The Girl With Aquamarine Eyes

by Shelley Madden

  She’d gazed at her blistered palm, but even the blood had somehow evaporated. The teachers pulled her away from the unhurt boy, scolded her and dubbed her a liar.

  One particularly domineering nun grabbed her arm, dragged her back into the cold building and locked her in her room. Forevermore, she was shunned.

  Before the home, she could remember nothing. Now, she was in a strange room, in a strange place, full of objects she couldn’t remember the names of. A strange man with strange pictures on his arms was looking at her, well, strangely. She’d be shunned again. She fell back onto the bed and wept.

  “Don’t cry.” Harmon whispered. “Whatever it is about you, I will try to accept. No one has to know, all right? I promise I won’t say a word.”

  She sniffed. “All right.”

  “Get some rest. I’ll see you in the morning. I want to show you around this fortress. Then we’re going to get you some clothes, and a tutor.”

  “A what?”

  “A tutor is a teacher. You have a lot to catch up on.”

  “No. I don’t want to go to school, the children hate me.”

  “She’ll come here if you prefer.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes.”

  “New clothes? I get new clothes?”

  “Of course. I’ll have Bice pick you up some things tomorrow.”

  She grabbed the magazine and shoved it into his face. “I want a dress like this.” She jabbed her finger at the glossy photo.

  Harmon gazed at the beautiful model. She was wearing a breathtaking white gown. “No, that’s a wedding gown. You won’t need one of those for a long time.” He shuddered at the mere thought of marriage. How dare his ex bring a bridal magazine into his home. He’d be sure to use it to light the fireplace in his study.

  “Bedtime, see you in the morning.” He gazed at her a moment longer, turned out the light and quietly left the room.

  * * *

  The following morning, Bice poked his head into Heaven’s room.

  “Good morning.” He beamed. “I hear Harmon is going to show you around the fortress today.”

  Heaven sat at the vanity table slowly brushing her golden hair. She stared into the mirror at the handsome man behind her. He was absolutely grinning from ear to ear. He reeked of happiness, his dark eyes glittered in anticipation of the day’s outing. She’d been happy too. Before she was taken from the island.

  Try as she might, she didn’t understand why Harmon wanted to give her this new life. A life of luxury, of security and of comfort. She watched in the mirror, as Bice moved up behind her.

  “I also hear he’s getting you a tutor. How about that?”

  She turned from the mirror and gazed at him. “I’m not sure what to think. I don’t even know you people. How can I be happy about anything, when everything I’ve ever known is gone?”

  “Give it time, Heaven. Harmon wanted more than anything to help you. Give him a chance. He has a lot of guilt for what happened that day on the beach. He felt he could have done more for you .”

  She slowly ran the brush through her hair again, and stared at the floor. There were so many things she didn’t understand about herself. She’d been shunned from the beginning at the orphanage, through no fault of her own. So, she snuck away and it seemed it hadn’t mattered to anyone. Except for one person. Harmon Steele.

  The world had forgotten her, except for him. If she’d only agreed to leave the island with him that day. If she only believed him when he told her a deadly storm was coming. But, she didn’t remember him.

  “Heaven? Are you still with me?”

  His eyes fell to her hand. The hand she was brushing her hair with. The bandage was gone. He remembered he’d asked Bonita to wrap it the night before. He knew she bandaged it, she’d mentioned it later.

  He watched as she sat the brush down on the vanity and turned toward him. His eyes grew wide as he studied her palm. The reddened skin was no more, the blisters were gone. A perfectly normal hand. He followed her hand down to her thigh, slowly letting his eyes fall to her legs. Normal, perfect legs.

  He could feel his heart beginning to pound. He finally wrenched his gaze from her and stared at the stained-glass window. The majestic peacock still graced its center, its hundred blue eyes still stared down at him. As before. Perfect. Everything was perfect. Much too perfect.

  He’d stood in this very spot only last night and for the first time in his life, fainted. Harmon was right. There was something about this girl, something beyond explanation. Now, he could feel it too as he gazed into her aquamarine eyes.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  He shook his head clear, hoping his heart would slow down. He didn’t want her to see him during a weak moment. He was certainly having one.

  “Your hand.” He stuttered. “Your hand is better. It was burned terribly last night.” He pulled a chair beside her. “Do you mind telling me what the hell is going on around here?”

  She studied him slyly. “Your mouth reeks of a man who rides on boats.”

  “Do you mean a sailor? Sorry, I’ve been hanging around with Harmon’s band too long. So tell me, what’s up with you? You caused both Harmon and myself to faint last night.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “No, don’t be sorry. Please tell me how you did it. What tricks do you have up your sleeves?”

  “None. Harmon asked me the same thing last night. No one would understand. I don’t even understand. I am what I am, some kind of a freak.”

  “No, you’re not. You’re special, that’s all. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Now, lets get something to eat and we’ll show you around.”

  He knew he would never understand what occurred the night before. He couldn’t come close to understanding himself. After some time, maybe she’d open up to him one day and explain. Or, maybe he’d figure it out. In the meantime, he planned to keep a close eye on her.

  The pair headed out the door and down the long corridor. The halls were hung with magnificent paintings, crystal chandeliers lit the way. He offered her his arm as they approached the grand staircase. She took it, and together they descended into magnificence.

  “Who is the gorilla who carried Harmon out of my room last night?” She asked as they reached the lower floor.

  Bice chuckled. “That’s Hawk, Harmon’s bodyguard. He lives here, and travels with us when Harmon is on tour. Fact is, since you’ve arrived Harmon has decided to take a year off. But Hawk will stay, he’s part of the family now. Be prepared, he doesn’t talk much.”

  “Who is the woman who came into my room last night?”

  “That is Bonita, the head housekeeper and Harmon’s cook. A mighty fine one at that. There is also Pedro the gardener, and Thornton, Harmon’s majordomo.”

  “His what?”

  “A majordomo, as Harmon likes to call him. He’s a butler, a chauffer and head of the household. Plus, there are a few other maids around. Thornton lives for being able to keep them jumping and hopping.”

  “How many people live here?”

  “Including you, ten.” He waved her down the hallway toward the dining area, and showed her a chair. “The house is huge, and there are two wings. The staff is on one side. You and I, Harmon and Hawk are on the other. It stays pretty quiet around here, believe it or not. Until you arrived.”

  “Why don’t I remember coming here?” She watched Bonita place their breakfasts in front of them. “I remember waking up, seeing Harmon and screaming. Nothing before that.”

  “You were still out of it when you arrived.” He sipped his coffee. “Harmon insisted on bringing you home. The doctors told him they’d done all they could for you. He felt there was no sense keeping you at the hospital a moment longer.”

  “Did I hear my name?” Harmon asked, as he strolled in. “Are you two plotting against me?”

  “Good morning.” Bice smiled. “I was explaining to Heaven how she wound up in this dump.” He slapped the table and roare
d with laughter, nearly knocking his coffee over.

  Harmon chuckled and took a chair next to Heaven. “How are you this morning?”

  She gazed at the handsome musician. His green eyes simply glowed, his auburn hair ablaze in the sunlight which streamed through the window behind him. He too, was a handsome man. Perhaps the most handsome man she’d ever seen.

  Regardless, he’d caused a tree to fall on her and crush her legs. For that, she’d never forgive. But she had to play the cards, the cards dealt to her, one at a time. Until she could find a way to reunite with Dreams.

  “I’m fine.” She lied.

  * * *

  Chapter Four

  After breakfast, Bice and Harmon gave Heaven a tour of the mansion.

  She was in awe at the magnificence of the manor. It was fit for a King. They showed her the movie theater, the recording studio, the butler and maid quarters, the library and the bowling alley.

  They each offered to remind her of the names of the objects she noticed, realizing she’d forgotten many of them. They were kind enough to help her without causing her embarrassment.

  “This is a baby grand piano.” Harmon explained, as they entered the studio. The instrument gleamed white in the morning sunlight.

  “Why are there plates on the wall?”

  “Those are gold records.” Bice replied. “Harmon used to get one of those when one of his albums sold well.”

  Harmon cocked an eyebrow at the pair. “Let’s head outside and show you around.”

  Soon, they were walking across the expansive lawn. Harmon showed her the enormous marble statues, explaining where each came from. Next, they found themselves gazing at the blue waters of the pool.

  “Come this way, I’ll show you the garage and hangar.” Harmon said.

  “A hangar? What is that?”

  “Where I keep my planes.”

  She gazed at the long garage as they approached it. Fifteen bays held fifteen sleek cars. Unusual cars of every shape and size, cars which she’d never seen before. She stared in awe at the gleaming metals and polished chrome, lightly running her fingers down each.

  “Over here is the hangar.” Bice motioned for her to follow. “Harmon has two planes, a jet for when he travels out of the country and a smaller plane which he flies around the states.”

  She gazed at the magnificent jet, tracing its protruding nose which pointed skyward with her finger. Beside it, a small plane sat in its shadow. Blue and white stripes crossed over it, another blue stripe spanned each wing.

  She remembered this plane. She closed her eyes and tried to recall why it was familiar.

  Her thoughts took her back to the island. She and Dreams were laying on the beach, gazing into the sky. They were lazily laid back on the white sands, enjoying the evening sun. She’d dozed off, but had been abruptly awaken by the sound of a droning engine.

  A small blue and white plane circled overhead. It flew low, almost too low. It continued to circle, around and around, and as suddenly as it arrived, it vanished.

  She was standing in front of the very same plane. The same blue and white stripes, the same striped blue wings. The same plane which carried the men who’d gone back and sent the boat. The boat which Harmon Steele sailed on. The man who’d brought her here, and who sent Dreams back to the orphanage.

  She gazed at Harmon. “Where’s the boat?”

  “What boat?”

  “The boat you came to the island on.”

  “It’s at the marina.”

  She studied him closely. He reeked of casual indifference. The obvious lack of understanding of her not having a choice in the matter. He’d taken her against her will from the island, storm or no storm.

  She and Dreams may have survived the hurricane if given half a chance. But they were never given the chance, thanks to his preoccupation getting her back into the states in an apparent attempt to quench his all-consuming guilt.

  She slowly backed away from him. Away from the planes, away from the fancy cars in their fancy garage, away from his castle, his gold records and marbled statues.

  This was a man who fancied on the materialistic. Someone who collected pretty objects to sit on a shelf, or in a garage or hanger. She wouldn’t be his object. She was her own person and she would find Dreams, one way or another. Her patience had worn thin. She was sick and tired of being nice.

  “Heaven?” Bice stared at the girl, unsure of what she might be thinking. He carefully watched her gape at the plane. Her face had grown rigid the moment she set eyes on it. The distant look which darkened her eyes was unmistakable.

  She ignored him, and continued to back away. Her eyes were a mixture of fear, of disdain and of anger. Finally, she spun on her heel and raced away.

  “What happened?” Harmon asked. “What did I say wrong?”

  “She’s heading to the cliffs!” Bice rushed after her.

  “Heaven, wait!” Harmon leapt after the pair. “It’s dangerous over there.”

  She ignored the pair, and continued to stumble away. They were yelling at her, but she didn’t care. The vast ocean loomed only a dozen yards ahead. The sea of memories and monsters was right around the corner. She’d dive in, and let the waves carry her away.

  She charged toward it recklessly, abandoning every worry she’d carried since she woke in this place. She’d find a way to get Dreams and go back to her island.

  She stumbled down the embankment to the sandy beach, and quickly stole a glance behind her. The men were racing toward her. She turned away from them and gazed at the churning sea.

  She gasped in horror at what lie before her. A distant memory overcame her, slowly rebuilding itself within her deepest thoughts. She’d been here before. It was the beach she had laid upon as a child, near death.

  She gazed at the rocky ledge to her right. The familiar cliff still jutted high into the sky. Gulls circled above her, as if calling to her. The same seabirds who wanted to finish eating her flesh.

  A wave hit the face of the ledge, sending sea spray across the top. She watched as the foamy brine slowly trickled down, back into the churning waters, only to be thrown once more against the unforgiving outcropping.

  She could see once again her family’s battered boat still clinging to the rocky cliff. Its wooden planks swollen with water bobbed in and out of the waves. Many more planks were scattered and lie still along the sands.

  She remembered the clothing as it rolled about, creating morbid scarecrows below the waves. The gulls circling her dead parents, taking curious jabs at their bare flesh. She staggered backward, fighting a wrenching memory deep within her heart. Right into Bice’s arms.

  “Heaven, what is wrong?” He struggled to catch his breath. “Are you all right?”

  “Let go of me.” She jerked her arm away from him, and gazed at the sandy beach.

  “Come back to the house.” He made a move for her arm again, but she stepped out of the way.

  “Get lost.”

  She watched as he pulled a cell phone from his pocket. Harmon had now reached the beach, and stood silently gazing at her as she backed toward the cliff. His auburn hair rolled in the churning winds.

  “Hawk.” Bice spoke calmly. “Get down to the beach right away, looks like we may need your help.”

  “Why are you calling that gorilla?”

  “If you’re not coming back on your own free will, I’ll have Hawk carry you. It’s dangerous in this area. I won’t have you falling into the ocean.”

  “How dare you threaten me with that gorilla?”

  A movement in the distance caught her eye. She gazed up the hill toward the house. The lumbering man was already making his way toward them. He strode with purpose and determination, his ape-like arms swinging as a monkey’s arms might. He was a man on a mission.

  She searched for a banana in his hand, in hopes he had one. If not, she’d give anything to toss him one.

  “Heaven?” Harmon finally spoke. “Look, I know this is a difficult adjustment
for you. Tomorrow, I’ll call the orphanage and see what can be done about bringing Dreams here.”

  “Really?” She couldn’t believe it. The words were like music to her ears.

  “Really, I promise. Give it a chance. I sincerely thought I was doing the right thing for you becoming your guardian. Maybe I was wrong. If so, I’ll help you find another family to live with.”

  “No kidding.” Bice roared. “You’ve given up your career to help her, and she thanks you by acting like a child.”

  “Not now, Bice.” Harmon glared at his assistant.

  Heaven stepped toward Bice and stared at him curtly. “A child?” You don’t know half of what I’ve been through. My family is dead, and I was shunned at the orphanage. No one has cared where I was for years, and you say I act like a child?”

  “You do.” Bice spoke calmly. “What you have gone through in the past, I am sorry for, but you are taking it out on us. Don’t let it affect how you act now.”

  Hawk finally materialized on the hill above Harmon. He carefully snaked his way down the narrow path, until he stood next to the musician.

  Heaven gazed at him closely for the first time. The man’s arms were the size of tree trunks. He wore faded leather pants and chains wove through thick braids near each ear. Beyond his dark shades, she could see nothing except eternal damnation.

  “Get her to the house, Hawk.” Bice ordered the burly man. “Before she gets hurt out here.”

  Obediently, Hawk grunted and began moving toward the girl as if he were a linebacker in a football game.

  Heaven casually watched the behemoth approach her. The moment he took her by the arm, she kneed him squarely in the groin.

  He lurched away in surprise, grabbed his crotch and tumbled backward into the foamy sea.

  Bice gazed at the fallen bodyguard. The man moaned in the churning waves, fighting to sit upright without letting go of his withered manhood.