by Robyn Steele
Chapter 9
Momma woke me up as she usually does on my birthday with blueberry crepes for breakfast. She had invited Brielle to spend the night, which she always did on my birthday. What’s a birthday without your bestie? However there were a few extra people for my birthday breakfast this year. The DaMonicos were here and the best part was Cruz was spending my birthday with me. I couldn’t believe how fast I was falling for him and how much I wanted to be around him.
We had breakfast out on the veranda, since it was such a beautiful sunny morning. We had a wicker dinette set out there for just such occasions and momma knew it was my favorite place to dine. The hummingbirds were already frolicking around the bird feeder grams kept hanging from the eaves. The honeysuckle clinging to the archway filled the air with sweet perfume. A vase of lilies graced the table with an array of colors. The only thing that could make this day more perfect would be to have my father here.
After breakfast Cruz and I stayed outside to enjoy the morning air and enjoy each other’s company. As we lounged on the railing, consumed in small talk and laughing at each other’s jokes, Nate’s car pulled up. Oh crap! I’m going to have to have a talk with him. Not looking forward to this at all. I walked over to him and gave him a very platonic hug. Just a friend hug. I didn’t want to encourage him.
“Happy birthday sunshine! Do you have plans for today?” He cheerfully said. Here is your first of many presents.” He gave me a lingering kiss on the lips. Awkward!
Nate was really sweet and I liked spending time with him, but I didn’t feel anything. Nate kissed me on the lips and I didn’t feel a thing. I don’t think I ever have felt a thing with Nate. Not to disregard the fact that I do care about what happens to him and I definitely don’t want to hurt him. Nate is my friend. He has been for years. How do I keep the friend and let the boyfriend go?
On the other hand, I have never kissed Cruz, and yet whenever I touch him I get a zing all through my body and a warm feeling all over. I hope to kiss him someday, in the future. I don’t know if I can handle that yet. No telling what kind of sensation that would cause. “Cruz, could you give Nate and me some time alone?” I asked him, and then with my mind I said, I need to tell Nate our relationship has changed and I need to do it easy.
No problem, my love. I’ll be waiting for you inside. Cruz replied with his thoughts. He then slid off the railing and went inside.
“Nate, let’s sit down.” I directed him. We took a seat on the porch swing. We had spent many evenings here talking and watching sunsets, many mornings here sipping OJ, and many hours here just chilling out. My mind was filled with memories of Nate and me. All the pictures flashed through my mind as I was trying to find a way to tell Nate we weren’t going to be boyfriend-girlfriend anymore. I could feel the tears behind my eyes begging to break free. My heart was aching for what Nate was about to hear, what I was about to reveal to him.
“So what’s up, babe?” He solemnly probed. He took my hands in his and looked into my eyes. I couldn’t look at him and turned my head down to look at my hands. “Come on, whatever it is just tell me. I can handle anything.”
I thought about all the times Nate had made me laugh. I thought about all the times he cheered me up. How could I possibly make him sad? “Remember that time we hid up in the apple tree when it was time for me to go to the doctors to get my shots so I could start school?” I asked him. “I was determined not to go and you were trying to help me.” I laughed.
“Yup. That was forever ago.”
“I was just remembering it. I was thinking about all the times you have been there for me, no matter how crazy it got. Like the time you told my grams that you knocked the lamp off the table to keep me out of trouble. We couldn’t fool her though. She knew it was me that knocked it off.”
“Geesh Talli that is old stuff. Why the trip down memory lane?”
“That’s how long you have been here for me. I just wanted to say thanks.” Now I looked up into his eyes. Those gorgeous green eyes that gleamed back at me. I reached my finger up to feel a strand of his golden hair and brushed it back off his forehead.
Nate tucked my hair behind my ear and pulled me close to him. “You should know I would do anything for you. Why so melancholy today? You’re just turning 18, not 80.” Nate joked and kissed the top of my head.
“Nate, I have had lots of great years with you. You have been my best friend…” I began.
“Whoa! Wait a minute. You’re not dying are you? Oh my heck! You…aren’t…sick…or dying, are you?” Nate slowly speculated.
“Oh no! Nothing like that. I’m fine.” I corrected. He looked so puzzled now. I wanted to get inside his head and read his thoughts. Then suddenly he had that aha look.
“You are breaking up with me, aren’t you?”
“I just think…”
“You are! What are you doing, Talli? After all we’ve been through together. After all these years! I don’t understand why you are doing this.”
“I’m not really doing anything. I just think it’s time to move on. I don’t feel like we have enough chemistry to be romantically involved. I still care about you and …..”
“You have got to be kidding! If you cared about me you wouldn’t hurt me like this!”
“You’re wrong, Nate. Because I care about you I can’t let this go on any more. I don’t want to hurt you, but if I let you believe things are different than they are, it will hurt you more eventually.”
“You’re wrong! You’re just confused because there is someone else, isn’t there. It’s Cruz, isn’t it?”
“It’s not Cruz’ fault. I just think my feelings are different. I really don’t know how to explain it, but I know it’s different.”
Everything became so quiet. It’s like time froze. The hurt in Nate’s eyes was unbearable. I instantly wanted to take everything back and tell him it was a mistake, and that I didn’t mean it. But I knew that would make things worse. I would just be leading him to believe things were different, which would just hurt him more later. “I’m really sorry, Nate.” I couldn’t think of anything else to say so I ran in to the house.
Inside the house Cruz, momma, my grandparents and the DaMonicos waited in the kitchen. The mood in there was solemn as well. Momma and grams and grandpa had always liked Nate a lot. This probably hurt them as much as it did me.
The kitchen had been cleaned up so we were just sitting there. No one was saying a word. Lissandra was first to break the silence. “Well, let’s get this party started, shall we?”
“Talli may not feel like partying now, sis.” Cruz spoke.
I did, though. I needed to do something to get my mind off of Nate. I needed to focus on something else or I would lose it. “On contraire. Let’s party.” I said half-heartedly.
They all knew it was a front but played along anyway. Cruz reluctantly stood up and motioned for me to follow. “Well, let’s find out what the plan is.” I followed him to his car and got in. I noticed all the others getting into the limo and followed behind us. We drove out of town. “Where exactly are we going?” I asked Cruz and I looked over at him just in time to see the dimple in his cheek.
“I don’t know. Let’s find out.”
“That’s not fair.” I protested jokingly. Then I settled down into my seat and was deep in thought. Cruz obviously decided to change my demeanor.
“Okay. I’ll give you a hint or two. You see if you can guess.” Cruz said, trying to keep me talking. “We are going somewhere there are ancient landmarks.” He looked at me for a sign of recognition. “This place takes a while to get to.” He added.
“Not sure. How long does it take to get there?”
“Make a guess and I’ll give you more hints.”
“Petroglyphs?”
“Nope. It will take us all day to get there.” He loo
ked over at me and grinned.
“We don’t really have anything ancient around here except petroglyphs. I give. Where is it?”
“Not that easy. You have to guess.”
“Ancient, huh. Are you taking me to Greece?” I joked.
Cruz chuckled. “You’re getting closer.”
“No way! It’s close to Greece?”
“Well it’s closer to Greece than it is to here.”
“OMG! Is it on the same continent as Greece?”
“Yes.”
“Italy!” I guessed jubilantly.
“Yes.” Cruz answered. “How’d you know? I was careful to hide my thoughts.”
“That’s where you live, right?
“So, what do you think?”
“Are you kidding?! I think that’s great! I haven’t seen Italy before. We have travelled a lot but momma never would let me go to Italy or anywhere near there. It was probably to keep me from the goons that kidnapped us. I can see that now. We went to Africa, South America and Hong Kong. But never to Italy. I can’t wait!”
Cruz smiled, obviously pleased that I was pleased with his surprise.
“But I need to go back and pack some bags.” I said.
Don’t worry about that.” Cruz just smiled and kept going forward.
“No, really. Turn around.” I protested.
Amica, don’t worry about it. Just relax and enjoy the surprise.” Cruz replied.
“I just need some things. I can’t go half way around the world and not take some things.”
“Okay. I might as well let you know that your mom pre-packed a couple of bags for you with some necessities. We will buy the rest there. Now, can we continue?”
“Ok.” I answered timidly. I should have known they would have it all planned. I sure wasn’t used to this surprise thing. But I think I could get used to it pretty easily.
Italy was beautiful, just like I had always imagined. The Tuscan countryside with its rolling hills was begging for my attention. I wanted to run across the vista with the wind rushing through my hair and the sun kissing my cheeks. I wanted to experience this splendor with Cruz, but I couldn’t help thinking how much Nate would appreciate this. I wanted him to see it too.
It was confusing to me. I cared about Nate. I even liked him. However, I thought of him more as a brother or a good friend. I didn’t dream about him. I didn’t long for his touch. I had never even known those feelings could exist until I met Cruz. Cruz awakened something in me. Something I never knew I missed until I found it.
I loved Cruz’ home in Salerno. They had a sprawling ranch of vineyards and olive trees that overlooked the Mediterranean Sea. Cruz held me in his arms as we basked in the sunshine, atop a knoll watching the fishing boats out at sea. “My father owns a few of those. We could go out there sometime on our family yacht.” Cruz whispered in my ear. “That would be a great way to show you the scenery.”
After we all survived our jet lag, Cruz took me and momma, grams and grandpa touring all over Italy. Cruz’ family came along for company. We all loved spending time with the DaMonicos, as they did with us. Momma and my grandparents had finally found someone they could be free to be themselves around. I had found someone who I could learn to be me around. I not only enjoyed being around Cruz and his sister, they could teach me about our culture and help me develop my abilities.
We first went to Rome and Venice. What a treasure trove of art and history and beauty! I wished I had more time to spend there. I didn’t have enough time to see everything I wanted to see. We were able to see some of the masterpieces from Leonardo da Vinci, Batiste, and Michelangelo. We toured rich, gothic architecture such as the St. Mark’s Basilica, one of the massive medieval churches in Rome. I wondered how difficult it was for my grandparents to leave such a magical place as this. They must have missed it dearly when they did. I made a mental note to come back and spend a large amount of time myself.
When we all decided to take a ride on the water taxi in Venice, grams had a premonition that we were being followed. We decided to go back to the DaMonicos’ ranch and lay low for a while. The DaMonicos had plenty of security guards to keep a look out. So we were probably more safe there than back home in the States or anywhere else. However, it was disappointing to have our tour cut short. We would definitely come back and finish at a better time. I was so grateful to Cruz for bringing me here. By far my best birthday gift ever!
I decided this was a good time to practice my abilities. Cruz and Lissandra took me out by the pool to teach me what they knew. We had our swim suits on. I, of course had a t-shirt over mine. Cruz took his shirt off. Holy abs! Now that’s a six pack! I was definitely not taking my shirt off. I was uncomfortable wearing a swim suit around him. Still, the crystal clear water in the Olympic size pool was beckoning me to indulge in it. How could I resist such pleasure? However, I didn’t want to be first in, so I tried to push Cruz in. He was too fast and strong for me so I was the one that ended up being pushed in. Although Cruz jumped in after he pushed me. I loved his playfulness. I was glad I got pushed in with my t shirt on, though.
As we were swimming around and basking in the sun, I thought I heard something in my head. I stopped and paused to listen. I heard nothing so I continued swimming around. Then I heard it again. I paused and listened.
“What is it?” Cruz asked. “Someone is talking to you, right?”
“I thought I heard something but now it’s gone.”
“In my experience it’s always someone trying to contact me when that happens. You need to sit still and listen for more. Concentrate on who you think it might be, or in your case who you want it to be.” Cruz instructed me.
I sat very still, my eyes closed trying to concentrate. There it is again. Talitha, can you hear me? Talli, it’s me, your dad. Talitha, let me know if you can hear me. This is your father.
“Holy telepathy! It’s him! It’s my dad!” I exclaimed excitedly. Dad, I can hear you! Where are you? I paused to listen for an answer.
Talli, I don’t know where they have me. I’m going to try to guide you here. Keep tuned to me so I can communicate with you. I’ll give you more when I get it. Wow, it is so good to hear you! I have waited a lifetime to hear you. I can’t believe you have a great ability with this. I heard you trying to contact me and I’ve been trying to contact you back. This is wonderful! I have to go but I will be in touch. I love you so much…and your mother! I can’t wait to see you both! I have to go. I love you!
Then he was gone. I wish I had more! Why did he have to leave? “That was my father. I heard him! This is fantastic! I never thought I’d ever hear my father! This is so cool! I can’t wait to hear him again!” I shouted to Cruz and Lissandra.
“That’s great! Even more reason to start developing your abilities. I have a feeling you have only begun to tap into them and your abilities are going to blow us all away.” Cruz said.