Chapter 4

 ~Never prepare to go out, something will go wrong~

Wow! I thought looking out the car window.  The driver passed through huge steel electronic gates, in the middle of the driveway was a small circular garden.  Cars could only go in one way, and out one way.  Susan walked with me to the front door.  There was a small garden in the front but the one at home was much bigger and prettier. Our gardener cut up large bushes into shapes. I thought that was amazing. 

  “Susan?” I looked at her emotionless face.

She looked at me without saying anything.  I still liked Susan even if she was moody sometimes.

  “Do you think Dad and Mom would put a pretty garden circle in our driveway?”

She blinked a couple of times, shook her head, and said, “No, I don’t think so.”

Before I could ask why the front door opened, it was a shiny dark red color.  A tall woman wearing a blue dress and a white apron, hair tied up into a messy bun, smiled at us.  If Mom could be here now, I thought and immediately felt bad. I knew it was not nice to judge people. 

  “Hello,” She said.  You must be... I am sorry; Cara told me your name.  I know all her friends and she did say you were coming.”

  “Willow.” I gave her my best smile. “Are you Cara’s Mom?”

  “Yes, I am Mrs. Anderson.” She wiped her hands on her apron. “Go join the others. They are already at the poolside.”

I said ‘bye’ to Susan and ran inside. I stopped. Looking around the inside of the house it was much smaller than mine and very different.  The couches were not in proper places, the colors were mismatched.  An old piano sat against a wall in the far end of the lounge.  The curtains were wide-open allowing sunlight inside, brightening the room. There was only one light in the middle of the ceiling, and some smaller tables with blue covers that had lampshades.  A large TV had cars racing around as a few boys sat on the mismatched couches shouting and yelling as the cars raced around the tracks and crashed.  Video games, I smiled, it looked like fun. Something that Mom would never buy me for my birthday. 

  “Are you lost?”  Mrs. Anderson said as she saw me watching the games.  She led me across the room, down a long passageway, and explained the guest bathroom was where I could get dressed into my swimming costume. I could leave my bag in Cara’s room not too far away from the bathroom, just round another corner.

  “I must finish up in the kitchen.  Have fun, Willow.”

The floors were carpeted, light blue color with small stains in various places. I wondered what my Mom would think, but I didn’t care, I liked it. 

The bathroom was simply designed with a light shade of cream, a shower with a glass sliding door, toilet, basin, and a steel cabinet just above the basin. 

Cara was very happy to see me. “I thought you wouldn’t come.”  She smiled.

There were some kids from my old school loitering around, some laughing, others I didn’t know were dive-bombing from a high diving board at the deep end. 

“Help yourself to some snacks.”

The table was full of sweets, savory treats, chips, biscuits, and many drinks and treats that my Mom would never let me eat.

 I heard a soft chuckle. “I wonder what your Mom would say if she saw you now.”   

I grabbed a paper plate and placed three biscuits, small sausage rolls, and some sweets. “I don’t care!” I whispered.

 “Hello, Willow.”

Immediately I felt my cheeks grow hot as I turned around holding all that I had taken from the table.  It was Daniel, the Daniel O’Reilly. Then I heard the soft ominous chuckling again. 

  “Hi Daniel,” I said and sucked on my bottom lip.

“You look hungry.” His laugh was friendly, “Don’t have too many of those biscuits, “Don’t have too many of those biscuits.  The last time I had Mrs. Anderson’s biscuits, I was sick for a day. They are so good you can’t stop eating them.”

Before I could answer, Aimee came bounding from nowhere and pulled Daniel’s arm. She seemed to be a bit bigger than when I last saw her, and her long reddish hair, I loved, was cut to her ears. A small smile hid between plump cheeks. 

“C’mon,” She said laughing. “We’re waiting for you.” Then she saw me. “Oh, hello Willow.”

She pulled again on Daniel’s arm. “Okay, Okay,” A shy laugh burst from his large grin.  “It’s good to see you, Willow.”

No longer defiant, I placed the paper plate on the table, watching Aimee drag Daniel to the diving board.  My old best friend with my Daniel, the same boy she knew I had liked since the first grade.

Ha-ha-ha, Willow, I heard Murphy say, but I could not see him, so fickle.

It was difficult being twelve years old, well at least, it was for me. I sat on a chair watching everyone else jump from the diving board, dive-bombing, and heads bobbed around in the water.  

 “Are you scared of water?” 

I felt my stomach twist and my body cringed as I heard that voice. The shrilly, annoying voice of Ashley Walters. 

Looking at her, I said. “I will swim later.” If I had known she would be here, maybe I would not have come to the party, but I would not have wanted to disappoint Cara either. 

“I don’t even know why you’re here.” She pulled a sour face. “No one likes you, and you have no friends.” 

Anger welled up inside me and I stood, facing her. “Just you, Ashley,” I said, without thinking, I continued. “Your face is as ugly as you are and people hang around you only because your parents are very rich.” 

At any other time, in any other circumstance, I would have laughed at the face Ashley pulled. It was like looking at one of those angry witches in a children's cartoon. All the chatter and laughter stopped. There was just silence as all eyes focused on us. She stepped forward and pushed me, hard.

Some of her entourage and Cara came running over to tell her to stop, to see if I was alright, but it was too late. A pool noodle lay on the floor and I tripped over it, my arms were flapping in the air like a duck about to fly off. One of the other kids, Wesley, oblivious to everything going on, had bent down to pick up something from the ground and as he stood, we collided. My head was only inches away from the side of the pool; I landed a perfect belly flop into the pool. It just took Ashley to laugh, and then almost everyone began laughing. 

From the diving board, Daniel had seen what happened and dove into the pool and swam up next to me. Cara had also jumped into the pool. Some kids were patting Wesley on the back, congratulating him for something that he did not know of doing. Once he realized what had happened, he got angry and was full of apologies.

“I’m sorry, Willow.” He held out his hand and pulled me out of the pool with the help of Daniel and Cara. “I didn’t know. I’m sorry.”

Coughing, spluttering, I did not know if I cried from embarrassment or the pain I felt throughout my body. 

“I’m going home, Cara.” I said, “I’m sorry I ruined your party.”

“No, you didn’t Willow.” She gave me a hug. “I didn’t want Ashley and her friends to come, but her Dad and my Dad are friends.”

“It’s okay, Cara. I’ll get dressed and call Susan to come to fetch me.”

I could not get a hold of Susan so I had to wait until the end of the party. Rather than sit outside I sat on one of the colorful couches and watched the boys play video games.

I heard Murphy’s laughter, “I told you not to go.”  I ignored him. Even Susan was quiet in the car.  She was usually full of chatter and excitement after spending time with Kyle. This must have been a bad day for both of us.

  “Are you alright, Susan?” 

She was looking out the window as if searching for something.  I looked out my window to see if I could find whatever it was she looking for.  All I saw was the moon’s soft smile peeping through the clouds as the sun was beginning to set.   

  “Willow,” She said softly.  “I’m sorry.”

  “Sorry?” I frowned, “For what? You haven’t done anything wrong.”

  “I have, Willow.”  She looked at me sadly. “I realized I have neglected you. One day you will understand.”

  “Why can’t I understand now?”

  “I thought that Kyle was a good guy, you know.”  She gave a small sigh. “I broke up with him. I want you to know that I really love looking after you. I know school and life at home have been hard for you, and you have been a brave girl. I should have looked out for you better, I’m really sorry.”

 “You’re right, Susan, I don’t understand.” 

 “Promise me something, Willow.” Susan stared at me.  Her dark brown eyes gazed upon my face.

I nodded, “Okay.”

“I’m serious.  Promise me, you’ll never fall in love.”

Fall in love?  I frowned. “Okay, I promise. I won’t do that.”

“You shouldn’t promise what you don’t know.”  Murphy suddenly appeared sitting between Susan and me.   

“What do you mean, what I don’t know?” I repeated without thinking.

Susan frowned.  “What?”

I realized what I had done.  “Uh, I mean I don’t know what you just asked me.”

Murphy was chuckling again. Willow, Willow, Willow.

 “Did you even hear what I said?”  Susan became upset.

 “Yes, Susan, I did.”  I looked down at my feet. “I just got confused,” then added, “I had a bad time at the party, but I’m alright now, and I will remember our promise. I will not fall in love, ever.  Ever, I promise!”

After a quick dubious look at me, she smiled.  “Good girl.  We’re almost home.”

***

There was a strange car parked outside Dad’s garage.  It was hard to see what kind of a car because it was beginning to get dark. It may have been grey. On the back of the car, the shine of a metal circle with three silver lines inside caught my attention. My Dad told me a little about cars, I guessed it could be a Mercedes. Like the kind of car Ashley’s Dad drove and one that my Dad did not like at all.

  “Is this a new car?”

Susan shook her head.  “Let’s go inside, I think your Mom is back.”

  “Mom’s back!” I smiled. She had been gone for almost four months. 

I ran to the house expecting to find my Mom waiting for me. Instead, she was by the pool in her dark blue bikini, the one that was very tight at the top, holding a drink and that man was with her. I remembered him.  The dark blue-eyed hairy man, except this time he was not hairy. Both his beard and mustache were gone, and his chest and back were smooth. He looked better than the last time I saw him, and I still did not like him.

  “Willow,” Mom gushed. “I have missed you so much.”

Placing her drink on the table beside her, she seemed a bit wobbly but managed to walk to me and gave me one of the biggest hugs I had ever received from her. I loved my Mom, and whatever was the reason for this attention, I enjoyed it, and squeezed her back. The smell of wine was like a faint perfume. Her light brown hair had grown long down her back since I last saw her, like mine, streaked with natural blond highlights. Her light blue eyes, flecked with light brown, as if a cool bright sky lay hidden behind gold autumn leaves, looked a bit glassy. I had my Dad’s hazel eyes, changing colors depending on my mood, and right now, I was not happy to see that man with my Mom.

  “Sweetie,” Her gaze seemed to look right through me. “I want you to meet a friend of mine.”  Forgetting we had met, she led me outside, and the man stood as we approached.

  “Antony de la Cruz.” She said proudly. I noticed she had picked up a slight accent. 

His dark blue eyes shone and he held out his hand, I reached out my hand to take his expecting a small handshake, as most people do, instead, he held my fingers and kissed the top of my hand.  I blushed.  It felt like a butterfly had briefly touched my skin. He also smelled of wine. “I have heard so much about you.”

  “Do you think he really is your Mother’s friend”? Murphy said, walking around scrutinizing both my Mom and Antony. I did not answer after what happened in the car with Susan.

“Is she really your Mother?” He taunted.          

I closed my eyes trying to clear my thoughts to drown Murphy out of my head.

  “It’s hot, Mom.” I said, “I’ll come swim with you and show you how much I’ve improved. Sandra says if I keep practicing I will be good enough to enter the National competitions and Championships.”

  “Oh, dear,” Mom said with a frown, stroking my hair with her perfectly manicured fingers. “Your hair looks so dry. You should not swim so often, it is not good for your hair. I’ll speak to Susan about it.” She tilted her head, and added, “You need to moisturize your skin, and don’t spend too much time in the sun.” She noticed my tanned skin. 

  “Amore, your daughter is as beautiful as you.” He seemed a bit taller than my Dad and looked strong. “You will have trouble keeping the boys away when she is older.” His smile was perfect, like the pictures in a magazine. “Let’s go out for dinner tonight, hmm?” He looked pleased with himself. “I suggest the Roma Revolving Restaurant.”

  “Great idea,” Mom said, “Susan can take you out quickly and buy you a new outfit.”

  “I have plenty of clothes.” I sighed, “Can’t you take me?”

  “I have a guest, Sweetie.”  Mom said, giving me a look that really said, ‘Watch it, young lady.’ She added, “It would be rude. Besides, Susan knows exactly what I like.” 

***

Dinner was boring.  All Mom and Antony spoke about was business, relationships, and things that did not concern me. If I did not know any better, this was more like a date and I was the third wheel, the same as when I hung around while Kyle and Susan did whatever it was that they did.  The Roma Revolving restaurant was not as I expected.  It just turned around and around very slowly. In the distance, I just saw a black canvas with dotted lights of different sizes and colors; I could not even see the ocean. 

The dress Susan picked for me was very uncomfortable and horrible.  Perhaps it would have looked cute if I was still five years old. A baby blue dress stopped at my knees with white circular patterns, white pumps on my feet matched the outfit. I wanted to wear a tight black top, covered by a sparkling green shirt, a long black skirt, and black shoes with slight heels.  I felt ridiculous.

When dessert finally arrived, chocolate mousse and ice cream for me, Murphy appeared, taking the seat next to me he nodded towards the entrance. I looked around and of all the people in the world that could come to this restaurant on this very night were Jayde, Ashley, and Cara with their families. The Maître D’ showed them to a really long rectangular table that had obviously been reserved for them. 

As I tried to cover my face, slinking deeper within my chair, Mom just had to call them over. Why did everyone have to know everybody? 

  “Mrs. McQuoid,” James Walters greeted with an air of superiority and Mom did not look happy, but faked a smile. “James, it’s wonderful to see you again, please I insist, it’s Lexi to my friends.” 

“Alexis,” Debbie Walters did not smile and glared at my Mom as she passed our table and Mom planted a fake smile in response.

“Congratulations on the Maine Project, Lexi,” Michael Anderson gave a hearty smile, “you must be so proud.” He stopped and let his wife walk ahead of him, but she stopped and faced us.

“Yes,” James continued, “Arthur’s work is commendable. There was never a doubt McQuoid Architecture would be awarded the contract.”

Looking at Ashley’s father was like looking at a fatter male version of her. Debbie Walters and my Mom did not get along. When I was small, I had heard people talk about this man, James, and my Mom-and they were not good things either.

While Mom introduced Antony and all exchanged pleasantries, I tried to ignore Jayde and Ashley’s laughter and soft snide remarks about my dress. I couldn’t help but wonder where was Jayde’s mother.

  “How are you feeling, Willow?” Joy Anderson interrupted, “after that fall in the pool, I was worried about you. I thought you had been seriously hurt.”     

  “I’m fine,” I replied feeling my face grow hot as eyes fell upon me, my voice shaky and I tried on a small smile. Cara had already seated herself at the table along with her twin brother, Damien, and Ashley’s younger sister, Chloe. 

Of course, Mom knew nothing of the incident but assured Mrs. Anderson that there was no harm done.  

Thankfully, we did not stay much longer and left, but in the car, my Mom lectured me about how embarrassed she was at hearing about the incident at the party and knew nothing of it. How others knew before she did. 

  “Accidents do happen, Amore.”  Antony came to my defense, which I appreciated. “Willow is fine, and the fiesta went on, I don’t see a cause for concern.”   

Alone, in my room, I cried myself to sleep. Feeling sorry for myself, I thought how desperate must I be to have Murphy console me.