Chapter Sixty Three
Sitting across the street from the restaurant I had chosen for my birthday, Tray and Willow were panicked, but trying valiantly to hide it from me. The wind was blowing at 20 mph and the music was playing on the outside speakers too. They were both trying to casually offer ideas about how to walk through the parking lot without losing control of my spirit light. I repeatedly suggested postponing this celebration until Sunday. No winds are expected that day. They are both intent on taking me out tonight, period. I hope this is a good sign about their desire to be together.
We sat in the car worrying over the small details until two minutes before our reservation time. I finally managed to interrupt them.
“Since you’re obviously not going to listen to me about postponing, then you need to make a decision. We can either sit in this flippin’ car all night long worrying about how I should walk, focus, what I should do if I lose it, or we can just bite the bullet and go inside,” I told them resolutely, although I was scared senseless.
“She’s right, Tray. We’re making nothing into something. She’s as ready as she’ll ever be…” Willow stated to him.
He opened Willow’s car door first and then, he opened mine for me. The wind pressed against my body like it was intent on keeping me seated in the car. I inhaled as I felt my spirit light respond to the wind by lifting. I managed to contain its energy before it spilled out. I smiled at them as we walked toward the building. We probably look like three paranoid schizophrenics.
Once the door closed though, my spirit light blended into my raging inner fire. They both seemed to quiet down. Maybe, I am going to be okay, after all.
Our table is usually reserved for six people. I’m sure we received more than one annoyed glance from the other people crowded around the hostess station. The restaurant has a two hour waiting list. My normally polite brother only cares about us making it through this evening without becoming headline news. So, he tipped the hostess a small fortune and he used an obliteration to get us the most private seats in the restaurant.
Now, if we can just relax enough to eat…
After a few passing breezes and intentionally swirling the light around inside my body with the beat of the music, I thought we just might make it through this sucker. I smiled to signal that I am currently in control as the waiter handed us our menus and took our drink orders.
“I think I should persuade them to turn off the freakin’ music…” Tray stated and looked around, nervously.
“People will notice. So, you’d have to channel an obliteration to the entire building. That’s not my idea of fun at my birthday dinner – bloody noses, crushing, mind blowing pain, hospital visits…etcetera,” I replied humorously, attempting to relieve his anxiety.
“Are you doing alright, my baby Ember? Are you cool?” Willow asked, quietly.
“I’m fine, I promise,” I stated.
I had already selected my meal, but continued to hold the menu inconspicuously. I wanted to watch them interact, hoping to see a sign of the future.
Then, the most beautifully haunting song started to play over the speakers. My inner fire and my spirit light responded. The flame gently flickered and blended into my spirit light. Their union feels heavenly…it makes me shiver. The inner fire and my spirit light combined forces in time with the beat of the song. My eyes closed as I felt the warm ripples of their union flow from my soul.
Their powers combined and I no longer needed to struggle. They would remain hidden, safely contained inside me. I can relax – just enjoy the waves of bliss. I didn’t dare open my eyes. I was afraid my vision would distract me from this heavenly reality.
My mind was filled with wonder. My spirit light and inner fire flowed through me like a tidal wave. Their journey made me feel all tingly, somehow more alive than I have ever been before.
“Are you sick, Sweetie??” Willow asked and she sounded so far away.
But, I couldn’t answer her. I’m being held captive by the wonderful sensations. The only response I could have managed was a whimper. So, I wordlessly shook my head and held up a finger to indicate that I need a minute. Sitting at the world’s highest peak in the contentment department, I was well beyond fine. I never wanted it to end. A smile crossed my lips as I lost myself in the pleasure.
Essence…flame…light…
They seemed to dance in time with the music. I had no control over them, but I didn’t need to. Waves of euphoria rippled through my body as I surrendered to their paradise. Then, the song ended. Whatever held me thoroughly spellbound, released its euphoric hold.
By the time I opened my eyes, both Tray and Willow were looking at me like they were going to lose it. I coughed to make sure I was back from my mind blowing, pleasure fueled mini-vacation before I spoke.
“I would ask what you’re both staring at, but I’m not about to waste my long awaited bargaining chip on something that trivial. I’m perfectly, wonderfully fine. Let’s eat, because I’m starving now,” I told them.
They continued to nervously stare at me. After a few minutes they realized I was telling the truth and they relaxed too.
Dinner was fantastic and the waiter brought out a birthday cake with one candle. Tray, Willow and I were as close to stress-free as possible. Much to my disappointment, they didn’t hold hands, say anything remotely romantic or even share a fleeting look of love.
Cupid needs to learn how to shoot straight because this is getting ridiculous…
Needing to get my mind off of Cupid’s incompetence, I thought about the plans I had made for my personal, secretive birthday adventure. After Tray falls asleep tonight, I am going to give myself a birthday gift. I would go outside, listen to my iPod and play in the wind. I wanted to release my spirit and fly again. This might be the only chance I would have for a while to do it too.
I still felt a sense of something big on the horizon. It’s going to happen on my 16th birthday. This feeling might turn out to be some new spiritual power emerging. If that happened tomorrow, then I would be off on another three month long odyssey while I learned to control ‘it.’ So, an attempted spirit flight adventure tonight was in order. After all, it might be a missed opportunity and my brother never wanted me to miss out on anything.
There, my creative-Emberism is now complete…
Willow interrupted my diabolical scheming and rationalizations so she could give me her birthday gift. It was an entire outfit – one of those tight, trendy numbers that reminded me of the model. Tray exchanged a horrified look with her. It was quite clear that I wouldn’t be wearing this outfit anywhere outside of our house, anytime soon.
“I absolutely love it! Thank you!” I stated as I yanked the items out of the box to get a better look at them.
The rich purple and black colored shirt plunged to a semi-dangerous level. The mini-skirt was a little bit longer than the one I had on the day of my dark clique downfall. Willow had included hoop earrings, bracelets and shoes. I have zero talent for matching outfits and accessories. This outfit would look great on me.
Now, if only my modest side would allow me to wear it – oh and, my brother too…
The box also included a bottle of salon quality, purple nail polish. I sincerely hoped Willow was going to paint my nails because I knew it would be a messy, frustrating and ultimately ugly result if it were left up to me to accomplish it alone. My fingernails have never been painted in my life.
Tray narrowed his eyes and then, stared Willow down. She met his stare and raised him by a wily smile. There they sat, locked inside an immortal battle of wills. I watched the drama unfold in anticipation.
This is turning into the best night – EVER.
“I thought we’d agreed and put this matter to rest already…” Tray didn’t break his gaze, but took the first verbal strike.
“We didn’t agree to anything. You voiced your opinion, loudly…it was duly noted and then dism
issed…” she replied – strike two goes to Willow.
“Carolina, we had a truce on this matter. You’ve crossed our line – now, the gloves are off and the games begin…” Tray countered her strike.
They have a line??
“Bring it on, Florida – I’m not scared one little bit…”
She blew him an invisible kiss through the air.
“Shall we take this matter outside to discuss it?” Tray asked with so much charm I was ready to call a truce with him.
I felt his obliteration channel that suggested she wanted to go outside. Willow instantly grabbed her chair with both hands. Suddenly, the struggle ensued on whether she could keep herself seated in that chair against his gift. I was thoroughly fascinated by the scene.
“You see, mere mortal – you forget, I won’t go down without a fight. If you’re prepared to wage this battle against me then, you’ll need to bring more than just your obliteration skill. What else have you got to bring to this battle??” Willow challenged him and I thought that she might win.
No way would my brother fight her…at least, I didn’t think he would.
“So you’re ready for more. I would never disappoint you…” Tray offered and then, prepared to launch another strike of his own.
He had no intention of giving in. Willow’s knuckles were white from gripping so hard. Suddenly, I saw her hands release the edge and she started to stand up. She wasn’t prepared to surrender either. I watched her wrap her ankles around the leg of the chair. Somehow she forced herself to sit back down and grabbed the table for extra staying power. I thought about going over and sitting in her lap – wonder if my brother would withdraw his obliteration if I did that?
Before I could make a move to assist Willow in the battle, the waiter walked up with our check in his hand. But, they weren’t ready to end their challenge quite yet.
“Not now, come back in thirty minutes…” Tray requested and then, he used his obliteration skill to make the waiter go away.
Just how long is this challenge going to continue??
“Now, where were we?” Tray asked, smooth as silk.
“We’re up to the point where you surrender to my will, Florida…” Willow answered sweetly, but with true conviction as she struggled to stay seated.
“This is not the match to call me on, Carolina…” Tray countered.
They continued the battle for forty five more minutes. Interestingly, they switched from speaking plain English to their own coded language. I was riveted and tried to learn it as fast as I could. First, I was sure Willow would win and then, Tray would get the upper hand. I knew I needed to intervene when I finally realized that neither one was willing to give up or give in on this very revealing birthday outfit issue. I could’ve and would’ve sat right there all night long, but I had a flight adventure scheduled and it was getting close to 9:00 p.m.
“Excuse me Tray and Willow – would it be possible to call an “Ember’s birthday truce” for a few minutes? There’s a mile long line, so the door is being held open. Plus, the restaurant just turned up the music again…” I announced.
The restaurant had obviously overbooked and the people in line were holding the doors ajar while they waited. Between the noisy wind and complaining customers, they were forced to turn the music up.
“Oh my heaven help us, she’s right…I call a truce, now release me!” Willow ordered and Tray obeyed.
They both turned to look at me worriedly, and I shook my head at them in complete amazement.
“That was a total BLAST! By the way, the truce is off on the drive home. I honestly have no idea what language you’re speaking, but I’m trying to learn it as fast as I can though,” I admitted, enthusiastically.
“I’ll teach it to you, Sweetie…” Willow announced.
“Oh, no flippin’ way are you gonna teach her our language, Willow. Two against one is playing dirty,” Tray announced.
Then, I realized he was serious. This is a language all their own and one he doesn’t want me to know.
Oops, it’s too late for that…
“You have the advantage in this little situation. You have your gift and you used it on me or don’t you remember?” she responded in an irritated tone.
Then, she rubbed the indentions in her palms like they were aching badly. They probably didn’t hurt, but I loved her strategy. Tray glanced at her hands and looked very guilty.
“How successful has my gift been against you, exactly? You’re still sitting right here – not standing in the wind storm, right? By the way, I never woulda let you get all the way outside because it’s too cold. I just used it to make a point.”
“We’ll continue this, later. We called a truce for the moment. Aren’t you forgetting something, Tray?” she asked demurely as she changed tactics mid-stream – you’re the freakin’ stuff, Willow.
Her ploy seems to work quite well – you’re in trouble now, dear brother of mine…
The waiter returned with the receipt and change. He wished me a happy birthday and his smile lingered a second too long for my comfort level. My inner fire reacted to my discomfort. It blazed into life and reminded me that it was still burning in that empty space. I slid my chair back, quickly and prepared to make a run for the door – away from his intrusive gaze.
“Wait a sec, here, Little Girl – happy birthday…” Tray stated and then, handed me my gift.
I opened the box and found a new charm for my necklace. It was a spiraled silver hurricane with one diamond and one amethyst nestled at the top corners. I closed the box before I could read the card because I didn’t want to start crying right then and there – like I did at Christmas.
Willow would have no part of that plan though.
“We called a truce in your honor, Ember. I pledged first that means I get the wish – it’s the rule. Read your card and then, we’ll leave…” Willow said.
I suppose I could’ve said I was struggling because of the wind, but that wouldn’t be the truth. I needed to save my ‘creative-Emberism’ for my adventure tonight, so I gave in. Willow put the charm on my necklace as I opened my brother’s birthday card to me. It read – “The crazy silver hurricane light can’t have you – step away from the light!”
I fell out of my chair because I was laughing so hard.
Would I have the strength to walk away from it, though? That’s the real question…
Ember Rising Light (Book One) Page 67
