter 4
Boston – Irene age 14
Max parked his car outside Irene’s ballet studio where he picked her up from practice every day. After Seville’s death, Duncan and Blake decided Max would continue to come to the Duncan home each day after school. They felt it would help both children cope better with the death of their parents. The Duncan’s housekeeper, Abigail Lewis, looked after the children due to Duncan and Blake’s demanding work schedules. Max basically grew up at the Duncan home.
Max’s friend Luke Tredsley, who had become like a brother to Max, sat in the passenger seat of the car, and they both waited patiently for Irene’s practice to finish. Max always waited in the car for Irene because of the bargain they had made years before. Max reluctantly resigned himself to the idea that he wasn’t going to see Irene dance any time soon.
Irene’s technique had improved dramatically over the past several years, primarily because of her last conversation with her mother. She wanted to dance beautifully for when her mother watched her from heaven. At the end of each performance, Irene would stand at the back of the stage with the other supporting dancers, look up, close her eyes, and think of her mother. She would say silently to herself, “I love you, Mom. I danced tonight for you.” She would then look back at the audience, smile radiantly, and take her bow. This had become her ritual during each curtain call.
Irene was fast becoming one of the most gifted dancers her instructors had ever taught. Her flawless beauty when she danced left them speechless, and they concluded that one day, despite her unpolished and self-conscious nature off the dance floor, she was going to be a success. Irene had been in countless performances so far, but due to her young age, she performed only in supporting roles. As soon as she got a little older, she could easily perform a principal part in any ballet.
Max looked out the window to see if he could tell if Irene’s class was almost over. “She should be done soon,” he commented to Luke.
Luke Tredsley was Max’s age and attended the same private school. The Tredsleys were in the same social circle as Duncan and Blake, and Max and Luke first met at Duncan’s home for a Sunday Brunch. At school, they played together on the football and soccer teams and during the years had become good friends. Luke was very well liked – especially by the girls. He was tall, athletic, and had sandy blond hair. Luke’s hair was longer than Max’s, and it curled above his ears and the nape of his neck. He had bright blue eyes that always seemed to be amused. Luke had a great sense of humor and never hesitated to say exactly what was on his mind.
“It’s cold out here, Max. Why do you wait for Irene in the parking lot?” Luke asked laughing. “Pretty sure there are places to wait inside.”
“Long story – don’t ask.”
Luke nodded his head and laughed recalling how Max rarely got his way when it came to Irene. He knew his friend loved Irene and that they had been like family for years. Max was protective of her and acted like her older brother. She was years younger than them, but Luke loved her too and enjoyed her company. They had all been friends for a long time. Luke paused and then continued, “Dude, I still can’t believe how lucky you are. You get to be lab partners with Tweed Richards. She’s hot!” He looked over at his friend. “You know every guy wants her. I’ve never seen a girl that has it all going on like she does.”
Max shrugged his shoulders, “She’s not bad.”
Luke looked surprised wondering how such indifferent words could come out of his friend’s mouth about the best looking girl in school. Everyone loved Tweed Richards.
At eighteen, Tweed was curvy and voluptuous. She had straight, blonde hair that reached half-way down her back – hair made blonder with the help of her expensive stylist. She had blue eyes – eyes that concealed nothing. When Tweed wasn’t in her school uniform, which she had scandalously altered, she wore designer clothes. She didn’t waste her time on homework. Tweed was already on the prowl to marry into a family with plenty of money. Her parents bought a home they couldn’t afford in one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Boston and sent Tweed to the most elite private school to secure this outcome. They did whatever it took to fraternize among the wealthy – never letting on that they didn’t actually belong. Tweed wasn’t particularly bright and had no special talent, but she was attractive. The best way to describe her appearance was cliché, rather than truly beautiful. If one examined her features, her nose was too large, her eyes too close together, her eyebrows too thin, and her mouth too small. However, Tweed did a good job selling herself and was the most popular girl in school. Every girl hated her yet wanted to be her friend. Every boy loved her and wanted to be her boyfriend – and she knew it! However, the only guy in school Tweed really wanted was Maxwell Frost.
It was no surprise that Tweed had her sights set on Max. Max had just about everything going for him. He was ambitious and driven like his Uncle Blake, and it was expected that one day he would take over Blake’s companies, and in turn, inherit a fortune. He was the ideal choice for what Tweed Richards and her parents were looking for in a future marital candidate.
“She’s not bad!” Luke repeated flabbergasted. “You’ve got to be kidding me? Max how can you possibly describe the Tweed Richards as ‘not bad?’” He looked at Max questioningly and then started laughing as he realized Max had been trying to torment him. He knew Max was interested in Tweed – who wouldn’t be?
“Who’s Tweed Richards?” Irene questioned. Both boys jumped, startled, and then turned their heads to see Irene in the process of sliding into the back seat of Max’s car. They had been so engrossed in their conversation that they hadn’t realized Irene’s practice was over.
“Hey, Rene! We didn’t see you come out,” Luke explained. “Looking good. How was practice?” Luke observed Irene’s appearance as she shut the car door. She had on gray, baggy sweat pants and an oversized sweatshirt. Her brown hair was wavy and unruly. He laughed and said jokingly, “What are you wearing? Where’s the leotard? I thought ballerinas were supposed to wear tights and crap like that.”
They all started laughing. “I already changed, Luke!” Irene responded smiling. “I didn’t know you were coming with Max.”
“Well, I knew how seeing me would make your day, so I decided to let you have your way,” he teased. “Actually we’re going back to your house to work on a science assignment with a girl in our class tonight. Her name’s Tweed Richards – that’s who we were talking about.” He paused for a second and then taunted, looking back at Max, “She’s in love with our boy Max here.”
Max shook his head in denial and laughed. “No, she’s not. Dude, give it a rest.”
Irene looked at Luke puzzled and waited for him to elab
orate. “Tweed’s the hottest girl in school,” Luke added looking back at Irene, “and she and Max are lab partners. She’s got the hots for him.” Luke looked back at Max and said enviously, “Man, you’re so lucky!”
Max smiled casually at Luke’s comments but said nothing. Irene silently looked from Max to Luke. This was the first time that they had ever talked about another girl in front of her. Tweed sounded like she was perfect, and Irene could tell from Max’s reaction that he was definitely interested in her. Why did hearing this make her feel deflated? She was sure a lot of girls liked Max, but this was the first time she was worried about his liking one of them back. She recognized at that moment that although she and Max had been best friends, that may not always be the case. Someone would eventually replace her. She sat there lost in thought, feeling depressed and apprehensive. She realized suddenly that Max and Luke were staring at her. “Irene, you okay?” Max asked worriedly. “What’s wrong?”
“What? Nothing,” Irene responded, quickly putting an end to her wandering mind. She smiled reassuringly at Max in an attempt to mask her anxiousness. “I’m fine. Just thinking about practice I guess.” He nodded, smiling back at her. Max pulled out of the parking lot and headed to the Duncan home. He and Luke talked easily, not noticing Irene’s lack of participation in the conversation. Irene sat there pensively. Ballet was the last thing on her mind. All she could think about was the impending arrival of Tweed Richards that night.
Chapter 5
“I can’t figure out the answer to this problem. Have you done it yet, Max?” Tweed questioned innocently as she leaned closer to him at the kitchen table, her head tilted toward him as she pretended to examine his paper. “Can you help me?”
Tic Tac Toe (A Suspense Novel) Page 2
