“I’ll ask their mothers, Steff. We’ll see, okay.”
Steffunnie’s legs flipped with energy.
Ginelle said to me, “We would’ve come up sooner, but, well, you know.”
“Yeah, I understand. You should bring your husband up too. I’d like to meet him.”
“He’s come up here every day for the last three days.” She pinched her face up, narrowed her eyes. “You mean he hasn’t introduced himself yet?” She blew a breath. “Huhh, Luca. You know how males are.”
“Oh, yeah, I know. It’s no problem. I’m sure he’s just busy or something.”
“Yeah, well, that’s no excuse.” She grinned as if she had a plan. “I’ll get him over here.”
“Daddy’s a football player, Elle. He’s really strong.”
“Really, that’s great. My dad’s a football player too.”
“Oh, that’s nice. We both have daddies that play football. I think football is stupid. Don’t tell my dad I said that, K? It’s a secret.”
“Okay, just between you and me.” I gave her a wink. She tried to wink back but both her eyes scrunched up, making me giggle as she tinkled a giggle of her own. The thought of how I felt about football crossed my mind, but I figured it better not to say anything, since Ginelle was a cheerleader for the StarWings.
“C’mon,” I said to Ginelle, “let me to introduce you to my mom and sister.”
“Of course.”
Ginelle followed as I led the way with Steff on my hip. Mom and Angie were already standing as we approached and stood on the dirt in front of the porch deck.
“Mom, Angie, this is Ginelle and her daughter, Steffunnie. She likes to be called, Steff.”
“Well hello there, Steff,” Mom said.
“Hello Steff,” Angie included.
“Hi.” Steff smiled, looked at Angie. “You’re Elle’s sister?”
“Yes,” Angie replied so sweet.
“And, and, you’re Elle’s mommy?”
“Elle’s my daughter, yes. I like to call her, Ellie.”
Steffunnie tilted her head to my shoulder, said on a little sigh, “That’s nice.”
After all the formal introductions, we all sat together, talking. Mom had brought out some more tea with floating lemon slices, and a snack bowl of petal chips. Steff had been let down and skipped around the driveway in her own little world, chasing butterflies, and crouching now and then to pick up an interesting rock. I remembered that world, so filled with happiness, hope and wonder. The image of her taken away by one of those vultures was appalling—fueling my fire even more. Bub was barking and running through the forest on his squirrel chasing adventures. He’d come out and bounce around Steff for a bit, looking at her as if to say, C’mon, help me catch the squirrels. Then he’d spin around and run back to the forest.
“Steff,” I called out, stopping her in mid-skip, “how’d you like to play in the house?”
Ginelle’s hint of a grin seemed to reveal the comfort of that idea.
“Yeah, Steff,” Ginelle included, “I bet there’s lots of places to play in there.”
Steff dropped a rock to the driveway and made her way to us. While Mom took Steff’s hand and led her into the house, Ginelle said, “Just don’t go outside unless you ask first, okay?”
“Okay, Mommy.” Then she said to Mom, “What’s your doggy’s name? I like him.”
The french doors tapped shut.
“She’ll be fine,” I said to Ginelle. “Mom’s great with kids. I’m sure she’s getting a bowl of fruit right now.” Almost imperceptibly, Ginelle seemed to ease back into her chair, revealing the fact that the last month must have been tough on her. I understood completely.
Over the next few minutes, she and Angie discussed their husbands. Ginelle’s husband is Luca Callisto. The name sounded familiar. Then I remembered the posters and advertisements: Luca Callisto, the famous StarWing player.
“Your husband is, Luca?” I questioned with a cocked eyebrow. “He’s famous, isn’t he?”
“Maybe, yes, but you wouldn’t know it by the way he acts. He’s a goof.”
I grinned. “I like goofy, he sounds fun. I can’t wait to meet him. Oh, and, I want you to meet Vyn, my boyfriend. He’s in the new lab.”
“Okay, sure. Steff will be okay, right?”
“Oh, yeah,” Angie reassured. “She’s fine. I’ll keep an eye out, though.”
Ginelle replied, “Thanks, Angie. That’s sweet of you.”
“No problem at all.” Angie lifted her glass, relaxed back, crossed her legs at the ankles and took a sip.
Sounds of male jabbering, whooping laughter, and Bub’s arguments with the squirrel community filled the surrounding forest.
A few minutes later, Ginelle and I were meandering through the tall grass and wildflowers just beyond the front lawn. Flying insects would dart from the weeds, disturbed by our walking, only to land a few feet away, and do it again. The deer feeder box was to our right, just inside the tree line on a bed of dirt, spilled oats and pine needles. Pine trees dropped patches of shade here and there as sunlight misted through the woods.
Faint sounds of construction hammers echoed. Bub’s barking from afar, roaf, roaf, roaf.
We were on our way to the cellar entrance on the opposite side of the house, taking our time while enjoying the pine- and pollen-scented air. Ginelle seemed to have a sense of motherly direction. She’d stop and pick a bud, lift it to her nose with an unconscious glance at the house, seeming to sense the presence of her daughter. She was so lovely. As if in slow motion, she seemed to be drifting in a world where time had nothing to do with a clock, but defined by moments of taking in all the beauty around us. I couldn’t help but think; she was the perfect image of an angel, soaking in life.
“I love your jeans,” I commented. “I have a few pairs myself.”
Even as she glanced around, she said, “Yeah, I couldn’t live without my jeans. I wear dresses at home, though, like what you’re wearing now. We all need our comfy dress, right. After years of male hooting and hollering from the stands, I guess I just wanted to cover my legs up. Jeans got so comfortable. They just kinda grew on me, you know. And I love the tall flowered fields, so they protect my legs while I wander.” She turned with a gentle grin, lifted a yellow bud to her nose, a light inhale.
Considering, I raked some hair off my face and tucked it behind my ear. The jeans were waiting for me in my bedroom and she made them sound so much more enticing, later though.
Ginelle gave me a long look. “You’re eighteen, right?”
“Yep”—I felt so young—“the big eighteen. For another week, anyway. I’m beginning to think it’s the year of confusion.”
“I know, I remember that age. I hope I’m not prying, but, you have male questions, right? I mean about”—her voice dropped to a careful whisper, eyebrows lifted—“Sex?”
My gaze drifted to the ground, more out of confusion than embarrassment. “Yeah, that and a few other things. I don’t know. It’s just weird, I mean”—I looked up—“just a little while ago everything was normal. Vyn and I played together. My life was shopping and fashion and friends. Now all of a sudden I’m a drek hunter. It was my choice, and I’ll do it, of course, for the children. But what about when it’s all done. Dad already pulled me out of school, so, I don’t what I’m gonna do afterward. I mean, for a career.”
“Oh, sweetie.” She paced over to me. “It’s your life. You can do anything you want.” She paused, seemed to study my face. “Just look at you, eighteen? My Source, if I had your beauty when I was your age. Sweetie, you know, you could be a model. With your facial structure and those unique, crisp blue eyes, and that hair. You have that look. I just know it. I’ve seen that look. I know what I’m talking about. I have a few friends, you know, being so close to the entertainment world. You’ve heard of Dahlia Emil, right? That store Angel’s Closet would be knocking down your door to hire you. It’s out there for you, just be patient.”
My fa
ce was burning; I must’ve been blushing like a ripe tomato. Ginelle, the famous cheerleader; I couldn’t believe she was telling me this. She was just being nice, right … Wait. She knew Dahlia Emil! I had just been staring at her picture in my magazine a few days ago. She was Angel’s Closet new model. No flappin way! Ginelle couldn’t be serious. She should not tease me like that. Just coddling little Ellie like the rest of them, wasn’t she?
“I know what you’re thinking, Elle. I’m telling you as a professional. You have what it takes. Now, if you want my opinion, I think you should follow what you’re doing right now. It may not last that long. And when it’s over, I’ll get you in touch with the angels that make it happen. Now”—she placed her hands on my shoulders, locked her blue eyes into my twitching gaze—“I want you to grit your teeth and get through this, and then come see me. Let’s show the world who Elleria Soepheea is.”
CHAPTER 21
The little girl would not let me catch up to her. She’d giggle at me, then skip down the dirt trail and round the bushes. Why wouldn’t my legs listen to me? I wanted to catch her, talk to her. A sound came from the trees, from the sky, a delicate female voice, “You’re okay now.” A breeze touched my cheeks. Puffy clouds drifted in blue above the trees. Shapes turned and churned into a form, a face, a beautiful clouded face looking down at me. It spoke again, “Are you okay, sweetie?”
Forest sounds seemed to be approaching—birds, male laughter, Bub barking—distant, as if coming from the other end of a tunnel. Even the sweet aromas were getting stronger. What is that, flowers? The face of Ginelle hovered above, blue eyes staring down. I rolled my head side to side, realizing I was on my back in the middle of the yard, in my sundress, wild grass all around my face. Bent over me with a lopsided grin, her long hair falling down almost to my cheeks, Ginelle brushed a dandelion under my nose.
The tickling bud made me crinkle my nose. I wondered out loud, “What happened?”
Ginelle giggled. “Oh, sweetie, you just, fainted.”
“What?” I huffed out and bounded up. “OH, I’m so stupid.” My skin warmed with embarrassment while I stood brushing the grass and stuff off my dress. I couldn’t look at her.
“No, sweetie, you are so cute. I just love you.” Ginelle giggled again. I wished she would stop that, it wasn’t helping my recovery. I felt like crying. She pulled me into a hug, rubbed my back and wings while I stood limp, slack arms by my side with my chin on her shoulder. She said behind me, “There’s nothing wrong with you, sweetie, and there’s nothing wrong with laughing at ourselves. Maybe we shouldn’t talk about modeling. It was just an idea.”
I sighed ... “Thank you. I guess it must’ve been kinda funny, huh?”
“It’s okay now.” Squeeze. “You’re just so, adorable. I could just eat you up. Hey.” She pulled back, brushed silky strands of hair away from her forehead with fingertips, revealing an excited gleam in her eyes as she added, “We should plan something. What do you like to do? I mean, for fun.”
“Um, I don’t know.”
“Oh, c’mon, there’s got to be something you like to do for fun. And don’t say shopping.”
After considering for a minute, I replied, “Um, it’s kinda weird, but, oh, never mind.”
She tilted her head, a little grin playing on her lips. “Now, Ellie, I’m going to find out sooner or later, so it might as well be sooner.”
“Okay, well.” I paused for a moment to have second thoughts about telling her … then spilled it, “I like to go to weddings, even when I’m not invited. Just to see all the flowers and colors. Please don’t tell anyone. The flowers are just so pretty, and the beautiful dresses. I can’t help it. There’s just so much love and happiness all around. Don’t make fun of me, please. But sometimes I just sit in the back and cry. That’s why I haven’t told anyone. It’s my secret. I tell them I’m going shopping. My sister would never stop teasing me if she knew.”
The smile on her face grew wide as she considered. “Oh, that’s sounds like so much fun. I don’t know why I never thought of that. I bet you can’t wait to get married, huh?”
The question sent my eyes to the ground. “I guess, someday. I try not to think about it.”
“Well, I won’t tell anyone, on one condition. You need to take me with you. We could crash a few weddings together. And guess what? They have my weakness. Cake!”
I looked up. “Ooh, I know. They’re just so, yummy. Weddings have the best cakes. Angie’s obsessed with them. She’s been trying to copy her wedding cake for a year. But Faye won’t give her the secret. It frustrates Angie so much. Sometimes I think about bringing her along with me, just for the cake, you know, but I know she’d tease me.”
“Well, I’ll see what I can do about getting that recipe. Maybe I can charm it out of Faye.”
“Good luck with that, Angie’s tried.”
She paused, smiled, gave me a long, soft look. “We’re going to have so much fun this summer, Ellie. I’m so glad I met you.”
Did she just say, she— She’s so glad to meet, me! I launched a hug into her, said over her shoulder. “Me too, Ginelle. Thank you so much. I can’t wait to go to a wedding with you.”
She pulled back, stood me up, picked something off my cheek and cleared some hair away from my eyes. “Okay, we’ll plan on it then. Now, show me that lucky boyfriend of yours.”
****
Vyn’s lab was so bright; it made the cellar look ten times bigger. They’d even painted the brick walls white. Racks of glass tubes and round little dishes covered polished metal tables. Off silver chains, fluorescent light fixtures hung from the ceiling like long white boxes.
Vyn stood before a stainless table, wearing a white lab coat, his wings out the wing-flaps and folded to his back. So official looking. When he looked up at Ginelle and me, his blue eyes soaked in the fluorescent light. He was beautiful. No, sexy. If that was the right word. Whatever.
“Hey, Vyn,” I said.
“Hey, Ellie, how’s it going out there?” He slid a glass tube thingy in a metal rack.
“It’s crazy out there.” I paused. “This is Ginelle, the cheerleader I told you about.”
“Yeah, um,” Vyn mumbled, cheeks tinting. “Um, yeah, hi.”
Such a male, a young male at that, flustered at the sight of Ginelle like a schoolboy.
When Ginelle stepped forward to shake his hand, I suspected she might have to wake another passed-out angel off the floor.
Vyn stole a glance at me, became more serious. With a professional, but somewhat cramped expression, he turned eyes on Ginelle, shook her outstretched hand while saying, “It is nice to meet you, Ginelle. I have heard so much about you.” I didn’t know he could talk like a robot. He pulled his hand back, wiped it on his lab coat.
My Source, Ginelle had no idea how ridiculous he sounded. I couldn’t help but snicker.
“It’s nice to meet you too, Vyn. You have a special girl there. You treat her right and I won’t have to kick your ass. I know where you work.”—I snorted a laugh in surprise.
Ginelle held a serious gaze on Vyn. Vyn swallowed the lump in his neck. He finally drew a breath, caught up to the joke, then let out some sort of nervous chuckle while the blood in his face drained back into his body. He lowered to the chair, eyes up to Ginelle. “I see how it is. You two are gangin’ up on me, huh?”
Ginelle cut a glare and snapped out, “I’m serious, Vyn. Be nice to her or I’ll be back.”
Vyn went into deep freeze again. Ginelle stared him down. I couldn’t pull my hand from my mouth as I snickered into my palm.
Ginelle smiled at me. “They are so easy to mess with.” She turned back to Vyn and said, “I’m just teasing. You’re a good guy. Kinda cute, too, with those blushing dimples,” then angled a grin at me and added, “I approve, Ellie.”
Okay, I really love Ginelle.
She stepped over to me with a mischievous grin of accomplishment. Vyn swiped his brow with the back of his hand, snatched up his glass and to
ok a long swallow.
“I think we’ve tortured him enough for one day,” I said through my grin.
“Yeah, I guess we should let him off the leash.” Ginelle turned to Vyn. “It really was nice to meet you, Vyn. Sorry about that. We’ll leave you alone now.”
He just nodded, puffed out a breath, and said, “It was, um, interesting to meet you, too.”
Ginelle snickered, tilted her head with a playful twist. “It was, wasn’t it?”
As we were walking out the door, Ginelle called over her shoulder, “Remember what I said, Vyn, or I’ll be back.” The door tapped shut behind us. Stepping up the stairs, Ginelle said to me, “Well, that should keep him hanging for a little while.”
“That’s so mean. I have so much to learn from you.”
****
Family and friends filled the evening living room as the fireplace crackled and winked. We had pulled the drapes over the wall of windows, shutting out the night to avoid distractions as we enjoyed some social time. Shaded lamps glowed on the end tables, each table holding someone’s drink on a coaster. The room was warm, and not just from the fireplace; it was the tingly feeling of peace that I’d been craving for nearly a month.
Dad and Mom were on the couch, Angie and Jaydenn on the loveseat. I was in Dad’s chair and Vyn was still in the lab. Dad had brought two more chairs from the dining room for Ginelle and her muscled husband Luca. Steffunnie was on the chaise lounge by the fireplace in her little dress, eating a bowl of fruit and tilting her head back and forth while she hummed some sort of tune. Bub lay on the floor by the chaise, on his belly with his head up, as if listening to Steff—best of friends. We had invited Ginelle and family to stay for dinner, and to stay the night in the guest bedroom. I was so happy I didn’t have to say goodbye to them just yet.
Discussions went around. Luca was hilarious, though some of his jokes did make Mom blush. Ginelle would just roll her eyes, as if she’d heard them before. Dad and Jaydenn would bellow with laughter. Most of the jokes I really didn’t get, but I snickered along with them anyway. Angie understood, though. She’d laugh right along like one of the boys.
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