by S. J. West
I sit down next to Will at the dining room table and notice he looks a bit green around the gills.
“What’s wrong with you?” I ask him.
“I don’t know about this poem I wrote,” Will says to me, nervously tapping the index finger of his right hand against the top of an open notebook. “What if she laughs at it?”
“She won’t laugh,” I assure him.
“How do you know that?”
“Because I saw how she was looking at you in the cafeteria the other day. She’s just waiting for you to make the first move. Trust me. The poem will clench it.”
“She was looking at me?” Will asks, smiling now.
“Of course she was.” I lean over and pinch one of his cheeks. “Who could resist that face?”
Will’s cockiness returns a smidge and he says, “You’re right. Who can resist my charms?”
I don’t say anything smart back. I let him keep his confidence, for now.
Uncle Malcolm walks into the house dressed in his usual schoolteacher clothing and glasses.
After the routine good mornings, Uncle Malcolm heads directly to the chair Mae is sitting in.
“Mae Mae,” he says to her, drawing her attention away from her waffle, “I have a surprise for you this morning.”
Mae’s eyes light up and she phases on top of Uncle Malcolm with her arms wrapped around his neck.
“Show me,” she tells him, sounding awfully bossy for a three-year-old.
Uncle Malcolm turns to my mom.
“I’ll take Mae to Abby’s house for you today,” he tells her. “The pack and I made her a surprise for Valentine’s Day.”
“What kind of surprise?” My mom asks, intrigued.
“Would you like to come and see for yourself?”
My mom looks over at me. “Want to come too?”
I shrug. “Sure.”
“Will?” My mom asks.
“Nah, I need to go over this poem one more time,” Will says, not even looking up from his notebook he’s so focus on the task at hand.
“I’ll stay here with Will,” my dad says.
Uncle Malcolm hugs Mae close.
“Ready?” He asks her.
Mae nods her head and they phase. My mom and I aren’t too far behind them. We’re all standing on the front porch, but Uncle Malcolm turns to walk down the front steps.
“This way ladies. Mae’s surprise is in the backyard.”
We follow Uncle Malcolm to the back and already hear the younger members of the pack playing. As we turn the corner of the house, we’re met by the most elaborate playhouse I’ve ever seen.
It looks like a miniature pink, glittery castle built on stilts with cut out white clouds around it. A multicolored plastic slide swoops from what looks like a drawbridge and two dragon shaped tire swings hang off each side.
“My rainbow slide!” Mae shouts, pushing against Uncle Malcolm and clambering down him to get to the slide of her dreams.
Mae runs off to play with Abby’s pack of boys in her new playhouse.
“You know you’re spoiling her,” my mom says, wrapping her arms around one of Uncle Malcolm’s as they stand side by side and watch Mae play queen of the castle.
“What can I say? I’m a sucker for brown eyed, brown haired beauties.”
“I guess I was born with the wrong eye color,” I say, watching Mae slide down her rainbow with arms stretched out and yelling ‘wee’.
“Like I didn’t spoil you at Mae’s age,” Uncle Malcolm scoffs, calling into question my memories.
“I don’t remember getting a fantasy castle built for me.”
“Hmm….”
I look over at Uncle Malcolm and know instantly that he isn’t telling me something.
“What?” I ask. “Why do you look like you’re keeping a secret?”
Uncle Malcolm shrugs.
“It’s just your paranoia.” And he changes the subject. “I can move it to whichever house you want it go to, dearest,” Uncle Malcolm tells my mom.
As they continue to discuss where to put the playhouse, I continue to wonder what Uncle Malcolm knows that I don’t.
When we get back home, mom goes to work and Uncle Malcolm takes Will to school.
“Good luck,” I tell my little brother.
“Thanks,” he says shyly. “Keep your fingers crossed for me.”
“Don’t need to,” I tell him. “She’ll love it.”
Eventually my dad and I are alone and he tells me what the plan is for the day.
“I thought we would spend some time in London today,” he tells me. “We haven’t ridden the horses there in a while. They could probably use the stretch.”
I take my dad’s hand and phase us to the mansion we have near London. We don’t come to it much. Most of our time is spent in either Lakewood or Denver. My dad has three servants (Rose Marie, Carl, and Jack) who live in the house and take care of it for us when we’re away, though Jack is more a resident than a servant now days. He’s been with dad for as long as I can remember and is only a couple of years away from his eightieth birthday.
“Brandon, my boy!” Jack says as we come into the sitting room he is…well… sitting in reading a book. “Rose Marie said you would be dropping by today. I’m glad to see you my boy, glad to see you.”
“Hey Jack,” my dad says walking up to the elderly man and shaking his outstretch hand. “How are you doing?”
“Oh, I can’t complain. I’m still alive,” Jack says with a laugh. “What brings the two of you out here?”
“It’s Valentine’s Day, Jack.”
“Ahh, I forgot,” Jack laughs. “My memory isn’t what it used to be.”
“Caylin and I came to give the horses a stretch of their legs.”
“I’m sure they could use it, my boy. If I were a smidge younger, I would join you.”
Jack looks at me and smiles. “Well, well, Caylin my girl, you’ve grown up to be as beautiful as your mother was at your age.”
“Did you know her back then?”
“She was a year older than you are now when Jack first met her,” my dad tells me.
“Oh, that’s right,” Jack says. “I remember that night. It was special for the two of you that’s for sure. I wasn’t sure if she would turn you down or not.”
“That’s not what you said at the time,” my dad says, sounding like this is the first time he’s heard of Jacks doubts.
“Turn him down for what?” I ask.
“His marriage proposal,” Jack says. “Haven’t they ever told you how your dad proposed?”
I shake my head. “No, they haven’t.”
“Well, your dad here had me meet them at the London Eye one night and he proposed to your mom in one of the pods. I’m surprised you never told her, Brandon.”
“Never came up,” my dad says with a shrug.
“Your dad was so nervous about it too.”
“You were?” I ask, having a hard time believing anything where my mom was concerned would make my dad nervous.
“We’d only known each other for a short time,” my dad says, “but I knew from the first moment I saw your mom that she was my soul mate.”
“Did it feel like the earth beneath your feet gave way and everything around you faded into the background?”
My dad nods. “Yes, that’s exactly how it felt.”
“I’ve felt that too.”
My dad smiles because I don’t have to tell him when that happened to me.
“So, what else are the two of you going to do today?”
“I thought we would take it easy,” my dad tells Jack. “This will be our last Valentine’s date. Caylin’s going to be attending Yale next year. Plus, she found her soul mate too.”
“Did you now, lass? What’s his name?”
“Aiden.”
“Treat you good?”
“So far, so good,” I report.
“Well, if he doesn’t, you just tell old Jack, and I’ll use what life I have left to kick some sense i
nto him.”
I laugh. “Yes, sir. I will definitely let you know.”
“You two have fun today,” Jack tells us. “Memories like these will be all you have left of one another in time. Just make sure you cherish them, Caylin. Your dad won’t be around forever.”
“Yes, sir, I promise I will.”
And I do. I etch every minute of that day into my memory because I know I’ll never get them back.
When we make it back to our Lakewood home, it’s late in the afternoon, and I immediately start to get ready for the dance. I go up to my room and do the pre-requisite shower and shave. I put in a little extra effort with my makeup but don’t do a lot to my hair except the usual straightening and curling of the ends. When I look at the clock, I see that it’s five-thirty and know Aiden will be over at exactly six to pick me up. I go to my closet and pull out the hanging bag that has the dress JoJo made me in it.
I lay it on my bed and unzip it. As I look at the dress for the first time, I realize it’s not exactly what I would have expected from JoJo. In the past, JoJo always made me ‘age appropriate’ clothing that covered everything and basically left me feeling like a nun most of the time. But, for whatever reason, the last two dresses she gave me were more befitting for a woman than a girl.
It is a ruby red bandage dress made of a body hugging stretch knit material. It has cap sleeves, a v-neckline and diagonal ribbing across the bodice. I pick it up and look at the back to find a square cutout there and a zipper closure. I immediately try it on and find that it is an exact fit. The dress molds my body and accentuates my curves to a point where not much is left to the imagination. It makes me feel…sexy. There just wasn’t any other way to put it. I smile at my reflection and go to find some black heels in my closet to wear.
I didn’t dare go downstairs until a few minutes before six. I didn’t want to take the chance of my dad telling me to find something else to wear. I’m not completely sure I would have acquiesced to his request anyway. I grab a black dress coat from my closet and the most important item of all from the top of my desk.
I descend the staircase with my coat folded over my left arm. I see no reason to hide the dress. Even if my parents disapprove, it’s too late to change into something else.
My folks are in the living room with Mae and Will playing Mae’s favorite game, Twister. My dad is the first one to see me and seems to lose his balance in the back around reach squat he’s in which causes him to bump into mom causing them both to come crashing to the floor.
Mae throws her little arms in the air and shouts victoriously, “I win!”
To which she begins to shake her booty in her traditional I win dance.
My dad stands first and helps my mom up. They both turn to look at me, and I don’t see disapproval in their eyes, only pride.
“You look lovely, sweetie,” my mom says as they both walk up to me, “so grown up.”
“It doesn’t look like JoJo’s regular style for you,” my dad comments dryly.
“I guess she’s trying something new,” I say, waiting for him to suggest I put something else on or at least put on a cover up sweater. But, he doesn’t.
My dad leans in and gives me a kiss on the cheek.
“Aiden’s a lucky man to have such a beauty on his arm,” he tells me.
“Thanks, dad.”
There is a knock at the door, and my dad is the first to respond.
After my dad pulls the door open, I feel almost like I did three years ago to the day when I see Aiden standing on the other side of the doorway dressed in a black tuxedo and bow tie.
“Hello, Aiden.” I faintly hear my dad say. “Come on in.”
Aiden walks over the threshold and our eyes meet. I feel like time has come to a complete stand still, and we’re the only ones in the room. His hair is expertly styled up and away from his face in waves. His lightly tanned skin stands out against the crisp white of his shirt. You can tell the suit is expensive because of the way it’s tailored to fit only his body. His blue-green eyes sparkle like jewels as he takes in my outfit.
“You look beautiful,” he says for all to hear, like he’s proud to be able to say such a thing in front of everyone present.
“Caylin’s curfew is ten,” my dad tells Aiden.
“But you can stay out until eleven tonight,” my mom is quick to say, and I silently thank her for the extra hour. “It’s not like we won’t know where you are. Plus, your Uncle Malcolm will be there acting as one of the chaperones.”
“He will?” I ask in dismay.
My mom laughs. “Don’t worry. He’ll behave. I’ve already talked to him about it.”
I feel somewhat relieved but know my Uncle Malcolm will still be keeping a close eye on Aiden and me. It’s simply ingrained in his nature to be protective of the people he loves. It makes me wonder if that’s why God chose him to protect my descendants for who knows how many years. It would take an awful lot to make Uncle Malcolm turn his back on someone who comes from my lineage.
I unfold my coat to put it on. Aiden gently takes it out of my hands and holds it open for me.
“Thanks,” I tell him, feeling cherished by the simple action.
I walk over to the small table by the front door and retrieve my keys from the blue glass bowl we have sitting there which is home to all our car keys.
“Are we driving there instead of phasing?” Aiden asks.
“Yeah, trying to keep up the impression of humanity,” I tell him.
“Ahh, gotcha. Do you want me to drive?”
“No,” I say with a definite shake of my head. “I promised Uncle Malcolm I wouldn’t let anyone drive it but me.”
“Do you always keep your promises?”
“Always.”
Aiden walks up to me and takes one of my hands into his. He turns to my parents.
“I promise to have her home by eleven, so don’t worry.”
My dad nods and my mom smiles.
“We’re not worried,” she tells him. “You two go and have some fun.”
Once outside, Aiden walks to my car and opens the driver side door for me. He makes sure I’m settled before shutting it. I wait until after he’s climbed into the passenger seat before I start the engine.
As we’re driving down the highway Aiden says, “You know the speed limit here is sixty-five.”
“I know,” I sigh. “But the car can’t go above fifty-five.”
“A car like this should be able to go much faster than that,” Aiden says, confusion in his voice.
“Not when your uncle puts a governor in your car that only lets you get up to fifty-five.”
Aiden laughs. “That sounds exactly like Malcolm.”
“Speaking of my uncle, why did he go back to your house yesterday? He didn’t try to bully you or anything did he?”
“No, not exactly, he just wanted to give me some advice.”
“About what?”
Aiden is silent for a few seconds then finally says, “Would you mind if we talked about that later? I’ll tell you but I would like to do something first.”
“Do what?”
“It’s a surprise,” he says, but I can hear a small note of uncertainty in Aiden’s voice.
“A good surprise?” I ask.
Aiden smiles. “I hope a very good one.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
I pull up to my school and park in my usual spot, noting that Hunter’s yellow Camaro is already in its parking place right beside mine.
I turn the engine off and look over at Aiden. I wait for him to look at me before I say, “Do you remember me saying I wanted you to show me something tonight?”
Aiden tilts his head. “Yes, I remember, but you weren’t very forth coming on what that something is.”
I reach into the right pocket of my coat and pull out the old-fashioned brass key I found inside the carved house that he gave me for my seventeenth birthday.
“I want you to show me what this unlocks,” I say, holding the
key up for him to see.
Aiden lets out a half laugh.
“What’s so funny?” I ask.
“Not funny,” he says with a smile. “Ironic. I was planning to take you there tonight anyway. It was going to be part of my surprise.”
“Great minds think alike I guess,” I say, returning his smile.
Aiden holds his hand out to me.
“Would you like to go see it now?”
I nod and place one of my hands into his.
I instantly find myself standing on a brick pathway leading up to what looks like a mansion you would see perched on the side of a mountain in the Swiss Alps with its high peaked roofs.
“Where are we?” I ask.
“The home I built near Denver,” Aiden tells me.
I look at the key in my hand and look back at Aiden.
“Is this what my key unlocks?”
“Not exactly,” Aiden say, tightening his hold on my hand. “But, do you like it?”
I stare at the house realizing I’ve never seen one its size before. Uncle Malcolm’s face flashes in my mind. I remember the odd look he gave me this morning when I mentioned the fact that he never built me a castle.
“Did you build it?” I ask.
“I had help,” Aiden admits. “Malcolm helped me draw up the blueprints, but I did the actual construction. After your first phone call to me, it was a project he came up with to keep me focused on what I wanted out of life. Like I told you, I knew then I needed to stay faithful to you until we could be together. You haven’t answered me about the house, do you like it?”
“It’s beautiful….and big. Is it mine?”
Aiden smiles. “Well, I was hoping it would be ours.”
I throw my arms around Aiden’s neck and whisper in his ear, “I love it, and I love you.”
Aiden wraps his arms around me and holds me tight.
Before I know it, we’re standing inside the house right in front of a door in a long hallway. I loosen my grip around his neck and look around.
“This is the door the key unlocks,” Aiden says. “It’s something I made just for you. I wanted you to have the key so you knew it was your private sanctuary.”
I let go of him and turn towards the brass doorknob. I slip my key into the lock, turn it, and push it open.
I walk into the room and instantly know what it is, my art studio.
